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Jake Tapper has the story. Guess who B. Hussein Obama is doing his very first formal TV interview as president with? Just guess. If I’m an Israeli, I would run, not walk, early and often, to vote for Binyamn Netanyahu for president there, because there ain’t no way that Obama is gonna support Israel when push comes to shove — so, therefore, the Israelis will need their leader to be a guy who is willing to do the pushing and shoving on his own regardless of whether the American president gives his okay.

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Thom| 1.26.09 @ 7:41PM

All this will do is raise expectations even higher than they already are that Obama can walk on water. Appearances will wear thin in the climate we already have in the Middle East. If he tries to have it both ways in the minds of the Middle East they will be enraged even more at us. He is playing a very dangerous game here.

Eric Dondero | 1.26.09 @ 7:42PM

And all those crazy rightwingers who believe B. Hussein is a secret Muslim are just "tin foil hat wearers."

No such thing as a Manchurian candidate. Nah.

Thom| 1.26.09 @ 7:59PM

It didn't turn out too well for the "Manchurian". Actually I think Obama is just Neville Chamberlain reborn. What he doesn’t grasp about the culture he is going to try to have a conversation with is that the general populace has no respect for words or oratory skills. They’ve heard that all before. It’s action that counts and that will force Obama to take sides or be forced to take sides. Either way this elevates the wrong people’s expectations and will worry our allies in the Middle East to take action alone perhaps.

WendyG| 1.26.09 @ 8:57PM

A disgrace.

Rush is right!

Ran| 1.26.09 @ 9:16PM

Eric,
I'm not sure The One believes in any deity higher than marx. Rather, I think Palin nailed it: This is just another step on a journey of self-discovery. We don't know who he is because he the Hell sure doesn't. He is a follower of Alinsky. That much we know.

Jeremiah| 1.26.09 @ 9:43PM

What's wrong with it?

Obama is speaking to a news network that reaches the people who are facing a world-historic choice between democracy and barbarism

I can't see any better place for Obama to give an interview.

No one here has made an argument why he should not, that's for sure.

ConservativeWanderer | 1.26.09 @ 9:50PM

Gee, Jeremiah, ya think maybe the President of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA might want to give his first TV interview as President to an AMERICAN network?

It's not like I'm demanding he go to Fox... he can do it with MS-National-Barack-Channel if he wants to, but at least give the interview to a network that's from the same country he is SUPPOSED to be leading.

Alan Brooks| 1.26.09 @ 10:49PM

as long as his oratory makes people feel better; thats what matters;

feel good, remember, whatever feels good. a warm and fuzzy feeling.

JRS| 1.26.09 @ 10:50PM

I criticize the president, because it is disappointing that his first interview is not w/ the american press, rather one of another country. That being said, I don't think the idea of having an interview w/ their press is a bad idea, and actually makes sense. We'll never win the war on terror with just military might, instead we'll rack up debt and only continue to fuel the problem. Instead, as difficult as this sounds, we need to win the hearts and minds of the arab world as a whole and give them less of a reason to hate us. These include strongly renouncing the torture tactics (though not necessarily closing gitmo), looking for peace, not simply allowing Israel to do whatever they want, and ultimately via the democratic / capitalist ideas we at this site cherish so dearly, introduce muslim teens to fast food, xbox, and nudie magazines (don't think that works, good luck trying to find some american teens willing to sacrafice the above).
The biggest problem I have w/ this is that he has this whole list of idealistic things he wants to do right away -- many of them well intentioned (the abortion related ones not amongst them), but in this rush to get things done might overlook how practical they are and might cause more harm then good.

james23| 1.26.09 @ 11:27PM

bbbbut wait, the pundits are all telling me that Obomber is an unprincipled centrist like Bush and that there is nothing to worry about! is that not true!?!

Sam| 1.26.09 @ 11:38PM

JRS,
With all due respect, winning hearts and minds? How about saving Muslims in Bosnia, ousting the Taliban and Sadaam Hussein and fostering constitutional government in a region composed of tyrants and thugs? If that does not "change hearts and minds" I truly wonder what will.

Strongly renouncing the torture tactics? Do you really want to call Halaal food, clean quarters, humane treatment, Korans handled with gloves and occasional loud music, waterboarding, sleep deprivation and harsh language with torture? If you want to see Arab prisoners tortured, or anyone else unfortunate enough to find themselves in the environs, go to any Arab prison.

Looking for peace? Huh?

