The Obama Interview

Here is a transcript of Obama's interview with Al-Arabiya Arab TV Network.

Jim Geraghty notes that Osama bin Laden never promised health care that would always be there.

Michael Goldfarb observes that on the question of a nuclear Iran, Obama has a hard time getting to "No.".

Comments

[PeterUK]

Doesn't sound like nearly $700 million worth of president.You have been sold a pup,send him back as not being of mercantilable quality.

[narciso]

speaking of Goldfarb, what do you think of his interview with the CJR:http://www.cjr.org/campaign_desk/q_a_former_mccain_blogger_mich.php?page=2

[Don]

And Allah knows Geraghty and Goldfard proved their spot-on analytical ability this last campaign season.

Can you link to one thing they got right?

Didn't think so.

P.S. Did that tedious old frog that Geraghty called "Obi-Wan" ever have the guts to show up and acknowledge how laughably stupid his poll-reading was?

[Porchlight]

Don,

Prediction is not the only type of analysis on the market. I bet a lot of your favorite journo weenies were absolutely certain Kerry would kick Bush's ass in 2004. Did you stop reading them entirely when they turned out to be wrong?

[RichatUF]

There's no actions that they've taken that say a child in the Muslim world is getting a better education because of them, or has better health care because of them.

Can we call this Obama's Patty Murray moment? Too bad the Dems can't get that talking point straight. Also, don't the oily kingdoms provide cradle-to-grave government services (in the case of the PA the UN)?

Hope the State Department and the USMC Embassy Security Group are updating their plans and training.

[narciso]

Ever notice, how trolls like Don, never get around to the actual substance of the
charge, for example, for Obama to have actually punctuated the danger of an Iranian bomb, which would lead to a regonal nuclear arms race, or the pretense that AQ means anything good to the Arab community.

[Sue]

cradle-to-grave government services

It's not as bad as it sounds, since that grave thingy comes early for them.

[Ranger]

And Hamas welcomed Obama's new approach by sneaking across the border with Gaza and killing an IDF soldier. The IDF is now back in Gaza reminding them of why they shouldn't do that kind of thing.

[Captain Hate]

Hey Don, since you're such an expert on everything, why don't you get me Urkel's Columbia transcripts? Thanks in advance.

[RichatUF]

It's not as bad as it sounds, since that grave thingy comes early for them.

Heh. The oily kingdoms spread the wealth around enough to make some of the more die-hard progressives in the US weep. Can you imagine a murder of feminists employed in at a Ministry for the Preservation of Political Correctness and the Prevention of Manliness?

[Ranger]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7853803.stm>Israel launches attacks in Gaza

Of course, it being the BBC, they don't mention the killing of an IDF soldier as teh cause until the second graph (wouldn't want people confused about who the "bad guys" are by context or anything).

[narciso]

Look I realize that he will eventually have to backtrack from his current plans, when they clash with reality, like Carter did after 1979. First does he have a reliable team B, I guess Admiral Blair and Bob Gates probably will end up that way, but I'm concerned of the damage in the interim, and somewhat less importantly what will be the reaction when he does turn.

[PeterUK]

As for predictions,wasn't Hillary Clinton supposed to be a certainty for president?

[Jane]

I found that interview scary in its naivete.

I find O's stimulus package scary in it's shove toward socialism.

I find the global warming stuff scary for the same reason.

I do not like being scared.

[clarice]

Hit LUN to get to end of thread if this goes on for more than one page.

[clarice]

Nuts..DIdn't work.
http://justoneminute.typepad.com/main/2009/01/the-obama-interview.html?cid=x>Hit me, baby

[Cecil Turner]

Michael Goldfarb observes that on the question of a nuclear Iran, Obama has a hard time getting to "No."

The true idiocy is in this statement:

their threats against Israel; their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe;

The danger is a potential "arms race" that could make everybody less safe? Good grief. The problem with a nuclear-armed Iran is that they can't be trusted not to use 'em (or worse, provide one to Hezbollah or Hamas). And the rowback from "intolerable" to "unhelpful" sends a very dangerous signal . . . reminiscent of other appeasement-minded leaders whose efforts for peace actually led to war.

