Testing His Mettle

As promised by Joe Biden, Obama seems to be facing his first foreign policy crisis, this one generated by Hamas.  OK, there is the little detail that he is not actually President yet, but the Arab and world audiences that felt such solidarity with him last November may not be fully up to speed on the subtleties of the transition of power in this country.

So here we are - when that phone rings at 3 AM, Obama won't even answer it.  Who knew?

Comments

[Sue]

What? You think he really wanted the job? He was seeking the adoration, not the work.

[narciso]

Popcorn and pretzels for everyone; but remember considering Jones, Powers, Malley Biden, probably Blair, but maybe not Hillary
it's a good things he's not near the phone yet. That's why the IDF has to get cracking,
they don't have all the time in the world.

[clarice]

It's the beginning of a new year. People are overstuffed with holiday cheer and then there's TM with his usual jaundiced look at it all. (That's why we love him.)

[fdcol63]

As much as I despise Obama and worry about the consequences of his presidency, I'm passing on criticizing his silence so far about the Gaza action.

Whether it's due to his cluelessness about what to do or because he's actually respecting the fact that W is still POTUS (however doubtful this is), matters not to me.

Quite frankly, I believe his childhood among Muslims in Indonesia, his participation in a church steeped in black separationist theology, and his liberal Marxist/anti-American views will all combine to make him more sympathetic to the Islamic/Palestinian cause.

I hope his silence continues until his inauguration.

[BumperStickerist]

Looks like Rick Warren has his work cut out for him with Obama's invocation.

-

[narciso]

It will be his time, soon enough, and we shall know him by his decisions. It still astounds me, on an emotional level, how anyone can root for Hamas; might as well
do it for AQ, same difference.

[Porchlight]

It still astounds me, on an emotional level, how anyone can root for Hamas

Yesterday I drove by a corner demonstration complete with huge Palestinian flags and Honk For Peace/Cease Fire Now signs. Lots of honking here in the People's Republic of Austin. Disgusting.

[Vinman]

@fdcol63 - Although I agree with you completely, I'm thinking that Obama's presidential strategy will be one of complete pragmatism. . which will be completely maddening.

[Jane]

I don't understand how anyone can root for Hamas either. I've always assumed it was just anti-Bush stuff. Is there more?

[Rick Ballard]

Jane,

I would have thought that you would have discussed the situation with your bestest pal. I'm pretty sure he has an explanation which explores the prog's nihilistic death wish in detail. Bush was just yesterday's symbol - they're turning to Israel at the moment.

Nothing fires the ire of incompetent failures like watching the competent succeed.

[Pofarmer]

Although I agree with you completely, I'm thinking that Obama's presidential strategy will be one of complete pragmatism.

If by Pragmatism, you mean a series of poll driven nothingburgers, then, yeah, that's probably the best we can hope for.

However, his cabinet pics aren't all that reasuring, especially with regards to energy and the environment.

[MayBee]

It is my theory that Israel told Obama exactly what they planned on doing. It's the perfect timing to undertake this operation.
George Bush is willing to let it happen on his watch, and Obama has plausible deniability.
Surely Obama will benefit if Israel is able to damage Hamas, Hamas is dissuaded from continuing to attack Israel, AND it's over before he takes office.

[Charlie (Colorado)]

As much as I despise Obama and worry about the consequences of his presidency, I'm passing on criticizing his silence so far about the Gaza action.

I'm with you. I'm actually pleased that he's not interfering.

[fdcol63]

I worry about pragmatism as the public face .... and duplicitous treason behind the scenes.

I think O's ties to Ayers & Dohrn and to Islam go deeper than most people want to accept.

[clarice feldman]

Chaco, How nice to have you back.

[Soylent Red]

I can't think of a single thing that Zero, Biden, or Hillarity could contribute to the positive resolution of the Gaza situation. Not one thing.

So please, let's enjoy this last few days of grownups minding the store before the eight year olds take over and we are compelled to hear them every day.

[Rt]

Obama is a peace loving community organizer, the son of a CIA informant and the victim of a sovereign birth. He hasn't paid us back for the loan criteria law suits and the foreign aid money and will be doing this for at least four years. Then we can hear his wife say she respects us now.

The Ayers Informant debt for protection and Obama's dad's is just too funny. Obama probably did allot.

So, was Obama behind the Chicago luciferian wars that blame Isrealis for all the things luciferian when all he needed to say is we all dream?

[Cecil Turner]

I hope his silence continues until his inauguration.