Not allowing Israel to do whatever it wishes....such as defending itself against those that wish to destroy it?

Xbox and nudie magazines? Are you serious Sir?

This is an ideology of conquest, bigotry and dhimmitude and must be met head on; the only solution is a military solution, to be followed by rebuilding and the extenison of olive branches.

I criticize Mr. Obama because he reminds one of a college professor who, for the first time in his life has some responsibility. And, like most professors, he is overwhelmed by the real world and tries to show everyone else how smart he is.

He is my president and I support him up to a point; but he is beginning to sound and act like a twit.

JRS| 1.27.09 @ 12:17AM

Sam,

Here's the problem. You have a large youth population w/ no opportunities. Your family and friends adhere to an extremist form of religion. Culturally, your ancestors have waged war for generations. You're inudated w/ media 1000+x more biased than the liberal media, showing Americans fully supporting Israel, invading fellow muslim lands (that's how it appears to them), torturing, etc.... and guess what, you have an almost unending supply of extremists.
The answer to this war isn't simple. In the short run we must be vigilant but smart. In the long run however, we must appear that we are not the enemy but willing to help. Meaningful change can't be forced (look at the many latin american countries, post soviet russia, etc...) but needs to take root over time. Give the youth education and opportunities, and they will quickly realize the american standard isn't such a bad thing. Two quick anectdotes: Those enjoying the capitalistic pleasures in Dubai http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/09/22/mideast/dubai.php as well as proof that give them a chance and the rest of the world will become as fat and lazy as Americans http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601124&refer=home&sid=aD1hgKQESbCc . To be sucessful, we need to adopt the long view on things instead of just looking out for today (we can apply this to the economy, housing, bailout, etc...).
As for james23, I've been a conservative most of my life, and overall feel that smaller, less intrusive government is the answer. At the same time, we can't be blinded by our ideologies. We must realize that the right isn't always right nor is the left always right, instead both have something to bring to the table. If Obama is to succeed (something I hope and pray for, not because of his legacy, but since our country and world needs all the prayers it can get right now), he will do wise by playing from the middle, being pragmatic, and not necessarily centrist in his decisions, but making decisions free from idealogical constraints. And, our job on the right isn't simply to whine and be just like those who bashed gwb the past 8, but offer well thought out ideas, willing to challenge our own assumptions, and willing to take him to task when we disagree.

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Sam| 1.27.09 @ 12:56AM

Dear JRS,
You and I agree on much and share some of the same views. We all know the tired and sad litany of life in the Middle East, especially for young males.

The hoped-for changes you describe, however, can not occur when the vacuum between mosque and tyrant is filled by savage barbarians. Civil or political discourse and the freedom of association are impossible in such a void. The men who occupy this space and incite must be destroyed so that a civil society may emerge. The beauty that is free markets and individual responsibility are not possible when the political process, perhaps the society itself, is held hostage by such brutes.

We are seeing the fruits of such a strategy in Iraq where a civil society is slowly and painfully beginning to emerge from generations of darkness and Arabs are beginning to take their own first tentative steps towards their own broad, sunlit uplands.

I consider myself a conservative, but differ from many in that I supported GWB and the Iraq mission as both worthwhile and necessary; and I still feel this way. Painful? Yes. Costly? Yes. Worth the price? I think it will be and, while not Denmark, Iraq will relatively soon emerge as a beacon for the region.

Your prescriptions are worthwhile, but would be meaningless in, for instance, Iran until the oppressive instruments of the state and the state's ability to destroy is itself destroyed.

Those on the other side of the aisle may deem such thinking as imperialistic or hubristic. So be it. We agree on the only solution to this execrable region of the world; we just disagree on how to get there.

Alan Brooks| 1.27.09 @ 1:27AM

he can smooth things out. then a day of reckoning comes, after both sides build up weapons that are less expensive but better.
always progress in the arms business.

paper treaties in the region exist-- but no arms treaties.

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Is President Obama trying to play the far right? | Political Byline links to this page.

S.L. Toddard| 1.27.09 @ 7:56AM

"Israelis will need their leader to be a guy who is willing to do the pushing and shoving on his own regardless of whether the American president gives his okay."

Also regardless of whether the American president gives his yearly $3 Billion welfare check? As long as Israel lives off of Uncle Sam's dime, Israel should defer to Uncle Sam in all things, especially when it comes to when and where to fly Uncle Sam's jets to drop Uncle Sam's bombs.

