So I happened to be channel-flipping and to my dismay, I landed on Hannity's Hannity. He was in full manatee mode, ridiculing Obama for talking to a Muslim outlet about Muslim issues.
For some reason, Obama's move makes a lot of sense to me. I mean, talking directly to the people is a good idea, right? And again, for some reason, Hannity doesn't like good ideas. Still, it's nice to see him squirm. Here's what the Washington Times had to say about it:
President Obama's choice of an Arab news channel for his first sit-down television interview since taking office jolted the Muslim world Tuesday, with Saudi Arabia voicing approval and Iran offering a tepid wait-and-see assessment.
Mr. Obama's decision to give his first TV interview to the satellite news channel Al Arabiya was intended as an olive branch to the Middle East and to Muslims, the White House said.
"The president believed that this was an opportunity to show the world that he would be personally involved and engaged in seeking long-lasting peace in the Middle East," said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
A prominent Palestinian lawmaker, Hanan Ashrawi, said of the interview: "People are starting to feel this isn't just lip service."
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal called the Obama interview a positive development.
Prince Saud said the president expressed a "desire to have a strong and fruitful relationship with the Arab world."
A Jordanian Cabinet minister said Mr. Obama's Middle East vision matches Jordan's desire for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
"It sounds like the new American administration seems keen on implementing the desires of the region rather than imposing their desires on the region," said Nasser Judeh, the Cabinet minister.
All too often, the president said, "the United States starts by dictating."
Even Hamas, which originally dismissed Mr. Obama's administration as a continuation of the Bush administration, has softened its stance.
"He respects the freedom of others. He respects the rights of others. He respects the rights of nations. He is forthcoming," said Nasser al-Din Sahaer, the deposed Hamas deputy prime minister from the West Bank city of Nablus.
"Palestinians should invest in such a personality," he said.
Dismiss this as hot air all you want, but I see a marked improvement in the "for show" attitudes of diplomats and leaders in these countries. I know it's only been a few weeks, but at least on the surface, things seem to be different. Somehow, I'm hopeful. Not ecsatic. But hopeful.
For some reason, Obama's move makes a lot of sense to me. I mean, talking directly to the people is a good idea, right? And again, for some reason, Hannity doesn't like good ideas. Still, it's nice to see him squirm. Here's what the Washington Times had to say about it:
President Obama's choice of an Arab news channel for his first sit-down television interview since taking office jolted the Muslim world Tuesday, with Saudi Arabia voicing approval and Iran offering a tepid wait-and-see assessment.
Mr. Obama's decision to give his first TV interview to the satellite news channel Al Arabiya was intended as an olive branch to the Middle East and to Muslims, the White House said.
"The president believed that this was an opportunity to show the world that he would be personally involved and engaged in seeking long-lasting peace in the Middle East," said White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.
A prominent Palestinian lawmaker, Hanan Ashrawi, said of the interview: "People are starting to feel this isn't just lip service."
Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal called the Obama interview a positive development.
Prince Saud said the president expressed a "desire to have a strong and fruitful relationship with the Arab world."
A Jordanian Cabinet minister said Mr. Obama's Middle East vision matches Jordan's desire for a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians.
"It sounds like the new American administration seems keen on implementing the desires of the region rather than imposing their desires on the region," said Nasser Judeh, the Cabinet minister.
All too often, the president said, "the United States starts by dictating."
Even Hamas, which originally dismissed Mr. Obama's administration as a continuation of the Bush administration, has softened its stance.
"He respects the freedom of others. He respects the rights of others. He respects the rights of nations. He is forthcoming," said Nasser al-Din Sahaer, the deposed Hamas deputy prime minister from the West Bank city of Nablus.
"Palestinians should invest in such a personality," he said.
Dismiss this as hot air all you want, but I see a marked improvement in the "for show" attitudes of diplomats and leaders in these countries. I know it's only been a few weeks, but at least on the surface, things seem to be different. Somehow, I'm hopeful. Not ecsatic. But hopeful.
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