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President Obama to Europe: Sorry About the Bush Years*

April 07, 2009 9:36 AM

ABC News' Jake Tapper and Karen Travers report:

ISTANBUL -- "I know there have been some difficulties in recent years," President Obama said today at a town hall meeting with Turkish high school and college students." In some ways, that foundation has been weakening. We've had some specific differences over policy, but we've also at times lost the sense that both of our countries are in this together -- that we have shared interests and shared values and that we can have a partnership that serves our common hopes and common dreams. So I came here to renew that foundation and to build on it."

As he's traveled throughout Europe this past week, from the G-20 economic summit in London, to the NATO conference in Strasbourg, France, to here in Turkey, President Obama has not only made clear his policy differences with his predecessor, and his markedly different diplomatic style, he has made it clear to Europe and the rest of the world that his respect for the way President Bush conducted foreign policy knows bounds.

"America is a critical actor and leader on the world stage," President Obama said at the conclusion of the G-20 summit in London, asked how he differs with President Bush on international relations. "We shouldn't be embarrassed about that," he said, but he added "we exercise our leadership best when we are listening; when we recognize that the world is a complicated place and that we are going to have to act in partnership with other countries; when we lead by example; when we show some element of humility and recognize that we may not always have the best answer, but we can always encourage the best answer and support the best answer."

These principles, of course, are direct contrasts with the way President Obama has in the past criticized President Bush: that he too often lectured and seldom listened; that he saw the world in black-and-white; that he had no compunction in acting unilaterally; that he besmirched the American brand; and that his administration embodied American arrogance.

President Obama's expressions of regret for the Bush years is only one aspect of what has been jam-packed schedule full of announcements and negotiations, but it's been a striking part of his message.

Some conservative critics have expressed chagrin at this. On Fox News, conservative columnist Charles Krauthammer said "When Kennedy arrived in Paris, he did not attack Eisenhower and the United States. When Obama's elected president, he is president of all of the United States, including Americans who opposed him, and he owns American history, including a past he may not have wanted to engage in. I think what he did is, in order to gain the adoration of the crowd, he denigrated his country in a way that I think is disgraceful."

The Obama White House sees it quite differently, pointing to poll numbers showing an erosion of support for the U.S. during President Bush's two terms, and improved international poll numbers now.

Not only was this trip an opportunity for President Obama "to establish personal relationships with leaders of many countries, with leaders who are going to be important to us in promoting America's interest in the world," said White House senior adviser David Axelrod Tuesday morning, "as important, we've I think begun a dialogue with the people of these countries, as well… That will make it easier for leaders of these nations to work cooperatively with us moving forward is the fact that we have a more positive image among their constituents."

Axelrod said "that plainly is true -- you can see it in all the polling that's been released in the last few days -- I think in every country in Europe, we've made progress in this."

The first expression of regret during this trip came on April 1.

"Over the last several years the relationship between our two countries has been allowed to drift," President Obama said as he announced a July summit with Russian President Dmintry Medvedev, announcing that relations would now hopefully improve.

That same day, asked about the financial crisis, President Obama said "if you look at the sources of this crisis, the United States certainly has some accounting to do with respect to a regulatory system that was inadequate to the massive changes that had taken place in the global financial system."

At a town hall meting in Strasbourg, France, the president told the European crowd, "we've allowed our Alliance to drift. I know that there have been honest disagreements over policy, but we also know that there's something more that has crept into our relationship. So I've come to Europe this week to renew our partnership, one in which America listens and learns from our friends and allies."

"Over the last seven, eight years," he said, "a lot of tensions have developed between the United States and Europe…There have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive" toward Europe. "In Europe, there is an anti-Americanism that is at once casual but can also be insidious. Instead of recognizing the good that America so often does in the world, there have been times where Europeans chose to blame America for much of what's bad," Obama said.

And speaking to Turkish Parliament Monday, President Obama acknowledged "differences about whether to go to war" in Iraq. "I know there have been difficulties these last few years. I know that the trust that binds the United States and Turkey has been strained, and I know that strain is shared in many places where the Muslim faith is practiced. So let me say this as clearly as I can: The United States is not, and will never be, at war with Islam."

After the G-20 summit the President said he  hoped he would "set a tone internationally" where other nations "give us the benefit of the doubt… At least we can start with the notion that we're prepared to listen and to work cooperatively with countries around the world."

