Didn't Kissinger say it took 2 yr diplomacy for Nixon's visit with Mao in China? V. Obama's approach?

Yes, indeed he did exactly. Kissinger was very careful to support McCain's understanding of his recent quotes that it's reckless and not reasonable to start negotiations at the top. Specifically he said, if those talks should fail you have no place else to go. None of the senior statesmen and no successful negotations in recent history have started with unconditioned talks between presidents.