For Obama, A First Test On The World Stage

Katie Couric: The President's Popularity Will Help, But EU Leaders Have Different Ideas About The Economic Crisis

(CBS)  CBS News anchor Katie Couric is in London this week, covering President Barack Obama's debut on the world stage.

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The pressure on him is enormous - at a moment when America's global influence is challenged, President Obama's own powers of persuasion are being put to the test.

Mr. Obama called this week's G20 summit in London "a critical meeting at an obviously critical time in the world's economy."

It's also a critical opportunity for him.

"I think President Obama is going to get a fantastic welcome in Europe not just for who he is but what he represents," said Jon Bruton, the EU Ambassador to the United States.

What he represents, to many countries overseas, is a departure from the Bush administration, which alienated some foreign governments early on with its rejection of global warming initiatives and its national security positions. It's a fresh start. But the current president's approval ratings will only take him so far.

"Barack Obama is still extraordinarily popular at the street level throughout Europe but I don't think that's gonna translate into the governmental level," said Richard Haass, president of the Council on Foreign Relations. "They are going to push back. Because for them, basic questions of dollars and cents of economics are far more important than anything to do with the United States."

Several thorny issues will dominate the discussions. The White House is pushing for other countries to adopt their own stimulus plans similar to the $787 billion package passed in the United States.

President Obama will meet with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown Wednesday, and he'll likely find a receptive audience. Brown supports a stimulus package to jump-start his own country's economy, which is in a real bind, facing declining retail sales, a housing market in deep trouble and rising unemployment.

But when the president meets with French President Nicholas Sarkozy and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, he'll find two leaders very wary of spending their way out of a recession.

To get out the Great Depression, President Roosevelt infused money into the system through a number of programs known as the New Deal. President Obama is following that model.

But history has taught the Europeans a different lesson. In the early 20th century, Germany pumped massive amounts of cash into the economy, sending inflation sky high. The German people lost faith in their government and that led to the rise of Hitler, fascism and World War II. Today the German people fear inflation more than almost anything.

"We're not on the same page as the Europeans," Haass said. "The United States is focused on more stimulus packages. The Europeans are worried this will simply rekindle inflation. The Europeans are much more focused on things like regulatory reform."

The Europeans are calling for an international banking super cop to monitor the financial system worldwide but The U.S. is unlikely to support such a plan.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund, or the IMF, will also be high on the agenda. Nations will be asked to donate more to the fund so it can support struggling countries like Hungary, Romania and Ukraine.

Meeting the heads of emerging economic powers like China and Russia may be the most challenging and delicate task for a president with limited foreign policy experience. Both countries have recently antagonized the U.S. by calling for a global currency to replace the dollar.

"What they're basically saying is, 'Hey, you Americans can't have it both ways. You've either got to give the rest of us a say in how may dollars you'll print or you may have to get used to the idea of something else besides the dollar,'" said Haass.

And China's new assertiveness on this and other issues gives it a powerful new voice in this, the tenth year of the G20.

All of these things seem to point to the fact that the United States is watching its importance in the world decline rather significantly.

"The fact that you have 20 countries meeting tells you something. The United States is simply one of the 20," Haass said. "Yes the most powerful, but others are beginning to assert their role on the world stage more forcefully."

[lindalee60]

attn: endeaver-2009,of course they love him in Europe, they are socialist! He is right up their alley. They want us to join the club. I want to thank all the people who make the remarks like the one below, for pushing this independant toward the republican party. I guess an intelligent conversation is not possible with the Obama sheep, or for your party in general. Personal attacks only make you look like idiots. Or do you not know the things Mr. Obama is trying to do to this county. You need to look at the issues, and not focus on his pretty face. Try doing a little research, and you might be surprised on how much smarter you will sound.

You knuckle-dragging inbred ignorant republicants don't matter anymore...now, walk upright back into your caves, keep listening to your idiotic leader Rushlimp drugs and go count the billions you raped and pilliaged from this country over the last 8 years. The President of Venezuela was right!