Concur silence isn't the worst he could do. And in fact, in this case silence works as a tacit endorsement of Israel, sort of a "work it out amongst yourselves" (preferably until Hamas is exterminated). Which is actually pretty reasonable, if one can't bring oneself to denounce terrorists lobbing rockets at civilian targets. (And maybe he feels Hamas is entitled to a little sumpin' for their endorsement . . . which could be a laudable display of top-down loyalty.)

The idea that he feels constrained from making any comment is pretty hard to swallow, however, especially in light of the silly foreign-policy maunderings he's mouthed over the last couple years. Still, less is more.

[PeterUK]

"From 'The Audacity Of Hope,(BH Obama) "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."

I can't see anything that would persuade the Israelis to act now before Barrack Hussein Obama is sworn in,can you?

[E. Nigma]

It's never "over", over there. It won't be over for Obama, it won't be over for HRC, it won't be over whenever Obama leaves office.
These people hate each other, and have for centuries. Not even the 'lightworker' can fix that. Even if they get tired of war for a while and go into hudna, it will be back again after a few years.

[clarice feldman]

Actually, i think the hate is onesided and the notion that this is all some petty tribal squabble is a disgusting lie.

[Enlightened]

Posted on another thread - Conservative blog owners/proprietors be on the lookout:
(As evidenced by the nasty alien troll in another thread)

Just a small comment about the leftwing alien astroturfer that dropped a steaming pile of leftthink:

Redstate reports that the Team Sarah website is being attacked by similar trolls with an amazingly similar mindset.

There is perhaps a concerted effort amongst the astroturfers to carpet bomb all conservative sites with like-minded (or I mean lack-of-minded) assaults -

Just keep an eye out in your comments if you are a blog proprietor for sock puppetry along these racist lines -

http://www.redstate.com/freedomist/2009/01/02/liberal-conspiracy-to-frame-and-defame-teamsarah-busted/

[clarice feldman]

OT:Elena Kagan, dean of Harvard law school is going to be named Solicitor General nominee.

[kim]

So far, Teheran is doing nothing, either.
==========================

[narciso]

I agree, this moral equivalence garbage is for the birds. The Russians have been occupying Chechnya for the better part of a 150 years, the Chechens only responded back in the last dozen years. The Serbs try the same gambit on the Bosnians. It's a rhetorical
copout. Kagan sounds like a sensible
candidate, well no Larry Tribe for sure

[tesoro]

>>> "From 'The Audacity Of Hope,(BH Obama) "I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."

I can't see anything that would persuade the Israelis to act now before Barrack Hussein Obama is sworn in,can you?

Obama made that remark in The Audacity of Hope in a discussion on taking civil liberties away from American citizens. It does not apply to American foreign policy in any way, particularly this one on Gaza.

>>> "The idea that he feels constrained from making any comment is pretty hard to swallow, however, especially in light of the silly foreign-policy maunderings he's mouthed over the last couple years. Still, less is more."

David Axelrod's spoken for Obama repeatedly on this, saying "one president at a time." With no legal authority before his inauguration, it would not be appropriate for President-elect Obama to muddle a foreign policy situation by contributing no more to it than you can -- comments worth an opinion and that's all.

But what's ironic about the this attitude you and others expressed is that Bush himself said nothing about Gaza until his radio address two days ago, though no one on the right criticized him for it because they're too focused on Obama. But even 'LameDub's' staunchest fans don't remark or care what he has to say anymore -- they clamor to hear only from Obama now.

>>> "because he's actually respecting the fact that W is still POTUS (however doubtful this is)"

Obama obviously does respect that Bush is president.

But if, on the other hand, that sentence means that you think Bush's overall reticence and general cluelessness makes him merely appear to still be the POTUS, then I agree.

[Sue]

Still has them on his payroll...Axelturfers, that is.

[Rick Ballard]

It might have saved some American lives had Zero and Reid not declared that we were losing in Iraq. It could save Palestinian and Israeli lives if Obama told Hamas that terrorists were better off dead and applauded the Israelis for doing their part.

Pardon me for remaining totally unimpressed with Obama's willingness to remain silent. His inability to call Hamas a terrorist front says quite enough. There was 'one President at a time' when Obama was engaging in sedition with American lives at stake. All his silence proves is that he possesses the backbone of an earthworm.

[narciso]

Nice try, Tesoro, everyone knows exactly what side Bush is on; even if the entire administration doesn't go along with him. With Obama all his previous statements all seem to dispose him him one way, the reason why Hamas endorsed him, probably after consultation with Malley; the rest is like
reading through tea leaves

[Sue]

Rick,

Earthworms don't have...oh...nevermind.

