Obama bunts for the fences in foreign policy

We can all rest easy, because yesterday, the president of the United States assured the graduating cadets at West Point and the rest of America that, despite enormous pressure, he is not going to intervene militarily everywhere at all times.

Hes just not. So stop asking!

To say that we have an interest in pursuing peace and freedom beyond our borders is not to say that every problem has a military solution, the president said.

I know what youre thinking. Youre thinking: Whew! That was a close one! Because before he spoke, the consensus opinion was that every problem has a military solution. Now we know better! Thanks, President Obama!

His speech at West Point was billed as one of the most significant of his presidency an address in which Obama would lay out a philosophical case for his administrations conduct and choices.

He found it necessary to deliver such a speech because of the worldwide distress his disastrous off-the-cuff remarks in Asia caused a few weeks ago.

Then, he summed up his foreign policy this way: You hit singles; you hit doubles; every once in a while we may be able to hit a home run.

With these words, the president seemed to be suggesting the United States ought to be evaluated much as a baseball sabermetrician would evaluate a quality utility player one of those guys who bounces around the major leagues and adds some small but meaningful value to a teams production.

The United-States-as-utility-player may be the country hed prefer to lead, given his lifelong skepticism about Americas ability to bring about change for the better beyond our borders.

But it doesnt do the slightest justice to the power, influence or responsibilities of the country he was twice elected to lead.

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Obama bunts for the fences in foreign policy