UK Reaction to Obama in Middle East from BBC2
Interesting talking-head analysis -- from a UK perspective.
Obama Cracks the Code to Reach Islam from the Financial Times [of London]
"No wonder extremist leaders were nervous ahead of Barack Obama’s landmark address in Cairo, frantically firing off warnings to Muslims not to fall for his words. ... Mr Obama took them on, not with threats to “smoke them out” or warnings that “you are with us or against us”, but with eloquence, authority, a deep grasp of Muslim history and an understanding of Muslim grievances."
Obama's Tough Talk (Michael Tomasky) from the Guardian [of London]
"Obama's speech in Cairo today was bold – because he asked that his audience think a little harder about difficult issues."
In Cairo, Praise for Obama's Remarks from the Washington Post
"The fact that he came to downtown Cairo, instead of heading to the Sinai beach resorts where diplomatic gatherings are often held, told them he was serious about connecting on a personal level. And when he started sprinkling his speech with words from the Koran, and balanced support for Israel with a strong call for a Palestinian state, the deal was closed."
Reactions After Obama's Speech to Muslim World from Hurriyet Daily News [of Turkey in English]
""His speech was sincere, honest and realistic ... The fact that President Obama sincerely shares and personally expresses the feelings and thoughts of many citizens in Muslim countries is extremely promising.""
Arab Students Respond to Obama from the New York Times
"The New York Times asked students in Cairo, Alexandria and Amman to share their thoughts on the president’s speech. Here are some of their impressions:"
Obama Routs Hardliners with Call for a New Start in Middle East from the Times [of London]
"Barack Obama must have said something right if Osama bin Laden, Ayatollah Khamenei of Iran and the Jewish settlers on the West Bank all lined up to denounce his speech to the Arab and Muslim worlds."
Muslims Credit Obama for New Tone from Reuters
"U.S. President Barack Obama won praise from many Muslim leaders Thursday for a speech crafted to repair America's tainted image in the Islamic world, but more skeptical reactions showed he still has a mountain to climb."
Masterpiece (UPDATE: Obama Makes Surprise Visit to Pyramids!!!) from Daily Kos
Interesting mix of speech, analysis and pictures.
"Less than six months ago, Arabs threw shoes at George Bush. Today, in a address bound to go down in history, President Obama was unexpectedly greeted by a standing ovation in the heart of the Arab-Muslim world."
Obama's Tough Tour de Force (David Corn) from Congressional Quarterly
"President Barack Obama's speech in Cairo on relations between the West and the Muslim world was a tour de force. ... this episode is a reminder that a speech is composed of two elements: the words and the person delivering them."
If the US Can Change, Why Not Egypt? (Editorial) from Amal Al Ummah (of Egypt in English)
"In America, there's a system of government that one must respect, even if we would disagree with it one hundred percent of the time. Because there, the president's powers are restricted and in any case, his period in office cannot exceed eight years!"
Obama Tours the Pyramids: "Five Guys was Good, This was Better" [with VIDEO]
"At one point during the tour, Obama is reported to have spotted a hieroglyphic of a large-eared man, spurring the remark, ""That looks like me!" Look at those ears!" ABC News reports. According to MSNBC, the character in the hieroglyphic represents esteemed qualities"
Back in Control from Politico
"While the eyes of the world are on President Obama’s speech Cairo this morning, there’s major movement on Capitol Hill on health care and climate change. Obama laid down a major marker yesterday by backing an individual mandate on health reform – a huge boost to the public plan proponents. And on climate change, Speaker Nancy Pelosi set a tough June 19 deadline for that legislation. "
Rush and Newt Are Winning (E.J. Dionne) from the Washington Post
E.J. really hits it today.
"A media environment that tilts to the right is obscuring what President Obama stands for and closing off political options that should be part of the public discussion."
The Wilderness Years Begins (Editorial) from RealClearPolitics
"I think building a coalition of social conservatives and social moderates from the middle of the income and education distribution makes much more political sense than trying to hold together a coalition of social conservatives from the middle of the distribution and social liberals from the upper end. Joe the Plumber and Joe the Office-Park Employee make much more plausible political bedfellows than Joe the Plumber and Joseph the Hedge Fund Guy."
Experts: Prognosis Grim as Coleman Runs Out of Legal Options from the Minnesota Independent
"Election-law experts who have tracked the case closely are unanimous in believing that Coleman’s appeal before the Minnesota Supreme Court will fail — and that it will likely be by a unanimous decision. That will clear the way for Democrat "
Liberals Are Taken Aback by Obama's Take-Back of America (Dana Milbank) from the Washington Post
"Now that Obama has actually taken back America, the activists at this year's gathering feel a bit like the dog that finally caught up with the car."
New Survey Shows Cheney, Sotomayor Debates Threaten to Further Isolate GOP from Democracy Corps
"President Obama continues to enjoy a strong standing while the Republican brand remains deeply unpopular. Moreover, two of the most high-profile debates in Washington could damage the GOP further by isolating the party from the vast middle of the electorate."
Connecticut Radio Host Hal Turner Faces Connecticut Charges from the Hartford Courant
IT'S ABOUT TIME SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENED!
"Internet radio host Hal Turner — accused of inciting Catholics to "take up arms" and singling out two Connecticut lawmakers and a state ethics official on a website — was taken into custody in New Jersey late Wednesday after state Capitol police in Connecticut obtained a warrant for his arrest."
Obamas in Paris Soon: Their Visit Eagerly Awaited from the Huffington Post
"Not since the Kennedy era has an American first lady _ and in tow, her presidential husband _ been so eagerly awaited in Paris."
ON-A-BUSY-DAY-DON'T-MISS-IT NUGGET!!
Twenty Years After a Victory and a Defeat, Time for a Progress Report (Timothy Garton Ash) from the Guardian [of London]
A very interesting and important assessment on the need of democratic countries to revitalize democracy and people's commitment to it.
"Europe, China and the US offer three contrasting models, which show us that liberal democracy is in need of renewal."
PROFILE NUGGET!
The Power and the Story from Vanity Fair
"The Obamas may have the smartest, most finely calibrated press operation in White House history, parceling out scoops (The New York Times), partisan talking points (the Huffington Post), and First Family tidbits (the celebrity mags) to a desperate media. Just don’t ask them to admit it."
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