Sen. John McCain (R., Ariz.) said it was clear to him during his world travels that President Obama was not viewed as "a player in the international scene" and that Obama wanted other leaders to "like" him rather than respect him during an interview with On the Record's Greta Van Susteren Tuesday.
Russia and China's refusal to return NSA leaker Edward Snowden was yet another example of that disrespect, he added.
"I think it's very clear that they believe that President Obama is not a player in the international scene," McCain said. "That President Obama, which has characterized his behavior, does not want to get involved or engaged in international security issues. The Chinese obviously orchestrated this individual's visit from Hong Kong to Moscow. It wouldn't happen unless the Chinese had told them to ... They do not respect us. President Obama wants these people to like him. What he should be wanting is for them to respect him."
Citing examples like Obama not speaking out on strongly on behalf of Iranian protestors in 2009 during the post-election upheaval there and his blunder-filled Europe trip earlier in June, McCain said nations like Russia and China respected power and if Obama didn't lead, they would.
"That's one of the lessons here of what's been happening recently, whether it be in Syria or whether this Snowden thing is the other aspect of it," McCain said. The president goes again to Germany, and he gives a speech. The major cornerstone is reduction in nuclear weapons. The Russians immediately scoffed at it. Compare that to speeches that Ronald Reagan and President Kennedy made in Germany. I think he does not understand the realities of politics and strategy and the meaning of leadership in the world."