Obama's speech covered too much ground, lacked a central thesis and had misleading quality. A similar reaction was shown to former president Woodrow Wilson’s speech in Paris, “God Almighty only had 10 points while Wilson had 14.” On the other hand, many parts of the speech resonated in Egypt and it seemed that most listeners took something away from the speech.
In his speech, Obama said, "we have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written." He then quoted the Quran, Talmud and the Holy Bible and said that the work now must be done here on Earth. Obama’s goal in doing this was to connect the audience and show a common thread in all the religions. Creating this common thread seemed to go over better in foreign countries than it did here in America. Americans do not want to see themselves compared to anyone else but it seems that's what people of the Muslim world do want, to be seen as an equal.
The Jewish Coalition issued a statement that said Obama compared Israel and Palestine too equally which received a lot of flack from people who commented, referring to “all men are created equal.” Other critics said Obama did a good job connecting with the audience, speaking to them, not at them and quoting versus from the Quran. Even though he mispronounced a name or two, critics said he was politically correct and addressed the pros instead of the cons. The Huffington Post said that there is hope, and that Muslims in Cairo applauded when he spoke about democracy, free speech, women's rights, education, technology and especially when he quoted from the Quran.
Obama did not get any shoes thrown at him like former president George W. Bush did in Iraq or get the applause President Ronald Reagan received in Berlin. Reagan was interrupted a number of times during his speech in Berlin for applause. The reaction to Obama’s speech was much less extreme. One Web site said Reagan’s speech in Berlin contains one of the most memorable lines spoken during his presidency, “tear down this wall.” I do not think Obama accomplished a feat as strong as Reagan this early in his presidency, but a recent Gallup poll said the speech did not hurt his popularity. Reagan’s speech in Berlin also had very mixed reactions internationally until the Berlin wall actually came down and then it was said to be critical and dismissive.
Domestically, Obama’s speech still received mixed reactions but more seemed to be negative than how it was received internationally. On the other hand, Senator John Kerry, chairman of the foreign relations committee, said the speech was "blunt", "honest" and "necessary to put the United States and Muslim countries on a new path" while others said it should have been more explicit. Obama was praised for reaching out to the Muslim world but admitted that one speech cannot erase the years of mistrust and missed opportunities. Kerry also said, "deeds will have to follow words," implying that President Obama must continue on the same path and that he must now "walk the walk."
The Huffington Post described Obama's speech as "meticulously and strategically crafted as if penned by a chess master." It said he had to "simultaneously appease millions humiliated and dejected by a hypocritical and brutal U.S. foreign policy, and also justify U.S. objectives without appearing imperialistic or apologetic." It proved to be successful when one audience member interrupted him during his speech to shout "We love you!"
An editorial in the New York Times said Obama's speech and Vice President Joe Biden's pre-election visit to Lebanon seemed to help undercut the extremists at the polls and may continue to do so. It also said that he was wise to send U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell to Beirut on Thursday and Damascus on Friday because there is a lot to talk about. One article said Mitchell has been to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Egypt and other key nations seeking a resumption of negotiations on Palestinian statehood.
President Obama held out the possibility of working with Hezbollah if the people are ready to forsake violence for democratic politics. The Times said Mitchell needs to now evaluate whether it is time to encourage Syrian peace talks with Israel.
One of the best reviews I have read about Obama's speech was written by Eugene Robinson at the Washington Post. Robinson talked about the impact in other countries seeing an American president with an appearance and background that is like no other American president. The son of a Muslim, Obama himself spent part of his childhood in a Muslim setting. Robinson said with Obama, the Muslim world especially, "might be more inclined to believe that the United States is not an enemy of Islam." During his speech, Obama spoke the language of Islam in a tone of respect. Robinson said he thinks that the fact that Obama admitted to mistakes did not show the sign of weakness expected, but showed one of confidence and strength and he believes that is exactly how it was received by his audience.
Any time a person, especially the leader of a country, makes a speech it is going to receive mixed reactions. Timing is key, but no single person can please every person in the world. On a final note, I agree with nydailynews.com which concludes an article by saying, “I fear that what may be lost is the fact that the President was also talking to us, here in the United States, about what we need to know about Islam and our relationships with the many parts of the Muslim world. Fixing our side of this divide will take some work.” Are Americans listening?
