USATODAY — The doctrine of r-e-s-p-e-c-t: When Barack Obama ran for the presidency promising change, most Americans probably were not thinking that he meant foreign policy, at least other than Iraq. But hardly a week has gone by without a striking example of the president’s campaign to remake America’s relationship with the world.

   (Obama: Accepts a book from Hugo Chavez on Saturday)

Nowhere was this more evident than at the Summit of the Americas in Trinidad and Tobago over the weekend. Obama engaged in a much-noticed handshake with leftist Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez and delivered a speech pledging an equal partnership with Latin counties. Most remarkably, he reached out to Cuba, a move he initiated even before the summit by loosening travel restrictions on visiting relatives there.

As is the case with previous efforts in other parts of the world, it remains to be seen what tangible results can be achieved with this softer sell. But Latin America could be the perfect place to try it out. [ READ MORE ]

Kudlow complains about Obama and Chavez’s “Boyz N The Hood handshake”

Lawrence O’Donnell Vs RepubliTHUG Pat Buchanan

Shaking It With Chavez

The Handshake Seen Around The World

References:

1. Eugene Robinson (Pulitzer Prize Winner — 2009): When Slapped, Slap Back — It’s hard to argue with the results thus far from President Obama’s “no drama” approach to campaigning and governing, but I think he should learn to chew a little scenery when the occasion demands. Theatricality is one of the weapons in any leader’s arsenal, and a well-timed glower or growl can have more impact than a sheaf of position papers. There were a couple of moments at the summit, however, when Obama would have been right to throw off a little heat. [ READ MORE ]

Eugene Robinson’s Remarks On Winning Pulitzer Price

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