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The Spectacle Blog
As the Gaza situation enters its 11th day, Barack Obama finally says something — sort of:
“Obviously, international affairs are of deep concern. With the situation in Gaza, I’ve been getting briefed every day. I’ve had consistentconversations with members of the current administration about what’s taking place. That will continue. I will continue to insist that when it comes to foreign affairs, it is particularly important to adhere to the principle of one president at a time, because there are delicate negotiations taking place right now and we can’t have two voices coming out of the United States when you have so much at stake.”
How difficult would it be for Obama to reiterate his proclaimed support for Israel’s right to defend itself and place the blame for the crisis on Hamas, as President Bush has? How would that affect delicate negotiations at all? This is an early indication that perhaps he doesn’t really believe his campaign’s overtures to the pro-Israel community.
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More Blog Posts by Philip Klein
http://spectator.org/blog/2009/01/06/obama-and-gaza
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Jeremiah| 1.6.09 @ 12:44PM
Obama "finally" said something?
Mr. Klein,
Let me just remind you of the official calendar. It's now January 6. The President of the United States in George W. Bush.
Obama is clearly in a difficult position, and I think he's handling it pretty well. He's about to inherit a government that is wracked with corruption; government agencies filled with hacks and political operatives; a Justice Department politicized; an intelligence community that has experienced an unprecedented brain drain due to the incompetence of executive leadership; two wars; an economic meltdown; and an all new low for the reputation of this country abroad.
At no time in modern history has this country by so unwisely and irresponsibly governed. The president barely showed his face as Wall St. crumbled, and during the recent fighting in Gaza he has shown no leadership whatsoever. He has not performed the most important task of a leader: to remind the people of their ability to endure and prevail during troubles.
Bush has not articulated a single reassurance; he has not participated in any plan for this country to return from the brink of a third-world style economic collapse; he has not spoken about our role in international affairs, or given a single major speech about the recent Palestinian conflict.
But Obama -- he should have done more. Indeed!
J. Peter Freire | 1.6.09 @ 1:15PM
Obama could probably do more for Israel as a cypher than as a blustering loudspeaker. Not that I really think he *would* help Israel a great deal, but when it comes to mediating, he has a strong hand not having said anything during this conflict. Yes, that's entirely calculating and political, but that's the game.
Sawdust| 1.6.09 @ 1:51PM
Jeremiah: In other words, the chosen one inherited pretty much the same mess W inherited, just that 9/11 hadn't yet occurred.
The fact that he is not yet President (and I seriously question his belief about that) has not prevented his speaking out about any other subjects. What's to prevent him from putting in a kind word for Israel, assuming that he is on Israel's side? Just a word of encouragement?
Obama's plan for world peace is to talk every party involved into a state of mutual love and understanding. Good luck with that. That's a lot of talking, I suggest he start with an expression of support for the good guys.
Jeremiah| 1.6.09 @ 1:55PM
Mr Freire et al --
What is it that you would have Obama do? He is not yet president. Like anyone, he sees mounting casualties in Gaza and is appalled. This morning we learn of forty civilians killed as they sought refuge in a school.
These are human beings. I understand, and I think Obama understands, that Israel is in an unbelievably difficult position. If this problem were easy to solve, I think there'd have been more progress by now.
I wonder how much there is that can actually be done by anyone. But morally speaking, we in this country could learn to view the suffering of Palestinians with more empathy. Their suffering is as real as the suffering of Israelis.
Jeremiah| 1.6.09 @ 2:03PM
Sawdust --
Obviously you've turned to Sean Hannity for edification on the most intractable, tragic, and complicated conflict in the world. And it shows.
Obama has maintained appropriate decorum for a president-elect. You're correct: he has spoken on a few issues. It's difficult to know what he could possibly say about this one that would do anyone any good.
Clearly nothing Obama could do would impress you. It's just incredible you don't blame him for 9.11. His middle name is Hussein after all, and what passes for political analysis among you people should by now have determined that this alone is evidence enough of his complicity with those attacks.
What you are babbling about with respect to the government that Bush took over only the gods can know. In January of 2001, this country was at peace. There were signs of a minor recession on the horizon, but the economy was nothing like it is today. No one (including most Democrats) was listening to a few people in the intelligence community (and Democrats Gary Hart and Bob Kerrey) about the imminent danger of terrorist attacks.
There's no comparison between that and what Obama is walking into, and you'd have to be either completely misinformed or intending deceit to say otherwise.
Mega-dittoes, though. And congratulations: you're officially a member of the class we refer to as "low-information voter."
Jeremiah| 1.6.09 @ 2:15PM
Did any of you people actually read Obama's statement? He clearly is deferring to the authority of the president to speak on behalf of this country when it comes to an outbreak of violence in the Middle East.
It's not his fault that the president has little credibility to articulate any ideas or exert any influence or leadership when it comes to this issue. That is the president's responsibility alone.
What would you people have Obama do? Form a shadow government and undermine the president?
Give me a break.
ncatty| 1.6.09 @ 2:32PM
It is time for Americans to stop agonizing over how to impose our will on these parties in order to make peace. Instead, what is in the best interest of the US and its citizens? Is it in our interest to provide billions to Israel, Egypt and other middle eastern parties? What do we get for that money? It appears that our policy towards the middle east is Israel right or wrong, now and forever. Is this in our best interest? It may not even be in Israel's best interest.
Jeremiah| 1.6.09 @ 3:05PM
Sawdust --
One last thing. About this stupid joke you people keep repeating: referring to Obama as the "Messiah" or the "chosen one."
I find it ironic that it was actually Bush who was "chosen." Obama defeated his opponent by some 6 million votes in an election.
Your humor is that of a seventh grader, at any rate. Get some new material, for a change.
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