For people who think the president's standing doesnt matter because he isn't up for re-election, wrong. Obama failed to clinch a crucial trade agreement with the Japanese on this trip. He also mouthed the usual about how the US will come to Japan's aid. I doubt anyone believes that at this point. And then there was this:
Obama wraps up Japan visit but no trade dealAsked about the summit, Finance Minister Taro Aso told a news conference that Obama did not have the clout to get consensus in the United States and that a deal was unlikely at least until after the U.S. mid-term Congressional elections in November.