Tapper talks to an "academic with expertise about the Japanese Empire, and in general a supporter of President Obama" who concludes that the left and the right are wrong about Obama bowing to Emperor Akihito of Japan.
"His bow is neither (1) unprecedented nor (2) a sign of cultural understanding."
Tapper's friend also points out that Nixon bowed as well:
"Yet, (and?) Nixon gets the bow right. Slight arch from the waist hands at his side.
"Obama's handshake/forward lurch was so jarring and inappropriate it recalls Bush's back-rub of Merkel.
"Kyodo News is running his appropriate and reciprocated nod and shake with the Empress, certainly to show the president as dignified, and not in the form of a first year English teacher trying to impress with Karate Kid-level knowledge of Japanese customs.
Was it a no no? Well not in "Red State" terms, but certainly showed weakness in Japanese terms.
"The bow as he performed did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms....The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak looking American president and, again, in all ways, he unintentionally played that part.
Obama needs better advisers on what to do and more importantly, what not to do, in dealing with Foreign Affairs.
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