Soon after President Obama delivered his enlightened speech at Cairo University in Egypt last Thursday, the right wing reflexively launched into attack mode. Led by Fox News, conservatives off all stripes began (again) touting the speech as another “tour of apology.” Charles Krauthammer claimed Obama “was exceedingly weak” on Iran, while a sizable right-wing chorus bemoaned what they deemed as instances of “moral equivalency” in the speech. “I think it makes America look weak,” House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) complained of the speech.
However, during an interview with Bloomberg News this past weekend, Sen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), ranking member of Foreign Relations Committee, broke ranks with his party’s criticism of Obama. Lugar called it an “important speech,” adding that he “thought” it “struck the right tone.” Asked if Obama was “tough enough” on Iran, Lugar responded, “Oh I suspect so for that particular purpose.”
When Hunt asked if “there was a moral equivalence message in the speech,” Lugar didn’t take the bait. “I think there was some attempt to find a balanced nuanced situation,” he replied. And then he distanced himself from Boehner:
HUNT: How about the charge of some critics like Republican leader John Boehner that it was too apologetic, that it was too weak and almost groveling?
LUGAR: I do not agree with that.
Watch it:
Lugar expounded on the “moral equivalency” charges, especially with respect to the Israeli-Palestinian issue by pointing out that Obama was simply “asking people to forget the past” because the arguments about which side has suffered more bring you “back to square one.”
Commenting on the right wing’s “apology tour” cries, Lugar said there is “a lack of sympathy for our country,” adding, “We probably as Americans need to give a lot of speeches in the Arab world.”
Transcript:
LUGAR: I’m prepared to congratulate the president for really a signal achievement that doesn’t really change materially things on the ground and when he attempted to talk about things on the ground — the Palestinian-Israeli situation — both sides felt that after all he was equating their plight with a great deal of equality and as they see it, history has not been that way. If you were looking at it from the Israeli standpoint, that the suffering and holocaust and other occasions as well beyond what would seem to be found in equivalence here and likewise the Muslim and Arab world feels clearly that the Israelis are still intruders. So you’re back to square one. The president is asking people to forget the past.
HUNT: But you’ve seen the speech, do you think there was a moral equivalence message in the speech?
LUGAR: I think there was some attempt to find a balanced nuanced situation. And that always runs the danger, that whichever group feels more aggrieved will feel the president or whoever is giving the speech is less acute in his observations.
HUNT: How about the charge of some critics like Republican leader John Boehner that it was too apologetic, too weak and almost groveling?
LUGAR: I do not agree with that. I believe that the president understands that American popularity in most of the countries, whether it is the pew poll or others — indicates a lack of sympathy for our country. We always rationalize and say it is not the American people; it’s the leader whomever it happens to be. And so some would say after all this is a new leader and to some extent, because Senator [sic] Obama has attempted to strike some of the right notes rhetorically. There is something going for him there. But I would say that for the moment, we probably as Americans need to give a lot of speeches in the Arab world.
HUNT: Was he tough enough on Iran?
LUGAR: Oh I suspect so for that particular purpose. He is attempting to guide Arab nations at a time when they feel fearful of Iranian breaking out into nuclear weapons. They understand the problems that would have with all of this. They also understand the sensitivities of many people in the streets, literally, in countries where there still are authoritarian leaders.
Ok I’m starting up a Lugar Limbaugh Apology Pool. How many days will it be before he apologizes for crossing the talking-point line? I give it two.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:05 pmI love it. Republican…moral.
Yeah, like that is going to happen.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:08 pmThese people didn’t even understand half of what Obama said in that speech.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:10 pmI wouldn’t count on Lugar apologizing or backpedaling any time soon. Up for re-election in 2012 in a state won by Obama, he appears to realize that one can win more flies with honey, etc.
It will be interesting to see if Obama poaches this rational-sounding ‘pub for some tony post, too.
PEACE
June 8th, 2009 at 4:11 pmSen. Richard Lugar (R-IN), ranking member of Foreign Relations Committee…
…you mean some repub that is in Foreign Relations can speak the truth…
…for once.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:20 pmWhy is it that the right wing always wants to go around with a chip on their shoulder and act pissed off? That kind of attitude doesn’t get you very far for very long (I offer the last eight years as sad evidence of this), and eventually no one wants you for a friend.
People around the world have a poor opinion of US leadership because they have, for the last eight years, always appeared to be stewing for a fight.