[matt]

I'm thinking of having a bunch of Nazi paper flags made to distribute at the next pro-Hamas rally here in Greater LA.

The language these people are using is vile, and they are no better than fascists. Maybe we can get the Klan and Farrakahn to join their protests as well.

[Enlightened]

"David Axelrod's spoken for Obama repeatedly"

Exactly right - PEBO can't write a book on his own, and can't speak for himself.

Good thing Axelrod's got the 'turfers out there doing all the heavy lifting.

[Cecil Turner]

David Axelrod's spoken for Obama repeatedly on this, saying "one president at a time." With no legal authority before his inauguration, it would not be appropriate for President-elect Obama to muddle a foreign policy situation by contributing no more to it than you can -- comments worth an opinion and that's all.

Right. Except stating his position on the Gaza conflict would no more "muddle a foreign policy situation" than disclosing his "plan" for the economy would hinder the current administration's handling of that issue. And the argument that he's bound by reticence founders in light of examples of actual interference of foreign policy situations that were actually important to the US . . . like:

The Bush administration must submit the agreement to Congress or allow the next administration to negotiate an agreement that has bipartisan support here at home and makes absolutely clear that the U.S. will not maintain permanent bases in Iraq.

Luckily for Iraq, Obama will inherit a war that's essentially won, so he'll have a much tougher time losing it by unilateral withdrawal. The Israelis aren't so fortunate.

[Rick Ballard]

Sue,

The answer to that 3AM call during the Annelid Administration is going to be "Look, can't a man just finish his waffling? Get back to me when the outcome is clear."

[Neo]

Obama won't even answer it. Who knew?

When the economy was collapsing and the Democrat-controlled Congress was clueless and ready to recess, it was a Republican, John McCain, who broke from campaigning to return to Congress to get something to happen .. meanwhile Obama, MIA as ever, continued to campaign as if nothing was happening and dared McCain not to show for the next debate.

Expect to see a lot of Obama MIA in the next 4 years.

[Neo]

Obama will bring Hope for Change.

[Jane]

I would have thought that you would have discussed the situation with your bestest pal.

Rick,

WE had other fish to fry.

[Porter]

Rick-

He can't answer a 3AM call, because no one can see the tell-tales at that hour.

[Danube of Thought]

"...it would not be appropriate for President-elect Obama to muddle a foreign policy situation by contributing no more to it than you can..."

But it's just ducky for candidate Obama to hold a rally in Germany.

Nevertheless, I don't begrudge him his silence now. Starting in a couple of weeks silence won't be an option, and he needs all the time he can get to figure out something useful to say. It didn't happen during the campaign, any more than it has happened under his self-imposed gag order. But hell, he was president of the Law Review and a crackerjack community organizer, so there's no reason to doubt that he'll be up to the task.

[Jane]

Anyone have the link to vote for TM for blog of the century (or whatever it is)?

[tesoro]

>>> It might have saved some American lives had Zero and Reid not declared that we were losing in Iraq."

Just as it might have saved some lives if Bush had not clung to Rumsfeld's failed policies as long as he did, or advocated the use of torture in American-controlled prisons, particularly at Abu Ghraib, Bagram, and Guantanamo.

Obama is not even a US Senator anymore, so until he's president, he has absolutely no platform under US law to lead our country. When he was a senator, his and Reid's not criticizing a war that wasn't going well until the cureent president was pushed to name a more effective Secretary of Defense would have been completely foolhardy -- as well as not doing their jobs. Barack Hussein Obama spoke against the Iraq war in his Senate run, and his constituents elected him for it. He was doing his job by providing a polite dissent to the prevailing attitude.

>>> "It could save Palestinian and Israeli lives if Obama told Hamas that terrorists were better off dead and applauded the Israelis for doing their part."

Careless remarks that undermine Bush's leadership in this could also stir up a lot more trouble and blood. It's been reported by several sources that Obama speaks to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice several times a day about Gaza. If the current administration wanted Obama's input, they would open that door and publicly make it clear that they are. I will assume that they aren't doing that for good reason. So much for you trusting Bush's leadership. I don't even like him, yet I trust his administration's calls on this more than those who do.

>>> "Pardon me for remaining totally unimpressed with Obama's willingness to remain silent."

Sure, but it's this simple: Bush is POTUS. Obama isn't yet. Why fight that, and in the meantime display how little respect you have for the law? And why are you so silent on the fact that Bush himself didn't comment on the current situation in Gaza until two days ago, nor has Bush publicly invited Obama's opinion?

