He had the deal itself about a week before any U.S. reporter, and everyone (including U.S. reporters themselves) laughed at him. Then, when the deal actually happened, people still wouldn't give him credit because he didn't get the terms exactly right. Those who choose to write him off can do so if they please, but no matter how loudly they scream into the void about how bad he is, it's obvious to any impartial reader that he has good sources.