Obama reaches out (sort of) to Chavez

Posted: Friday, April 17, 2009 8:48 PM by Chuck Todd

From NBC's Chuck Todd
PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD -- Well, this isn't Europe. The deference Pres. Obama was given by European leaders two weeks ago is gone here at the opening ceremonies of this 5th Summit of the Americas.

As longtime observers of this region know, Latin Americans have held grudges against the United States for decades. It's part of the political culture to, well, blame America (if not even hate America). And judging by the rhetoric of the few Latin American leaders that have spoken to this summit already, even the president's personal popularity isn't enough for them to suddenly welcome U.S. leadership with open arms.

The president, in his speech, used familiar rhetoric from the campaign trail in trying to deflect some of the angry anti-American sentiments (spewed mostly from Nicaraguan pres. Daniel Ortega) by saying he didn't want to focus on past debates. He regularly invoked that tone when talking about other controversial issues that have haunted domestic politics (including race).

There are already some interesting personal moments for Mr. Obama, including an early quick meeting with Venezuelan pres. Hugo Chavez. According to a senior administration official, the president walked across the room where all the leaders were gathering and introduced himself to Chavez.

Chavez apparently said a few words to Obama -- in English -- but the senior admin official wouldn't say what it was. The president simply shook Chavez's hand, smiled and went back in line (the leaders lined up alphabetically).

Another interesting encounter took place between Ortega and Obama. (BTW, for those old enough to remember the Iran-Contra affair will want to read the English translation of his bizarre rants about Reagan in his speech tonight). Ortega came up to him, Obama said "his gusto" meaning "his pleasure." They shook hands and that was it. This all took place before Ortega's screed which Obama deflected in his speech with a joke.

Despite the best efforts of the White House, it appears the agenda of this summit will be almost solely focused on the U.S. relationship with Cuba. The U.S. hoped to have some focus on other issues but Cuba, so far, has dominated the conversation.

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Comments

The WH has to be careful for not coming across as week. Because you have to ability to spout your Pro-Obama agenda that doesn't mean in other countries that Obama with a picture shaking Chavez's hand will not be used for spouting their own propanganda. So you can have a good intention and it be used througout the America hating world as something else. What makes it an easier argument is the credibility given to Chavez when Obama is an opologist for America.

Mark Brasher (Sent Monday, April 20, 2009 7:40 AM)

I'm very glad that Pres. Obama is trying to be very diplomatic to all the countries. It says a great deal about him. I cringe at the thought of who we could have elected to the Presidential office. We certainly don't need to have someone that is a war monger going and talking to all these heads of state.

JoAnn, Moundsville, WV (Sent Monday, April 20, 2009 9:25 AM)

Any member of the republican party should be ashame and appalling of their attutide. They are suppose to represent the people, but instead are representing their childish behavior. It was only a hand shake, why make such a big deal over it. They just pick, pick, pick and for what. Is this what Americans going to get the next 4 years from the Republican party? Do they even think this is what the American people want for the next 4 years? These are grown men acting like children. If I was a republican, I would start asking for them to resign. Why pay their salary when they are not doing any work? The republicans have gone to far. It is always been stated that a woman just nags and nags; well the republicans are doing the same thing. The money used to pay their salaries can benefit a whole lot of American people. The republicans have gone to far with their nik-picking; it is really stupid. They can get a whole lot out of a hand shake, but they can't understand what the American people wants and needs; what is wrong with this picture. They are only wasting time, space and money. We need to be able to live in peace anywhere and everywhere, and what is wrong with promoting peace?

amazing, midwest city, ok (Sent Monday, April 20, 2009 9:29 AM)

Well, it is obvious that the next four years will be
completely consumed with the right-wing criticizing
EVERY move and policy the President makes, while those of us who ELECTED him to bring about "changes", defend him. Let us be clear: Those who are doing the most criticizing and posting the most resistence are those who NEVER voted for, or supported him in the first place. The Joe Scarsborough's, Pat Buchanan's and GOP right-wing conservatives who never believed he
could ascend to the office of President are the ones who now have such avid opinions about how he should handle his presidency. My word to them is: YOU run for office in 2012 - maybe someone will then, take your opionion seriously. In the meantime, stick to what YOU get paid to do. Thank you and GOD bless our
Country AND our 44th President - may he be protected from ALL those who would undermind his success for the
sake of their own hidden agendas and prejudices.

Jo Anne Weathers - Colonia, N.J. (Sent Monday, April 20, 2009 9:34 AM)

Morning Joe and the Republican party are irrelavent, they lost the last election because they lost credibility. Their complain with no alternate solution rings hollow and is seem as politics to the lowest level. Look Morning Joe, you put down the Eastern establishment and their schools every morning on your show as if they were from another country, while do you hate some part of this country. Joe, you and the Republicans are the minority along with your views. Had the last adminstration done a good job we would had re-elected a Republican in the White House and left them in control of Congress. You and the Republicans has the right to complain but we are not listening, we just laugh our a.... out at your.

Ben Purser, Royal Oak, MI (Sent Monday, April 20, 2009 10:18 AM)

I have never been so proud of any of the Presidents in my life time as I am now of President Obama. He is smart. articulate, professional and much more. How he is handling himself makes me very very proud!

TJ (Sent Monday, April 20, 2009 10:20 AM)

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