Obama: Speak Softly and Carry a Big Bat?

It is not unusual for President Obama and our allies to communicate on a regular basis, especially with the Turkish Prime Minister in regards to the ongoing situation in neighboring Syria, however the Turkish press and government are bewildered over a photo released by the White House of President Obama talking to the Prime Minister earlier this week:

Speak softly while clutching a big bat?

Maybe the President really likes baseball, or maybe he's trying to create the image of Teddy Roosevelt's famous "walk softly and carry a big stick" quote for the fall campaign, but either way it's a massive failure.

Why do I say that?

Well, for one if you're trying to create the image of toughness while dealing with foreign leaders - you (a.) don't pick a friendly ally to do it with, (b.) don't post the picture on the internet detailing which friendly ally your using as a campaign prop, (c.) don't use a friendly ally that you need on a crucial and strategic issue - and lastly you don't use the President's liking of baseball to justify an obvious campaign gimmick to foreign press.

Oh, also, President Obama had a conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who's opposition to tough U.N. sanctions, or even a resolution condemning the Syrian regime has led to impotency on the U.N. security council and hindered international efforts to resolve the crisis, but apparently didn't feel a photo op would be appropriate that would actually show strength against a foe..... Only our allies, I guess, are game.

This picture describes the entire Obama presidency: all bark; no bite. Hell, not even bark when it comes to our foes... Ugh

What say you?