Referring to his campaign statements about "very specific decisions that the previous administration had made that I believed had lowered our standing in the world," the president said, "I would like to think that with my election and the early decisions that we've made, that you're starting to see some restoration of America's standing in the world."

-- Jake Tapper and Karen Travers

* This headline was mistakenly put in quotations; obviously the president never said that, it was meant to express the sentiment of his remarks. Apologies for any misunderstanding.

April 7, 2009 | Permalink | Share | User Comments (193)

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Obama is a disgrace - plain and simple.

Posted by: rider1a | Apr 9, 2009 5:46:35 PM

"Apparently the WH is now saying that Obama didn't bow after all."

I suppose you are referring to this

""It wasn't a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he's taller than King Abdullah," said an Obama aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity."

That aide is wrong.

With the many problems this country is facing, right wingers are focused on the debate of teleprompter vs notecard, protocol with royalty and a budget with no numbers.

2010 is gonna be a breeze.

Posted by: Ryan C | Apr 8, 2009 5:22:35 PM

Ryan, you had better get your story straight.

Apparently the WH is now saying that Obama didn't bow after all. I suppose those photos and videos were edited by some secret right wing nutjob just to make it look like he bowed. Looks like we have all been conned.

Posted by: Paul UK | Apr 8, 2009 5:07:24 PM

"Obama almost knelt in front of the king. At least that is what it looks like in the photographs I have seen."

The bow gets lower and lower with each lying retelling by right wingers.

It was a quick bend at the waist.

Here's Charles Johnson (right wingers who is no fan of Obama or the Saudis) on the hypocritical controversy

provided a video showing Bush bowing before King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to accept a medallion.

(Click here to watch the video.)

"More than a few people on the right are screaming that Barack Obama should be impeached for bowing to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia," Johnson wrote. "Those of you who are buying into this hyperventilating nonsense need to see this video."

Johnson said American presidents have long been kowtowing to the Saudi Arabian loyalty, and will continue to do so for as long as America is addicted to the country's oil.

"Even Camille Paglia, who is no right-wing conservative, - in fact she is a registered Democrat - writing in Salon expresses her horror with Obama's recent series of embarrassing gaffes"

ROFLMAO!

Camille Paglia is still miffed at Obama from the thumping of Hillary, cried about Palin and even dabbled in the some birther tin foil conspiracy theories.

Posted by: Ryan c | Apr 8, 2009 3:41:12 PM

Obama almost knelt in front of the king. At least that is what it looks like in the photographs I have seen.

But don't you find it amazing that the most major media outlets have studiously ignored the event?

Even Camille Paglia, who is no right-wing conservative, - in fact she is a registered Democrat - writing in Salon expresses her horror with Obama's recent series of embarrassing gaffes.

But maybe she is just ticked off with the fact that Obama's administration is 2-1 in favour of men. So much for hope and change!

Posted by: Paul UK | Apr 8, 2009 2:36:35 PM

"One person bowing to another, on the other hand, indicates subservience."

So does that mean when Bush bowed to the Saudi King he was being subservient?

"That's why Obama did not bow to Queen Elizabeth."

Obama did bow to the Queen.


Posted by: Ryan C | Apr 8, 2009 1:57:51 PM

Paul Wall,

Hugging, kissing and holding hands (in many cultures) indicates friendship and mutual respect. One person bowing to another, on the other hand, indicates subservience. That's why Obama did not bow to Queen Elizabeth. He should not have bowed to the Saudi king either.

The world is still weighting Obama up. His weak, vacillating actions over the past week or so are inviting disaster. It is good to see, however, that ordinary Americans in the Indian Ocean are not put off from having a go by a wimpy president in the White House.

Posted by: Paul UK | Apr 8, 2009 12:48:32 PM

Ken, after Bush kissed, hugged and held hands with the Saudi king, was that a good message to send the muslim world? perhaps we should hope for peace with muslim nations? muslims are people just like us.

Posted by: Paul Wall | Apr 8, 2009 11:26:57 AM

david reyes---"The Great Communicator", Ronald Reagan was a teleprompter-dependent, high-school educated president who couldn't speak away from a teleprompter. his wife finished his sentences for him. "Well, uhhhh..." let's just be fair.

Posted by: Paul Wall | Apr 8, 2009 11:21:53 AM

david reyes---hey man, don't forget your hero Ronald Reagan. over 300 soldiers were killed in Lebanon on his watch. or were you not born yet?

