US President Barack Obama comments on the economy after a meeting in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC, April 10, 2009.
(Photo by Olivier Douliery/ABACAUSA.COM/Newscom)Photos (1 of 1)
German magazine bags Obama ‘confession’ at G-20
Was there a touch of schadenfreude in the ensuing frenzy of commentary?
By James Hagengruber | 04.10.09
While pundits in the United States debate whether or not President Obama inclined his body toward Saudi King Abdullah at last week’s Group of 20 meeting in London, attention in Europe is more focused on the president’s verbal bowing during the summit.
During the final “decisive” session of the G-20 meeting, President Obama uttered three words that, at least according to this account by the respected German news magazine Der Spiegel, amounted to a US confession for causing the financial crisis and and “may go down in world history as one of the greatest statements ever made.”
What, pray tell, did the president say?
“I take responsibility.”
Spiegel, which is Germany’s 800-pound gorilla of serious political journalism, used the statement as the lead of its triple-bylined account of the summit, which is printed under the headline: “Obama’s G-20 Confession.” Much like the rising debate surrounding the president’s alleged bow, the tale of the so-called confession is ripe for a bit of interpretation, which might help explain why the statement didn’t lead the news in the US – rating only a mere mention deep in the bowels of the website Politico – much less garner nomination to be included among statements such as “All men are created equal,” or “I have a dream,” or “It ain’t over ’til it’s over.”
Obama made the remark after he had been introduced by Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi. This is what the president said, according to Der Spiegel:
“It is important that we do not sell short the results of this summit. The press would like us to have conflicts. Instead we have attained great achievements. And it is important that we exude confidence.”[Obama] then lowered his voice: “It is true, as my Italian friend has said, that the crisis began in the US. I take responsibility, even if I wasn’t even president at the time.”
Der Spiegel then continued:
The others couldn’t believe their ears. Was that really a confession of guilt from the US? Was it a translation error, or at least an inaccuracy? Afterwards, this sentence fueled long discussions among the members of the German delegation. German Chancellor Angela Merkel was so impressed by Obama’s statement that she rushed to tell her finance minister, Peer Steinbrück. Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso reacted immediately: The proposal to hold the next summit not in Japan, but rather in the US, is something that he no longer rejects, he says, “now that the US has shouldered responsibility.”
Germany, it should be noted, has a certain fixation with the idea of blame and responsibility. The statement from Obama might also be helping the Germans make sense of the financial crisis. And, as cliches remind us, Germans crave ordnung (order).
A recent column in The New York Times attempted to unravel why Germany attended the G-20 summit intent on assuaging the global financial crisis by developing more regulations. The country, according to the column by Nicolas Kulish, has undertaken a “concerted effort to permanently banish the instability and violence that have marked its history. That sense of insecurity includes Germany’s forced division in the cold war, the Nazi era and the hyperinflation of the 1920s, but it also stretches at least as far back as the Thirty Years’ War in the 17th century, which decimated much of the German territories and population, and was a formative trauma.”
Germany attended the summit with its wallet closed tightly, resisting calls from Obama for more stimulus spending. The prominent coverage of US “responsibility” – with Obama’s remarks being treated less like a political statement than the confession of a bank robber – offers further evidence of a country not eager to pick up the tab for cleaning up this mess.
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2. pata | 04.10.09
Fascinating report, and more exhilarating than anything else in recent memory. It’s more telling, too, of how the dysfunction, in almost every way, of the past 8 years, is being remediated, bit by painful bit. The people portrayed in this article are not the cutouts, or the denigrated of the near past, but fully realized as human and worthy of humane consideration. It shows how world progress can be attained instead of disdained.
Hope grows robustly between every word, syllable and letter. I had to read it several times.
We Americans can grow too, and not only in arrogance and entitlements to excess. We inherited a sublimely great nation from our parents and our grandparents. There is here a hope of rebuilding that heroic legacy.
3. Jay | 04.10.09
Great post James.
Patrick - not sure I’m seeing your logic.
