House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) on Wednesday dubbed President Obama’s foreign policy address that day “the Goldilocks speech.”
“Trying to find the lukewarm bowl of porridge will not likely reassure those who worry about our lack of leadership, and will not concern those who fear its return,” Cantor wrote in an op-ed published by ABC News.
{mosads}Cantor pummeled Obama’s foreign policy strategies in Syria, Israel, Asia, Russia, Afghanistan and Iran.
The president’s decision to not launch a military strike on Syria last September, Cantor said, exemplifies how his foreign policy “is indecisive and confused.”
Cantor said he welcomes Obama’s call to work with Congress to ramp up assistance to the Syrian opposition, but urged the president to convey why Syria matters to the public.
“President Obama barely mentioned the threat our ally [Israel] faces, nor did he address the failed peace talks where Secretary Kerry continually admonished Israel for building homes in Jerusalem, while terrorists’ rockets were launched into Israel from Gaza,” Cantor wrote.
North Korea wasn’t mentioned in Obama’s speech at West Point, Cantor noted. He also blasted Obama for making it seem like the U.S. successfully isolated Russia and has decimated al Qaeda while the threat to the U.S. remains strong.
“President Obama likes to pretend that every criticism of his foreign policy is a call to war somewhere,” Cantor wrote. “This straw man insults the American people, and makes it harder for honest brokers to work together to help respond to some incredible challenges and threats.”
Obama’s “rhetorical shifts,” Cantor said will not change perceptions of the U.S., adding only a restoration of leadership and a change in policies will.