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February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
June 24, 2009
2 Tamuz 5769
Obama plays Goldilocks on Iran
By
Roger Simon
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
It was yet another Goldilocks performance. President Obama faces them all the time when there is a crisis (which there always seems to be).
He can't be too hot — there can be incredible repercussions both at home and abroad regarding anything he says and how he says it — but he can't be too cold.
The not-too-cold part seems to be the tougher role for him. He is Mr. Cool, after all. "No Drama" Obama. The president who said on his 100th day in office, "Things are never as good as they seem and never as bad as they seem."
As David Axelrod, his chief adviser, once put it to me, "One of Barack's strengths is that he is never too high and never too low. He doesn't pump his fists in the air and whoop when things go well, and he doesn't holler when they don't."
But these days — with repression and rioting in Iran — Obama's critics want to see some pump and whoop and holler. They want to see some passion, some (bloodless) blood and guts.
So at his news conference Tuesday afternoon, Obama turned up the heat a little. But just a little, like a master chef looking for just the right temperature to cook the dish without burning it.
Obama said he was "appalled and outraged by the threats, beatings and imprisonments of the last few days" in Iran.
But even when presidents try to follow the Goldilocks strategy of being "not too hot and not too cold, but just right," they find they get held to an even higher standard: Why weren't they just right sooner?
After Obama said he was "appalled and outraged," Major Garrett of Fox News asked him, "What took you so long?"
At this, Mr. Cool turned into Mr. Icy. "I don't think that's accurate. Track what I've been saying," the president said. "We've been entirely consistent."
And when another reporter asked if he was responding to the criticism of John McCain and other Republicans who implied he had been "weak and timid," Obama said: "What do you think? I think John McCain has genuine passion about many of these international issues. Only I'm the president of the United States."
So there. And when NBC's Chuck Todd asked why he would not spell out the consequences for Iran if the rulers there did not clean up their act, Obama said, "I know everybody here is on a 24-hours news cycle. I am not."
The news conference was supposed to be held in the Rose Garden, but when temperatures rose into the 80s, it was moved inside to the White House Briefing Room. This did not disturb the White House press corps, which is used to being stored in a cool, dark place.
Wearing a tie that was an icy shade of lavender, Obama remained, as always, unflappable. Before the news conference, MSNBC's Chris Matthews said he was "almost debonair" in his manner. After the news conference, you could remove the "almost."
Obama is not of the "run about, scream and shout" school of political activism that often dominates talk TV. What is Obama really going to do about Iran? His options are limited. Direct intervention? Ground troops? Forget about it. He got no questions about Iraq or Afghanistan where American troops continue to fight and die, because those countries are not the flavor of the day. Today.
He did get several questions about health care and the economy, and he did say he feels the pain and understands the frustration of the American people.
"I don't expect them to be satisfied," Obama said. "Look, the American people have a right to feel this is a tough time right now. What is incredible to me is how resilient the American people have been."
You mean we've had a choice?
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© 2009, Creators Syndicate
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