08-04-2009, 10:44 PM
If this is all on the 'up and up' as it's being made to appear (and I have no reason to believe it isn't), then it reinforces in my opinion Clinton's political abilities (something Bush didn't have).
Go back to the round of nuclear sword rattling by North Korea during the Clinton presidency, his administration exhibited keen insight into how to deal w/N. Korea. They recognized that their leaders were paranoid, and so they had to 'coddle them' into an agreement in regards to their nuclear program. It took a lot of political hand holding, etc. Then Bush came in and started making all that tough talk. N. Korea being what they are, then reversed their position (perhaps irrevocably). Bad move politically. You don't bully groups with such a mindset that N. Korea has.
In the end, this is the role of the leader. To defuse situations from getting worse. Who cares what it appears to the general public?! Political leaders around the globe will always see things differently, thus ensuring the U.S. is not viewed as weak, but rather politically adept and strong.
Go back to the round of nuclear sword rattling by North Korea during the Clinton presidency, his administration exhibited keen insight into how to deal w/N. Korea. They recognized that their leaders were paranoid, and so they had to 'coddle them' into an agreement in regards to their nuclear program. It took a lot of political hand holding, etc. Then Bush came in and started making all that tough talk. N. Korea being what they are, then reversed their position (perhaps irrevocably). Bad move politically. You don't bully groups with such a mindset that N. Korea has.
In the end, this is the role of the leader. To defuse situations from getting worse. Who cares what it appears to the general public?! Political leaders around the globe will always see things differently, thus ensuring the U.S. is not viewed as weak, but rather politically adept and strong.