This is irresponsible?

Sunday, April 26, 2009 | 2:05 a.m.

Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., has bashed President Barack Obama for his meeting with Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez during the recent Summit of the Americas.

Ensign said last Sunday it was “irresponsible” to be seen “laughing and joking” with Chavez. The senator said the president had to be “careful” in such situations, adding that “the prestige of the United States and the presidency” was at stake.

Really?

Ensign later told The Washington Post the image of Obama and Chavez “is going to be used by Chavez to legitimize himself.”

Perhaps someone should have told that to President Richard Nixon before he shook hands with Chinese communist dictator Mao Zedong. The fact is that presidents regularly meet with and shake the hands of leaders they disagree with. So what if Chavez, an infamous publicity hound, found a way to get a photo with Obama?

Besides, what was the president supposed to do when Chavez came up to him unexpectedly? Turn away? That might have appeased some of his critics on the far right, who said Obama should have skipped the summit to avoid Chavez. Please. Since when has isolationism made for good foreign policy?

Instead of offering their own ideas, Republicans are trying to undercut the president. They tried to do that during the campaign, blasting him for his willingness to talk to leaders of nations that haven’t always been friendly to the United States. They argued that it would make the country and the president look weak. Again, is that what happened when Nixon went to China?

A handshake and a summit photo op are relatively meaningless. The real test will be in the coming months and years, as Obama’s foreign policy takes shape.

During the past eight years, Chavez grabbed power and built his base with his virulent anti-American rhetoric. The Bush administration responded in kind — although Venezuela is no threat to America — which helped Chavez’s influence spread throughout Latin America.

Obama has been willing to engage world leaders, including those he disagrees with. That could go a long way toward restoring America’s reputation and influence.

That is not irresponsible. That is statesmanship.