So, I'll editorialize and pull up photos of the "two Barack Obamas" and "the spread of antigovernment protests."
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Posted on 03/11/2011 2:46:57 AM PST by Cincinatus' Wife
WASHINGTON — In the Middle East crisis, as on other issues, there are two Barack Obamas: the transformative historical figure and the pragmatic American president. Three months after a Tunisian fruit vendor set himself aflame and ignited a political firestorm across the Arab world, the president is trumping the trailblazer.
With the spread of antigovernment protests from North Africa to the strategic, oil-rich Persian Gulf, President Obama has adopted a policy of restraint. He has concluded that his administration must shape its response country by country, aides say, recognizing a stark reality that American national security interests weigh as heavily as idealistic impulses. That explains why Mr. Obama has dialed down the vocal support he gave demonstrators in Cairo to a more modulated call for peaceful protest and respect for universal rights elsewhere.
This emphasis on pragmatism over idealism has left Mr. Obama vulnerable to criticism that he is losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the Arab street protesters. Some say he is failing to bind the United States to the historic change under way in the Middle East the way that Ronald Reagan forever cemented himself in history books to the end of the cold war with his famous call to tear down the Berlin Wall.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
So, I'll editorialize and pull up photos of the "two Barack Obamas" and "the spread of antigovernment protests."
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[Obama Seeks a Course of Pragmatism in the Middle East]
That’s one way of phrasing it.
Another way might be: “Obama doesn’t know whether to sh*t or wind his watch.”
gag me with a spoon
I’m seeing “pragmatism” pop up in a lot of stories lately. Maybe a memo went out.
Whomever in the White House wrote this drivel should be shamed.
It is so over-the-top effusive that it reads like a parody drawing special attention to the Obama’s lack of pragmatism and lack of tranformative results.
Funny how Obama,(the other Al Sharpton) is such a pragmatist.The self appointed title of Community organizer, social activist/agitator has come a long way.
Is that what we call incompetence now?
Pragmatism=A week on vacation, followed by some golf, then some ice cream
‘President Obama has adopted a policy of restraint.’
Obama fans’ way of saying he ain’t doing jack.
My thoughts exactly.
O doesn’t know what to do ... and doesn’t want to make the effort if he knew.
Baffles me too.
Do they feel some need to smooth over his ineptitude?
Do elites absorb crap like this differently than normal, thinking people?
Is this for our consumption because they think we buy their nonsense?
Is it trail balloon to gauge the "disgust" meter?
A white, middle-American, etc, etc, wants to know.
Big gag-o-meter!
...A senior administration official acknowledged the irony of Mr. Obama’s dilemma; he is, after all, the first black president, whose election was hailed on the Arab street, where many protesters identify their own struggles with the civil rights movement.
“There is a desire for Obama — not the American president, but Obama — to speak to their aspirations,” the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. But, he added, “his first job is to be the American president.”...
“.....Mr. Obama has told people that it would be so much easier to be the president of China.....”
Oh, really?
Bullshit... he seeks CALIPHATE.
LLS
Three points I gleaned from the NY Times article:
1. This empahasis on pragmatism over idealism has left Mr. Obama vulnerable to criticism that he is losing the battle for the hearts and minds of the Arab Street protestors.
2. “Striking a very balanced, and in many ways, neutral approach is recognized by many people in the region is not being with them, or on their side.” said J. scott mastie, the head of the Middle East and North Africa for International Republican Institute. “Its very important that we be seen as supporting the demands of the people in the region”.
3. How. Mr. Obama manages to do that while also balance the American interests is a question. That officials acknowledge will plaque this historic president for months to come. Mr. Obama has told people that it would be so much easier to be the President of China. As one official put it,”No one is scrutnizing Hu jintao words in Tahrir Square.”
Obaam is feeling the pressure and he is waffling. he wants everything to be easy. Where is the “Easy” Button, right now Obaam needs to be able to press, his Hope and Change in America and his Cairo Speech are now biting him in the backside.
The 3 AM phone call has came and Obama does not know what to do pragmatism is not working. The teflon president is no more - his policies and speeches are making him to become unhinged.
The NY Times is being critical but also give Obama a rope to save his presidency. Obama is basically like his favorite food a waffle, on the 2008 campaign trail. “Please let me alone, so I can eat my waffles.”
He is unmasked to the world.
Exactly. bttt
There's another name for that:
WUSS
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