[clarice]

He is s.t.u.p.i.d.

[Cecil Turner]

And it's worth noting this situation will come to a head on his watch:

Iran will have enough enriched uranium to make a single nuclear weapon later this year, the prestigious International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) predicts.

This interview sounds like a "learn to live with it" approach . . . which I predict will not end well.

[wilky]

Obama scares the bejebus out of me here at home. But I do believe this will be Obamas silver lining. Bush did the heavy, but necessary work, now let the silver tongued One do his thing. Its a one two punch, good cop bad cop kinda thing. If he can get a viable process towards peace in the middle east, he will be able to give the moderates something to look towards with, and I kinda hate to say this, hope, and isolate the extremist.

[Thomas Collins]

Zero has done the impossible with his remarks on the Persian nuke program. Zero has made the foreign policy statements of European Union and UN bureaucrats seem tough-minded in comparison.

Zero has also done the impossible with his remarks on bin Laden and health care. He has made a sillier remark than the one Michael Moore made in the aftermath of the 9/11/01 attacks when Moore wondered why bin Laden was attacking anti-Bush territory.

[Neo]

Every time I listen to Obama (and most other politicians), I remember this ...

Jeffrey Pelt: Listen, I'm a politician which means I'm a cheat and a liar, and when I'm not kissing babies I'm stealing their lollipops. But it also means I keep my options open. -- Hunt for Red October

I think it sums up just how to evaluate whatever he says.

[Danube of Thought]

Another instance where there is zero room for nuance: either the US will live with a nuclear Iran, or it won't. At present, I see no reason whatsoever for any hope that it won't, because nothing will be done to prevent its coming.

I also think the whole Gitmo detainee issue will, over time, become for Obama a mini-version of the search for WMD.

[clarice]

Andreew Sullivan loves it--says he's doing something no one else can do--reach over the heads of the ME leaders to talk to the people.
One stupid president. One crazy pundit. A match made in heaven.

[PeterUK]

"The silver tongue2 approach will not work on those who lie through their teeth as a matter of policy.Diplomacy is horse trading,it doesn't work unless you have a horse.

As for this,"their pursuit of a nuclear weapon which could potentially set off an arms race in the region that would make everybody less safe"
There is already an arms race in the region and has been for decades.
The man is a prat!

[MayBee]

Via Jake Tapper, Obama today:

"Nobody is more worried about the deficit and the debt than me. I will be judged by the legacy I have left behind. I don’t want to leave our children with a legacy of debt. I am inheriting an annual yearly debt of over 1 trillion."

A twofer!
The reappearance of the "nobody is more ____ than me" AND the first mention of his legacy (7 days into the job!)

[Topsecretk9]

IRAN NUKE 'THIS YEAR'

Didn't the NIE that NYT's hyped just last year say that Iran wasn't trying to make a nuke or it would take a couple of decades or something?

[Extraneus]

Two me-fers.

[PeterUK]

"I also think the whole Gitmo detainee issue will, over time, become for Obama a mini-version of the search for WMD."

Worse,they have experienced the worse you can do,the ultimate sanction which civilised society finds itself capable of,which the now know Obama will not permit.The Jihadis welcome death,what else have you got?

[Topsecretk9]

All the Dems doing lobby contract work for Dubai sailing through, but the port deal? Really bad.

[MayBee]

I found that interview scary in its naivete.

It is exactly what we all knew was coming from him. In all of his debates, he made it clear that bad actors are only responsive to the behavior of the US. They are only aggressive because we do not invite them in.

I would love to hear Appalled's opinion on this interview.

[PeterUK]

"Nobody is more worried about the deficit and the debt than me. I will be judged by the legacy I have left behind. I don’t want to leave our children with a legacy of debt. I am inheriting an annual yearly debt of over 1 trillion."

Self obsessed,Moi?

[Topsecretk9]

Wasn't approving a Dubai company to do port security inviting them in? That's exactly what Bush said and while GOP through a hissy, Dems through an even bigger one.

And on that note, if it's so important to invite all these countries in than why are Democrats punishing Columbia in spite of actual actions for change and hard work and approving trade?

