Aussies Insulted By 'Dysfunctional' Obama

THE decision of Barack Obama to put off his visit to Indonesia and Australia a second time - this time by three months - provides a valuable insight into how this dysfunctional White House operates.

If any proof were needed that US foreign policy, especially in the Pacific, is far down the list of priorities for Obama and his team then here it is.

George W. Bush ignored the region, say his detractors. What about Obama?

The President's spokesman, Robert Gibbs, stumbled through a prepared script yesterday. But he put the situation aptly: "The passage of health reform is of paramount importance and the President is determined to see this battle through."