Maureen Dowd, "Gadding of a Gawky Gowk": Objectivity Flies Out the Window

In her latest New York Times op-ed entitled "Gadding of a Gawky Gowk" (http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/01/opinion/dowd-gadding-of-a-gawky-gowk.html), Maureen Dowd would have us compare Romney's recent international foray with Obama's July 2008 trip in search of foreign policy credibility. Dowd observes with respect to Obama:

"More than 200,000 Germans thronged to the Victory Column in Berlin, hailing him as 'Redeemer' and 'Savior.' In a joint press conference in Paris, a smitten Nicolas Sarkozy was so touchy-feely that even Obama looked a little embarrassed."

However, four years later, I wonder how many Germans would come to the Victory Column after Nobel Peace Prize winner Obama escalated a senseless war in Afghanistan, costing countless lives and billions of dollars.

In 2008 Sarkozy was "touchy-feely" with Obama? In 2011, the two friends insulted Israeli Prime Minister for all the world to hear:

Sarkozy: "Netanyahu, I can’t stand him. He’s a liar."

Obama: "You are sick of him, but I have to deal with him every day."

I suppose in Obama's foreign policy playbook, nothing beats humiliating a stalwart ally over an open microphone.

Dowd observes that Romney "insulted the British" with his remarks concerning the organization of the Olympics. She fails to note, however, the rancor caused by Obama when he returned to the British embassy a bust of Churchill from the Oval Office (see: http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2012/07/white-house-aide-pfeiffer-apologizes-to-charles-krauthammer/1).

Dowd also notes that Romney "infuriated the Palestinians" by declaring that cultural differences are the reason Israelis are more successful economically. Indeed, a New York Times editorial yesterday also alluded to this "gaffe" by Romney, and claimed that decades of Israeli occupation were responsible for Palestinian economic stagnation (see: http://jgcaesarea.blogspot.co.il/2012/07/new-york-times-editorial-mr-romney.html).

Well, maybe it's a pity that Dowd and the editorial board of the Times don't give serious consideration to the effect of "honor killings" (see: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/19/palestinian-woman-aya-bar_n_864430.html) and discrimination against women on the Palestinian economy, but I suppose such honest talk would also be insulting.

Dowd would have us know that Romney pandered "to the Israelis and American Jewish voters, including donors like the Las Vegas billionaire Sheldon Adelson" by asserting that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. Dowd, of course, fails to tell us that in 2008 Obama told AIPAC that "Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel." Today, on the other hand, White House Spokesman Jay Carney refuses to say where the capital of Israel is located (see: http://jgcaesarea.blogspot.co.il/2012/07/ap-warm-reception-expected-as-romney.html).

Regarding Romney's stopover in Poland, Dowd claims that Romney pandered "to American Catholics by dropping Pope John Paul II’s name every chance he got." Yet no mention by Maureen how Obama alienated Poland as president by canceling a missile defense system in order to pander to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Also no mention by Maureen of former Polish president Lech Walesa's refusal to meet with Obama during his visit to Poland last year.

Yes, Romney's overseas journey last week was less than pretty, but it "ain't nothing" compared with Obama's alienation of allies and breach of foreign policy promises over the past three and a half years.