Sure, let lame duck Barack Obama normalize relations with Cuba.

Better him than somebody who still has a meaningful political career.

Since John F Kennedy, Presidential foreign policy towards Cuba can be summed up in one sentence: Let my successor be the one who has to be the guy that let Fidel Castro win.  Well, guess what: Barack Obama volunteered to be the poor, stupid sad sack that has to eat the pavement on that. CNBC reports: “The U.S. is starting talks with Cuba to normalize full diplomatic relations and open an embassy, according to U.S. officials. The expanded relationship would also open imports of Cuban cigars somewhat, according to a CNN report.”  We get cigars and some political prisoners released; Cuba gets to win.

Let me revisit what I said on the subject of the embargo, back in 2009:

Should we end the embargo?  Well, we’ve traded with worst regimes, and I don’t think that the current system is doing what we want it to.  Do I think that doing so will cause a stink?  Very much so.  Is it fair that most of it will slop onto the current administration?  Not especially.  Do I personally care?

[snip of 2009 topical reference] …not in the slightest.

I still stand by that, me.  But it’s nice that Barack Obama’s doing this favor for the next President.  It’s about time that the man started thinking about other people.

Moe Lane (crosspost)

PS: I wonder if Fidel Castro – out of sheer spite – is holding out for this to happen before he’ll die.

6 thoughts on “Sure, let lame duck Barack Obama normalize relations with Cuba.”

  1. Heh. As was pointed out elsewhere, the reaction in presidential-waffling**-state Florida is going to be Interesting.
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    Mew
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    ** because the state *does* waffle – it’s their inconsistency (some may say schizophrenia..) that makes ’em a battleground at all…

      1. I’m sure once Gator wanders in it’ll be made clear.. last time I checked, the Atlantic side is lousy with New York, Boston, Philly, Baltimore etc. retirees, but the gulf side is lousy with retirees from Chicago, Detroit, etc. etc.
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        Seems if you grow up with an ocean next door, you want to die with one next door too .. but if you grow up with a big, fat lake, you’re fine with a gulf…
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        Mew

  2. You know, I had no problem supporting the Cuba plank as a favor to our Cuban exile friends in Florida.

    But since they decided to join the Prograts now anyway, I can’t really be bothered. Let Obama take the heat for it. Such as it is. It was going to happen anyway, and it only mattered to that small segment that already knifed us for Hopey Changey.

    Karma bites.

  3. I actually support normalizing Cuban relations. The current embargo is achieving nothing. One of the extremely rare times I agree with the future ex-President.

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