Posted by: Paul Wall | Apr 8, 2009 11:17:00 AM

ceeLeelee---"WE didn't name Teleprompter Man the "Great Orator." yes you did, just like you named him "Teleprompter Man." who is "WE" anyway? do you have a mouse in your pocket? are you speaking on behalf of a group?

Posted by: Paul Wall | Apr 8, 2009 11:14:48 AM

look i cant blame obama for relying on the telepromter you cant have your president out there looking dumb or stupid cause he cant talk really would you want him out there without it, um ah um oh and uh and oh and umm get real he has to use everyone can see that noone wants there president looking dumb
and another thing terrorism didnt start cause of bush look at the cole ,the barracks in lebanon all under clinton and he wasnt the first either its there because of israel is living on diputed territory maybe obama should appogize for that TOO

Posted by: david reyes | Apr 7, 2009 10:10:37 PM

Don't get mad at US!

WE didn't name Teleprompter Man the "Great Orator."

:D

Posted by: ceeLeelee | Apr 7, 2009 10:09:01 PM

Oh Yeah, Bring Back George W. Bush for 4 More Years !!!

Borderline Bull-Spit !!
---------------

George W. Bush left this Country with ...

[[15 Trillion Dollars of Debt]]

I Thought You Low Life's are Concerned with...

[[Generational Debt]]

HYPOCRITE

Obama's Spending Stimulus will not start until..

[[2010]]

I guess it does not matter if its a [[Republican President]]and a..

6 Year Majority Ruling [[Republican Senate & Congress]] Screwing up the Country and leaving ...

[[Generational Debt]]

Posted by: O. | Apr 7, 2009 10:03:25 PM

Whether George W. Bush used a Teleprompter or could not use a a Teleprompter is besides the point...

The Man was a Very Bad Leader..

Who left this Country...

[15 Trillion Dollars in Debt]

Talk about [Generational Debt] !1

Who Absolutely Destroyed this Country's Image of World Super Power, Leader in Democracy and Good Will towards all.

Not to mention George W. Bush's...

6 Year, 20 Billion Dollar Per Month with Interest to ...

[Communist-Socialist China]

Damn the Teleprompter Bull-Spit...

Where was his Dissenters-Detractors, during the Bush-Cheney Years..

An how about the Maniacs who Voted this Man in Office for ...

[ 8 Long Years] !!!

The same People Squawking and Howling about the Teleprompter...

Knowing Bush could Not Read Fast and Concise Enough, to keep up, with a..

[Teleprompter]

Posted by: O. | Apr 7, 2009 10:01:15 PM

Kennedy spoke all the time without a teleprompter. In fact, I seriously doubt he used one back then at all.

Reagan was an ACTOR who went senile. He's the one who began using them extensively.

What's Obama's excuse? I can understand using them for big speeches like the State of the Union, but he uses them for everything--town hall meetings, press conferences. Doesn't he know the issues?

Posted by: Joan | Apr 7, 2009 9:47:14 PM

Re: "perhaps you should also apologize to all the Cuban Americans for JFK"

When are the Cubans going to apologize for breaking into the Watergate Hotel.

Posted by: Joan | Apr 7, 2009 9:36:14 PM

Re: "Concerning the Obama bow to the Saudi king, the bow is not a sign of respect. It is a sign of submission and subservience to a superior. Intentionally or unintentionally, Obama just told the entire Muslim world he's submissive to them. HUGE mistake."


I agree. Sadly, though, Dubya bowed to him too. Americans don't bow to any king or queen! What's going on? The Founding Fathers must be spinning in their graves.

Posted by: Joan | Apr 7, 2009 9:30:15 PM

I saw the video.

If the king had turned around, Obama would have been in the perfect position to kiss his $$$.

Posted by: ceeLeelee | Apr 7, 2009 9:24:56 PM

"Concerning the Obama bow to the Saudi king, the bow is not a sign of respect. It is a sign of submission and subservience to a superior. Intentionally or unintentionally, Obama just told the entire Muslim world he's submissive to them."

I leave it to right wing anti-Muslim lunatic Charles Johnson

Charles Johnson, whose blog, "Little Green Footballs," is best known for its key role in uncovering the reporting flub by 60 Minutes that led to the ouster of legendary news anchor Dan Rather, provided a video showing Bush bowing before King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia to accept a medallion.

"More than a few people on the right are screaming that Barack Obama should be impeached for bowing to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia," Johnson wrote. "Those of you who are buying into this hyperventilating nonsense need to see this video."

Posted by: Ryan C | Apr 7, 2009 8:37:55 PM

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