It's refreshing, I think, to see a president fulfill campaign promises, especially when one of those promises is to strive to reconcile ourselves with the Muslim world. Unlike our relationship with Israel, our relationship with the Arabs is strategically important and must therefore take priority over our relationship with Israel. Of course, that is assuming that American foreign policy should have as its first and foremost goal the enhancement of American security and prosperity. Those who believe American foreign policy should benefit Israel before America, that is to say those whose loyalties lie elsewhere than to America, will of course disagree.

Crusader| 1.27.09 @ 8:09AM

Once a muslim, always a muslim. If he truly converted to Christianity he would not be able to tep one foot in a muslim country for fear of being killed as an apostate.

On a different note, how come in muslim countries where the leaders can build themselves palaces of gold and cars made out of silver the people have no opportunities?

Conservatives need to stop kidding themselves that we can somehow "win over" muslims to the light of Western Civilization. Their hearts and minds belong to the moon god allah. We can wish and hope and surge all we want, but until islam is aboilshed there will never be a Western-style republic in a muslim country. The sooner we realize that the better.

ConservativeWanderer | 1.27.09 @ 8:12AM

Personally, I don't care if Obama gives an interview later in his career to Al-Arabiya. If handled properly, it might even be of benefit to the USA.

It's giving them the FIRST interview that is a bad idea. It sends entirely the wrong message. And it might just hasten the end of the love affair between the US media and The One True Obama.

S.L. Toddard| 1.27.09 @ 8:15AM

"Conservatives need to stop kidding themselves that we can somehow "win over" muslims to the light of Western Civilization."

Precisely. And the idea that we can somehow win the over by blowing up their children and relatives is even more ridiculous.

Rather, we should seek to cultivate beneficial relationships with their governments to ensure the smooth flow of oil into America while leaving them to their own culture and forms of gov't, however tyrannous they would seem in the West. Western Democracy is not right for all peoples, especially when forced on them by a Western power.

S.L. Toddard| 1.27.09 @ 8:17AM

"It's giving them the FIRST interview that is a bad idea. It sends entirely the wrong message"

What message are you inferring? The only message I see is "The US wants earnestly to repair its relationship with the Arab world, on whom we depend for the lifeblood of our society". And I can't find fault with it at all.

AnnaMerkin| 1.27.09 @ 8:37AM

Wow, this sort of thick-headed reactionary behavior exhibited by AmSpec and many commentators here is unbelievable. It's certainly not helpful to the cause of Conservatism.

J David| 1.27.09 @ 8:43AM

Ah, yes...The President of the World goes to spent good-faith political capital on the motley group with the absolute least creditable record, perhaps of ANY group in all of history on the entire globe. The "Palestinians" can't even govern themselves, they are so intelligent as to vote for governance by Hamas, a group whose reason for existence is to wipe out Israel. There is a mission that will be blessed by Jehovah FOR SURE! Heh!

J David| 1.27.09 @ 8:44AM

A fool and his political capital are soon parted...

ncatty| 1.27.09 @ 9:24AM

When did Israel become our 51st State?

Alan Brooks| 1.27.09 @ 9:32AM

alrighty,
disband Israel, catty, and then the Arabs will go after each other full force. you can bank on that one. lower priced weapons for Arabs to whack each other with. higher quality weapons too.
Arabs could hit Israel now, but theyre biding their time till it is more convenient. then for them the fun starts.

Alan Brooks| 1.27.09 @ 9:34AM

but will let you find out the hard way-- thats the best way.

WendyG| 1.27.09 @ 10:18AM

>>>>Gee, Jeremiah, ya think maybe the President of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA might want to give his first TV interview as President to an AMERICAN network?

Nah. He's hanging with his homies now.
It's amazing. Everything we feared is coming to be in the first few days.

This guy is an ultra left-wing activist with a Harvard education and a nice suit. He bamboozled the American people, with the complicity of the press.

WendyG| 1.27.09 @ 10:21AM

Oh - and not only is he meeting with the Arabs first, he's groveling at their feet. Apologizing for America, AND admitting, finally, that he has a Muslim lineage.

Something of course, we were not allowed to point out during the campaign.

Skinnytoe| 1.27.09 @ 10:50AM

A president is supposed to address problems. The Arab world is a big problem, and starting a healthy dialogue with the Arab world is a first step toward solutions. What would giving an interview to a US network accomplish? Haven't you seen enough of him lately? He is doing things right, and trying to lead the world toward peace. I appreciate his efforts.