I see this it differently from you, of course: our president-elect has the backbone of a leader who will finally give the US Constitution the respect it deserves instead of continually undermining it and the Justice Department simply to bolster his foreign policy aims.

>>> "Still has them on his payroll...Axelturfers, that is. "

So all dissenting opinion, no matter how it's expressed, is greeted here with paranoia and hostility? The only posts welcome here are the ones that bolster a consensus? Thanks for letting me know where I stand.

[PeterUK]

Surely though,Obama has has some word for all those nameless Arabs who donated money to his campaign.

[narciso]

That anomie, ennui thing is coming back to me again, with a touch of animus, I mean retsin. This operation seems to be proceeding extremely well, I guess an old dog can learn new tricks. Of course, there are the usual European powers pressing for a ceasefire, except for Czechoslovakia, and Vaclav Klaus ,saying in so many words, have at them. I'm sure Matt Taibbi, or Nir Rosen, if this is still going on a month from now, will visit some Hamas camp to get their side of the story. Was I the only one in the Bourne Supremacy, who didn't cry when the Guardian reporter got it?

By the way, Newsbusters, had yet another poorly thought defense of Caroline for Senate, from some NPR station, basing it exclusively on her wealth and 'blood line' of which I've pointed out the Irony there, no actual pretense of accomplishment.
Slagging Gary Ackerman who deigned to question her bonafides; although he chose
an inapt metaphor to do it. Back in the real world, the Russian ambassador dropped
by Juneau, for the 50th anniversary of Alaska's statehood.

[kim]

Nobody's doin' nor sayin' nuttin', tesoro, but the Israelis. There's an outbreak of prudent. How do they say? Beatings have a salutory effect on morale?
===================================

[Jane]

Tesoro,

When you start out a comment with this:

"Just as it might have saved some lives if Bush had not clung to Rumsfeld's failed policies as long as he did, or advocated the use of torture in American-controlled prisons, particularly at Abu Ghraib, Bagram, and Guantanamo."

No one reads any further.

Time to get over yourself.

[PeterUK]

"Barack Hussein Obama spoke against the Iraq war in his Senate run, and his constituents elected him for it."

Political gesturing only,Obama and Reid know as much about Iraq or international politics as they do a duck's bum.

Obama is doing what he has done all his life,he is winging it.

[Rick Ballard]

Sure, but it's this simple:

Obama engaged in sedition in order to advance his political standing at a time when American troops were engaged in combat.

That's the reality of Obama's simplicity. Just as the reality of his relationship with Rezko was one of lessee with lessor. Just as his relationship with Ayer's is the same that Charlie McCarthy had with Edgar Bergen.

[Danube of Thought]

"..until he's president, he has absolutely no platform under US law to lead our country."

Oh, balls.

[kim]

Brother Jonathon's Birthday?
================

[tesoro]

>>> "Obama engaged in sedition in order to advance his political standing at a time when American troops were engaged in combat."

Please explain what seditious act you believe Obama engaged in?

Is it your reasoned, considered opinion that any public expression of dissent against a war by an elected representative is sedition?

And if so, how does that work under American law?

[clarice feldman]

I don't think the voting's opened yet..Don't forget AT for best conservative site and best political commentary--Thank you for listening:

http://2008.weblogawards.org/

[MayBee]

When the economy was collapsing and the Democrat-controlled Congress was clueless and ready to recess, it was a Republican, John McCain, who broke from campaigning to return to Congress to get something to happen .. meanwhile Obama, MIA as ever, continued to campaign as if nothing was happening and dared McCain not to show for the next debate.

Exactly.
And for this, Obama was praised as looking Presidential.

[Danube of Thought]

"...it might have saved some lives if Bush had not clung to Rumsfeld's failed policies as long as he did, or advocated the use of torture in American-controlled prisons, particularly at Abu Ghraib, Bagram, and Guantanamo."

Apart from the fact that Bush never advocated the use of torture, it is indisputable that the use of aggressive interrogation techniques agains three high-value prisoners saved thousands of lives. I fail to see how refraining from such techniques would have saved a single life.

And we shall see what we shall see about Bagram in two weeks' time.

[Enlightened]

"So all dissenting opinion, no matter how it's expressed, is greeted here with paranoia and hostility?"

You do realize, don't you, that we have heard your talking points by thousands of troll predecessors and are not in the least bit paranoid or hostile, with the exception of a pistola-wielding chef that keeps the troll baiting to a minimum.

Are you new to the Axelbot team? You seem so - defensive.

[kim]

tesoro, he tried to arm wrestle Maliki months ago. I know, it's all revised.
======================

[PeterUK]

"..until he's president, he has absolutely no platform under US law to lead our country."