[James_123456789]

Interesting. You honestly believe a poll of 1000 people is an accurate representation of the U.S.? You sir are a socialist fool. My guess is 2010 will be a very disappointing year for you. Now go back to your MSNBC/Air America channel and have fun.

[myopinion4once]

Attention Repiglicans--- Bad News for you today. President Barack Obama's new Poll numbers at 67%---- Repiglican Party at 23%.. What a joy to the World to have a President who can speak in a couple of languages instead of Bushspeak. The World is very excited also approval of Obama in Europe 82%---- Bush 10% . Now Repig's crawl back into your Dark Trailer Parks and Lurk there for awhile and in your spare time , which will be a lot , you can practice on sewing more Three Holed White Sheets and practice saying Git er Done.
Posted by endeaver-2009 at 9:16 PM : Mar 31, 2009

When the poll numbers are posted by Democraps who are one sided, you only get the numbers the Democraps want you to see. They have to show their Messiah to be gaining popularity otherwise it would prove the Republicans were right. The democraps have been forging the numbers for years. That?s why they were so hell bent on getting into the White House that they would nominate and support an unqualified ineligible candidate.
The proof is in the pudding. You refuse to show your CERTIFIED birth certificate and you grandmother signs a SWARN statement she watched his birth in Kenya. AMERICAN servicemen in Afghanistan are refusing to acknowledge him as their commander in chief until he proves his citizenship.

[rrozsa]

The leg called Capital, run by Wall Street gangsters in Republican suits, led by a dumbo in an oval office who called off the regulatory dogs, that led to this crisis. Still the Capital leg keeps crying and whining because they are not allowed to destroy what is left of the American piggy-bank.
Posted by bajajohn1 at 11:39 PM : Mar 31, 2009

======================================

One thing I do agree with about your statement is that the Republicans (Bush administration) fell down on the job, by not calling down the likes of Barney Franks. The democrats were the direct cause of the crisis, but the Republicans (regulatory dogs) are indirectly to blame by allowing it to happen.

[rrozsa]

Posted by ConstantineXIII at 10:00 PM : Mar 31, 2009

===========================

That pretty much sums it up. Thank you.

You knuckle-dragging inbred ignorant republicants don't matter anymore...now, walk upright back into your caves, keep listening to your idiotic leader Rushlimp drugs and go count the billions you raped and pilliaged from this country over the last 8 years. The President of Venezuela was right!

[hunterdon6]

I hope he doesn't trip on the stage. What happens when the teleprompter comes up in a foreign language. oh ah oh ah oh ah...............

[tomadams99]

Obama proved himself an absolute bumbling fool on the world stage. The guy cannot express a single sentence with clarity, and the uh...oh...uh....uh....What an embarrassment the guy is standing next to a very articulate British Prime Minister. Obama has earned the title of the Teleprompter King. Sheesh. After watching this bumbling toad, please don't talk about GW's chatting screwups anymore. Old TK trumps him.

[lucytomato]

Yes ,China or Russia is getting stronger .They will surely give a voice to the world that "America superiority will be NO.1 for ever ?or American choice will be the first choice for ever ?"
Nothing except the future have the right answer.

[bajajohn1]

Free enterprise is like a three-legged stool. The legs have names; land, labor and capital. Guess which leg grew so fast due to greed and lackluster enforcement of regulation that it toppled the other two legs. The leg called Capital, run by Wall Street gangsters in Republican suits, led by a dumbo in an oval office who called off the regulatory dogs, that led to this crisis. Still the Capital leg keeps crying and whining because they are not allowed to destroy what is left of the American piggy-bank.

[ConstantineXIII]

The media continues its fawning coverage.
Failing to report the facts on Obama as usual.

