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Why Did President Obama Give the Islamist Turkish Prime Minister a Hug?

Nov. 4, 2011 9:54am Sharona Schwartz

In the report from White House pool reporter Tangi Quéméner covering the G-20 summit in Cannes, France, an interesting detail emerged about the gestures President Obama used to greet the different leaders (my highlight):

“[President Obama] entered the room at 1:15 and took to his left, heading to Angela Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy. They chatted for a few seconds before British Prime minister David Cameron joined them. Hard to understand what they were saying amid the cameras noise. POTUS then took a stroll to Australian Premier Julia Gillard who got a hug as European president Herman van Rompuy, European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan were watching. Eventually the Europeans got a handshake but Erdogan got the hug treatment. POTUS then walked all the way around after noticing that “people are really far away around there”. He stopped for quick handshakes and reached out to President Hu of China, telling him ‘ni hao’ (hello). They cordially shook hands and posed for photographers…POTUS then greeted his Argentinian counterpart Cristina Kirchner who just got reelected without runoff. Angela Merkel was just congratulating her (in English). “So Nicolas, we all have to take lessons” of Kirchner’s victory, joked POTUS, who’s up for reelection in ’12, as Sarkozy is (next May).

So who is the man who got the “hug treatment”? Erdoğan has shown a commitment to Islamist politics, has demonstrated hostility toward Israel, recently downgrading relations and expelling its ambassador, and says he doesn’t believe Hamas is a terrorist organization. These views have increased his stature across the Middle East.

Daniel Pipes points out that in June, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton gave a high-five to the Turkish foreign minister.

Michael Rubin reveals in Commentary that the Obama administration is showing Turkey love not only with hugs and high fives:

On October 28, at Obama administration behest, the Pentagon officially notified Congress of its intention to sell Turkey three Super Cobra helicopters. In the past, officials rebuffed such Turkish requests because those helicopters were needed in Afghanistan. Frankly, they still our and American lives depend on them. Senators now have 15 days to object to the sale; the Obama administration, however, hopes that their request will slip through unnoticed.

This latest warm gesture to a leader that doesn’t always represent American values might remind some readers of the controversial bow President Obama gave Saudi King Abdullah at the G-20 two years ago.

The Telegraph then reported that:

State department protocol indeed decrees that presidents bow to no one, and has had to deal with similar controversies before, when then president Bill Clinton did a semi-bow to Japan’s Emperor Akihito.

In diplomacy, what matters more: words, actions or gestures? What signal does this show-of-warmth convey to Turkey that has lately been at odds with American regional interests? And what does it say to the Europeans who got a paltry handshake?

[h/t: The Weekly Standard]

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Comments (133)

ThankBabyJesus
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 2:03pm
because they are both abilitsts /lol

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- jb.kibs
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 2:59pm
  it’s obvious that he said something private to him and that is the only reason why.
  
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- loriann12
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:00pm
  JB, that was my first thought. Something was whispered, and the gesture was meant to ensure privacy and so no one could read their lips.
  
  Report this comment
- Dustyluv
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:19pm
  1 .He was out of the country…no chance for sexual hassasment lawsuit…
  2. He likes terrorists..then he kills them..
  3. He likes to rub it in our noses that he was once Muslim (BTW once a Muslim always a Muslin, just ask one)
  
  Report this comment
- robert
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:30pm
  “Why Did President Obama Give the Islamist Turkish Prime Minister a Hug?”
  
  He wanted him to know he cared before they start dating.
  
  Report this comment
- robert
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:34pm
  “Why Did President Obama Give the Islamist Turkish Prime Minister a Hug?”
  
  Because they both decided it was time to come out of the closet.
  
  Michelle is devastated.
  
  Report this comment
- IronSights
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:51pm
  Borack was going for his wallet. Every little bit will help his campaign funding.
  
  Report this comment
- We are Americans
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 6:26pm
  POTUS then took a stroll to Australian Premier Julia Gillard who got a hug as European president Herman van Rompuy, European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso and Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan were watching.
  He hugged the Australian premier too. Do the blaze
  reporters even read the articles they copy and
  paste or do they just stick a catchy headline on them?
  
  Report this comment
- rocky155
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 7:30pm
  Is this not the way greetings are exchanged in many cultures. Hug and kiss on both cheeks, hanndshakes eleswhere. I am NOT defending Obama. I hate the ground he stands on, but this may be much adu about nothing.
  
  Report this comment
- lizziebee
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 8:00pm
  That is one creepy photo
  
  Report this comment
- Ruler4You
  Posted on November 6, 2011 at 2:19pm
  Well, I’m reasonably sure it isn’t because they are attracted to each other. So, it must have some other reason. Like irresistible after shave. Maybe his shoes had an exceptional shine and he wanted to compliment him. Maybe he was impressed with his suit. Maybe they are related though family in Kenya.
  
  Report this comment
the hawk
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 2:00pm
BECAUSE HE COULD’NT KISS HISS a__ RIGHT THERE !

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- pamela kay
  Posted on November 5, 2011 at 1:12am
  lol……………(:
  
  Report this comment
quickstudy
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:59pm
Obama was just telling the Turkish prime minister that his fly was down.

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Lion420
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:49pm
Qur’an (40:28) – A man is introduced as a believer, but one who must “hide his faith” among those who are not believers. http://www.religion of peace.com

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bjornskis
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:37pm
because Obumbler is a Muslim

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- poorrichard09
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 2:01pm
  It’s the equivalent of a secret handshake between fellow muslims.
  
  Report this comment
- Polwatcher
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 2:41pm
  Right answer. Brothers in Allah.
  
