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Home Page > Blogs > News blogs > Periscope > Obama lacks the political courage to call Mubarak what he is -- an evil dictator

Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

Obama lacks the political courage to call Mubarak what he is -- an evil dictator

Posted on Thursday, February 03, 2011 at 04:50 PM

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As one of the pivotal moments in recent history unfolds in Egypt President Obama is acting like a cat got his tongue.

Instead of speaking out forthrightly against the terror unleashed by the Mubarak mobs he has equivocated and calibrated every response.

Instead of telling Mubarak that after 30 years of misrule he should go, our president uses weasel words and qualifiers.

Where is George W Bush when you need him? At least he called a spade a spade

Or Ronald Reagan telling Gorbachev to tear down the Berlin Wall?

Or John F. Kennedy proclaiming Ich Bin Ein Berliner ?

If ever there was a moment to stand up for democracy, for people over the powerful it is now.

I thought that was vaguely the platform that Mubarakobama was elected on but clearly not one he cares to deliver on.

Sure there have been fine words and wonderful promises, but in his first foreign policy crisis he is pussyfooting around like a tenderfoot.

Sure there are regional issues, sure there is the long term to consider but how bad could it be to stand up for democracy when millions are on the street pleading for their chance at it?

He would be be an instant hero on the Arab street and reverse much of the damage done for decades in the Arab world.

But Obama is curiously mute lacking the bigness to overcome the whispers from advisers not to call a spade a spade and convince him it is all too complicated.

Churchill called out the Nazis, john F Kennedy and Ronald Reagan the communists in Berlin.

Who will call out the Egyptian dictator?

Alas, it seems not this American president.

More's the shame.

Ich Bin Ein Mubaraker .

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24 comments

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DLW12183 | Feb 04, 2011, 10:31 AM EST

haasny007-you conveniently left out Clinton as an 8 year President during the Mubarak regime. That's only roughly 25% of the time of the regime. Interesting how people approach issues by which side of the isle they happen to be on.

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haasny007 | Feb 04, 2011, 10:15 AM EST

Niall, like Bush you also don't do nuance, right?! Politics is complicated in the Middle East, and you should know that Mubarak was coddled and showered with US financial aid second only to Israel by American presidents since Reagan because he has been a force of stability in a volatile region. Political stability has always reigned supreme for the US in this region which is the main supplier of oil to this voracious energy using country. Mubarak wasn't a lesser dictator during Reagan, Bush I and Bush II. Why did they not call him what he really always was? Obama is now in the uncomfortable position because Egyptians finally came to their senses and are demanding democracy and are willing to die for it. Obama has no other choice but gradually shifting his support to the opposition because he has to work with whoever is in power in Cairo. He also did call for Mubarak to resign and leave the country. What else can he do? Send in the marines? That would be really "wise" and Bush/Cheney would probably consider it.

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DLW12183 | Feb 04, 2011, 09:27 AM EST

Obama's problem-he wants everybody to like "him". He is always in campaign mode. He is no leader. He has his own agenda. Why do you think he bows to foreign leaders? He is weak-another Jimmy Carter when it comes to foreign policy. And the VP... what an act!

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cillowen | Feb 04, 2011, 09:22 AM EST

Obama-r slavic nature shows big. An extraordinary people yearning to breathe free - awesome courageous, demonstrated against their 30 years under a dictator who cares so much for his people who claims being desirous to stay on to save 'em. Chutzpah beyond belief

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Towngate | Feb 04, 2011, 09:18 AM EST

LIKE A RABBIT in the headlights he 'freezes' just waiting to be told exactly what to do! And when he is - he better do it exactly or he'll be on the next camel out after his pal; the horrible hosni! - - - - - Btw,a chara: Terrific Headline and 'wordplay' in the post!

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crny925 | Feb 04, 2011, 09:16 AM EST

AMEN!!!

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Dublinjas | Feb 04, 2011, 04:17 AM EST

The Israeli's want Mubarak to stay, It suits them, and since they run the White House, need I say more?? Who can ever forget Obama's Command Performance at AIPAC, Before he could get the job he had to get their approval.

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KathyCallahan | Feb 03, 2011, 11:25 PM EST

Sing song on a flat note "mubarekobama" is very consistent: think again about his response to Iran, gulf disaster. The only time that I ever saw Obama demonstrate passionate emotion and conviction was before and during a trip to Boston.

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Monsoonman | Feb 03, 2011, 09:46 PM EST

Niall, he didn't support the people of Iran when they were demonstrating in the streets against their totalitarian rulers in 2009 and 2010. He never criticized the regime in Tehran for being the brutal dictators that they are. They just hanged a Dutch woman for demonstrating against the Iranian regime...Not a peep out of Obama or Hillary....But if you follow Obamas political career, at least the part that is not sealed from public view, you will note that when it came to controversial issues he usually voted "present".

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