OBAMARAMA

In his column in today’s Chicago Tribune, Clarence Page suggests that by attacking Sen. Obama’s Iraq proposal, Australian PM John Howard “has done the Democratic presidential hopeful from Illinois a tremendous favor: He has treated Obama’s Iraq ideas seriously.” Page writes:

Obama called the prime minister’s bluff, sounding like a guy from a city where politics ain’t beanbag. He pointed out that Australia has deployed 1,400 troops to Iraq compared with almost 140,000 who are there from the U.S. And he gave Howard a challenge: “If he’s ginned up to fight the good fight in Iraq, I would suggest he call up another 20,000 Australians and send them up to Iraq.” Take that, Mr. PM.

Yet, for all of his public outrage, Obama should be privately delighted. After weeks of public fascination with his biography, his grade schools, his Hawaiian vacation photos and his nicotine withdrawal, it’s about time somebody cared about his ideas.

I’d add that Sen. Obama benefits politically from having been engaged directly by a foreign leader, in whatever context. It positions him as an international player, someone who deserves the attention of heads of state, and Sen. Obama’s apt and quick rejoinder shows he is more than ready to interact on that level.

Perhaps some other foreign leaders would care to weigh in with their opinions?  How about Poland?