US reaction to Obama speech
Domestic reaction to President Obama's Cairo speech is filtering in, and given its sweep and ambition, the reviews are decidedly mixed.
Senator John F. Kerry, chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, called Obama's speech "blunt" but necessary to put the United States and Muslim countries on a new path.
"President Obama's blunt, honest address in Cairo was absolutely critical in signaling a new era of understanding with Muslim communities worldwide," Kerry said in a statement. "He shattered stereotypes on both sides, reminded the west and the Muslim world of our responsibilities, and reaffirmed one of America's highest ideals and traditional roles -- that those who seek freedom and democracy, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, have no greater friend than the United States of America.
"We know that one impressive speech will not erase years of mistrust and missed opportunities just as Dr. King's 'I Have A Dream' speech did not complete the civil rights movement. Deeds will have to follow words. President Obama did not paper over difficult challenges from combating violent extremism and resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, to dealing with Iran’s nuclear weapons program and threats to religious freedom and women’s equality. These will all require tough-minded diplomacy and global cooperation. But in addressing these challenges directly, President Obama has created an historic opportunity to find a new beginning. "
But the Republican Jewish Coalition faulted Obama for treating Israelis and Palestinians too equally.
"President Barack Obama, in his major speech in Cairo this morning, struck a balanced tone with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and that's what was wrong with this speech," the coalition's executive director, Matthew Brooks, said in a statement.
"American policy should not be balanced - it should side with those who fight terror, not those who either engage in it or are too weak to prevent it. This conflict will not reach a peaceful conclusion until the Palestinians put an end to terrorism, violence, and incitement against Israel. American policy has long been to support Israel - a fellow democracy and committed ally of this country - in its efforts to achieve lasting security for its citizens. Israel's good faith efforts have been met by unremitting Palestinian violence and what is in effect an internal Palestinian civil war. Peace and security go hand in hand - Israel has repeatedly reached out her hand in peace only to have it slapped back. The President's remarks to the world's Muslims today appear to mark the beginning of a worrisome shift in U.S. policy.
"We urge President Obama to return to the policy of holding the security of Israel as a key American priority and requiring significant, concrete, and verifiable moves toward peace from the Palestinian side."
But Ira N. Forman, CEO of the National Jewish Democratic Council, was more positive.
"President Barack Obama's speech this morning in Cairo did not just reiterate what the audience wanted to hear," Forman said in a statement. "Instead, Obama was forthright about the necessity for acceptance of the Jewish homeland in Israel and called for Palestinian abandonment of violence. We praise Obama for reaching out to the Muslim world and for his commitment to Middle East peace. Similarly, we recognize his wisdom in speaking directly to the Muslim world about the need to abandon fantasies of destroying Israel and in reiterating America's unbreakable bond with the Jewish State."
Activists on the humanitarian crisis and conflict in Darfur -- which the US State Department has labeled a genocide -- said that Obama's "failure to call for a joint push for peace in Sudan is a glaring omission."
"The President rightly called the situation in Darfur 'a stain on our collective conscience,'” said Enough Project executive director John Norris said in a statement, "but that is not enough. The president needs to articulate a clear vision of how a lasting peace is going to be achieved for all of Sudan, and demonstrate through his actions rather than just his words that this is a political priority. The situation in Darfur deserves more than a single sentence of the president's attention."
Jerry Fowler, president of the Save Darfur Coalition, added, "President Obama missed an important opportunity in his Cairo speech to the Muslim world by not reiterating his commitment to lead for peace in Sudan, where 2.7 million Muslim civilians have been driven from their homes and hundreds of thousands have perished because of violence orchestrated by the government. President Obama could have asked all governments in the region to join him in offering a choice to Khartoum between concrete progress toward peace, which will result in improved relations, or continued obstructionism and use of violence, which will lead to increased isolation."
David Harris, national executive director of the American Jewish Committee, gave mixed marks to Obama.
“In the heart of a region where denial is routine – denial of Israel’s right to exist, denial of the historic link of Jews to their homeland, denial of the Holocaust – President Obama spoke the truth with a clear, unwavering voice,” Harris said in a statement.
But he added, Obama should have been more explicit about the danger Iran's pursuit of nuclear weapons poses to the entire Middle East and to global security.
"Iran's theocratic regime is a world leader in supporting terrorism, threatening moderate Arab regimes, and orchestrating the chorus of extremists who deny Israel's right to exist,” said Harris. “The U.S. has an obligation to more vigorously lead the international community in stopping the Iranian nuclear program."
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If the complaint is that he treated people "too equally" then the problem is with the critic. I mean seriously - what the hell kind of criticism is that?
Ignatz,
Yea, that comment stuck out to me as well. Really/! TOO equal?
Should the President have more empathy for Israel?
I have so many Jewish friends who fully disagree with this REPUBLICAN Jewish Coalition statement. Just more of the typical right-wing self-righteous crap that we've all unfortunately gotten used to. I commend President Obama on taking the steps to work for peace and unity in the Middle East. It's so refreshing to have a president who truly looks at other's as our equals. Because of this new approach, Muslim and Arab nations will be far more likely to assist us in fighting terrorism and promoting peace.
Mr. Rhee -
I realize your fingers are worn out with posting verbatim every word falling the The One's lips - but when a national party chair is in your back yard, that doesn't merit a line?
Michael Steele was in Boston last night for a speech. Can you pull yourself away from POTUS transcription/dictation to report on political events that..well...are actually IN Boston?
And please don't whine that you couldn't get there, or weren't invited. You aren't in Egypt either...or are you?