Oh, balls.

He hasn't got those either,but I'm sure Obama will speak up,just as soon as he finishes the ironing.

[fdcol63]

At lunch, I caught a couple of Palestinian spokespeople yet again blaming Israel for breaking the "ceasefire" and killing innocent civilians.

Just for once, I wish one of these bubble-headed newscasters would say something like this:

"Excuse me, but when we here in the West see pictures and videos of you Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank constantly inculcating a culture of death and martyrdom into your own school children, being taught by cuddly pink panda bears to "Slaughter The Infidel Monkey Jews! Allahu Akhbar, Peace Be Unto Him" while dressed up in military fatigues, wearing hoods and suicide bomb vests, holding RPGs and AK-47s - after seeing scenes of Hamas and Hezbollah terrorists firing rockets into Israeli cities and/or bloody body parts of Jewish women and children strewn about in the latest "martyrdom" operation - we just don't believe your BULLSH*T anymore! You're dismissed!"

[narciso]

Tesoro's real agenda, finally comes out "Abu Ghraib, (an improper application of
authorized techniques, for which many were sanctioned and some even did time for; Gitmo ( a legally authorized detention facility) not the product of a Kuwait, Quatari, propaganda campaign painting it as the "Black Hole of Calcutta" and Bagram, the best the Afghans could do on short notice; to hold the Taliban who observe no laws, not even those of human decency.

Look at the grandiosity of the next statement:
"our president-elect has the backbone of a leader who will finally give the US Constitution the respect it deserves instead of continually undermining it and the Justice Department simply to bolster his foreign policy aims."

The reverse is probably more true,detention policies have been in keeping with more than a hundred years of precedent, which the Supreme Court as with many things recently has refused to observe. It is also more likely that prosecuting US soldier for legitimate operations, based on enemy propaganda (like Haditha) certainly undermined the morale if not the war effort.
Repeating the memes of US forces, needlessly
bombing civilian villages plays into the same result. Pushing for invasions into Pakistan, while ignoring the results of more targeted operations, like those
against Hamza Rabia, Al Libi, et al. Loose lips do sink ships, after all.

[Sue]

So all dissenting opinion, no matter how it's expressed, is greeted here with paranoia and hostility?

Actually, it is how you expressed it that greeted you with your perceived paranoia and hostility. Find your own words and try again.

[Cecil Turner]

Just as it might have saved some lives if Bush had not clung to Rumsfeld's failed policies . . .

Bush: "Surge"; Obama "run away." Yeah, wish he'd been President a bit earlier . . . er, not.

or advocated the use of torture in American-controlled prisons, particularly at Abu Ghraib

Bzzzt. The report is out, the courts-martial complete. The "following orders" defense didn't wash, and there's not even a claim that the commander gave orders for prisoner abuse:

U) That BG Janis L. Karpinski, Commander, 800th MP Brigade be Relieved from Command and given a General Officer Memorandum of Reprimand for the following acts [. . .]
Failing to ensure and enforce basic Soldier standards throughout her command. [snips for brevity]

The idea that the chain of command is responsible for not giving orders is a bit nuanced even for lefty conspiracy nuts. And yeah, I stopped reading about there. Persuasive.

[Cecil Turner]

On the bigger issue, most laws of war derive from just war theory, which is divided in two parts and is, in a nutshell:

Jus ad bellum.
1. Just cause
   . . . innocent life must be in imminent danger and intervention must be to protect life.
2. Comparative justice
   . . . the injustice suffered by one party must significantly outweigh that suffered by the other.
3. Legitimate authority
   Only duly constituted public authorities may wage war.
4. Right intention
   Force may be used only in a truly just cause . . . [not] material gain.
5. Probability of success
   Arms may not be used in a futile cause . . .
6. Last resort
   Force may be used only after all peaceful and viable alternatives . . .

Jus in bello.
1. Distinction
   . . . acts of war should be directed towards enemy combatants . . .
2. Proportionality
   . . . The more disproportional the number of collateral civilian deaths, the more suspect . . .
3. Military necessity
   An attack or action must be intended to help in the military defeat of the enemy, it must be an attack on a military objective, and the harm caused to civilians or civilian property must be proportional . . .

For all the whining about the Israelis, they seem to me to be pretty much in compliance. They went to war to protect their citizens, aim at combatants, and mostly hit what they aim at. As with most Islamist causes, the Hamas bubbas fail every single test. The usual way the Israelis are criticized is by conflating the "proportionality" clause in jus ad bellum with the related but distinct clause in jus in bello. (Essentially: combat jets are disproportionate to rockets . . . but if the Israelis are killing predominantly Hamas combatants, the in bello proportionality clause is satisfied.)