First off, this is a blog, not an article. Vastly different beasts and should (and have) never been judged with identical criteria. While this post lacks strong overtones of opinion, most blogs do and are read specifically for that reason.
Second, the economist leans in neither direction and the fact that you think they lean left shows exactly where you reside yourself. The fact that The Economist has supported Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher while also supporting gay marriage and strict gun control shows that if anything, its moderate. Checkout their Wikipedia entry for specifics:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Economist_editorial_stance
Third, it seems you’re own emotional reaction to Obama’s quote is driving your judgment of this post. The author at no time explicitly said, “I’m really glad Obama said, ‘I take responsibility.’” In fact, 60% of this post are quotes from other sources, including Der Speigel, which did in fact infer their appreciation for the President’s admission. But the author here in no way stated an opinion. I can’t recommend psychoanalyzing a blogger — usually not worth the time.
Fourth, we’re analyzing Germany on this because it shows something the U.S. has lacked for more than a decade — a sensitiveness to international opinions and cultures. We’re not exactly in good standing in the court of international opinion and this gesture earns a lot of goodwill. Its called political capital, and since we’re super low on that stuff after 8 years of Bush policies, Obama is slowly earning it back. I think its pretty smart. The German are ready to throw a party in our honor — and all we did was say, “Our bad.” Imagine what they’ll do if we continue to be honest and upfront with them?
Fifth, and finally, the point that I’ve wanted to make since the beginning: many of us actually approve of our President’s admission. Why? Because, in case you didn’t notice, President’s taking responsibility for ANYTHING these days is about as common as a Democrat winning office in Montana (well, actually that did happen with Jon Tester winning the Senate seat so maybe almost as common). Did George Bush ever take responsibility for not finding WMDs in Iraq? For avoiding the disaster that Katrina left in New Orleans (and no, peering out the window of AF1 does not count)? Did Clinton take responsibility over Lewinsky? That lack of responsibility filtered down to our Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez when he was asked repeatedly by the US Congress about the Justice Department scandal involving US attorneys and his refrain was, “I don’t recall.” Taking responsibility is what leaders are supposed to do. Avoiding it is the behavior of dictators and despots.
Well done, James, and thanks for giving multiple sources to the background of the story.
4. bbbmbmbb | 04.10.09
wow!! the president of the united states bowing down to The House of Saud Monachy and to Mecca. I guess the women,children,mothers,fathers,husbands,wifes,infants are resting in peace under 60 feet of dirt in their graves in the world trade center thanking Obama for finally asking the forgivness of the house of Saud and Islam and also the magificent 19 plane hijackers who were all saudis.
Now Obama needs to make america and look towards MECCA. The queen of england got a nod and House of Saud got a DEEEP Bow and respect. Pity the USA
5. John Laver | 04.10.09
Left or Right, who cares, it matters the President said it… Mr. Cummins, the Culture War stuff, the binary rhetoric is so very, very tired.
6. Mikel W. Schwab | 04.11.09
Obama is engaging in true diplomacy. It has been so long since we have seen it, we barely recognize it.
7. T. Beckett | 04.11.09
I wonder if Obama was talking about his push for ACORN, and how the lawsuits that he spearheaded required the FED to start the the now supsect risky lending practices. The Clinton Administration and the now AG of NY pushed it and made it sound like a good thing. The investments of these companies were built upon a house of straw that started back in the Nixon Administration. This added a little mud to the structure. They looked like good investments at the time. Everyone got drunk off the kool-aide. Then the greed and avrice of humanity took over. But once a good Nor’easter storm caim along …. it all came blowing down.
8. wunsacon | 04.11.09
>> Why are we analyzing Germany to explain this (or referencing articles that do this)?
To see what our allies are thinking.
>> It’s this kind of writing that makes it a special challenge to engage the Monitor as a news source.
The Weekly Standard awaits your loving eyes.
