House Speaker Nancy Pelosi Arrives in Beijing
Leading Democrat Supports The Obama Doctrine in China?
May 24, 2009
Considered one of China's sharpest and most public critics, Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi has apparently changed her doctrine when dealing with Beijing. The fundamental question becomes – Why? Ms Pelosi’s 11th District of California has one of the largest and best known Chinese constituencies that live in San Francisco’s North Beach and Chinatown. These voters (mostly long time citizens) are national, political or economic refugees that typically reject current Chinese Policy. Her “in your face” attitude toward China (as demonstrated in her 1991 banner raising incident in Tiananmen Square) along with her 2007 and 2008 visits with the Dalai Lama, only force the question. She has had two decades of opposition to normalized trade with Beijing and suggested that President George W. Bush boycott the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics. So why change?
Has Nancy Pelosi Changed
At a briefing in Washington on Friday, Pelosi declined to say whether she planned to discuss human rights in China. In Sundays Washington Post reporter Ariana Cha quoted Pelosi, "We have to . . . learn from each other as we go forward. So that is the subject." The Speaker refused to answer questions about discussions on Human Rights or trade and said she, “…would focus on securing support for a global pact on reducing carbon emissions…,” reported Cha.
The mainstream media has assumed that failure to publicly state that pressure will be put on China implies there will be no discussion on the subject. Former senior diplomat at the US embassy in China, William McCahill, says in Ian Johnson’s May 22nd Wall Street Journal article that failure to broadcast intentions is good, “…because China rarely responds positively to public criticism….Megaphone diplomacy has never yielded very much," McCahill continued. "It might be satisfying for those who wield the megaphones, but for the prisoners it doesn't do much good."
History has said that the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. Has Pelosi seen the fruitlessness of her endeavors and is pursuing a different tactic? McCahill said, “…the most effective critics come to China with a carefully researched list…and behind closed doors put pressure for their release.”
The Obama Doctrine
Some have called it “winning friends and influencing enemies,” while others say, “keep your friends close and your enemies closer.” On May 6th 2009 editors of the Christian Science Monitor said, “The Obama doctrine in foreign policy is to squeeze friends into changing their ways and to disarm American adversaries with charm.”
The doctrine has played out repeatedly. Obama pressured friend Afghanistan into fighting internal corruption, pressured ally Pakistan into fighting the Taliban and enduring colleague Israel into accepting a two state solution. Simultaneously he eased restrictions on long time foe Cuba and shook hands with Venezuela's demagogue Hugo Chavez.
Obama’s China Policy
Has Pelosi, following in the footsteps of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, chosen to abide by the President and leader of the Democratic Party? The Obama doctrine has set forth clear guidelines for his cabinet members when dealing with China. The Speaker, while a member of the Legislative Branch, is still a loyal Democrat and by observing Obama’s Charm China offensive, may be accepting the President’s policy.
The first sign of this policy toward China was Clinton’s Asia visit. Cha reported, “In February, Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton…pointedly played down human rights issues when she traveled to Beijing.” By corralling Pelosi, the Obama doctrine is taking the next logical step in charming an enemy.
President Obama’s approach is making it clear that his administration is not Bush-Cheney. Perhaps the CSM stated it best, “…with his image as the opposite of Bush, the president may find a few successes. And that will reinforce this fresh approach,” with Pelosi out front.
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