So is a comment condemning Israel appropriate? Or should we blame Hamas? Looks to me like a pretty easy call. But I won't hold my breath.

[tesoro]

>>> Tesoro,

When you start out a comment with this:

"Just as it might have saved some lives if Bush had not clung to Rumsfeld's failed policies as long as he did, or advocated the use of torture in American-controlled prisons, particularly at Abu Ghraib, Bagram, and Guantanamo."

No one reads any further.

Time to get over yourself."

Thanks for the reasoned political discourse, Jane, as well as the genuinely warm welcome. I already gave you more consideration than you deserve.

Judging by the election outcome, what bothered me about Bush's mishandling of the Iraq war up to the point of the surge bothers a lot of other people, too.

My comment was in direct response to Rick Ballard's post stating "It might have saved some American lives had Zero and Reid not declared that we were losing in Iraq." I believe at the time they said, they were right. But Bush was clearly in a bettter position to save many more American lives, yet failed to do that by keeping Rumsfeld at his post much longer than was good for our country, our troops and the simple goal of winning the war.

Spin all you like, folks, but Obama's "not answering 'the phone' at 3:00 am" to respond on Gaza because 'the phone's' on a nightstand at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and he's not the legal occupant at that address.

So it's completely foolish to go on caterwauling for Obama to speak out on Gaza. But go ahead anyway. It's pretty funny to read.

[Neo]

Obama Girl you thought he was a man
But he was a muffin
He hung around till you found
That he didnt know nuthin

Obama Girl you thought he was a man
But he only was a-puffin
No cries is heard in the night
As a result of him stuffin

Apologies to Frank Zappa

[Sue]

But go ahead anyway

Wow. A troll giving us permission to go ahead and comment at a site he doesn't own. His/her hypocrisy knows no bounds.

[bgates]

a leader who will finally give the US Constitution the respect it deserves
Obama has said the Constitution "reflected the fundamental flaw of this country that continues to this day."
Obama obviously does respect that Bush is president.
Which is why he never said a word about the wave of adulatory press demanding Bush resign so he could assume office.
You deserve hostility, tesoro. You're a buffoonish partisan of a charlatan who at best will act without regard for American lives, and at worst will actively seek to put us in danger.

[polynikes]

Bush's mishandling of the war? We took Iraq in 3 weeks with far less than the 10,000 KIA predicted. Iraq held two virtually violent free elections and wrote a constitution before the surge. We decimated the number of insurgents and terrorists before the surge which was the key that allowed the surge strategy to be successful in addition to the Sunni awakening that occured prior to the surge.

Your man is being handed a victory. Lets just hope that he does not screw it up.

[Topsecretk9]

David Axelrod's spoken for Obama repeatedly on this, saying "one president at a time." With no legal authority before his inauguration, it would not be appropriate for President-elect Obama to muddle a foreign policy situation by contributing no more to it than you can -- comments worth an opinion and that's all.

but I thought the left wanted Bush to resign and let the real president govern? What happened?

[Soylent Red]

3 a.m. phone call IMH:

Zero: Uh, hello?

Voice on Line: Is the President Barack Hussein Obama?

Zero: Uh, well, uh...

VoL: We have a terrible international situation brewing and are eagerly awaiting American leadership!

Zero: Oh, uh...

(Pinches nose)You have reached the voicemail of President and Light Worker Barack NoMiddleNameGiven Obama.

Your call is very important to us. Please leave a message and I will phone in my response as soon as I return from the gym and someone tells me what it will be.

If you need immediate assistance please call extension one for Rahm Emanuel, or extension two for David Axelrod, and they will tell you what I think.

If you are Israel, please call back during our business hours between sundown on Friday and sunrise on Sunday.

If you are or a third world socialist despot or wild-eyed Muslim psychopath, you can reach me on my cell. You already have that number.

VoL: Hello? Hello?

Michelle Obama: Barack! You'd better hang up that gottdamn telephone this minute! Do you have any idea what time it is?

[narciso]

Remarkable to think they can get away with here; with the same tired memes. It maybe
that they don't know any better. Than you can't fault them, like the hapless respondents in the Zogby poll. If they do know, and they still do it; one still feels sorry for them.

"Judging by the election outcome, what bothered me about Bush's mishandling of the Iraq war up to the point of the surge bothers a lot of other people, too."