[Porchlight]

He uses personal pronouns WAY too much. "I" am inheriting an annual yearly debt of over 1 trillion? Dude, you're going to be done with this job in 4 or 8 years (preferably the former). We, the country, are carrying the debt, not you personally Barry.

Boy does this guy ever love himself.

[RichatUF]

TSK9-

Timmerman had something about the Dubai Ports World deal in his last book. Not closing the deal represented an intelligence loss to the US. Schumer was in the front rank and got an airing on Savage's show. A disappointing turn of events.

why are Democrats punishing Colombia

That's easy, their terror allies are struggling and they have to help out.

[hit and run]

MayBee:
AND the first mention of his legacy (7 days into the job!)

Well, to be fair to Obama, He was trying to stay on script.

By the end of Day 6 He was supposed to look over all He had created and call it good.

Then rest on Day 7 (allowing Him to ponder His legacy).

[MayBee]

Ha!

[Pofarmer]

he will be able to give the moderates something to look towards with, and I kinda hate to say this, hope, and isolate the extremist.

Isolate the extremist from what? The normal course of events is that the extremists kill the moderates untill the moderates come around. Barry is gonna change that how?

[PeterUK]

bad,
If you read the full transcript,heavy duty,since it reads like a sixth former's poli sci project,Obama comes out as Personal Pronoun Man manque.

[LindaK]

Zero will continue with this reaching out strategy for some time because the Chief Narcissist believes his own bs and thinks that even the hardest will be won over by his eloquence, charm and brilliance.

However, I think that the Dhali Lama nailed the jihadists when he said that the only thing the islamofacists will listen to is force.

[RichatUF]

Jane-

I'm a bit surprised at the speed he has exposed his naivity, but not that he is. I remember his Israel is an "open sore" interview. His declaration then immediate walk back on Jerusalem (or even his whole AIPAC speech).

And what did he say the US had the "right" relationship 20-30 years ago? 1979-1989? The Camp David Accords, the Iran-Iraq war, PLO and PFLP terrorism worldwide, the US Embassy in Tehran occupied, the US Embassy in Pakistan sacked, the Grand Mosque Siege...stunning that he would have said that.

[Stephanie]

Not to put too fine a point on it, but Slick used to be a personal pronoun bonanza, too.

Come to think of it, all progs are. Must come from that desire to personally change the world..

Conservatives are more likely than not to say the "US" will or "America" will and frame the speech or interview in a more collective movement...

Weird huh?

[BobS]

where to start.....clarice, like you, i fear that the inner obama guidebook to leadership is the cukt of personality (thanks and apologies to Living Colour)but it wouldn't it be lovery if his, errrr, outreach to the Muslim world worked (apologies to Eliza Doolittle)but arent we also seeing (NFW its intentional - theyre not that smart) are triangulating? One one hand Hillary is playing hard ass b...tch, and Obama the soothing suck-up....what a role reversal of good cop/bad cop.....maybe they should cross-dress

[PeterUK]

"Chief Narcissist believes his own bs and thinks that even the hardest will be won over by his eloquence, charm and brilliance."

The eloquence is that of a double glazing salesman, charm would be meet in a gigolo,the brilliance - he hasn't finished the correspondence course for that yet.

[Amused bystander]

Why Clarice, I am shocked!

[Jane]

I'm falling in love with Glenn Beck. He just handed Orrin Hatch his hat on Geithner.

[Thomas Collins]

Zero may be able to live with a nuclear Iran, DOT, but Israel won't. And Zero won't be able to stop an Israeli attack on Iran by denying the Israelis Iraqi overflight rights. If Zero tried, PM Bibi Netanyahu (or whoever is the next Israeli PM) would simply inform Zero that Zero would have to order the US military to stop the Israeli planes by force. And Zero won't do that.

The Israelis have been very patient on this issue, but I suspect that their patience will run out this year. And whenever the patience of Israel runs out, real bombs, not rhetorical flourishes, ensue.

[Enlightened]

"Conservatives are more likely than not to say the "US" will or "America"

Yeah.but. Then they just label us jingoists. Liberals cannot connect the dots without a label firmly affixed.....