9. SES | 04.11.09
What would you expect out of obama’s mouth. he went to Europe and continually bad-mouthed the United States, apologized the radical muslims had to murder 3,000+ civilians because we pissed them off, and so on. obama thinks he is a super star and only went on tour because he wants to be king of the world. His groveling to the saudi king and thinking that turkey respects him is a laugh. He is an embarrassment to most of the populace of the United States. Of course at least 4 million of those people that voted for him don’t even exist, except in the minds of the acorn people. obama’s only goal is take the United States down to it’s knees and make is a socialist state.
God Bless America and may She always be free from tryanny
10. Rush | 04.12.09
Patrick, this article couldn’t be re-written with the replacement you suggest for the simple reason that George Bush would never say “I take responsibility”. The whole point of the article is not that Obama said anything outrageously provocative or grandiose but that he owned up to mistakes that in the past have been the raging white elephant that American politicians insist is a cute cuddly kitten.
In fact, if the headline read that Bush admitted to any kind of mistake, I think the printing machines would actually break and there would be chaos in the streets as people shouted “the end is nigh”. Perhaps that’s an exaggeration, but you get the point. What separates Obama is not his blackness or his charisma or his good looks - it is the fact that he tries to be reasonable and honest.
12. George | 04.12.09
Did the writer see the video of BHO greeting the “King” of Saudi Arabia? If he wasn’t bowing, then he was kissing his hand. There is nothing “alleged” about it. As for the Europeans not concerned about it, they have long ago bowed to the muslims. And as for his “confession,” it is meaningless. It is another indication of his impotence in world affairs and his absolute incapacity as a leader. He is obsequious to muslims and foreign leaders and terrorists and a bully on his own playground. He is an empty suit, an empty head, and an empty heart.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5JGK-xbXxMw
13. bobc | 04.12.09
Iknow, everything wrong in the world, is the fault of the USA! Many countries always had their hand out, but now that we are down and out, we are kicked around by them, and our Prez.
UK newspapers are blasting Obama much more than this. They realized Obama is lost without his teleprompter, losing his train of thought, and looking weak to other world leaders…one reporter called him President Pantywaist.
To get read news that happens in the USA, one has to read foreign newspapers. They all have an english version, I would suggest people start reading other sites to get the news, because our reporters won’t print anything that goes against Obama.
14. David | 04.12.09
I want to thank the fools of the world in helping to usher in BIBLICAL PHRORPCEY
at an alarming rate, (one world currency, own world government).
15. John McClain | 04.12.09
Since this crisis is initially caused by two primary factors: first, the complete takeover of fiat currencies replacing real money, and second, social policy choosing how finances are accounted for, rather than standard accounting practices, the responsibility Obama claimed is as much a lie as any of his campaign promises.
While American socialist policy crafted by congress to put people in houses they can’t afford, and never would be able to, may have been the trigger for the collapse, and our collapse triggering waves of alarm causing further collapse around the world, it cannot possibly be the cause of the whole of the economic crisis.
One must look back at the entry of fiat currencies as replacing real money as the actual source of the crash, and thus eight decades of foolish monetary policy followed by every Nation that has engaged in international trade using fiat currencies as being collectively responsible, because they have all operated using a known flawed economic format that has proven throughout recorded history to have these exact results every time it has been allowed to take over.
What he said will go down in history only because the whole of the problem was waiting for the weakest link to assume all the blame, so no one else would have to. It’s a shame we don’t have a president to go to such meetings and speak with the authority of our Constitution, and speak the truth that Natural Law posits on almost every subject providing “self-evident law” which is the source of truth. I am only sorry we are such a self absorbed Nation we aren’t able to discern the fact that in appologizing, the imposter was both snivelling, and absolutely wrong.
John McClain
GySgt, USMC, ret.