So they voted for the candidate, who denied
the surge, who believed the lies about the
'civil war', that was the shortest civil war in memory. His running mate wanted to impose the bloody tradition of partition that has wrecked the likes of Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, India, Cyprus et al, The counter insurgency strategy refined by Petraeus, was not ready yet, the Anbar Awakening was just beginning, but the media
wasn't even aware of it. Let us not forget
that the establishment approved solution was
not the "Surge" but the Iraq Study Group, which would have withdrawn forces exactly at the time of the rejection of AQ; giving them an unearned victory.

[kim]

You won't find me criticizing him for not speaking up, tesoro; it seems it's the Arabs who are criticizing him. And what we are really caterwauling about is our expectations of his performance once he does have the right phone at his bedside. As I'll continue to chortle over, his last nightly chore will be to fasten the double dose of Depends around his dependent parts.
=========================================

[Sue]

What happened?

The real world.

[matt]

It is being reported that Nancy Pelosi is planning to overturn the congressional reforms instituted by Newt Gingrich today, including limits on committee chairs, open meetings, amendments, reinstituting closed meetings, etc.

doesn't this smack of Fascism?

[Sue]

It smacks of the consequences of elections. I hope republicans who sat out elections to teach republicans a lesson understand cause/effect.

[kim]

All the better to see that autocratic grip, 'What long claws you have!'; this might provoke some mighty fine minority rhetoric, ammo for 2010.
========================

[Jane]

Leon Panetta to be the head of the CIA

[Jane]

I wouldn't be surprised if O names Hillary President before this is done.

[kim]

OK, n, give me the Blue's Clues.
===================

[bgates]

the simple goal of winning the war
Your party denied the possibility of winning wars. Your party denied the existence of the concept of victory. Leaders of your party repeatedly told Americans on the front lines and the criminals who were shooting at them that the American effort (which they called the Bush effort) had failed and must fail.

it's completely foolish to go on caterwauling for Obama to speak out on Gaza
He's already done that: "If someone was sending rockets on my house where my daughters were sleeping at night, I would do everything to stop it, and I would expect Israelis to do the same thing."
You may want to put down the "of course he's staying quiet" script and look over the "of course he spoke out" one.

[kim]

Bill Clinton would be Ambassador to the UN except that he'd rather be Secretary-General.
===============================

[Topsecretk9]

Matt

Bet dollars to doughnuts that Obama isn't happy with Nan. He brought in Rahm for this very reason, so as not to get steamrolled by the Democrats and he'd like to be a 2 termer so needs bi-partisan support for his policies...Nancy is sticking it to the new boy on the block.

[MayBee]

Really?

[MayBee]

Oh, that was to Jane.

Poor Janet Reno. I think she's the only one totally shut out.

[MayBee]

Obama not saying anything new about Gaza speaks loudly enough.

[Topsecretk9]

Well Jane, it's slightly better than naming Sandy Berger.

[Jane]

Well Jane, it's slightly better than naming Sandy Berger.

Well Commerce is available once again.

I guess the deal was no one could be named to the CIA who had any tie to the Bush WH - so they named a guy whose totality of experience is not seeing the 911 terrorist threat coming and working with HHS.

Perfect!

[Charlie (Colorado)]

Chaco, How nice to have you back.

Thank you. I owe out lots of apologies for going missing. The old black dog visited over the holiday.

[narciso]

This is some kind of joke, we could do worse but what foreign policy, military and or intelligence experience does he have. Yeah he's much better than John Brennan, a 24 year veteran of the Company, We get it doesn't matter what expertise you have in the area. Is there any greater sign of the unseriousness of this team. I guess Admiral Blair and General Jones will really hold the portfolio in the field. Buckley vouches for Dennis, based on a twenty five year anecdote, so I feel all warm and fuzzy now.

I don't understand the Blue's clues
reference, Kim, and you're right, Topsecret,
neither Berger or Gorelick would be better

[MayBee]

We're happy you're here, Charlie. Sorry about your troubles. If having fans makes things better, you are in the right place.

Simon abandoned us at the same time. As did Amused. I love it best when the whole family is home.

[Dave]

Spin all you like, folks, but Obama's "not answering 'the phone' at 3:00 am" to respond on Gaza because 'the phone's' on a nightstand at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and he's not the legal occupant at that address.

That must explain why he's not over on Capitol Hill today telling Pelosi and Reid what to put in the next stimulus bill.

Wait, what?

[PeterUK]

Tossero,
"pin all you like, folks, but Obama's "not answering 'the phone' at 3:00 am" to respond on Gaza because 'the phone's' on a nightstand at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue and he's not the legal occupant at that address.