Can you say libbies, libbies, libbies love their labels, labels, labels.

[BobS]

....sorry i'm not watching beck.....watching ncis reruns......hatch, who's politics i admire is one of the reasons the gop is in trouble....he's been one of the old gop senate weenies, that when dems played hardball, he wanted to make sure everyone knew he was a nice guy. thats neither leadership or representation

[BobS]

firts interview to a muslim network, eh? i would have understood bill moyers

[Rick Ballard]

"And whenever the patience of Israel runs out, real bombs, not rhetorical flourishes, ensue."

TC,

The absorption of all those corrupted by being raised in the Eastern bloc has not been beneficial to Israel, although it was absolutely necessary. Even if Netanyahu wins, he's going to have a slim plurality. I don't think they'll go after Iran until Iran does something spectacularly stupid. Which could be tomorrow, given Obumbles idiotic statements. I didn't think anyone could be more stupid than April Gillespie when talking to muslim bums but the President left her in the dust.

I hope that Israel decides to go forward with site preparation for the Gaza redevelopment project on an accelerated basis. Another way to achieve a "contiguous country" is to drive every damned Palestinian in Gaza into the West Bank on foot.

[Enlightened]

Gotta love the Susanrice-like question his wonderful host on the interview jumped off with:

"Tell us a little bit about how do you see your personal role, because, you know, if the President of the United States is not involved, nothing happens -- as the history of peacemaking shows. Will you be proposing ideas, pitching proposals, parameters, as one of your predecessors did? Or just urging the parties to come up with their own resolutions, as your immediate predecessor did?

What is it - make.up.your.frikking.minds.

The US needs to get involved or the US needs to stay out of it.

Pick a side you mofos and STAY THE COURSE.

[narciso]

Yes, BobS, watching NCIS even thrice run reruns is a much better use of time, than either Glenn (specially after he botched
his first major interview) and matthews is only good to laugh at on Newsbusters. So Gelber and Meek are the two declared candidates so far, what is our side waiting
for?

[BobS]

neo...thants one of my favorite lines ever...i can watch that movie anytime its one....what a sap i am

[Enlightened]

Oh snap! Betsy N reporting that "lobbyists" eager to be on the Bambi payroll are leaving their positions in droves, even taking paycuts, so they can get legitimized and wipe the "lobbyist" taint of their label.

Democrats - they just LOVE working for the government. They just LOVE government.

I'm close to losing my lunch.

Scroll to 2nd entry "Revolving Door"
http://betsyspage.blogspot.com/

[Enlightened]

Exit question: If the "lobbyists" are leaving their old jobs, doesn't that mean Bambi has already created more jobs for - lobbyists?

[BobS]

enlightened...betsy is an american history teacher....and her blog should be on everyone's "must read daily favorites list" i've written her and tried to get her to post here

[Rocco]

I find O's stimulus package scary in it's shove toward socialism.

4.1 billion for ACORN, that Che Guevara worshipping cult. 650 million for analog-digital conversion coupons, and 50 million to the National Endowment for the Arts for more Piss Christ...Heaven help us.

It's time Republicans take a stand! Not even one vote.

[BobS]

rocco...i have to admit that i've been encouraged by the response of gop/conservatives to all things obama that are about dem party building and their far left agenda.....dems allow their idealogues to run their party and if fact cheerlead for them..... we do not.....

[Rocco]

BobS

He doesn't need even one republican vote to pass this nightmare. Why's he asking for GOP help? So he can blame us too when this fiasco fails terribly.

[Enlightened]

Mindnumbingly unbelievable these idiots do not get that NOT EVERYONE IS ENTITLED to own a house! Vacuous twit Amanda Marcotte gibbering on that Republicans don't want people to own houses because we don't want to fund ACORN, and we can't handle it that people f--k! So we need this PRO Debt Plan. So the government can perpetuate idiocy, and the idiots that practice it.

[BobS]

rocco...its either part of the big obama con, or he's really in love with himself and believes he can talk his way into or out of anything. i'd actually be more comfortable with the former. we cannot have a total narcissists in the wh like that

[Amused bystander]

BobS: You might consider the idea that it is both.

