President Obama gave a wide-ranging interview to Fareed Zakaria of Time discussing his foreign policy views and America's place in the world. The whole interview is definitely worth a read. However, there were two exchanges that really stuck out to me. The first reminded me of one of the primary reasons we elected him in the first place — the ability to see shades of gray. The second is how even in interviews in foreign policy he is finding a way to go after the do-nothing, obstructionist, Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

Mitt Romney says you are timid, indecisive and nuanced.

Ah, yes.

I particularly like the third one. What do you say?

I think Mr. Romney and the rest of the Republican field are going to be playing to their base until the primary season is over. Once it is, we’ll have a serious debate about foreign policy. I will feel very confident about being able to put my record before the American people and saying that America is safer, stronger and better positioned to win the future than it was when I came into office.

Of course, this is just another reminder about in one party the idea that the president should think through his or her course of action, rather than just going by the gut, is bad and shows a lack of leadership. Given the embrace they gave to President Obama's predecessor, who did everything by his gut — and failed to see shades of gray, only seeing black and white — this is no surprise.