Crusader| 1.27.09 @ 11:02AM

SL Toddard, what do you want we should do when they blow up our children and relatives?

And this quote,
"Rather, we should seek to cultivate beneficial relationships with their governments to ensure the smooth flow of oil into America while leaving them to their own culture and forms of gov't, however tyrannous they would seem in the West. Western Democracy is not right for all peoples, especially when forced on them by a Western power."

Is our relationship with the Saudi govt not beneficial to the Saudi princes? How many more billions would make it beneficial? What do we get for our trouble? 1500 Wahabbi mosques on American soil and counting?

The problem is I am all for leaving muslims to their own death-cult(ure), but when they fly planes into our buildings they demonstrate they are not capable of being left alone and leaving us alone.

S.L. Toddard| 1.27.09 @ 11:14AM

"SL Toddard, what do you want we should do when they blow up our children and relatives?"

Anyone who commits murder should be tried, convicted and punished, of course. I thought that was widely understood.

"Is our relationship with the Saudi govt not beneficial to the Saudi princes? How many more billions would make it beneficial? What do we get for our trouble?"

Oil, of course.

"The problem is I am all for leaving muslims to their own death-cult(ure), but when they fly planes into our buildings they demonstrate they are not capable of being left alone and leaving us alone. "

Agreed. Those people who flew those planes, if they were still alive, should have been punished. But there are 1.2 billion other muslims, and 20% of them are Arabs, and a significant number of those own oil we need and thus it is, obviously, important for us to maintain good relations with them.

daboss| 1.27.09 @ 11:34AM

The Middle east receives its dominion over us and its people simply because of oil.

This will never go away until we obsolete middle east oil with a real power source. Not batteries or wind – but a real power source (say a Mr. Fusion – just add a banana peel, beer and a beer can and your good to go).

Who will invent it?

At worse, we should drill for our own oil at full capacity – but we are too stupid to even do that.

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Cheat Seeking Missiles » Obama, Al-Arabia And The U.S. Media links to this page.

Woody Miles| 1.27.09 @ 1:44PM

Hmm... I just want to point out that George W. Bush gave interviews to Al-Arabiya in May 2004, January 2005, October 2005, October 2007, January 2008, and May 2008. Perhaps if you could be a better journalist, you might have caught that.....

Quin, when are you going to stop the knee jerking and just realize it doesn't matter anymore who's president? Stop being a reactionary tool and start understanding that EVERYBODY's getting screwed now, if their hand isn't directly on the till....

SBrown| 1.27.09 @ 3:42PM

Sheesh, peel yourself off the ceiling Skippy. The bully in the schoolyard tactic the bush admin used was so successful. It was only successful in the recruitment of new terrorists. It's time for a new tactic. Al queda is nervous with Obama - now they fully realize their patsie GW Bush is truly gone. It's going to be a lot tougher for them. Bush played right into their hands like the stooge that he is. GW Bush was the biggest gift Bin Laden ever received.

Stormkrow| 1.27.09 @ 4:13PM

Here in the "real" world it makes perfect sense to address your potential enemies first and foremost on a medium they respect. But back in the right wing fantasy land it makes more sense to glad hand each other and make threats.
Yeah that worked out really well for what was it 21% of the people? This is Chess not Checkers people and you're watching a grand master move his pawns. Unlike our former "king me" Bush.

SMRT| 1.27.09 @ 4:20PM

Explain to me how Al Qaeda seriously makes the case now that America is evil and hates them and must be destroyed. Explain where they find the rationale in their propaganda to justify this now. The man can LEGITIMATELY say that he has lived among them and has familial connections.

You can call him a Muslim all you want but you only cement your place in the Time-Out corner.

Bush failed. Epic failure. He didn't catch Bin Laden, he didn't defeat Al Qaeda, he invaded Iraq for WMDs that weren't there and then incompetently loused up the post-invasion. Sure, Iraq has calmed down a bit but that does not mean Mission Accomplished. That means we cleaned up the pile of garbage a bit.

He can do this because he is STRONG not weak. He is CONFIDENT, not a craven coward like Bush.

Joseph| 1.27.09 @ 4:45PM

What could be more Christian than extending to your enemy an open hand and a ready cheek?

raf| 1.27.09 @ 5:34PM

I'm an Israeli. This makes me extremely happy.

