Comments on: Obama’s Africa Policy Draws Concern

By: nelimak

nelimak — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 23:20:53 +0000

Ahhh Ibe ….. “The Audacity of Hope!”

BTW – Volcker’s in too.

By: IBé

IBé — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:33:23 +0000

I’m going to hold judgement until next year (or beyond). But in the meantime, I’ll say this: though I suspect the US will be the US, I hope it turns out to be bigger than itself.

I still have HOPE.

By: john makori

john makori — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 21:30:08 +0000

It is change guys…as in outrageously un- Bush Cheney.

By: Tuan

Tuan — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:32:07 +0000

But that’s where their image should be, never in history has the U.S. done anything good for the world that didn’t coincide with their interest. The U.S. should not be a world leader, and Iraq isn’t the only crime of the U.S.

By: nelimak

nelimak — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:34:40 +0000

Tuan image for the US means a lot right now especially after the Iraqi invasion. The US will find it hard to garner support on issues if they isolate themselves. Nonetheless, Obama has emphasized economic recovery over everything else. And it is with this in mind that I think he has chosen to confirm Summers. Yes, Obama has confirmed Summers

By: Tuan

Tuan — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:28:37 +0000

To IBe: “The problems we face today cannot be solved by the minds that created them” Albert Einstein.
And also to Nelimak, I don’t see why it is important that the U.S. has an improved image.

By: Tuan

Tuan — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 18:17:51 +0000

http://counterpunch.com/kysia11242008.html

By: nelimak

nelimak — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:32:29 +0000

Okay just saw that Bill Richardson is a likely pick for sec of commerce ….. don’t know what to make of that.

By: nelimak

nelimak — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:55:43 +0000

I was routing for Bill Richardson too, during the debates he seemed by far the most caring about and knowledgeable on Africa in comparison to all the candidates.

I don’t think Clinton has the kind of negotiation skills required of the US at this time when their image is so tarnished abroad. I also don’t think Africa is that high on her agenda, though Bill Clinton’s foundation, which donates millions of dollars to Africa may influence her a bit.

Also like Flora pointed out, her and Obama have major differences in their approach on foreign policy; she insists on meetings with pre-conditions and he doesn’t and what about that oh-so-sensitive NAFTA issue? It will be hard for Obama to reach across the aisle if he starts having issues in his own camp.

How about all the former Clinton aides in Obama’s administration, with whom will their loyalties lie?

How will this relationship pan out?

Yes, what a stab in the back for Richardson.

By: IBé

IBé — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 18:11:26 +0000

I must say, I’m not impressed either. I too think Richardson is more deserving than Clinton, and infact more qualified too.
As far as his promise of change, you can use old agents to deliver new products. Change is still possible! Or perhaps as I heard someone say on NPR yesterday, what he promised was not necessarily change from past, but rather change from Bush. So recreating the Clinton administration is infact change.

But I believe we should wait and see. He is not even in office yet.