[BobS]

thats worse, amused, maybe he's a tony robins desciple

[narciso]

I hears somewhere that he's a big follower of the "Secret"

[BobS]

what remains frightening is how for an american president there are so many holes in his life story. never have we had that. its almost as if the mancurian candidate has come to life.

[BobS]

if a disaster is in the making, it will be the biggest shame to have been placed on one group of thinkers in history

[BobS]

dems are so fond of calling gop ideas wrong headed....can you iamgine?

[narciso]

There's a bit of an irony, as HishamMeshem, is pretty balanced for a reporter for a major Arab network; yet Obama strove to bend over backwards to Arab sensibilities
about Israel, American power, et al.

[Pagar]

Will you be proposing ideas, pitching proposals, parameters, as one of your predecessors did?

Looks like a course of action was left out----Surrendering.

[Danube of Thought]

"Will you be proposing ideas, pitching proposals, parameters, as one of your predecessors did?"

How'd that work out?

[PeterUK]

"Obama strove to bend over backwards to Arab sensibilities"

Of course he did. He has to consider the "Arab Street" all those small anonymous donors that help make up the third of a billion dollars that got him elected.

[PeterUK]

Sorry TWO THIRDS OF A BILLION DOLLARS that got OBAMA ELECTED

[BobS]

eager to please and not to lead or represent. he'll have to put his high mindedness to a test at some point. if indeed we are tested, he will have to respond. thats not necessarily good as he might overreach. will he back out of strikes in pakisatn? or in afghanistan? and what if his rush to leave iraq to prove his liberal bonifedes backfires? none of these are good and when taken in this context, its troubling.

[Caro]

I'm falling in love with Glenn Beck. He just handed Orrin Hatch his hat on Geithner.

And I wrote Hatch such a nice letter, too. I am embarrassed for Utah.

650 million for analog-digital conversion coupons,

Seems like enough to buy a flat screen for everyone who has analog.

Enlightened, libbie labels. Too funny!

[qrstuv]

"The normal course of events is that the extremists kill the moderates untill the moderates come around."

That is the point that President Zero can't get his head around. Can't, won't ever get it. It does not compute, you see, because Dialogue Solves Everything.

[Jane]

Hey Caro - how's the skiing? We are expecting a foot of snow tomorrow

[narciso]

You think that's really it, or it's his political orientation; the whole aspect of te center and the periphery we talked about earlier.

[Amused bystander]

What if it is not high mindedness, but treason.

Does anyone in the world not think that America would respond in kind now to a nuclear attack?

Would he impose marshal law? Are we be set up for a Muslim provide Reichstag fire.

We are in completely new territory here. At least Carter was a Naval Officer.

This really will not go on for 4 years something has to give.

BTW, the good cop/bad cop meme is hooey. No adversary will buy it.

I think The One is in their pockets.

The GOP need to expose this mess, as well has who was really behind this financial crisis.

This is really starting to stink.

[Amused bystander]

would not respond*

[BobS]

ouch to the snow, jane...it will take way too much cash that i will no longer make to move north.

[PeterUK]

"At least Carter was a Naval Officer."

Whereas Obama is a navel gazer.

[BobS]

drumb roll and high hat form puk

[PeterUK]

It is amazing how calmly this interview has been taken,transpose it to the height of the cold war and Vietnam. This is John F.Kerry talking to the Viet Cong!

[BobS]

whats so saddening, is that gop would have been willing to meet him on something...so far he's used these rep sit-downs he gains in put-downs and inuendos and makes sure he gets his spin delivered to his msm enables like the one today with usnewsandworldreport.

on an aside, am i the only one to notice that the POLITICO is not toeing the dem line at all. obama received fairly smooth treatment from them during, but its a different story now, they hit him with smeak attck questions and written stories unflattering. it almost seems to be a clear editorial change for them. it will pull readers, no doubt.

[Mel]

I numbercrunch all day, put on some Stan Getz, and begin to read.

Didn't take long to get me depressed...