[ConstantineXIII]

THE EMPEROR HAS NO CLOTHES
It?s high time to stop the media fawning over our emperor like arrogant President.
The media has covered for this false prophet long enough.
The truth is as follows:
1. Obama rammed through a trillion dollar ?stimulus? bill with little or no debate.
2. Obama?s ?stimulus? bill is loaded with earmarks and pork and crushing regulation.
3. Obama isn?t the slightest bit serious about deficit reduction.
4. Obama has appointed a guy to head the treasury who didn?t pay his taxes.
5. Obama has attempted to appoint three other cabinet members who didn?t pay taxes.
6. Obama?s attorney general pardoned terrorists and a millionaire fugitive.
7. Obama hasn?t a clue how to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear bomb.
8. Obama?s ?tax cuts? for people who don?t pay taxes are welfare checks.
9. Obama is a divider and pits class against class and race against race.
10. Obama did nothing in his years in the Senate to reform Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
11. Obama inspires people not to help themselves but rather to depend on him.
12. Obama has spread panic and fear by preaching doom and gloom.
13. Obama opposed the surge in Iraq.
14. Obama, when he worked for ACORN, pushed banks into making bad loans.
15. Obama has promised to bankrupt the coal industry.
16. Obama hasn?t shown serious interest in drilling for new oil.
17. Obama appeals to people?s basest emotions to punish the rich.
18. Obama?s inauguration was the most expensive in history.
19. Obama can?t cite specifically the supposed Bush ?deregulation? he blames.
20. Obama isn?t serious about bipartisanship and rams his plans through Congress.
21. Obama has proposed raising taxes in a recession to crush achievers and job creators.
22. Obama is working to nationalize the banks.
23. Obama is working to nationalize health insurance companies.
24. Obama is driven by anger and rage at businesses.
25. Obama used cocaine in the past.
26. Obama worked hard to get Blagoyevich elected twice.
27. Obama is on the verge of releasing terrorists staying at Gitmo.
28. Obama has called the Saudi King ?courageous?.
29. Obama is pushing for the end to secret ballots in union elections.
30. Obama is allowing Dick Durbin to impose censorship through ?diversity? regs.
31. Obama, despite pledging not to do so, has numerous lobbyists in his staff.
32. Obama has strong associations with Rashid Khalidi, the former PLO spokesman.
33. Obama?s proposed budget is the largest in US history.
34. Obama proposes raising capital gains taxes which will crush business.
35. Obama?s cap and trade plan amounts to further crushing taxation on job creators.
36. Obama has endeavored to politicize the census.
37. Obama policies will cheat minorities because they will damage the economy.
38. Obama resisted John McCain?s attempt to reform Fannie and Freddie in 2005.
39. Obama did nothing in the Senate to prevent the current crisis.
40. Obama has created a cult of personality about himself.
41. Obama opposes missile defense despite Iran and North Korea having missiles.
42. Obama rarely uses specifics but showers us frequently with rhetoric.
43. Obama has rammed through burdensome regulatory changes to HIPAA.
44. Obama has rammed through poorly drafted changes to COBRA.
45. Obama isn?t serious about promoting nuclear power.
46. Obama isn?t serious about reducing dependence on foreign oil.
47. Obama attempted to humiliate the private citizen Joe the Plumber.
48. Obama rewards failure in his policies and bailout proposals.
49. Obama favors raising gas prices and gas taxes.
50. Obama seeks to become the most powerful US President in history.
It?s high time therefore for the media to start seeing this guy for who he is and to stop covering for him. He is a false hope. He is not entitled to a pass merely because he is black. It is not rhetoric but substance that matters. Martin Luther King would not have wanted the first black President to be coddled merely because he is black. If we are to get to a color blind society, both blacks and whites must be judged equally on substance.
Enough fawning and slobbering over him. The truth is our emperor has no clothes.

[cpelzar--2008]

President Barack Obama has determined that a prepackaged bankruptcy is the best way for General Motors Corp. to restructure and become a competitive automaker, Bloomberg reported, quoting people familiar with the matter.

Obama also is prepared to let Chrysler LLC go bankrupt and be sold off piecemeal if the third-largest U.S. automaker can't form an alliance with Fiat SpA, Bloomberg said, citing members of Congress who have been briefed on the subject and two other people familiar with the administration's deliberations.

Obama on Monday gave GM 60 days to come up with deeper cost and debt reductions than the biggest U.S. automaker had proposed in a viability plan submitted last month.

But a "quick and surgical" bankruptcy the Obama administration described as an option appears to be inevitable, the people familiar with the matter said in the Bloomberg report.

