# Where was Barack Obama, to stand for Democracy? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [January 12, 2015, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597 "2015-01-12T03:49:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Bone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bone/32/407_2.png) [@Bone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bone)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/81 "2015-01-12T18:09:08Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > Wow! What a sterling response. > > Never mind the fact that what he posted was correct. It makes Obama look bad, so let’s cut straight to the namecalling, because as we all know, that trumps everything. > > Just…wow. Who thinks it makes Obama look bad? Would you say there is a marginal decrease in Obama’s favorability rating based on his attendance or lack thereof? My guess is that his favorability is essentially unchanged - those who think unfavorably of him will continue to do so, and the opposite. This latest criticism is recreational grandstanding at best. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/82 "2015-01-12T18:09:23Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > You’re invoking a hypothetical as your argument against this stupid OP? Jesus Fucking Christ, you’re almost as bad as he is. Exactly. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Second\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bbe5ce/32.png) [@The\_Second\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Second_Stone)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/83 "2015-01-12T18:10:03Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The fact is, the President committed a diplomatic faux pas, not his first, and pretty amazing given how much criticism Bush got. Bush would have been there. Yet Bush wasn’t. And he wasn’t doing anything except painting pictures. Bush wasn’t there because he would have been arrested for crimes against humanity if not attacked by the crowd. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/84 "2015-01-12T18:11:03Z")
> [@elucidator](#): > > Oh? Well, OK. lets hypothesize a bit. You and I are standing at the bar when we hear that Obama will attend. I offer you a bet that within a matter of hours some talking knob on Fox will renounce, denounce and condemn Obama for squandering good tax money on a pointless political stunt. It’s a ridiculous hypothetical that could never be proven, so why make it? Neither one of us watches enough Fox (I don’t watch any, except Chris Wallace sometimes on Sunday; I hope you don’t spend much time watching it), so we wouldn’t have much of a basis to go on. If you think they oppose Obama on every single thing he does, it’s probably a case of confirmation bias, as that would be virtually impossible to do. But go ahead and stoop to their level by making shit up if you like… ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/85 "2015-01-12T18:14:38Z")
> [@iiandyiiii](#): > > No he didn’t. Other far-away world leaders didn’t attend – presidential travel is very difficult and expensive to arrange, especially on short notice. He could have sent a member of his cabinet who was ALREADY in France. He didn’t. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/86 "2015-01-12T18:16:59Z")
nm ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/87 "2015-01-12T18:17:00Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > Y > > This administration is the most tone-deaf in history, it seems. Are you ill? No, it i the Bush administration that was the most tone deaf. The current american administration is mostly liked. It is only the domestic partisans who seem to be searching for offense who are caring, it is not any francophone or european. If we do not care, then you are being simply an idiot partisan of a very stupid kind. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/88 "2015-01-12T18:17:51Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > He could have sent a member of his cabinet who was ALREADY in France. He didn’t. He sent the US ambassador to France. If he had sent no one, I would be critical of him, but he sent the ambassador – a perfectly appropriate official to send. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/89 "2015-01-12T18:18:51Z")
And it’s not just us criticizing him. Others are as well. [http://static.ijreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/paris-march-nydailynews.png](http://static.ijreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/paris-march-nydailynews.png) ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/90 "2015-01-12T18:21:31Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > And it’s not just us criticizing him. Others are as well. > > [http://static.ijreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/paris-march-nydailynews.png](http://static.ijreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/paris-march-nydailynews.png) Shitty tabloid-esque media outlets, unite! ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/91 "2015-01-12T18:22:43Z")
