President Obama’s explanation today of his private request yesterday, captured on an open microphone, of Russian president Dmitry Medvedev for some “space” and “flexibility” until after November’s election, simply compounds the problem. 

“The only way I get this stuff done is if I’m consulting with the Pentagon, with Congress, if I’ve got bipartisan support and frankly, the current environment is not conducive to those kinds of thoughtful consultations,” Obama told reporters. And Obama insisted his comments to Medvedev were “not a matter of hiding the ball—I’m on record” about wanting to reduce nuclear weapons stockpiles.