In his first national television interview since reaching a deal with Russia on a method for dealing with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s nuclear weapons inventory, President Barack Obama’s main focus appeared to be damage control for the fiasco know as his administration’s Syria policy.
Obama appeared on ABC’s ‘This Week’ on Sunday, where he attempted to answer his numerous critics, some of whom have called his foreign policy “improvised” and “unsteady.” Obama then claimed that Washington only grades on style, something that he wasn’t very concerned about.
“Folks here in Washington like to grade on style, and, so, had we rolled out something that was very smooth and disciplined and, um, linear, they would have graded it well even if it was a disastrous policy,” said Obama. “We know that because that’s how they graded the Iraq War.”
Host George Stephanopoulos went on to ask whether or not this changed any of the criticism that Obama had given to President George W. Bush, to which the President responded, “What it says is that I’m less concerned about style points.”
In terms of style points, few would argue that it was not a good week for American foreign policy.
The Obama administration has received a large amount of criticism for what many view as perceived weakness in dealing with both Syria and Russia. Also on Sunday, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich criticized the outcome of the Syria deal, saying that it increased Russian influence in the Middle East, and that the United States was “following from behind.”
“The objective fact is Russian influence in the Middle East increased dramatically,” Gingrich said. “We’re now relying on the Russians. We’re now following from behind, not leading from behind. This is not a good long-term position.”
When asked about his relationship with Putin, Obama noted that they do not share the same values, but would be willing to further work with him in efforts to lower the level of conflict in Syria.
“I don’t think Mr. Putin has the same values that we do,” said Obama. “I think obviously, by protecting Mr. Assad, he has a different attitude about the Assad regime. But, what I’ve also said to him directly, we both have an interest in preventing chaos; we both have an interest in preventing terrorism.”
Obama went on to say that he would welcome further involvement by Putin in the situation in Syria.
“I think there’s a way for Mr. Putin — despite me and him having a whole lot of difference — to play an important role in that,” said Obama. “I welcome him being involved. I welcome him saying I will take responsibility for pushing my client, the Assad regime, to deal with these chemical weapons.”
After being asked by Stephanopoulos if he thought Putin was playing him, Obama quickly pulled out a quote that President Ronald Reagan used when dealing with the Soviet Union.
“Ronald Reagan said, ‘Trust but verify,’ and that’s always been the experience of U.S. presidents when we’re interacting with first Soviet leaders and now Russian leaders,” said Obama. “Mr. Putin and I have strong disagreements on a whole range of issues, but I can talk to him. We have worked together on important issues.”
Though he admitted they have disagreements, Obama’s criticism of Putin had nowhere near the level of condemnation that other American political figures gave to the Russian President. Earlier this week, Sen. Robert Menendez (D-N.J.) said Putin’s op-ed made him want to “vomit,” and Gingrich said “we should laugh at him [Putin] when he tries to lecture America about exceptionalism.”