Have I mentioned that the Blagojevich tapes, that were played for the impeachment trial today, said almost nothing?

Why look! There's an LUN!

[Mel]

PUK-

and a lint picker, while he's there.

[Rick Ballard]

via Iain Murray on The Corner:

Michelle Bachman (Republican Congresswoman MN-6) has a blog tracking daily business at the Capitol Hill Brothel and Grill. Each piece includes pertinent links to the actual business underway - which are very rare in the news articles which purport to 'report' the legislature's doings.

Worth bookmarking.

[Analien]

Poor Israel. It will disappear when Iran gets its nukes and the Jews sit on their hands. Congratulations to American Jews who voted for the Magic Negro. You deserve what you voted for.

[Pagar]

This is John F.Kerry talking to the Viet Cong!

With the same political supporters behind him, plus the same evidence that this is not acceptable behavior for Americans-NONE.

[PD]

Zero will continue with this reaching out strategy for some time because the Chief Narcissist believes his own bs and thinks that even the hardest will be won over by his eloquence, charm and brilliance.

Actually, Himself's attributes are so full of wonderfulness all he has to do is send his envoy.

[narciso]

You're right about Politico, in part. That excerpt in Sweetness and Light,which I'm considering including for a Pajamas Media piece; in a different time, might have appeared in National Review or even the
Weekly Standard. Even the tone of the piece regarding the Governor's new PAC, was relatively balanced. The comments are as with everything regarding her, not so balanced. Maybe the idea of dictation for the next few years, doesn't appeal as a good business strategy. Then again that might be wishful thinking on my part.

How does it work again, you submit the piece, and they reformat to whatever the HTML requirement of the particular blog is.
Than again if I works with Pajamas, then I have to deal with Rick Moran, and I haven't been entirely complimentary to his efforts, he won't hold that against me, right. Maybe I should submit it to American Thinker instead.

[Pagar]

Rick, That was an excellent link to Michelle Bachman's site. It's really thrilling to see that we have at least one Republican opposing the complete takeover of Washington by Obamabots.

[narciso]

Alien, how many times do I have to tell you, not to use such language. A nuclear attack might very well lead to a "Sampson Option" against much of the Arab world. No one should seriously want that.
Unfortunately,the gist of your point is sadly true.Norman Podhoretz, may be have been only premature when he wrote
"Lamentations" in Commentary in 1990, and Dan Simmons, more than a little prescient in his "Letter from the Future" I dearly hope I'm wrong about this, but I'm afraid I may be right.

[Pofarmer]

"The normal course of events is that the extremists kill the moderates untill the moderates come around."

That is the point that President Zero can't get his head around. Can't, won't ever get it. It does not compute, you see, because Dialogue Solves Everything.

Well, at least we're getting around to the reason why Rhetoric won't solve anything in the middle east. The only way to pry the moderates from the extremists is to kill the extremists. At least Bush got that. Barack Hussein? He's gonna hand wide swaths to the extremists, just watch. I wonder if he's ever studied the history of Neville Chamberlain?

[Jane]

That was an excellent link to Michelle Bachman's site

She was on Beck today, pleading with the audience to flood their representatives phones with opposition to the bail-out. She was more passionate than any other elected official that I have ever seen.

[narciso]

On a more cheery note, I like the format of Bachman's blog, it's very clear, with a kind of a parchment background, gives it a very
dignified feel to it.

[narciso]

What was that line, from Churchill, about the "exhilerating feeling, of having been fired upon and missed"; well that was what happened with Bachman, who suffered a full round of the nut roots venom, and having survived. That she made it, and Coleman is now between jobs, is a solid indicator of the character and value of each.

[hit and run]

narciso:
Than again if I works with Pajamas, then I have to deal with Rick Moran, and I haven't been entirely complimentary to his efforts, he won't hold that against me, right. Maybe I should submit it to American Thinker instead.

Heh, Moran's at AT too, of course...

Not that he'd be the person you'd deal with, but...

[Neo]

The way I see it, Israel has to hope that Iran can't do anything for another 16 months. Then the US combat units will be out of Iraq and there will be nothing left to stop Israel from launching a strike.