Obama getting the best of anti-American rulers

[Zorro]

<snip>

President Barack Obama has already scored his first major victory against anti-American demagogues worldwide. He has put them on the defensive by the sheer power of his popularity in their own countries.

Even before he sat down at the Oval Office for his first work day on Wednesday, Obama's significant popularity in Latin America and other parts of the world has given him a head start over what he described in his inaugural address as ``those leaders around the world who seek to sow conflict or blame their society's ills on the West.''

In many countries, Obama has a more positive image than that of the local head of state.

That has put many anti-American leaders -- Venezuela's narcissist-Leninist President Hugo Chávez among them -- in the awkward position of having to tone down their daily tirade of epithets against the United States or risk being out of touch with their own people.

<snip>

More at: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/columnists/andres-oppenheimer/story/866487.html

[DavidDvorkin]

1. Will there be a flood of angry pro-Chavez posts?

[YOY]

2. It will be interesting to see if Hugo knows when to cut the attack.

And start to agree. He's got a huge ego but even antiyaquismo's have to use a bit of common sense.

[nichomachus]

3. I'm pretty sure Hugo

was tirading against Bush's America -- and, you know something, so was I.

And what the fuck is a "narcissist-Leninist?" Seriously, that is one of those made-up terms that is supposed to get people riled up.

[1monster]

5. Even when he said Obama had the same odoriferous air (the translation of his remark makes the word

stench seem mild) as Bush?

I liked Chavez at first, but he is more and more over the top these days, and narcissist doesn't seem to be an over statement. Egomaniacal also seems to fit.

Please remember, this man is openly trying to become "President-For-Life" Chavez.

[Chulanowa]

7. Yeah, that term had me scarching my head

And thus disregarding the entire article.

[4_TN_TITANS]

4. Simply brilliant strategy...

We done good. Any of our potential Dems would have been good, but I can't see any of them hitting the ground with this much gusto.

[supernova]

6. Yes, it appears

we have checkmated much of the world with this move of putting Obama in the WH, maybe far more than is evident right now.

;-)

Will be an interesting four years.

:patriot:

[Larkspur]

8. Then I guess Obama is against most of us voters who voted for him over Bush

I was voting AGAINST Bush more than voting for Obama.

[bettyellen]

11. he talking about countires blaming their own ills on America.....

he has acknowledge this country fucked uo, guess you missed that part of his inaugural speech?

[Larkspur]

9. Hugo Chavez is not anti-American

He was anti-Bush and against American neoliberal policies that enslaved Latin American countries. Unfortunately, Obama currently sides with those neoliberal policies that enslave our Latin American brothers and sisters. Hope Obama changes his tune on that soon.

[OneBlueSky]

10. I've said all along that just by getting elected, Obama has done more . . .

that is positive for this country than George W. Bush did in eight years . . . the differences between the two is truly startling, and very very welcome . . .