But Obama can't afford to be seem as a soft touch, in hock to the Middle Kingdom for the national debt.

BBC: Made in nostalgic America

The UK must not be a "soft touch" for migrants, including those looking to come from Bulgaria and Romania in the future, minister Mark Harper has said.

BBC: Airport arrivals sign

The government also suspects (with reason) that too many local government negotiators, like the feeble characters who thought they had cut a deal with the firemen, would prove to be a soft touch for determined unions.

ECONOMIST: Bagehot

Kayani's relatively soft-touch approach to the civilian institutions will be continued by his successor.

WSJ: Election Tests Role of Pakistan Military

Kayani's relatively soft-touch approach to the civilian institutions will be followed by his successor.

WSJ: Election Tests Role of Pakistan Military