News Nuggets 115

The Man is back from his travels -- and, boy, does he look like he can barely stand up.

UP-FRONT FILM NUGGET!!  

I'VE BEEN WONDERING ABOUT THE STATUS OF THIS AMAZING PROJECT!

Sony Pix Aquires Norton's 'Obama' from Variety

"Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Group has acquired all media rights internationally (excluding U.K. TV) and domestic home entertainment rights to the documentary via HBO Documentary Films.  The film follows the former Illinois senator from the announcement of his candidacy to his historic election and inauguration. Told through exclusive footage of Obama and his staff, "By the People" is touted as an all-access pass to campaign life on the road to the White House."

Hints of Obama's Strategy in a Telling 8 Days from the New York Times

"Pragmatic, conciliatory, legalistic and incremental, he pushed what might be called, with a notable exception or two, an anti-Bush doctrine."

Obama's European Scorecard from the New York Times

"Barack Obama’s debut trip to Europe and Turkey as president is coming to a close. What was Europe’s perception of him? Did he redefine the U.S.-European relationship?  We’ve asked some European analysts for their thoughts."

Obama Portrays Another Side of U.S. from the Washington Post

"President Obama concluded his inaugural overseas tour Tuesday after presenting to the world a starkly different image of the United States than his predecessor had, returning home from encounters with exuberant U.S. troops in Iraq, fawning crowds in Europe and Turkey, and foreign leaders who welcomed a new partnership with the country but did little to support its goals."

Obama Charms Turkey's Youth from the Wall Street Journal

"President Barack Obama reached out to Turkey's youth in an event on Tuesday in a gesture that underlines the importance of the younger generation in repairing the U.S.'s image in the Muslim world."

Obama Charms Many Muslims, Arabs During First Venture Into Islamic World from the Associated Press via the Huffington Post

"A "turning point," a "fresh breeze" _ even a "light in the darkness." Arabs and Muslims have been charmed by President Barack Obama's first venture into the Islamic world."

Obama the Rationalist from Politico

"A diverse set of Obama decisions in recent days have a common theme: a leader who sees himself building a more orderly, humane world by vanquishing outdated thinking and corrupting ideology. "

An Extremist's Nightmare (Joe Conason) from the New York Observer

"In America’s struggle against the extremists and terrorists epitomized by Al Qaeda, the strategic imperatives are to divide the enemy and neutralize their base. Fortunately for the United States and its allies, the new American president understands how to do that—and is uniquely suited to accomplish the mission."

Obama Shows Muslims America's Best Side from the Chicago Sun-Times

"If the war on terror is a war to win over the hearts and minds of young Muslims, the United States can have no better charmer in chief than President Obama.   Obama's recent charm offensive through Turkey showed the president at his best at salving the wounds that the previous administration inflicted on our country's reputation."

Love Abroad, Hate at Home from the Guardian [of London]

"The right remains mostly leaderless and its rage has a floundering quality. ... Obama's trip to the G20 and points beyond, and some of the reaction to it, serves as a reminder of candidate Obama's trip last July and how it symbolized what was always part of the appeal of electing him president - it offered the best means at hand for America to turn, face the rest of the world and declare: "We're not full-on batshit-crazy anymore."

Swagger a Little, Reassure a Lot from The Root

"What have we learned so far? Image counts. Walk, don't run. Less is more. Encourage your friends to get comfortable...  But not too comfortable—Uncle Sam still has a pretty heavy trigger finger."

A Secular Country? Obama Sides with Jefferson, Madison, Paine (John Nichols) from the Nation

An important observation noted here about a key difference between Obama and Bush.

"President Obama made one of the most important statements of his young presidency when he said in Turkey that the United States is not "a Christian nation.""

Looking for Reconciliation (Eleanor Clift) from Newsweek

"Since senate Democrats will be able to push through health-care reform without them, Republicans should try participating in the legislation instead of just obstructing."

Mad About Michelle from the Nation

"Remember how Obama supporters fumed about that New Yorker cover cartoon of Barack as an Al Qaeda terrorist and Michelle as a rifle-toting Black Panther? People wouldn't get that it was satire! Seems pretty silly now, doesn't it? Yesterday's fist-bumping radical is today's mom in chief."

Obama's TV: Sports and a Few Surprises from Politico

I found this article fun and also very revealing about the inner life of our President.

"He’s got the ultimate man-cave — Air Force One.  ...  Although many TVs in the West Wing are tuned to MSNBC, aides say Obama hardly ever watches news programs, preferring to “read the news,” as one aide put it. And he never watches reruns of his own speeches or news conferences, aides say."

VIDEO NUGGET! [a backup from yesterday]

A better version of Obama's talk with Turkish Students -- See 'Obama Holds Town Hall Meeting' under 'Most Recent'