During the week of 20 July Barack Obama took his Presidential campaign oversees visiting Afghanistan, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Germany and Britain. By all accounts he seemed to be well-received at each destination and this tour boosted his image, creditability and capability as a potential Commandeer-in-Chief who can conduct himself with global leaders on foreign policy issues. However could he have made an error in judgment in not including Saudi Arabia on his agenda? Should his tour have included Saudi Arabia? By not stopping or at least requesting to stop and hold meetings in Saudi Arabia, does this minimize the importance of U.S. relations with Saudi Arabia? While Obama visited key western allies such as Germany and Britain and included a stop in Israel to show unity and alliance, I think as a significant Middle Eastern partner and ally, and with the global attention on oil prices, Saudi Arabia should have been part of the agenda.
I will state that I do indeed plan to vote for Obama as I believe he is the best of the candidates. But I also wish he would have had Saudi Arabia on his overseas tour agenda.
Filed under: America, Economy, politics, Saudi Arabia
Saudis have traditionally been closer to Republicans than Demcorats, and there has always been accusations to Republican presedential candidates for recieving election funds from foriegners including Saudis. On the other hand, Obama’s trip is a campain mover more than a foriegn policy initiative, i believe his main objective out of this trip is to show American voters that he is a better representative of the United States and more acceptable global leader than the extremely unpopular Bush and his party. However, i don’t believe this trip will cause an issue once (if) he becomes president.
It is very unusual for an American (especialy a caucasian one) to disclose his presedintial choice so early in an election. I hope you stay with Obama.
Yes We Can
Hi Shadow Whispers and thanks for your comment. Yes; I agree that Saudi has always been closer to Republicans than Democrats so this will be an interesting time for seeing how US-Saudi relations will continue to evolve.
I agree with you as well on Obama’s objectives for this overseas trip but do remain with my view that I wish it had included a stop in Saudi Arabia…especially considering how he was skirting around the region.
When I make up my mind it usually stays firm!
I think all political candidates will avoid visiting Saudi. There is the risk of looking like you are paying homage the country that provides financing to radical Islamist (whether it is true or not, this is a political risk that no candidate will take). In the case of Obama, it is even more so, since there are the rumors that he is a closet Muslim still circulating via emails.
The other reason Obama as a democrat will not visit Saudi, is that it will take away one of his attack tactics against republicans as supporters of Big Oil. This will be played big time this fall and unfortunately Saudi will be targeted along with the Major Oil companies.
In the middle east only few places made sense and he visited all of them:
- Iraq and Afgahnistan: for the obvious war reason.
- Kuwait: Has large troop presence. It is always nice to have your picture taken with people in uniform and never forget these folks will also cast a vote.
- Jordan and Israel: To promote the idea that he will be a good peace broker during his term. Also, Israel alone has 1/4 of all Americans casting a vote outside the country. Most of which will be democrats. There will be get out the vote type of effort similar to what you see in the US there.
Saudi in US – while your comments and analysis make good sense I guess I still resist and believe he should have visited Saudi. His campaign slogan is all about change hence moreso to buck the traditional system and visit Saudi Arabia.
Saudi Arabia has been taken major initiatives as a peace broker as well as introducing new resolutions to the UN. Saudi remains a key player in the world politics. I’m sure not long after elections, the new President will certainly be visiting then but I wish it had taken place at this time.
Carol,
I think at this stage of the game there is a risk reward model that has to be used. There are more risks for a democratic candidate to visit Saudi than the possible rewards. Actually I just do not see how a visit to Saudi will get Obama any significant votes. After all he is still trying to win an election and a degree of separation from Oil producers gives him more ammo against the Bush administration and McCain. The Madrid initiative may get support from Obama if he becomes president, only time will tell.
I recognize that you are right on this issue and acknowledge my views are probably more emotional than logical on the issue.
I understood that it wasn’t a ”Barak Obama” trip, but that Obama travelled as part of a group of American Senators. Even if the media portrayed it as a personal trip, the itinerary might not be open to adjustments.
I am not positive but wasn’t it an “Obama initiated” trip with other Senators who chose to accompany him? Nevertheless it certainly seems to have worked to his advantage as a strategic campaign ploy.
Part of the visit was official visit paid for by the US government on a senate delegation. That part ended in Iraq. I think every thing following the visit to Iraq, like visiting Jordan, Israel and Europe were campaign stops. Hence, you saw him campaigning in Israel and giving the speech in Germany.
after Obama has made it publicly known that he has visited Israel I dont think he would be allowed in the country. I read somewhere when I was getting my visa to come over to Saudi Arabia that if you have a Israeli stamp in your passport you will not be allowed to enter Saudi Arabia. plus it seems to me that man of the U.S. diplomats are blaming Saudi Arabia for all their problems and yet they’ve never even been here to back up what they are saying.
