As we discussed earlier, last week was pretty productive for U.S. foreign policy. Over the course of six days, the Obama administration pushed Syria into the chemical weapons convention, helped create a diplomatic framework that will hopefully rid Syria of its stockpiles, successfully pushed Russia into a commitment to help disarm its own ally, quickly won support from the United Nations and our allies — all without firing a shot.
Over the last 24 hours, the right has responded to these developments with one simple question: Isn’t Vladimir Putin dreamy?
Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, yesterday:
“I do think Putin is playing chess and we’re playing tick-tack-toe,” Mr. Rogers, Michigan Republican, said.
Rep. Mike McCaul (R-Texas), chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, yesterday:
“Putin has now come forward as a leader, and he owns this now, and I believe that gives us the greatest ability to get this thing done.” […] “I quite frankly think what won the day here is that Putin looked in his own backyard and realized that the policies that he saw in Egypt and Libya [were] going to happen in Syria. … He decided that it was time to step in and fix the problem,” McCaul said. “I would … caution this administration to not do a victory lap here.”
Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-Ga.), yesterday:
“You have Putin playing chess and Obama playing, frankly, a very lucky game of tic-tac-toe,” Gingrich said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” … “We are now relying on the Russians,” said Gingrich, now a host of CNN’s ‘Crossfire.” We’re now following from behind — not leading from behind. This is not a good long-term position.”
Washington Times columnist Joseph Curl, this morning:
The kids have a word for it: pwned. Used in a sentence: Barack Obama got hard-core pwned by Vladimir Putin. Pronounced: Powned. Definition: Completely dominated by an opponent.
Ugh. It was ugly. Vlad drove the lane and dunked in BO’s face — then dissed his mother.
Um, wow.