I love this, Obama screwing the Auto Workers who got him elected. It does not get any better than this.

[cpelzar--2008]

" We are in the worst situation since 1929"
Posted by rowdy6680 at 6:41 PM : Mar 31, 2009

No we are not in a worse situation than 1929. This is just BS. But as Obama and his peeps say "Can't let a good crisis go to waste.

[cpelzar--2008]

The world will love President Obama!! He is a radical departure from the GOP. His popularity is very high here and overseas.

There are some in the USA who never liked him, and can't say anything constructive. They are free to dissent for any cause they chose to follow. It is my hope they follow a good one, because it will return them to confront what many avoid confronting that needs to be confronted.

Obama is the leader of our nation and the hope for many in other nations of the world.

God bless President Obama!! God bless those who disagree with him!! I give praises to those who faithfully support president Obama.
Posted by pensacola8-2009 at 6:45 PM : Mar 31, 2009

I think you meant to say "blindly" support President Obama not "faithfully" Of course that is unless he is your Messiah, than "faithfully" might be more appropriate.

[pensacola8-2009]

We must all pass our time with resolution. We must all chose a path that never eats our way into more hunger.

[pensacola8-2009]

The world will love President Obama!! He is a radical departure from the GOP. His popularity is very high here and overseas.

There are some in the USA who never liked him, and can't say anything constructive. They are free to dissent for any cause they chose to follow. It is my hope they follow a good one, because it will return them to confront what many avoid confronting that needs to be confronted.

Obama is the leader of our nation and the hope for many in other nations of the world.

God bless President Obama!! God bless those who disagree with him!! I give praises to those who faithfully support president Obama.

[rowdy6680]

All of you people that criticize President Obama need to get a life. We are in the worst situation since 1929 and he has to try to fix it the best he can...Sure all you Repubs are gonna whine because this year and for a few years more...you won't be as rich as you were...but SOMEBODY has to pay for the f' ups of the Bush admin. Whine all you want. Give Obama a chance and in 4 years if he hasn't turned us around..then vote him out with your dinosaur Republican policies. I seriously doubt that will happen for some time. Repubs turned their back on "regular Americans" which are the backbone of this country and the rich Republican snobs that benefit from the working class. You Repubs got what you deserved...and though most of you seem to see Obama as some Socialist. he's not. He is listening to those that aren't rich and trying to hide their income as best they can. I voted for Obama and though I don't agree with all of his policies (and am still ticked off that he continued to bail out AIG though Bush started the bailout with no terms)...I still have faith in the man as he is intelligent and seems to be looking out for America. Rag on him all you want Repukes...he's just trying to fix the mess Bush left him and the money has to come from somewhere. Where else please tell me Republicans would the money come from to fix this enormous mess Bush left him??? Bush had at least 6 years to try and stave off the problems we are facing (for those of you that will B*tch that we've had a Democratic Congress since 2006)...It wasn't the new Dem Congress that screwed America...it was Bush and his cronies....make the rich richer...f*ck regular America....that's Bush's legacy. Make the oil guys rich and screw the public. There is no answer any Republican can give that can change what happened from 2000-2006...a President concentrating on false allegations of WMD's and proliferating a war in Iraq that has cost us way too many billions of dollars when attention should have been focused on OUR country...not fighting a war over oil. You can blame the Dem Congress from 06 on if you want...but Bush sat on his a$$ and did nothing to save this country's economy even though there were signs and warnings years ago that this would happen.

[shurch4truth]

Obama is an embarrassment to America.
It hurts to think that this is the best we can do.

Posted by UR_Majesty at 6:08 PM : Mar 31, 2009

UR_Majesty is an embarrassment for this blog site

[pepperwood2]

"What they're basically saying is, 'Hey, you Americans can't have it both ways. You've either got to give the rest of us a say in how may dollars you'll print or you may have to get used to the idea of something else besides the dollar,'" said Haass.

Why should Obama change his tactics now. He trumped the GOP by not allowing them any input. Just TRUMP the European Union or better yet just pull a Hitler & Dictate his Agenda & tell them to get in line. So Sad!