I find it incredibly refreshing what Obama said, and how he has said it. It is not apologetic in the least, even though it acknowledges the painful truth of how we have acted as a country on the world stage.
If the right wing doesn’t like Obama’s comments, consider this: His duty as President to to get us, as a country, on a more favorable footing after Bush and his red-neck diplomacy put us in this ditch. It’s a big job. You had your chance and screwed it badly. Now it is your time to shut up.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:21 pmOk I’m starting up a Lugar Limbaugh Apology Pool. How many days will it be before he apologizes for crossing the talking-point line? I give it two.
OK……..June 9 by 3 pm
June 8th, 2009 at 4:22 pmI could be wrong. but I Don’t think Lugar WILL Apologize to Limbaugh.
Iv’e watched Sen. Lugar over the years, and although he’s a Republican, and from Indiana ( which actually went for Obama!!?!) …he Strikes me as Thoughtfull, Knowledgable, Experienced…and just about thru Running for Office.
He has shown Genuine Bipartisanship…and worked on Bills with both John Kerry and Obama…leading the effort to secure “Loose Nukes” in Russia.
More likely, he will announce his Retirement.
And he is Right On about Obama’s Speech.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:23 pmTalk about a breath of fresh air! A Republican who seems thoughtful and not dependent on right-wing talking points!
June 8th, 2009 at 4:31 pmCfP says;
Somehow, I doubt that Obama will get 78% of the Jewish vote in 2012.
I dunno about that. Reports I read said that Netenyahu ran into a “Wall of Opposition” to New settlement activity from Jewish Congressmen and Jewish Americans, when he visited America last week.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:31 pmConservativeForProgress Says:
June 8th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
More drivel.
How about backing up the Roe v. Wade “argument” you ran away from on the Roeder thread? Do it on that thread, please.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:32 pmHello, Think Progress, this is God. Yes. That God, the King of Kings, as some may call Me. Jesus’ father, some call Me. And so on and so forth. Many have pretended to be Me, and I felt it high time to say something here.
While I believe this speech to be important, it’s effect will only be positive if this President is able to back up his words with actions. The main problem is those who are of the more conservative persuasion. They believe this speech makes him look weak. They do not support him.
Friends, I am a God who loves Peace. In my younger days I was…well, I wasn’t sure of My direction in ruling over you lot, I’ll say that much. I think flooding you all might have been overkill. That aside, I sent my Son down to promote Peace. Love. Brotherhood. These may sound like foolish words in a time of War, but what reason did my Son die for your sins, if not for Peace, and Happiness, so that humanity might strive to take his example and be a better race?
I may not be as active as I once was, but I must say that we will only pull this if we are a unified one. I must commend President Obama for his speech, and I hope that those Republicans who see weakness in peace, and those men and women who condemn Obama with hate, or anyone with hate, who call for death and war, will remember the time my Son met the young adultress.
May I Be With You All,
June 8th, 2009 at 4:32 pmGod
Sorry you’re disappointed that the President cannot heal ancient tribal animosities with a single speech. Perhaps you should bring your expectations in line with the Reality-Based Community™.
I don’t think he’s counting on carrying Joe Lieberman’s state anyway. That one he can concede, just like he concedes Alabama.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:33 pmOf course, this was not featured on FOX/GOP Network News. No Republican would ever DARE contradict the FOX/GOP Network party line.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:33 pmGod of Gods Says:
June 8th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
I don’t believe in you, but you’re posting on TP, so you must exist.
Isn’t that the required amount evidence to prove you exist? ;)
June 8th, 2009 at 4:37 pmWow, one Republican supports our President in a time of two wars. Thanks guys, er, guy.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:38 pmDefiant settlers build new outpost near Migron containing ‘Obama Hut’
Specializing in kosher pizza, and unleavened breadsticks.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:38 pmOf course, what happened to when you criticise prez Georgie in a time of war (at least he called it a war), that you embolden the enemy ????
June 8th, 2009 at 4:40 pmAmerica does need to apologize, for destroying Iraqi lives and country for lies and greed. This President realizes we need countries working together for a common good. How anyone could deny that we are slowly crawling out of the hole that the repubs put us in is blind.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:40 pmConservativeForProgress Says:
Obama’s “words” haven’t had much effect so far as, for example, Defiant settlers build new outpost near Migron containing ‘Obama Hut’
June 8th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
____________
And what effect were you expecting these “words” to have, exactly? Particularly since he was speaking to an Arab/Muslim audience and not a Zionist whackjob audience?