Vanceboro, NC
16. joanne | 04.12.09
Well, Obama was responsible for the banking crisis that is the result of sub prime loans. The practice started in Chicago with ACORN holding up banks and threatening banks with political action if they didn’t stretch the rules for mortgage borrowers. Obama was ACORN’s lawyer. It was picked up by Franklin Raines, in Freddie and Fannie and became the foundation of most of their mortgages backed by taxpayer dollars. Meanwhile, Freddie and Fannie gave out hugh sums of money (bribes) to Obama, Frank and Dobbs to look the other way (this is on the record). When the Republicans tried to get the banking committee to investigate in 2006, Barney Frank on camera dismissed them. The practice was then picked up by the larger banking community. But what fool buys a house they can’t afford? Everyone with half a brain knows homes always fluctuate in value. Mine did twice since 1986 and before the banking crisis of 2009by tens of thousands of dollars. But no one should be surprised by any of this after the democrats and Obama passed TARP 2009 and Stimulus 2009 and didn’t even read the bills.
17. TKPedersen | 04.12.09
I have now read and re-read the article a total of 2 times looking for the spin Mr. Cummins commented on…I cannot find it. A recital of the attitudes, very evident in any reading of the news in German papers and comments by their citizens makes clear that they see America as being at fault for a vast variety of perceived ills and this comment by President Obama fits right in with their perception…it is NOT spin. The vast majority of Europe, for that matter, wishes America to take responsibility for pretty much everything that goes wrong in the world. They have been more than happy to allow us to provide protection for them for many, many years with minimal contribution (except, of course, when it came to control). Since so much of the world sees peace as the current status, I thing we could go a long way toward solving some of our deficit by bringing ALL of our troops home, putting them on our borders to protect us from drugs, druglords and illegal aliens. We could also put our foreign aid and UN funds to work here in America to fix infrastructure, take care of our poor and put American Citizens to work rather that bring in foreign workers and ignore illegals taking jobs that citizens need. I understand the resentment of the world…we should honor it, remove our money and people and allow them to do it all “right.” And I apologize for trying to help…I was wrong…not my place to do so. Heal yourselves.
18. Kristiana Helmick | 04.12.09
Patrick, I’m not sure why you think the above is a biased commentary or not newsworthy. Germany is the major European economic power, so its reaction will have an impact on how our economic crisis plays out worldwide. I’m also not sure what you mean by “being glad he said it”; the CSM is simply reporting Der Spiegel’s view, and since the article pulls the full quotation from Obama, it is easy for the reader to assess the story on his or her own. It appears your reactions should be directed to Der Spiegel, not the CSM.
19. Lori | 04.12.09
I agree with P. Cummins and it is no surprise really to the right we are well aware that obama along with the other leftists in America caused the crisis and now don’t want to waste it. It will be a surprise to you however when you figure out obama works for the banks.
http://bluelori.blogspot.com/2009/04/does-obama-really-work-for-wall-street.html
20. David | 04.12.09
Geez Patrick, could you be more mislead? The article is quoting a German magazine’s article.
You may try, instead of leaning right or left, to lean towards truth.
It really will “Set You Free”!
22. Thomas Watson | 04.12.09
Is there seriously a debate about whether Obama “inclined” his body to the Saudi king? Please. Then you quote the New York Times stunning analysis regarding the Thirty Years War and its relationship to the reporting by Der Speigal? Do you not have a clue why the MSM didn’t report this unearned self-abasement?
23. Elliott Ingram | 04.12.09
Why should anyone be agast at Obama’s acceptance of responsibility?
He, and others of his ilk, have led the charge to force lenders to make the ’subprime’ loans that brought the whole house down. The top echelon of most major banks are loaded with egalitarian socialists, such as Geithner, Rubin, and Paulson.
The collapse is not a failure of the free market; it is a failure to employ the free market. Obama’s and congress’ solution is to tax the working class, and untold future generations of their children, to “bail out” the ultra wealthy of the world.
Scotty, beam me up; this planet is ready to implode!
24. Tommo | 04.12.09
The German media have over-reacted to a fairly innocent comment by Obama. By the way, you must be kidding if you think The Economist is a left wing publication.
25. Suzette | 04.12.09
As usual, Obama blamed George (Bush). “I take responsibility EVEN IF I WASN’T EVEN PRESIDENT THEN.” In other words, Blame America First, Blame George Bush.
Nothing to see here folks. Same old Obamanizing. Sheesh.