Everyone who's criticized this does so without explaining exactly why it's bad to give the first interview to an Arabic-language station based in Dubai.

You do know we're not at war with Saudi Arabia, right?

And yes, Eric. People who still think he's a secret Muslim and Manchurian candidate absolutely are tin foil hat wearers. I won't even give you the undeserved courtesy of calling that intellectually lazy -- that's just plain stupid.

raf| 1.27.09 @ 5:35PM

Ah, sorry, UAE, not Saudi Arabia. Even better!

Jesus| 1.27.09 @ 5:36PM

Actually, I would torture the stuffing out of the Arabs. I'm totally on board with Gitmo and Abu Ghraib. These people are subhuman animals who worship a false religion and deserve what they get. They f'd with the wrong country. This is God's Country, the United States of Jehovah.

ekg| 1.27.09 @ 6:08PM

From the comments I've read here, I can put readers of the AS into two fairly narrow categories: 1) reletively earnest conservative philosophers who have never been to a muslim country, met a muslim, or had any contact with Arab culture, and 2) beligerent adolescents who have never been to a muslim country, met a muslim or had any contact with Arab culture. Sadly, most fall into the latter category.

BDS| 1.27.09 @ 6:36PM

I boggles the mind that those readers of American Spectator would have us believe that a conflict with Arab fundamentalists is the Issue of Our Times, but at the same time think it ridiculous that the president would want to work on our relationship with the Arab world. Which is it? Is this issue important or not? Or is it only important if we get to shoot at people?

The Dude| 1.27.09 @ 6:49PM

WOW. I never read sites like this, but... are you people scary. I mean, you are seriously all out of your minds? WOW. You folks need to get out and meet people because you are really, really off the rails here. I've seen paranoid people, but this is AMAZING.

Sure, let's not talk to the Islamic World: let's just kill our way out of the problem. That makes TOTAL sense.

Guess what? George Bush's way only made the problem worse so it is time we grow up and try talking to people. To win the general public over and, if this interview is any indication, we will.

A little free advice? Read a little more American History and about the founding fathers & diplomacy. You say you love America? Try that. I dare you. I double dog dare you.

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Where’s the Outrage? » Obama reaches out to the Arab world links to this page.

Byron| 1.27.09 @ 8:11PM

Deep breaths, people. Reaching out to the Arab world is actually the only way possible to come out ahead in the war on terror. Bombing and killing people only creates more terrorists.

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Drasties - Dutch on the World - World on the Dutch links to this page.

Flackman| 1.27.09 @ 11:23PM

The Dude is dead on. You poor piss-in-your-pants conservatives really need to get control of your bladders... and your mouths. Obama? Naive? Hardly. This interview struck the right tone. All you clowns want to do is kill, kill, kill all who are not like you. Bigoted, backward thinking pantie pissers.

Daniel Levi| 1.27.09 @ 11:41PM

Israel has been taking us for a ride. Over. As a Republican and capitalist, the trade opportunities with the Muslim world are absolutely incredible. Israel has been a food stamp freeloader for too long. Nothing personal, just pragmatic sense. I despise eternal handouts. Israel, grow f'ing up and stand on your own 2 feet.

Peter| 1.27.09 @ 11:42PM

Howdy Y'All!

Screaming liberal here, just checking in on you wing-nuts to see how you're liking the wilderness (pretty much what I expected). Keep sipping that good ole' GOP Jeebus Juice and asking WWRJD?But remember, the longer you're out there, the harder it is to come back.

Philshack | 1.27.09 @ 11:48PM

LOL @ you wacko Republicans. OOGA BOOGA! OBAMA GONNA GIT YOU!

ps. GIT ER DUN. yeeee hawwww.

Try to pull your neanderthal heads out of your oversized Texas butts and start worshipping the Koran, I mean.. Obama already!

OOGA BOOGA!

Sam| 1.27.09 @ 11:58PM

Okay liberal name-callers; one more time. We all, or most of us, understand that invading Iraq was a most un-conservative action. But the decision to do so, which was a policy goal articulated under the Clinton administration, contained 22 articles, not just one concerning WMD. It was voted on and passed in the Senate. After decades of provocation, the United States finally acted against Islamic goombahs with the help of 39 other nations. We all understand that mistakes have been made, as in all wars, and we have far to go.

Yet the end is in sight and tens of millions of Muslims lead better lives today because of the actions of President Bush.

No one yearns for war, but adults understand that sometimes it is necessary and much good can come from it.