It’s really not a big surprise that the people who want to build illegal colonies in Palestine are continuing to build illegal colonies in Palestine. Apart from pestering Netanyahu, there’s not all that much President Obama can do to actually stop colony construction.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:41 pmSomehow, I doubt that Obama will get 78% of the Jewish vote in 2012.
You don’t know a lot of Jews do you C4P?
June 8th, 2009 at 4:41 pmThe real problem right-wing reactionary imperial Republicans have with President Obama’s brilliant speech in Cairo, Egypt was that he dared speak some truth about our imperial ways in the Middle East for the last fifty-six years or so. You know, he spoke about our participation in the overthrowing the Iranian democracy in 1953 and replacing it with the dictator Shah. Our lovely CIA taught the Shah’s Sevek (sic) secret police how to torture people. Thousands of Iranians were tortured and murdered by the Shah’s secret police, until he was overthrown by the people in January, 1979. And we got all outraged with the Iranians seized our Embassy staff and held them hostage in November 1979. Gee, imagine that…
June 8th, 2009 at 4:43 pmGod of Gods Says:
That aside, I sent my Son down to promote Peace. Love. Brotherhood. These may sound like foolish words in a time of War, but what reason did my Son die for your sins, if not for Peace, and Happiness, so that humanity might strive to take his example and be a better race?
June 8th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
____________
And as we all know, that plan worked like a charm.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:44 pmWow CFP- you have powers that can see the future ? Think your powers let you down when you pulled the lever for the liars/torturers george and dickie. Intelligent people vote for intelligent Presidents, doesn’t matter race, culture or religon. (well might be wrong on religion they vote the way Pastor Johnny tells them)
June 8th, 2009 at 4:44 pmralph the wonder locust Says
June 8th, 2009 at 4:33 pm
I don’t think he’s counting on carrying Joe Lieberman’s state anyway. That one he can concede, just like he concedes Alabama.
____________________________________________________________
I think he probably will get Joe Lieberman’s state — it went blue in 2008, and it’s been blue for the last five presidential elections.
I’m not even sure that Joe Lieberman will get re-elected in Joe Lieberman’s state. I think the voters will want a real Democrat next time around.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:46 pmyou know, this just came to mind. retired marine lt. gen. john sattler is famed for breaking the back of the insurgency in fallujah in 2004. i think they should re-activate him, round up the troops and implement his signature counterattack in the gaza strip against the palestines.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:52 pmthe freedom Says:
Itching for another massacre? Life not going your way lately? Please don’t take it out on the Palestinians.
June 8th, 2009 at 4:56 pmthe freedom Says:
you know, this just came to mind. retired marine lt. gen. john sattler is famed for breaking the back of the insurgency in fallujah in 2004. i think they should re-activate him, round up the troops and implement his signature counterattack in the gaza strip against the palestines.
We should send you and your 10,000 personalities…I’m sure you would be an army of one…no reply necessary…not interested…
June 8th, 2009 at 4:59 pmi wasn’t interested in being addressed in the first place by the dude with issues behind the monitor …
June 8th, 2009 at 5:01 pmP.S. you’re flagged again for being a p.o.s., please, no reply is necessary…you are welcome in advance…
June 8th, 2009 at 5:01 pmFreedom,
The Insurgency’s back was NOT Broken.
Instead, It’s Pockets were filled.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:02 pmthe threat posed from palestine is a threat to world security. i’m into military affairs and i’m apt to point that out. our troops fight to win despite the rhetoric from the lefties.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:03 pmvast workplace experience but just none involving those tricky adverbs…
June 8th, 2009 at 5:03 pmlt. gen. sattler BROKE the back of the insurgency. FACT.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:04 pmi’m into toying with posers and I am apt to point it out as well… Tell us again how such a younin’ became so well versed in all things…
June 8th, 2009 at 5:05 pmgo eat shark.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:05 pmthe freedom Says:
the threat posed from palestine is a threat to world security.
hahahahahaha – that’s so out there I just had to laugh.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:05 pmyou’re demoralizing the troops with your rhetoric, db. you should stop.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:06 pmPutting that word at the end of a sentence makes it so. FACT
June 8th, 2009 at 5:06 pmF uck off. You are a loser. FACT
June 8th, 2009 at 5:07 pmShark fisheries are not sustainable. FACT
June 8th, 2009 at 5:08 pmthe freedom Says: i’m into military affairs
Are all of your little green rubber soldiers in the same pose or do you have the newer, cooler version with different poses?
