Obama and his 'Etch A Sketch'

[AntiFascist]

President Obama had his "Etch A Sketch" moment this morning when an open mic caught him making private comments to Russian President Medvedev:

“On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it’s important for him to give me space,” Obama could be heard telling Medvedev, referring to incoming President Vladimir Putin.

“Yeah, I understand,” Medvedev replied in English. “I understand your message about space. Space for you.”

Obama interrupted to say: “This is my last election. After my election, I have more flexibility.”

http://www.boston.com/Boston/politicalintelligence/2012/03/president-obama-has-own-etch-sketch-moment-with-open-mic-comment-russian/KeOwtBcHqwCONPTWLQlXJI/index.html

All 3 Republican presidential hopefuls subsequently appeared on CNN this morning ready to pounce on this. In true Republican form, they presumed the worst from the Obama, that he didn't want to do anything that might possibly affect his chances of getting re-elected, but once he is elected, then the sky's the limit. For him, this was simply a domestic political matter and nothing more.

Could it be, possibly, that Obama simply wanted time to be able to focus on his presidential campaign in the short term? Could it be that setting up a missile defense system targeting Iran is such a serious foreign policy issue that it deserves his full attention and "flexibility" when and if he gets re-elected? I don't think CNN contemplated this as a possibility.

[bluestateguy]

1. Obama got Osama

That is all that needs to be said to pretty much silence all foreign policy criticism.

[FSogol]

2. Etch-a-sketch moment? Hardly. It takes a lot of stretching to

turn a diplomatic way of putting someone off into a scandal.

[ProSense]

3. That's

"President Obama had his 'Etch A Sketch'"

...hilarious! It shows that the media and Republicans know that 'Etch-A-Sketch' can be used to mock a candidate, and the characterization is inseparable from Romeny so they're trying to project.

The analogy in the OP makes no sense.

It's desperation: http://www.democraticunderground.com/1002475056

[WillyT]

4. In One Way... Thruthful, And A minor Deal... In Another Way... Takes The Romney...

"Etch-A-Sketch" argument away from the Democratic side.

They'll just put this up as a counter-argument.