The Politics of Persuasion

The lead article in today’s New York Times is titled, “Obama, at U.N., is Backed on Iran and Arms Curbs.” It describes a major breakthrough with Russia regarding sanctions against Iran as well as progress on future arms negotiations and the renewal of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

President Medvedev agreed, for the first time, that serious sanctions against Iran may be necessary. In addition, both China and Russia, agreed to support a U.S. resolution in the Security Council to strengthen the nuclear non-proliferation treaty.

In my opinion, these results clearly demonstrate the superiority of President Obama’s approach compared to the bluster and threatening of the Bush administration. Though the Administration maintains there was no quid pro quo, one can’t help but attribute part of the results to the decision to modify the U.S. approach to missile shield technology originally slated for installation in Poland and the Czech Republic.

Being agreeable and personable with other leaders gets results. And it doesn’t hurt to be intelligent for a change, too. While there is still an impasse in the Middle East, you have to believe that, if any one person can make a difference, it would be President Obama.

Compared to the Bush administration approach, “You’re either with us or against us,” President Obama says, “Come, let us reason together.” That’s true leadership.