News Nuggets 117

Barack and Hillary have their first 'sit down' after the European trip in a somewhat informal setting

The Obamas Take Europe from The Week

"President Obama this week wrapped up one of the more productive and substance-filled presidential trips to Europe in recent history—but at times it felt more like two love-struck teenagers on a giddy first date."

Obama Visit Sets New Format for Ties from Hurriyet Daily News

"President Barack Obama’s visit to Turkey earlier this week has opened a new chapter in relations between the two countries that were severely strained under the previous administration of President Bush."

In Europe, Obama Laid the Bush Doctrine to Rest and Chartered a New Course from the Guardian [of London]

"Gone are the grating power-rock solos of the Bush administration and in is a messier but soulful jazz ensemble. George Bush had a mission and a doctrine. Barack Obama has an agenda and an approach."

Making Contact: Risk vs. Rewards in Obama's Outreach to Muslims from the Editorial Board of the Houston Chronicle

"President Obama has opened a door that many Muslims believe President Bush had deliberately closed. That is not decisive, but it is welcome."

Obama Visit Sets New Format for Ties from Hurriyet Daily News [of Turkey in English]

"President Barack Obama’s visit to Turkey earlier this week has opened a new chapter in relations between the two countries that were severely strained under the previous administration of President Bush"

15 Meetings, 6 Countries -- and No 'Screw Ups' for President Obama from the Times [of London]

"A week-long odyssey, breathtaking in the scale of its ambition and mind-frazzling in terms of logistical intensity, was Barack Obama’s debut on the world stage. At every stop there were potential hazards for a President whose critics in Washington are lining up to dismiss him as inexperienced and naive."

Why Obama’s Smart to Tackle Immigration Now from the Daily Beast

"God bless you Mr. President for having the courage to resuscitate this incredibly contentious and important issue. You will be scorched and criticized by the nativists. It will be very hard, maybe impossible to get done. But it’s the right thing to do and it’s actually and ultimately very good politics for you and the Democratic Party."

Obama's Faith-Based Office Gets Down to Work from Time Magazine

"perhaps the loudest message the White House sent about religion this week took place without the President in attendance. Over the course of two days, the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships gathered more than 60 religious leaders (and a handful of secular non-profits) at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building for the first in what director Joshua Dubois says will be a series of briefings. "

Gays, Guns Put GOP on Defensive from Politico

"The culture wars are making a comeback, but this time around, social conservatives find themselves in an unfamiliar position: playing defense."

While You Were Out (Mike Madden) from Salon

"President Obama has been taking it relatively slowly since he returned from Europe and the Middle East late Tuesday."

GOP Govs Get Dose of Stimulus Reality from Politico

"The list of governors threatening to decline federal stimulus money last month read like a list of Republicans considering running for president in 2012.  But what began with a bang is ending with something closer to a whimper. All three of those governors have been forced to scale back their expectations ... as the push of conservative philosophy gave way to the pull of political reality."

The First Garden Gets its First Planting from the Washington Post

"Mrs. Obama stressed that the garden was an easy -- and inexpensive -- way for families to get fruits and vegetables into their diet. She asked the children to guess how much it cost to install the garden. The first guess: $100,000. "My husband would go crazy if he thought we were spending that kind of money," she said with a laugh. "No, a little lower than that.""