  Report this comment
AntipasMetochos
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:35pm
“Why did he hug Erdogan?” Here’s your answer. Paul Williams, PhD. gets the credit: Go to
http://www.familysecuritymatters.org where one can click on “authors,” and read this article, among others:
“Exclusive: Obama Administration turns Blind Eye to Muslim Foreign Militia in Pennsylvania.”

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mule creek ridge
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:34pm
TO: JZS
Bush(the W0 holding hands with the Saudi king almost made me PUKE!!!!!
If you see it as a “cultural thing”perhaps you should move to the Mid-East,and stay.
Licking peoples whatevers is not part of MY CULTURE !!!!!

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elosogrande
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:32pm
When did all the hugging start? I think it was Tony Saprano that started it all. It must be cool if Tony does it, and most a– holes are desperate to be cool. Same for high fives – how stupid and annoying.

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Tom
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:27pm
Hand shakes are for friends, hugs are a symbol of a deeper connections or desire to connect deeper.

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Emrys
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:26pm
These people are so obvious; Obama and his ilk despise what America was founded upon and want to remake it into something dark and sinister. I hate the two-faced hypocrisy and the smarminess of these thugs.

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True American66
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:26pm
I believe the last picture says all that needs to be said about who Barak HUSSEIN Obama really is!

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Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:25pm
He is also campaigning for the job of Anti- Christ?

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- UFOCPrez
  Posted on November 6, 2011 at 1:30am
  That’s funny. He’s qualified, that’s for sure.
  
  Report this comment
Censored_by_the_Illuminati
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:25pm
Larry Sinclair would say that it’s because he like to feel a male body close to his.

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mule creek ridge
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:24pm
That Silly Ole Barry is at it again.”IT” referring to his penchant for licking Islams parts!!!!!
Boy outta be more careful.He could catch something He can’t throw back.!!!

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This_Individual
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:23pm
Because they are both socialists.

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SpeaknUp
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:22pm
If, just ONCE, Obama would behave like a president, that would be something. He excels at embarrassing this country every time he goes out in public.

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jzs
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:22pm
Google “Presidents bow” and you’ll see Eisenhower bowing to De Gaulle, Nixon bowing to Mao, Bush holding hand with, bowing to and, yes, kissing the Saudi King. And Bush bowing to the Pope. Etc.

It’s a cultural thing.

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- Oldcarsandguitars
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:57pm
  It is because Barry Huseien has more in common with those who would distroy us than our acctual allies
  
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- JohnnyMidknight
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 3:23pm
  @ Oldcarsandguitars
  I can’t believe I am saying this LOL, but JZS is correct on this. In the past, many US Presidents showed customary greetings with other foreign dignitaries/leaders. However, in some cases the bow was mutual. In some it was only the President. However, Obama seems to be almost over dramatic with his bows and lowers himself to a point of a subordinate, not of an equal.
  
  However, Obama has been getting better with not bowing so low as of late.
  
  Report this comment
- babylonvi
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:18pm
  It’s Global Elite pecking order. I never saw Reagan bow down to anyone or kiss their hand. At least he didn’t French kiss him. Then again what do you expect from a punk who would chew gum at a meeting of world leaders.
  
  Report this comment
- JohnnyMidknight
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 4:59pm
  @ babylonvi That is because Reagan wasn’t a progressive and was a strong leader.
  
  Report this comment
- loriann12
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:07pm
  I took you up on that. I saw a picture of Nixon and Eisenhower with a slight bend, no more than a dip of head to shoulder height. I see Obama bent so low he could kiss his belly button. And the Saudi guy was telling Bush something. That would be like this one, they hugged because they wanted to exchange a private bit. I don’t know what he said to Bush, nor Obama. And I’m not sure I like either one.
  
  Report this comment
- OneTermPresident
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 5:37pm
  Nothing even close… and Google provided nothing on Bush kissing a hand.
  
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Soul Leister
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:21pm
Thank god he stopped bowing to every tom, dick and harry… maybe after bowing to the hispanic mayor of Tampa he realized how stupid he looked…. well, I guess you can teach an old (half white) dog a new trick after all… good for him… that trick only took him three years to learn… imagine what he will be able to do down the road… I hear he is working on chewing gum and standing at the G20 conference… our little Barrack is growing up (kinda).

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TelepromoterNChief
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:18pm
Might be the only action he gets since his adulturess Vera left country.

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- db321
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:38pm
  Here is the link for Vera Baker Obama’s sweaty – she is much prettier that Mechelle.
  
  http://www.examiner.com/celebrity-infidelity-in-national/the-barack-obama-vera-baker-affair-truth-or-rumor-setting-the-record-straight
  
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Americans4America
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:18pm
Actions speak louder than words.. there is no pride for what we stand for anymore.

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Mop
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:17pm
Because he’s Islamic. Time to wake up and face it.

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Moozmom
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:15pm
Because our president is an extreme leftist that identifies with marxists, islamists, communists, Acorn, Planned Parenthood, Tides Foundation, MSNBC, CBS, ABC, NBC, CNN, Black Panthers, Occupy Protesters ad nauseum. This is his right as an American. We have lost the Republic. What are you going to do about it?
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normbal
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:04pm
Why is Hillary giving the NAZI salute to that man?

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- AJAYW
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:08pm
  She can’t help iyt she’s STUPID
  
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- dorightfearnothing
  Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:23pm
  Ideology wise she not that much different then a nazi…
  
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- nick7
  Posted on November 7, 2011 at 4:12am
  I think Hill is the cutest thing ! A thrill goes down my leg every time I see her.
  
  Report this comment
AJAYW
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:03pm
Wow no one gonna comment here…..??? We all know. If a hug will work if all is watching and you can’t be seen bowing again before 2012-

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normbal
Posted on November 4, 2011 at 1:03pm
Might as well ask why he bows to dictators (like the Saudi King).

You won’t get a rational answer.

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