Any liberals, or conservatives for that matter, that do not understand that 9-11 changed the paradigm of "stability"....well, I do not know what to tell you.

Read not only American history, but world history as well. Realize we are in a fight for the future of civilization and, for God's sake, buck up, think back to the time that men thought Western Civilization worth protecting at any cost and act like men.

Post-modern, multi-cultural twaddle sounds fine in the classroom and makes one feel good while sitting at the neighborhood coffee shop, but has little to do with the real world.

Anyone who thinks the Muslim world, as most of it stands now, is ready to "get along" and co-exist with the infidel West is living in a true dream world. If liberating millions and giving them a chance at something besides statist Marxist economies and bellicose anti-Western hate is imperialist, then so be it.

And, yes, I have been to Muslim countries and, yes, I have served in the Army during wartime.

Yes, diplomacy and dialogue have their place. Continue to think that President Bush and his administration did not engage in either if that is what it takes to get you through the day. Think Valerie Plame and Joe Wilson spoke truth to power if you wish. Think the mainstream moron media relates accurately what is happening in the world today and is not engaged in a man-crush with our current chief executive. Continue to think that America's actions, and not the dysfunctional nature of Arab/Muslim societies, "creates" terrorists. Keep watching CNN and MSNBC.

And then remind yourself that now editorial in Egyptian papers for God's sake are calling Iran and Syria the enemy of all Muslims. Realize that there are now two constitutional governments in the Arab world that actively hunt down and kill Islamic terrorists. Know that Libyia has dismantled its nuclear and WMD programs and the network of Dr. Kahn was exposed after decades of open-air market sharing of nuclear technology.

And for crying out loud please stop with this elitist babble about how white people of European descent can handle representative government, but darker-skinned people apparently can not. What twaddle! As if these cushy lives we are all born into were not purchased with much strife, blood and pain.

Deny to others if you wish, but do not dare call yourselves liberal; at least not in the classic sense of the term.

ruth| 1.28.09 @ 1:35AM

The liberal troglodytes above prove that our county is doomed. Yeah, W. is the best thing ever for Bin Laden, right, idiot. The Bin Laden who lives on life support in a cave. These are the same reasonable liberals who believe 9/11 was an inside job. Losers.

Greg| 1.28.09 @ 2:01AM

I guess if I thought that every Muslim person in the world was a terrorist and mortal enemy of America, I'd be pretty upset by this too. But anyone who knows anything about the war on terror knows the importance of reaching out to the Muslim center to try to marginalize the extremists. Bush tried, and now Obama is trying, because it's one of the most important areas in US foreign policy. I can't find any reason to get upset by this.

timaste| 1.28.09 @ 3:44AM

I just wanted to ask, because I'm getting the impression this is a bad thing, but what would be wrong with a muslim President? Does being muslim affect how qualified a person to be the leader of one of the only countries that guarantees freedom of religion in writing to all Americans?

John| 1.28.09 @ 5:35AM

It's a brilliant and wise move on Obama's part. In the last 8 years, GWB has gotten the whole Muslim world to hate us. That's very bad. If Obama can resuscitate America's image in the Muslim world, that's half the battle. Already, Al-Qaeda is going nuts because they rely on the image of America as evil Crusaders to gain support amongst Muslims. This is good. Isolate them, and then destroy them.

markd| 1.28.09 @ 7:08AM

Complaining that Obama didn't give the first interview to a US outlet is just the worst kind of myopic self-centeredness. He campaigned and debated in the US for 2 years, for goodness sake. He gives press conferences and speeches, and it seems like he's somewhere television 24 hours a day. He wants to make an important, symbolic gesture to another people, and you whine that Americans were slighted? You sound like some 10-year-old at his birthday throwing a tantrum because he isn't the first to play every game.

It's a big world, people.

Frosty| 1.28.09 @ 2:44PM

Yes, John, GWB got the Muslim world to hate us, that's why they killed 3,000 Americans BEFORE Bush moved against them. Bush Derangement Syndrome.

rianne| 1.29.09 @ 2:24PM

unfortunately when his horse and pony show is over and the dust settles in about 4 months we are going to wake up to a very different USA

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…Stumble Upon Newsvine Slashdot Mixx Diigo Google Delicious Reddit Facebook Quin Hillyer complains about Obama’s first television interview, which Jake Tapper reports will be with Al-Arabiya. This is different, but it doesn’t mean very much one way or the other. At most it means that President…

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