So it's completely foolish to go on caterwauling for Obama to speak out on Gaza. But go ahead anyway. It's pretty funny to read."

Other than Bollocks,there are only two words to say to you, "Transition Team".Do you really think with just two weeks to go,Obama isn't up to speed and fully informed ? If not,why not?

[Rick Ballard]

"If someone was sending rockets on my house where my daughters were sleeping at night, I would do everything to stop it, and I would expect Israelis to do the same thing."

bgates,

Maybe he'll say it again once he goes over the Hamas rental contract. If there's a "no money back" clause he might work up the nerve.

[tesoro]

>>> "but I thought the left wanted Bush to resign and let the real president govern? What happened?"

What "left" is that? I don't speak for the "left," in particular, but for myself -- one who helped elect George W. Bush in 2000 and completely lost my stomach for his leadership and the bleating dotage, political inadequacy and immorality that the GOP became when their "mettle was tested."

In 2008 I did what I could to help see that Obama won. If he continues to prove he deserves to lead our country, I may help him again in 2012.

If not, the GOP really needs better arguments than all the sniping they make over insignificant -- and what most Americans probably would agree are silly -- spear points like, "Didn't the left say whatever," and "Why won't Obama speak up over Gaza?" It's already clear to reasonable people that without Bush's invitation to share commentary, then Obama is right to stand out of the way until he legally becomes president.

Good day, and give clarice feldman my regards.

[kim]

Oh, you got it n; you just didn't get that you got it. I wanted your opinion of Panella, y voila!
=================

[PeterUK]

"What "left" is that? I don't speak for the "left," in particular, but for myself -- one who helped elect George W. Bush in 2000 and completely lost my stomach for his leadership".

Of course your aren't a lefty Tossero,you just read like one when you type.

At the very least,Obama could say I will support the incumbent until my time is come.
What he is implying is that US foreign policy is up for grabs at the end of a sitting president's last term. Sorry but Obama cannot keep saying "There ain't nobody in here but us chickens".

[Pal2Pal (Sara)]

Probability of success
Arms may not be used in a futile cause . . .

Does this mean we can stop "remembering the Alamo?"

[MayBee]

Good day, and give clarice feldman my regards.

Are you one of those clarice stalkers?

[Pal2Pal (Sara)]

Tossero: When you finally realize your Zero Hero is a phony baloney empty suit, we'll be here and we'll offer you survival support and not rub it in what a total idiot you are. Well maybe just a little.

[narciso]

We focus on the left, because they were the ones who selected him in the primaries, the ones, MoveOn among them, who were opposed to intervening in Afghanistan, who used
contradictory arguments like the old pipeline canard. They chose to believe his promises to gut defense spending, pull out of Iraq, close Gitmo; that part of the record was obscured in all the hoopla of the campaign. We've pointed out a fraction of the incendiary and stupid things that were said in the course of these two campaigns in this theatre of operations.
You echo the left's talking points, long debunked, that we can't tell it's a genuine
expression. Maybe you don't know it yourself.

Like it or not, most of Obama's top staff have shown either a callous neutrality or
outright hostility to Israel in their previous public statements, papers,seminars,
et al.(Jones, Malley, Powers, to name just a few) That's why we're more than a little concerned; unless a public record doesn't mean anything else. And seriously, putting
someone way outside the standard
intelligence background, such as Panetta doesn't concern you, even a bit; specially
when a career official like Brennan was forced out of the running.

that were said

[RichatUF]

jane, the link for award for Just One Minute is here. Voting starts later today.

teroso, during the campaign, Obama interfered with the SOF agreement the US was negotiating with Iraq. Obama tried to aid a power plant deal with Rezko and Alsammarae. We still haven't gotten a straight answer as to the Obama emissaries that were sent to FRAC which has derailed the free trade agreement with Colombia. Obama set emissaries to Syria. Obama went surfing when Russia invaded Georgia during the campaign.

Seems to me Obama found many opportunities to derail and undermine the Bush Administration in foreign policy. And dude, in the months preceeding the election the bond markets ground to a halt, the equity markets dropped about 40%, and Fannie, Freddie, WaMu, Lehman, AIG, and Citi [think I missed a few] all collapsed requiring the TARP bailout (with the Dems cleverly exploiting the first vote by blaming the House Reps and doddering McCain for the first failure). It is cartoonish to believe that Obama's victory had anything to do with the Iraq War.

[Enlightened]

As usual - Another dumbass leftwing sockpuppet badgering Clarice in a last ditch attempt to enter puberty.

Yay.

Next.