CBSNews describes how Barack Obama is handling the Somalian hostage crisis:
“The new commander-in-chief has been kept abreast of negotiations over the captain’s release, but advisers say Obama has delegated the heavy lifting to high-level administration officials and his military commanders.”
I’m no Rahm Emanuel, but Obama leaking the fact that he is NOT LEADING on this indicates that Obama wants to distance himself from this in the event the outcome is less than rosy.
That way he can blame those “smart, competent” — and nameless people surrounding him.
Sounds like a plan, and it frees Obama to think up more ways he can expand government and stick us with the bill.
QC Examiner 
How sad have you and ther radical independents become when you attack our Commander in Chief for delegating responsibilities for military and hostage rescue activities to people trained to handle military and hostage rescue activities?
I suppose you believe Bush was an expert and handled all this by himself. Why do we even need Capatains and Admirals and Generals according to your deluded and spiteful thinking?
Would it make you happy if President Obama bought a ranch in Texas and spent a third of the year there and another third at Camp David? That would leave Christmas and Easter Seasons at the White House for photo ops.
So far, the Obama administration is mostly about photo-ops.
He has spent an inordinate amount of time away from the WH for someone who’s supposed be learning the ropes. He got absolutely zero of what he asked for on his recent European Tour, except adoration by the cheering throngs for bashing his country. He’s running all over the country endlessly campaigning for his failed policies. Next week (I think) he’s heading out to Mexico.
Obama seems more interested in inflating his personal popularity and ego than working to advance his country’s interests.
But no, I didn’t think Obama would personally and unilaterally be developing a military/political strategy for the pirate crisis. I didn’t think George Bush, Bill Clinton, GHWB, Reagan, etc. did either. The difference is that all previous POTUS signaled in their public statements that they were in charge and in command of the situation. Has Obama even made a public statement about this yet?
Instead, Obama has his not-for-attribution “advisers” say he is turning over leadership in this crisis to nameless, unelected and unaccountable “officials” and “commanders”.
It makes him look aloof, uninterested and lacking leadership.
If the rescue goes south, he can blame the nameless, if it turns out well (let’s pray!) then he can be the gracious leader praising our brilliant military, the brave captain, his skilled negotiators, etc.
I’ve never seen a POTUS proudly admit that he was turning control over to “officials”.
I guess he figures he’ll be too busy paper training his puppy to deal with pirates. 🙂
PS: As to my “deluded and spiteful thinking”,I will remind you (again) that for the last 8 years, the Democrats kept pounding away that “dissent is the highest form of patriotism”.
I’m just doing my patriotic duty. 😉
Congratulations to Commander in Chief Barack Obama on his safe recovery of the brave sea captain. All Americans are gratefull for Barck’s leadership on this important matter.
Excellent news!
By his own (advisers) admission, Obama didn’t have much to do with it, but so what, he still had to sign off on the mission. Bravo Barry!
The Navy killed three of the pirates but captured another one—uh oh, that means we’ll have to “bring him to justice”, probably before a liberal judge, but still—-
Go Navy!
They waited for the right time. They didn’t listen to all the nuts who were bashing Obama’s leadership. I hope this puts an end to the nonsense about Obama being weak.
I don’t know that it says much about Obama. He gave approval to engage given opportunity? Bolton didn’t seem to think bringing the fourth pirate to the US is a great idea.
The current UN rules are weak, and Obama seems to suggest we need to work within that framework.
“We remain resolved to halt the rise of piracy in this region,” he said. “To achieve that goal, we must continue to work with our partners to prevent future attacks, be prepared to interdict acts of piracy and ensure that those who commit acts of piracy are held accountable for their crimes.”
Perhaps more details will be forthcoming. If this pirate survives 40 years in prison, it will still cost US a million, plus the million to handle the attack and trial. Time to allow armed forces on the ships.
I appreciate that Obama did such a great job against terrorism. George Bush’s first brush with terrorists was September 11. Quite a difference.
This is why Barry was elected Commander and Chief in the first place. President Obama acted in a cool and collective manner. Barry didn’t sit idly by while killed our brave sea captain. No, Barry made the decison to go while Bush read books to children back when terrorist bombed two buildings in New York and later in the day the Pentagon itself. I for one am pleased that we finally have a leader that is transperant and shovel ready.
bill, my idea of holding pirates “accountable” would be sending them to Davy Jones Locker after first becoming Shark Kibble.
I do believe that would send a stronger message to the world about our policy on piracy. 🙂
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To Johnson and Dem: your comparison of the 9/11 attacks with four pirates with AK-47s and a lifeboat is a hoot!
But hey, if it makes you feel good about your “transperant” POTUS, go right ahead and give the rest of us a laff!
Actually, I think Dem makes a very strong point. Bush did “read books” while Obama did “send our boys in” to get the job done. If President Bush had acted in a “cool and collective” manner like President Obama, perhaps the terrorist wouldn’t have so easily bombed the Pentagon?
Although Commander in Chief Obama might not have been brave eough to divert the first two attack against New York City, I do think he (Barack) might have issued “the order” to shoot down the third plane that attack OUR COUNTRY. What do you think Examiner?
Well steven, I think your statement that Obama might have issued the order to shoot down the third plane is hilarious—the rest of your post is just re-writing history in order to puff up The Won.
What I find amusing is the pro-Obama press and Obama worshippers over-the-top gooey praise for Obama doing what he is supposed to do—defend and protect our country, our people and our interests.
That’s his job and the fact that there is so much mindless swooning over the fact that he just did his job indicates there are a lot of surprised people out there and a lot of journalists who no longer care to provide dispassionate information.
What the Bush Deranged continue to hide from themselves is that Obama is acting fairly the same Bush Jr. would have in the same situation. Obama has made a series of Bush like moves in recent days. the most humiliating for the Bush Deranged has to be the Obama decision to protect and continue the Bush phone tapping surveillance programs. Just don’t expect the BD to be able to see out of their rose col9ored glasses.
I agree Bush and Obama are great Presidents. If Obama continues at this pace, he may become more popular than George W. Bush!
Scoundrel, where are the BDSers now? Where are the outraged calls for congressional hearings and frothing rage at the imperialistic USA for the killing of three poor black teenagers? What about the “root causes” and questions about how Obama is just creating more pirates?
I can’t stop laughing!
And as you mentioned in your post on the subject, Obama’s words on getting tough with pirates and cautious actions haven’t exactly scared the bejeebus out of them—they’ve hijacked four ships in the last two days.
Aarrrrgghhhhh!
steven, you are well and truly demented—but I like that in a man! 😀