Worst presidential speech I've ever heard. Full of lies, deceit, false humility and undue praise. It should have come with a warning label and a vomit bag.
You dont treat terrorists and democratic nations equally..Obama is trying to be everyones friend and he will be taken advantage of by both friend and foe....Islam and the West have much in common??? Like what?, beheadings, religious intolerance, repression, homophobia, stonings, no rights for women?
JuanPeron, how about some facts to back up that claim?
Our president is proving himself to be a fine statesman. How long have we waited? And meanwhile, workers need work and bankers need to be regulated.
Re: #5 Thanks for the insight Juan! Glad that an ultraright dictator and Nazi sympathizer such as yourself can be so thoughtful.
Doesn't the Bible say we're all created equal? And doesn't it also say that "whosoever believeth in me shall not perish"? My Bible doesn't mention anyone that was to be excluded. How can anyone be treated TOO equal? President Obama should be commended for his efforts for peace in the Middle East. He is doing exactly what he said he would do and is keeping in line with his campaign promise. It’s time we had a president that cares. I suppose JuanPeron didn't listen to any presidential speeches in last eight years. No one with any education at all would say Obama's speech was the worst speech they had ever heard if they had.
i consider myself an atheist, and i converted to Judaism - my wife and her family are Jewish. Many Jew's do not support this view either - it takes two to tango - Israel has done some horrific things as well - of course, when you are a "state" you can do these things - if you are not given the benefit of a "state" you are a terrorist. We need to change our ways of dealing with all of this - Obama is making important strides in that direction - and that does not mean we condone terrorism.
Great Speech president Obama
KEEP MOVING FORWARD
Blah blah blah, Islam made major contributions to civilization - like a thousand years ago. Since then it has been stymied by backward thinking and resistance to progress. Muslims will be taken seriously when they do away with this gang mentality of "no snitches". When do you ever hear Muslims speak up against their own when they perpetrate (or attempt to perpetrate) crimes of terror - like those morons in NYC a couple of weeks ago? You don't. Why can't Obama see this? Oh yeah, he's a naive amateur.
I kept waiting for him to say bombing begins in five minutes. What a disappointment.
struck a balanced tone with regard to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and that's what was wrong with this speech,"
Dont understand that part... Job well done Obama... We are all equal and should be treated like it...
The Jews in Isreal are the terrorists, not the Palestinians.
JuanPeron:
According to your comments, Obama should pursue the same foreign policies as Bush the Second... Yeah riiiiigggghhhttttt... Where did those policies lead us to for eight years? Answer: NOWHERE!
Did you purchase your ticket to the inauguration of GWB's presidential library? Oooooppsss! My bad, I heard they didn't raise enough funds to build it! Awwww, what a shame, isn't? ROTFLMAO!!!
The bad news is Iran will soon have a nuclear weapon. The good news is they will have to drop it off the back of a mule cart!
I love the parts where he stated that Muslims "helped build our tallest buldings", yet failed to mention that Muslims also brought them down.
He should have lectured the moslems about respecting other religions.
Excellent speech, it's high time we put the interest of America first before the interest of Israel and its voracious appetite for Palestinian lands, farms, towns and territories. Right wing pundits have incorrectly portrayed the recent conflict between the U.S. and the Middle East as a cultural one for dubious reasons, mainly to further the interest of a bellicose/ religious minority alliance in this country . Obama is trying to remedy some of the colossal foreign policy mistakes made by the well-meaning yet easily manipulated simpelton W.
Finally we have a dignified, well educated, intelligent president and an eloquent representative of our country that we can and should be proud of !
this was just a lot of hot air and lies from Obama as is every speech that he reads from his teleprompters, I can and will agree that he is very good at reading from them, but as far as substance and the feelings of the American people he missed the mark completely . . Most of what was said is not what America is all about, he is favoring the wrong people, he should be for the United States, and not be trying to change our system and beliefs.
6.You dont treat terrorists and democratic nations equally..Obama is trying to be everyones friend and he will be taken advantage of by both friend and foe....Islam and the West have much in common??? Like what?, beheadings, religious intolerance, repression, homophobia, stonings, no rights for women?
Posted by scooter1962 June 4, 09 11:35 AM
If you mean the West under Bush, then yes, all of the above.
this was just a lot of hot air and lies from Obama as is every speech that he reads from his teleprompters, I can and will agree that he is very good at reading from them, but as far as substance and the feelings of the American people he missed the mark completely . . Most of what was said is not what America is all about, he is favoring the wrong people, he should be for the United States, and not be trying to change our system and beliefs.
"Too equally" comment.
The critic could have articulated his point more appropriately, but his critique was NOT wrong or misguided. He is exactly right.
Yes, there is blame to place on both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. However, that blame is not equal, just as in the case of two feuding people. By Obama refusing to acknowledge this simple truth he exposes himself as a talking head with either (a) no convinction, or (b) conviction that runs contrary to US interests and wester principles.
#11, Mike:
The actions of the Palestinians are not considered terrorist because they don't have statehood, it's the actions themselves! Indiscriminately sending missiles into crowded civilian areas is terrorism. It's not that difficult to comprehend.
The days of believing that name calling ie "axis of evil", ... "shock and awe", and...... proclaiming were winning, winning, "winning the war against terror", promoted or achieved our goals is long past. Diplomacy is devoid of sports analogies. The lowest common denomiator interpretation of world crisis rarely finds success. Our previous president lacked in most aspects of verbal international diplomacy and rarely hit a home run at home in his speeches while the rest of the world scratched their heads. Americans should compare the language of Bush and Obama. Be thankful we have the later.