Not ready to lead (Wizbang)

During the past presidential campaign, Republicans used the tag line of "Not ready to lead" as a heavy criticism of Obama. This characteristic was once again on display during Obama's recent visit to Japan. The LA Times has some commentary about this scene where Obama meets Japanese Emperor Akihito.

As one can imagine the symbolic, deep bow will play very well with traditional Japanese society. But what does it say about our president?

I'm actually not as concerned with the bow itself but how it helps to paint a picture of Obama's views about America and about himself. Here are some comments Obama made during his visit. Once again he feels the need to apologize for Bush.

In a slap at President George W. Bush, Obama spoke of the importance of "multilateral organizations [that] can advance the security and prosperity of this region."

"I know that the United States has been disengaged from these organizations in recent years. So let me be clear: those days have passed," Obama said during the first major address of a four-country Far East swing, which will continue from Japan to Singapore, China and South Korea. "As an Asia Pacific nation, the United States expects to be involved in the discussions that shape the future of this region, and to participate fully in appropriate organizations as they are established and evolve," Obama said.

He goes on to declare himself the first Pacific President and that naturally he would be the one to redeem the United States. I find this whole attitude deeply disturbing. I understand that some people feel embarrassed about President Bush. While I feel these people are reacting emotionally and not rationally, it is within their rights to have such a reaction. But such people should not be President of the United States. By primary definition, the president should be someone who is patriotic, who respects America and indeed all Americans. Obama was not elected leader of the world in some quixotic vision of an earth with no nations.

Over at Powerline, John notes the same comments and concludes:

Ashamed of his country but arrogant about himself--what a disgusting combination.

I couldn't agree more.

Update: Ed Morrissey notes that in 1994 the New York Times took Clinton to task for almost bowing to Akihito.

Canadians still bow to England's Queen; so do Australians. Americans shake hands. If not to stand eye-to-eye with royalty, what else were 1776 and all that about?

Do you think the NYT will comment on Obama now? No need to answer...

Comments (7)

Did Emperor Akihito return ... (Below threshold)

1. Posted by Mr. Illinois | November 14, 2009 12:16 PM | Score: 0 (0 votes cast)

Mr. Illinois:

Did Emperor Akihito return the bow? If so, it's a positive display of mutual respect. If not, it's a disturbing show of one-sided deference inappropriate for our President in the face of a foreign leader.

I'd have said in the face of "a peer" rather than "a foreign leader", but the President of the United State of America has few, if any, peers.

Please, please, PLEASE tell us that this time the foreign official our nation's leader bowed to returned the courtesy and respect. Bowing is a common gesture in the Japanese culture, and one the Emperor should have initiated or returned without hesitation.

So.... can someone please help clarify: did Emperor Akihito also bow? I sincerely hope he did.