Patrick, don’t give the Monitor such a hard time. They’re located in Boston and don’t know how left they lean. They mean no harm and no disrespect, it’s just how they really, truly see the world. Cut a little slack.
26. Andy | 04.12.09
It would be fine with me if the Monitor ignored the Tea Parties entirely, and continued to focus on events of consequence.
27. Curtis E Bear | 04.13.09
Oh yeah, because Dubya was well known for taking responsibility for stuff that he’d done…
28. Jeff Kuch | 04.13.09
Rank Obama Top 20 Contributors Industry $
1 Goldman Sachs Banking $980,945
5 Citigroup Inc Banking $657,268
6 JPMorgan Chase & Co Banking $650,758
12 UBS AG Banking $522,019
16 Morgan Stanley Banking $490,873
Total Financial Industry PAC Money $3,301,863
You bet he is responsible…anyone who takes campaign contributions from Countrywide and AIG and in which 3 of their Top 10 Campaign Contributors are also 3 of the greatest beneficiaries of the financial bailout is certainly CULPABLE.
Given the magnitude of the financial expenditure, easily exceeding the cost of ALL US Wars ever waged is CRIMINAL.
Taken in perspective of what the effect will have to ALL AMERICANS and OUR CHILDREN, which threatens the very basis of ideals upon which this country was founded is TREASON and SEDITION.
My question: Why aren’t the other Senators and Congressmen who co-conspirited by accepting bribery/campaign contributions from these financial beneficiaries and government agencies, FREDDIE MAC and FANNIE MAE, on trial in the House Judiciary? One would think if an individual in charge of GOVERNMENT FUNDS personally receives money from a GOVERNMENT AGENCY that would constitute EMBEZZLEMENT, as it would if an employee of a firm received money from a SUPPLIER. (See ENRON Example) This should warrant immediate EXPULSION from GOVERNMENT SERVICE at the least.
How come our MEDIA, in the hours of television coverage and miles of print media has left these facts go un-reported? I encourage their immediate involvement to justify their existence and the AMERICA RIGHT of FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.
29. WM | 04.13.09
Jay, The Economist has in fact turned significantly to the left over the past year. They are pro-bank nationalization and pro-mark-to-market.
It is also easy for someone who was not in charge at the time to “take responsibility” for whatever they went wrong, because they know that in reason they cannot be blamed. The true test of character comes when you know you can be blamed for what goes wrong, i.e., when the results of the stimulus bill are in.
30. randy | 04.13.09
It’s amazing — AMAZING — to read all the vitriol spewing from the mouths of people who didn’t vote for Obama. A few things to remember, though:
1. Obama received more votes than any prez candidate in history. Yes, America is growing, but he received 4 million more votes than Bush in 2004. The distortion coming from right wing commenters these days makes it seem like no one back him, when, in fact, the right-wingers are on the outside looking in.
2. Believe it or not, we can actually learn a lot from our allies. If, like most right-wing spewers, you’re so convinced that America is going down the tubes, what conclusion can you draw from that? Maybe that someone else — and let’s hope it’s our allies and not our enemies — is on the rise. Maybe, if we pay the slightest attention to what’s going on in the world, we can maintain our status in it. Or, if you’d prefer, let’s just plug our ears, whistle a Toby Keith hymn and buy another SUV with Chinese dollars. Ev’rythin will be alright.
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1. Patrick Cummins | 04.10.09
Hi, can you rewrite this blog, but insert “George Bush” where the name “Obama” is? I’d love to see how differently you’d approach it. Geez. It’s this kind of writing that makes it a special challenge to engage the Monitor as a news source. Rather than be negative, I’m happy to tell you of an organization that I think out “Monitors” the “Monitor” even in the Blog category: The Economist. I mean, they lean left, I lean right, and I still love their work. Why are we analyzing Germany to explain this (or referencing articles that do this)? Why pretend you aren’t glad that he said it? That’s what feels awkward about this article. That you feel this way but are afraid to talk about the fact that he said it because so many of us do not approve!
How will The Monitor spin the National Tea Party?