For regular visitors that can sometimes be problematic but for all the officials who visit Israel that is not an issue. Look how many times Condileeza Rice or even Bush himself have come to KSA after also have been in Israel and elsewhere.
Who ever loved, that loved not at first sight?ChristopherMarloweChristopher Marlowe
I agree with you, he should have visited Saudi. Interesting what Saudi in US said regarding the Kuwait ”troops’ visit to boost votes.
I received an email today from a US Army man stationed in Afghanistan who clearly stated Obama didn’t even bother to shake their hands. The email really hit me when I read it.
I’m pro Republican in any case, and Obama has failed to impress me on most counts other than being charasmatic.
Sorry, that doesn’t run the country.
The candidates this term are not impressive at all.
I would say that Egypt might be a better place than Saudi.
I saw footage from Afghanistan where he was intermingling with troops. I doubt he’d be able to shake the hand of every military personnel there.
Abu Dhabi – why do you view Egypt as being a better place than Saudi? I’m curious. I mean when you look at the upcoming debates and issues both candidates are going to respond to, oil and the economy will likely feature predominantly (as well as other issues). I think Obama could speak more authoritatively if he were able to say “when I was in Saudi…..”
Bedu: Ilove your last remark, a perfect example of the real level of world-politics.
Grammarschool.
One of the first comments claimed that Saudis tend to be more republican. Thats a great point, but regardless, a trip the middle east should have included Saudi Arabia, which may not be now causing so much trouble, but it is a shame that he only can visit countries that are in a deep whole or are at war with us. He should have extended his tour, added more security, and visited the extended middle east and then some more countries (like the ‘stans). But thats just my opinion, and this is a great blog going on here with smart commenters so please let me know what you guys think.
pacer521
http://culturedecoded.wordpress.com
Thank you Aafke!
Welcome to the blog, Pacer and appreciate your comments.
I don’t see the oil issue being resolved on any level-visit or not. Egypt has more influence in helping to negotiate some semblance of peace between Palestine and Israel (some might think that impossible also). In a nutshell, Egypt is a stronger political and military ally of the US.
Thanks Delhi4Cats
for another perspective…Obama’s trip was (lets face it) more a photo shoot and publicity stunt than a state trip that maybe the president would try. And, sadly, as great a country Saudi Arabia is, its not exactly a best seller in terms of the media. And as the comment above me states, Egypt would be one of those countries. But don’t count Obama out of Saudi Arabia entirely — if elected he probably will make a similar state trip with the us funding it and will do some political stops. That will include Saudi Arabia.
pacer521
http://culturedecoded.wordpress.com
Abu Dhabi,
Actually Saudi Arabia is taking more initiatives towards peace between Palestine and Israel at the moment through new UN resolutions. Given the wide breadth of global issues I think Saudi Arabia rather than Egypt should be viewed as the greater ally. In many cases, Saudi Arabia has been more like the “silent partner” and likely many are not as fully aware of all the support the US has received of KSA. The media of course likes to broadcast the negative most of the time.
Pacer,
Yes; whoever is President must make a state visit to KSA and I’m sure Obama will handle such a visit well!
It’s interesting to note all of the things that are being bandied about regarding both candidates. I am a Republican but feel that I’m getting to choose between two Democrats for the presidency. I’m going with the “Repub-ocrat” McCain.
I also got the email regarding the soldier in Afghanistan. A few more details were that he was ushered into the tent for his promo shots and had the opportunity to speak with and shake hands with soldiers but walked right past them without acknowledging their presence. This is, in fact, an untrue rumor and can be read about here: http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/o/obama-afghanistan.htm
I also recieved an email that questions Mr. Obama’s citizenship and whether he is even eligible to be running for office. “The first hurdle will be having Obama produce his birth certificate, which so far he has refused to do, and prove that he was born in Hawaii on August 4, 1961, as he has always claimed. There is speculation that his American mother may have brought him to Honolulu shortly after his birth in Kenya, but no proof of that has been shown.
According to the law on the books at the time of Obama’s birth, the office of president requires that a candidate be a natural born citizen if the child was not born to two U.S. citizen parents. Since he was not, should it be proven that Obama was not born in Hawaii, as claimed, he is ineligible without further debate. But assuming that he was born there, he has another problem.”
So, I used my trusty http://www.truthorfiction.com website again and got this…
http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/o/obama-birth.htm
I don’t care for the man but I don’t like to see stuff sent all over that is not truth.
Thanks for your comments, Soapymom. Ironically if we did not get many of the American news channels via satelllite, our coverage of campaign activities would be minimal from here in Saudi.
Hi,
I have visited your blog and I found it quite interesting. But I am here to search cheap accomodation for me in a place like Jodapur as I will be visiting this particular place in India in the next month. Please can any one help me out? I will be glad to receive the response.
Trade Port,
Thanks for visiting but I’m a little confused…just to confirm, you want recommendations for lodging in India and specifically Jodphur? It’s been too long since I’ve been there so I cannot help you.