{cross-post}
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2667712/posts
Obama Approach to Mubarak Exit Questioned as Violent Clashes Erupt
For the most part, President Obama’s cautious, but firm, tone has won praise from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. Though the Obama administration was clearly caught off guard by how quickly a regime’s ouster in Tunisia inspired uprisings across Egypt and other Middle Eastern capitals, the president was applauded for striking a delicate balance.
He did not take sides from the outset, but at the same time also urged President Hosni Mubarak to fix the problems in his broken government. When the momentum shifted further away from Mubarak, so did Obama, telling the 30-year ruler it’s time to step aside.
But something went wrong. Though Mubarak announced Tuesday night he would not seek re-election, the vigil-like scene from that night has given way to a bloody series of clashes between protesters and pro-government supporters.
My guess is Mubarak is a goner. I doubt he will be alive in 6 months even if he were successful in staying in power. The Islamists such as MB are now playing a very active role hand in hand with other anti-gov’t groups/people. Islamists are not Chinese students & intellectuals of Tiananmen Square, nor the mostly Islamic reformists of “where is my vote” post election in Iran in 2009. Islamists such as MB tend not to leave matters unfinished, they will fight ‘til they get the results they want.
Obama is way over his head. I venture to say that’s why he continues to shift his stance & utters generalities such as “we recognize the democratic aspirations of all people”, “there has to be an orderly transition to democracy”, bla bla bla...