I seem to think Eric Holder was there to attend meetings that have been arranged well in advance. High level meetings that can likely not be easily put off, and likely a packed schedule. Geez, how is this hard to understand? Remember when that republican said “We have to stop being the party of stupid!”, well I’m pretty sure this is the kind of blatantly ridiculous nonsense he was talking about. Really, manufacturing offence, at an imaginary diplomatic faux pas, on behalf of the French, who have stated they feel no miff, is a new low in my book. How can you not see this crap is why no one takes y’all seriously? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/92 "2015-01-12T18:24:17Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > There might be some idiot who would say that, but if world leaders from poorer countries can attend, we can at least send Lurch. “Lurch” (nice, reminds everyone of your deep sense of fairness toward the administration) was in India on other business. Here are some things the Presidient did: 1. Phoned Hollande to express solidarity with France 2. Remarked on the attacks in a speech 3. Visited the French Embassy and signed a book of condolences 4. Sent Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. and Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to discuss security issues with the French. Ref: [WaPo article](http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/post-politics/wp/2015/01/12/top-obama-administration-officials-criticized-for-not-appearing-at-paris-march/) That ought to be enough political theater for most people. The vast majority of critisism seems to be coming from Republicans, Fox News, or media outlets reporting that Republicans or Fox News are the source of most of the criticisms. Manufactured controversy, as usual. Yawn. ---
**Author:** ![iiandyiiii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/iiandyiiii/32/7924_2.png) [@iiandyiiii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iiandyiiii)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/93 "2015-01-12T18:25:05Z")
The French are fine with this. If Lindsay Graham is not, that’s probably a pretty good sign that we’re doing the right thing. With regards to foreign policy, Lindsey Graham is about as wrong as they come. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/94 "2015-01-12T18:29:06Z")
> [@Terr](#): > > He could have sent a member of his cabinet who was ALREADY in France. He didn’t. > [@iiandyiiii](#): > > He sent the US ambassador to France. If he had sent no one, I would be critical of him, but he sent the ambassador – a perfectly appropriate official to send. I agree. The only cabinet minister appropriate would have been Kerry, and he was unavailable. The US Ambassador was the right choice, absent either Kerry or Biden. Not sure what Biden was doing, but given his penchant for foot-in-mouth, maybe it’s best to keep him at home. ---
**Author:** ![Ramira](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ramira/32/344_2.png) [@Ramira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ramira)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/95 "2015-01-12T18:30:59Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > And it’s not just us criticizing him. Others are as well. > > [http://static.ijreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/paris-march-nydailynews.png](http://static.ijreview.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/paris-march-nydailynews.png) You americans are very self centered. This march was not about americans, it was about the France. that I can see it is the usual extreme partisans who complain I find this very strange as we who are the more concerned do not care about your stupid soi disant controversy. ---
**Author:** ![Euphonious\_Polemic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/euphonious_polemic/32/3002_2.png) [@Euphonious\_Polemic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Euphonious_Polemic)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/96 "2015-01-12T18:33:41Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > The fact is, the President committed a diplomatic faux pas, not his first, and pretty amazing given how much criticism Bush got. Bush would have been there. I already awarded the OP 1.5 adahers. But you just could not stand for that could you. OK, you get a full 2.0 adahers for this comment. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/97 "2015-01-12T18:35:03Z")
Shit, where’s Colbert when we need him? ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/98 "2015-01-12T18:35:13Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > You americans are very self centered. This march was not about americans, it was about the France. that I can see it is the usual extreme partisans who complain I find this very strange as we who are the more concerned do not care about your stupid soi disant controversy. Aw man, now you’re going to make **Clothahump** have to look up “soi-disant”. That’s just mean. ---
**Author:** ![Terr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/839c29/32.png) [@Terr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terr)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/99 "2015-01-12T18:37:28Z")
> [@Ramira](#): > > It is only the domestic partisans who seem to be searching for offense who are caring, it is not any francophone or european. [http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2015/01/media-slam-obamas-paris-snub-200928.html](http://www.politico.com/blogs/media/2015/01/media-slam-obamas-paris-snub-200928.html) chief foreign affairs correspondent Andrea Mitchell called the snub “stunning,” Is Andrea Mitchell “domestic partisan”? Jake Tapper said he was “ashamed by U.S. leaders’ absence in Paris.” Is Jake Tapper “domestic partisan”? Media figures like Mitchell and Tapper joined a chorus of frustrated current and former U.S. officials, including Aaron David Miller, who served in the State Department under both Republican and Democratic administrations. “It’s stunning, truly stunning,” Miller told Dovere. “It’s a poster child for tone deafness.” Is Miller “domestic partisan”? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2015, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597/100 "2015-01-12T18:39:41Z")
> [@adaher](#): > > It should be noted that the administration is also hearing it from the French press, not exactly a bastion of the right-wing conspiracy… Cite? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-was-barack-obama-to-stand-for-democracy/709597.md?page=6)