The U.S. president met with the 14th Dalai Lama, the exiled political monk this month in Washington, D.C. despite the strong objection from China. The White House attempted to guise the meeting as a "private" one. But is it so?

In a recent interview with German television anchorman and writer Tom Kahn, who had made an investigative visit around Tibet in person and written books on Tibet, we may get more insights on the indications from this "politicized" meeting.

Tom Kahn analysed that to meet with the Dalai Lama who is regarded as a popular spiritual guru in the West, Obama is just like other Western politicians seeking for votes in his next presidential election, because his monk guest will bring him more sympathetic support from the potential voters.

It is almost common knowledge for western politicians to take advantage of the advertising effect. The Dalai Lama has spent a lot on creating a "trustworthy" image in the West, where the true story of Tibet and Tibetans are less exposed or beautified. A meeting with such a person will absolutely add weight to the waning influence of the American president.

But why Obama has to ignore the Chinese objection, and risk the damage of the China-US relationship?

Tom Kahn said the reason has to do with the qualities of Americans. Most people in the nation admire and want to see "a sign of integrity, strength and independence" in their leader.

Obviously, the so-called "free will" in the U.S. overweighs their conscience for the truth as well as their perception of the feelings of other nations.

But as Tom pointed out, even if they had "integrity, strength and independence" in their mind, they are still so cowardly to either admit or thank a rising China who actually helps the entire crisis-suffering world and makes their own nation richer.