New York Times Editorial: Horrors! A Handshake!

New York Times Editorial: Horrors! A Handshake!
Copyright by The New York Times
Published: April 23, 2009
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/24/opinion/24fri2.html?th&emc=th


Republicans have been predicting the decline of American power ever since President Obama was photographed at last week’s hemispheric summit shaking the hand of President Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and — gasp! — smiling. Former Vice President Dick Cheney warned that that act of civility would be viewed as a sign of “weakness.” Newt Gingrich, who may be honing his attack skills for a presidential run, said Mr. Obama’s behavior was bolstering “enemies of America.”

We have no patience for Mr. Chávez. He was elected as a champion of the poor and has turned himself into a standard-issue autocrat — playing the anti-America card to divert attention from his failed economic policies and ever more outrageous power grabs.

But Venezuela is no strategic threat. And this country has paid far too high a price in both power and influence for former President George W. Bush’s bullying.

Mr. Obama got elected on a pledge to do things differently. At the summit, years of antagonism gave way to eagerness for new relations with Washington. Mr. Obama undercut Mr. Chávez’s bluster with that handshake and his promise of a “new beginning” with Cuba.

Of course, Mr. Obama has to go further: offering more to, and asking more of, his interlocutors. Even as he reaches out to Cuba by easing (and, we hope, eventually lifting) the counterproductive embargo, he must press Havana on human rights and democratic reforms. He must press Mr. Chávez on the same issues.

The logic of his Iran strategy is to give Tehran a chance to come in from the cold with offers of engagement and economic and security incentives. If Tehran does not take him up on the offer — early signs are not hopeful — he must build support for tougher international sanctions to constrain Iran’s nuclear program.

The president will also have to ask more of America’s friends. Europe treated him like a rock star on his recent continental tour, but he still did not win enough support for NATO’s mission in Afghanistan.

None of this will be easy. And Mr. Obama will be held accountable for his record — not just his rhetoric and photo ops. But starting with a handshake rather than a fist makes sense to us.