Jack Kelley attacks Obama on his claim that “it is not weakness, but wisdom to talk not just to our friends, but to our enemies, like Roosevelt did, and Kennedy did, and Truman did.”, claiming Obama is ignorant of history.

Actually, it’s Kelly who misses the point. Kelly goes on about how Kennedy’s meetings with Kruschev showed a weakness. Of course, his ability to talk to the Soviets was what prevented a nuclear holocaust during the Missile Crisis.

Then there are the swipes that Truman didn’t negotiate with Imperial Japan or the Soviets. No, he didn’t. But he did meet with Middle East leaders when deciding to support Israel. And Ike succeeded him by negotiating the end of the Korean War.

As for Roosevelt, I too wasn’t clear on which one Obama was talking about.

Kelly doesn’t seem to understand that there’s a difference between meeting with a nation that is hostile to you and meeting with one which with whom you are actively engaged in war. But, I’m getting used to those subtleties going over the heads of “conservatives” these days.