Barack Obama is only passing through Germany on his trip to Europe later this week and does not plan to hold substantial talks with Angela Merkel. The White House views the chancellor as difficult and Germany is increasingly being left out of the loop. The most meaningful gifts given between world leaders aren't bouquets or porcelain tea services, but rather the flattery they extend to each other. And the American president has showered the German chancellor with a number of highly valued niceties. US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a NATO meeting in April. Indeed, when the president described her approach to political problems as being not only "smart," but also "one of a kind," the chancellor beamed like it was Christmas morning. There's just one problem with the flattery: The man doing the talking was George W. Bush. But these days, in the Washington of Barack Obama, an entirely different tone is adopted when talking about German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They consider the German chancellor to be difficult in her personal manner. Her policies they see as hesitant. And when it comes to economic matters -- particularly after the experience in battling the financial crisis -- they don't feel she has much expertise.
Barack Obama is only passing through Germany on his trip to Europe later this week and does not plan to hold substantial talks with Angela Merkel. The White House views the chancellor as difficult and Germany is increasingly being left out of the loop.
The most meaningful gifts given between world leaders aren't bouquets or porcelain tea services, but rather the flattery they extend to each other. And the American president has showered the German chancellor with a number of highly valued niceties.
US President Barack Obama and German Chancellor Angela Merkel at a NATO meeting in April. Indeed, when the president described her approach to political problems as being not only "smart," but also "one of a kind," the chancellor beamed like it was Christmas morning.
There's just one problem with the flattery: The man doing the talking was George W. Bush. But these days, in the Washington of Barack Obama, an entirely different tone is adopted when talking about German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
They consider the German chancellor to be difficult in her personal manner. Her policies they see as hesitant. And when it comes to economic matters -- particularly after the experience in battling the financial crisis -- they don't feel she has much expertise.
Germany is increasingly being left out of the loop.
Gah, the wailing of Atlanticists is deafening... *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
Merkel's 'crimes': the Brandenburg Gate thing, not taking up a White House invitation placed days before a G8 meeting, not being the ass-licker Sarko was... and then there is this priceless quote on self-unawareness:
Obama and Merkel: The Trans-Atlantic Frenemies - SPIEGEL ONLINE - News - International
But Obama's preference doesn't surprise observers of trans-Atlantic developments. "France is in right now. The impression is that Germany isn't really of much use at the moment," says Stephen Szabo, head of the Transatlantic Academy in Washington.
So, who claims NATO and Atlanticism is about partnership... *Lunatic*, n. One whose delusions are out of fashion.
after all he is the ceo of the biggest bankrupt car co. on the planet.
we pollute with style... ~"When an inner situation is not made conscious, it appears outside as fate." Karl Jung~
