Is this what you want from a leader?

[Anonymous]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/09/13/obama-egypt_n_1879549.html

In this video interview Obama is asked about America's relationship with Egypt. He says, "I don't think that we would consider them an ally, but we don't consider them an enemy,"

This is not how a true leader speaks. The mushy language ("I don't think" "we don't consider them") doesn't tell me if Egypt is actually an ally or not. He is our president. He and his state department need to tell us if Egypt is or is not our ally, not what he "thinks" or "considers" to be the case.
The way he speaks just disgusts me. He seems so passive and dispassionate about the whole thing. He says a few facts as though he's broadcasting the weather, but he says nothing about what he plans to do regarding our relationship with Egypt. Just sit back and see what the Egyptians do. He can get all riled up during a political convention or at a fundraiser. But he has been completely incompetent in his foreign policy. No, he has not earned his Nobel Peace Prize, not even a little bit.

This isn't the first time he's under-reacted, just the biggest and most recent time.

[Anonymous]

His description seems pretty spot on and diplomatic to me.

Here is your foreign relations lesson for the day: an ally is someone who will seriously have your back if you go to war and need extra troops.

Egypt is not an ally. However, they are not an enemy either. We don't have hostile relations with them (ftmp).

Now, if you want to get hung up on the rhetorical efficacy of "I don't think," that is another discussion.

But yeah, for me, someone who understands the difference between an ally and enemy is somebody I want as a leader.

What do you expect him to do of a non allied country? Declare war if they dont come to our defense?

[jsteele]

The real world is complex and nuanced. The other day Mittens made a very clear statement about Russia and nearly set off a diplomatic crisis. Putin is using that statement to justify continued defense build up and a stronger line regarding the US missile defense system.

So, yes, I'd rather have a bit of mealy-mouthing then foot-in-mouthing

You guys are really stretching with your criticism. Moreover, you are not really on very strong ground. If you want to talk about presidential-sounding statements, Mittens has really put you in a really big hole. You might want to consider a line of argument that is a bit more favorable to your side.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:The real world is complex and nuanced. The other day Mittens made a very clear statement about Russia and nearly set off a diplomatic crisis.

His name is Mitt. I'm this was just an error on your part. Surely a moderator would wish to appear as one of the more mature folks in the group, instead of one of the less mature ones.

[Anonymous]

This is the thing OP - he is right!. How can he say that Egypt is an ally when the country is in a state of flux and its not clear where the muslim brotherhood is headed. I will take Obama dispassion over the cowboy attitude of our other "leaders" anyday. Frankly, I think you need to be dispassionate in order to do this job - otherwise you end up making boneheaded decisions that come back to haunt you over and over and over again.

BTW, this is the remainder of Obama's statement:
“I think it’s still a work in progress, but certainly in this situation, what we’re going to expect is that they are responsive to our insistence that our embassy is protected, our personnel is protected.”

[Anonymous]

he's weak like carter. Are you ready for some hostages!

[Anonymous]

Well except that the US Govt. has designated Egypt as a "Major Non-NATO Ally" since 1989.

And now the State Department has said that Egypt is an "ally."

That is your foreign relations lesson for the day.

[Anonymous]

He's absolutely right. He can't call them an enemy, and he can't call them an ally.

He said it just right. Mittens seems to have to say everything twice, and that is not presidential at all.

[Freeman]

You are upset because he said our course of action was to "Just sit back and see what the Egyptians do." I'm just curious, but in your world, how do you determine whether or not a country is an ally, an enemy, or something in between, if not by observing their actions and reactions as suggested? This is a new government, so there's not much past history to look at.(And what there is hasn't always been aligned with US interests, although they sometimes have) What do you think we should "do"? Pass them a note in the UN during recess asking "Will you be my ally? Check the box for yes or no."?

[Anonymous]

And I would rather have a leader who is wishy washy rhetorically than one that makes up reasons to go to war (Bush) who blatantly lies about the administration's statements (Mittens).

AS for the NON NATO ally--yeah, but this is not the same as having a mutual defense treaty, which means in this case, Egypt isn't expected to do much but protect our embassy.

So still not seeing the issue...

[Anonymous]

ANd Jeff and PPs are correct. A new regime (not a new leader, but a whole new government) does change the previous ally status to a degree.

But that would be too layered for you to undertand, I suppose.

[Anonymous]

How did Mitt lie about the administration's statements?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:The real world is complex and nuanced. The other day Mittens made a very clear statement about Russia and nearly set off a diplomatic crisis.

His name is Mitt. I'm this was just an error on your part. Surely a moderator would wish to appear as one of the more mature folks in the group, instead of one of the less mature ones.

Frankly, I aspire to immaturity.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:ANd Jeff and PPs are correct. A new regime (not a new leader, but a whole new government) does change the previous ally status to a degree.

But that would be too layered for you to undertand, I suppose.

Might want to tell the State Department that. Seems too layered for them too?

[Anonymous]

Have you been hiding under a rock? His
Misrepresentation of the entire thing has been excoriated on almost every fem of media as crass politicking to outright lying.