In the last few weeks before the summit, and in the absence of any substantive initiatives on the agenda, the US has taken control.
"Conduct inconsistent with procedural or substantive initiatives relating to equal employment opportunity may be treated as conduct detrimental," the statement said.
Despite his oft-stated commitment to Africa, Obama is not expected to offer substantive new initiatives on several pressing regional crises, including Burundi, Central African Republic and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo as well as South Sudan.
But even if this scandal were limited to a few Republicans, Democrats seeking to reprise Newt Gingrich's 1994 coup will need, as he did, to present substantive policy initiatives.
However, the failure to complement these initiatives with substantive public engagement might have led to public distrust in China, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan.
Mr. Schröder is trying to take the initiative on more substantive issues, too, in a campaign that so far centers on unemployment and economic competence -- areas where Mr. Stoiber, however stiff, is thought to have the advantage.
The US should not expect substantive responses to questions or initiatives in real time.
