'EU wanted to cut Obama the slack he needs for the Senate'

'Allies aim to protect Obama's prestige' — As President Barack Obama jetted off to save the climate talks Thursday night, his allies at home and overseas were engaged in another rescue mission of sorts: guarding his prestige from taking a hit if the talks flop. Obama’s aides have spent weeks tamping down expectations that he can be the decisive factor at COP-15, going so far as to schedule his visit during the doldrums of the conference’s first week until a backlash forced them to reschedule him for an appearance at Friday’s finale.
“There’s a clear understanding of the domestic political realities” in the U.S., said Dan Joergensen, a European delegate to the talks. On the European side, “there’s a will to be very elastic in terms of an agreement,” Joergensen added.
“They want to cut him the slack that he needs for the Senate,” said Jos Cozijnsen, a Dutch energy consultant and former climate negotiator. “They realize it’s so important to get the U.S. on board.”
See: Politico