Obama's Open Mic Medvedev Missile Gaffe

Barack Obama's rivals for the White House have pounced on controversial comments he thought he had made in private to the Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The US President was overheard on an open microphone telling Mr Medvedev that he could be more flexible in negotiations on the issue of missile defence if he is re-elected in November.

He said: "This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility."

The exchange happened on the sidelines of a nuclear security summit in South Korea and Medvedev is heard to respond positively in English.

He said: "I understand. I will transmit this information to Vladimir."

The president's comments triggered criticism from Republicans at home, including White House frontrunner Mitt Romney who called them "an alarming and troubling development".

"President Obama signalled that he's going to cave to Russia on missile defence but the American people have a right to know where else he plans to be 'flexible' in a second term," he said.

"President Obama needs to level with the American public about his real agenda." Read More