LONDON — World leaders sought comfort from the familiar Wednesday after President Obama’s reelection, but with the global political landscape substantially unchanged and crises on hold while the vote unfolded, many vied with new vigor for his attention and favor as he embarks on a second term.
In marked contrast to a euphoric surge four years ago when many hailed Obama’s victory as a herald of renewal, the mood was subdued, reflecting not only the shadings of opinion between the US leader’s friends and foes but also a generally lowered expectation of America’s power overseas.
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I wonder if it would be appropriate now for President Obama to suggest that Mr. Netanyahu, being an operative for the Republican Party, might not be the best partner for the United States as new solutions are sought for the Middle East's most intractable problems. Perhaps the President might bring JStreet more closely into his confidence to offset AIPAC, the other Republican institution . The rigidity of the Far Right Likud has not lead to any lasting solutions, either to the West Bank settlement issue or to the establishment of a viable Palestinian State. Our hands should not be tied by the Likud or the Republicans, separately or together.
I was spending a couple of months in the UK when Mitt came over and proceeded to put his foot in his mouth hourly. His remarks on London's preparedness for the Olympics were received with contemptuous laughter and jokes about "Mitt the Twit." My British friends -- not to mention the press -- are relieved and happy that America came to its senses and rejected this man.