Wednesday, November 18, 2009
FOX WAR WINDING DOWN
It appears that the White House has decided to wind down its war against FOX News. First came the news that Communications Director and Field Commander Anita Dunn, who led the battle on the part of the White House, was stepping down from her post. More encouragingly, the President granted FOX news an interview during his China trip. Good sense has prevailed. Now let's see what the President decides to do about Afghanistan.
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Professor Klar,
ReplyDeleteMs. Dunn's departure had nothing to do with FOX. She took the position as interim director on the condition that she stay only a few months, due to family issues and a desire to return to consulting. See, e.g., the WaPo and LAT stories on her resignation.
As for the Asia trip, the bigger news for me was the President's failure, echoing his predecessors, to address human rights & democracy issues on his China trip. See the NYT account about his "tiptoeing" around these issues. Can someone tell me what we're doing, exactly, to promote democracy there? If the only reason the US "engages" with China and embargoes Cuba is economic, why keep up the embargo?
I know you're impatient to hear a decision on Afghanistan, but I've been impressed with the President's thoughtfulness. He's taking the decision very seriously. I thought his visit to Dover AFB was respectful. President Bush should've done it long ago (despite the insane Liz Cheney's claims, he never did. Instead, he gave up golf for the duration of the war, as one gives up sweets for Lent). President Obama's unpublicized visits to Arlington show a lot of reflection and gravity.
Scott
Hey Scott:
ReplyDeleteI did not imply that this is the reason she was stepping down - only that she was. I was aware that she only took the position on an interim basis, but the fact that she led the charge against FOX and will no longer be there to do it, might take the oomph out of the battle.
On Afghanistan, it's not about my impatience. Apparently the allies are impatient. I am sure the generals on the ground are too. Reports are that Obama has already made his decision, but is waiting for the correct time to announce it.
On the point about respectfulness, I never doubted that quality in Obama. The President is usually extremely gracious and respectful, much more so in fact than many of his supporters. His attitude to Sarah Palin, for example, indicates a respect for her abilities and more importantly a respect for her constituency, which is sorely lacking in others. If, for example, David Brooks thinks she is "a joke", what is he really saying about those millions who support her? And why doesn't he have the courage to say it? Why not try to understand the Palin phenomenon instead of deriding it? I think everyone might get some useful insights into America if they tried to do that.