In his speech, Obama said, "we have the power to make the world we seek, but only if we have the courage to make a new beginning, keeping in mind what has been written." He then quoted the Quran, Talmud and the Holy Bible and said that the work now must be done here on Earth. Obama’s goal in doing this was to connect the audience and show a common thread in all the religions. Creating this common thread seemed to go over better in foreign countries than it did here in America. Americans do not want to see themselves compared to anyone else but it seems that's what people of the Muslim world do want, to be seen as an equal.
The Jewish Coalition issued a statement that said Obama compared Israel and Palestine too equally which received a lot of flack from people who commented, referring to “all men are created equal.” Other critics said Obama did a good job connecting with the audience, speaking to them, not at them and quoting versus from the Quran. Even though he mispronounced a name or two, critics said he was politically correct and addressed the pros instead of the cons. The Huffington Post said that there is hope, and that Muslims in Cairo applauded when he spoke about democracy, free speech, women's rights, education, technology and especially when he quoted from the Quran.
Obama did not get any shoes thrown at him like former president George W. Bush did in Iraq or get the applause President Ronald Reagan received in Berlin. Reagan was interrupted a number of times during his speech in Berlin for applause. The reaction to Obama’s speech was much less extreme. One Web site said Reagan’s speech in Berlin contains one of the most memorable lines spoken during his presidency, “tear down this wall.” I do not think Obama accomplished a feat as strong as Reagan this early in his presidency, but a recent Gallup poll said the speech did not hurt his popularity. Reagan’s speech in Berlin also had very mixed reactions internationally until the Berlin wall actually came down and then it was said to be critical and dismissive.
Domestically, Obama’s speech still received mixed reactions but more seemed to be negative than how it was received internationally. On the other hand, Senator John Kerry, chairman of the foreign relations committee, said the speech was "blunt", "honest" and "necessary to put the United States and Muslim countries on a new path" while others said it should have been more explicit. Obama was praised for reaching out to the Muslim world but admitted that one speech cannot erase the years of mistrust and missed opportunities. Kerry also said, "deeds will have to follow words," implying that President Obama must continue on the same path and that he must now "walk the walk."
The Huffington Post described Obama's speech as "meticulously and strategically crafted as if penned by a chess master." It said he had to "simultaneously appease millions humiliated and dejected by a hypocritical and brutal U.S. foreign policy, and also justify U.S. objectives without appearing imperialistic or apologetic." It proved to be successful when one audience member interrupted him during his speech to shout "We love you!"
An editorial in the New York Times said Obama's speech and Vice President Joe Biden's pre-election visit to Lebanon seemed to help undercut the extremists at the polls and may continue to do so. It also said that he was wise to send U.S. Special Envoy George Mitchell to Beirut on Thursday and Damascus on Friday because there is a lot to talk about. One article said Mitchell has been to Israel, the Palestinian territories, Egypt and other key nations seeking a resumption of negotiations on Palestinian statehood.
President Obama held out the possibility of working with Hezbollah if the people are ready to forsake violence for democratic politics. The Times said Mitchell needs to now evaluate whether it is time to encourage Syrian peace talks with Israel.
One of the best reviews I have read about Obama's speech was written by Eugene Robinson at the Washington Post. Robinson talked about the impact in other countries seeing an American president with an appearance and background that is like no other American president. The son of a Muslim, Obama himself spent part of his childhood in a Muslim setting. Robinson said with Obama, the Muslim world especially, "might be more inclined to believe that the United States is not an enemy of Islam." During his speech, Obama spoke the language of Islam in a tone of respect. Robinson said he thinks that the fact that Obama admitted to mistakes did not show the sign of weakness expected, but showed one of confidence and strength and he believes that is exactly how it was received by his audience.
Any time a person, especially the leader of a country, makes a speech it is going to receive mixed reactions. Timing is key, but no single person can please every person in the world. On a final note, I agree with nydailynews.com which concludes an article by saying, “I fear that what may be lost is the fact that the President was also talking to us, here in the United States, about what we need to know about Islam and our relationships with the many parts of the Muslim world. Fixing our side of this divide will take some work.” Are Americans listening?
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Obama can not be a "people pleaser" all the time. I agree with you that Obama connected to the audience with his speech and people all around the world could take something from what he said. Although the outcome of the speech is still to be determined and he didn't have a great line, it will be remembered.
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