June 8th, 2009 at 5:08 pmwhat a message to send to the troops. how dare you, db.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:08 pmThe BattleS for Falujah occured, as you said ,in 2004.
2007 Saw the Worst Violence of the War.
Are you telling us that the Insurgency Went on For 2 years with a Broken Back???
June 8th, 2009 at 5:09 pmi’m into military biographies, tactics, weapons research, i own the george patton dvd set. in order to be a good citizen i have to know what comprises the undertaking of the defense of a free nation.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:09 pm1. No Proof of your assinine assertion
2. Reword it to:
our troops fight to win despite the lack of funding and the lack of proper armor and equipment from reightwingers like Bush, Cheney and Rummy
Please, do not reply…you are too pathetic to address me…
June 8th, 2009 at 5:09 pmWhy, why President Obama you have been in office 4 months and you haven’t changed the world ? If you were only a republican I am certain things would be different, everyone would be working, banks would be solvent. Oh, wait a minute, we had a republican president and the world went into the outhouse. And he had 8 years to do it.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:09 pmThe only message I send is to the chicken shit made up pussy poser pos that I will gring into the ground. FACT
June 8th, 2009 at 5:11 pmPlease, do not reply…you are too pathetic to address me…
—————————————–
ego much?
June 8th, 2009 at 5:11 pmAre all of your little green rubber soldiers in the same pose or do you have the newer, cooler version with different poses?
— He imagines himself as the dumbass radio guy that every kid melted first…
June 8th, 2009 at 5:12 pmthe freedom Says:
i’m into military biographies, tactics, weapons research, i own the george patton dvd set. in order to be a good citizen i have to know what comprises the undertaking of the defense of a free nation.
KILLING!
Yeah, we already had that figured out about you too. You realize you’re openly admitting to being a parody? Do you wear your helmet when you’re playing action figures too?
.
texaslady Says:
Why, why President Obama you have been in office 4 months and you haven’t changed the world ? If you were only a republican I am certain things would be different…
If he’d been a Republican he would have spent the last 4 months clearing brush.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:12 pmWe are all sooooooo jealous…you’re still wrong…you know the drill
June 8th, 2009 at 5:13 pmego much?
June 8th, 2009 at 5:13 pm—
Says the as swipe that has spent the day explaining about its intellect and vast work experiences. What a childish tool…
the lefties are DOWN and OUT!
June 8th, 2009 at 5:14 pmpretender…
June 8th, 2009 at 5:14 pmso dbadass… does this mean that our squeaky bearing is in fact asswipe$?
June 8th, 2009 at 5:15 pmthe money folks say yes…
June 8th, 2009 at 5:15 pmwhat’s an “as swipe?”
June 8th, 2009 at 5:16 pmAn asswipe with a gaping hole in it
June 8th, 2009 at 5:16 pmralph, go fix your state.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:17 pmthe freedom Says:
the threat posed from palestine is a threat to world security. i’m into military affairs and i’m apt to point that out. our troops fight to win despite the rhetoric from the lefties.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:03 pm
______________
Do explain how a handful of people with oversized bottle rockets constitute a threat to world security. I’m curious how you managed to derive this conclusion from playing war games with your G.I. Joe dolls.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:18 pmTrolls into military action. I’d say they should rent Spiro or the Sims instead of Call to Duty.
Especially since they can’t find the recruiter’s office.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:19 pmlook fake guy. I have all day and as you may have quessed you are the dipshit attention seeker who I have selected to call out for your bullshit insincere attempts to act informed. I will be sure to assist you in making an ass of yourself each and everytime you appear. We both know we have done this dance before and as we both know I have yet to have to change screen names… Sucks to always be the loser doesn’t it?
June 8th, 2009 at 5:19 pmthe freedom Says: i’m into military biographies, tactics, weapons research, i own the george patton dvd set. in order to be a good citizen i have to know what comprises the undertaking of the defense of a free nation.
Cool! I’ve always been into the American space program. I own autographed photos of the first five groups of astronauts. Can I be director of NASA, then?
June 8th, 2009 at 5:19 pmthe freedom Says:
the threat posed from palestine is a threat to world security
Holy crap, world, run in fear from the few thousand Palestinians!
June 8th, 2009 at 5:20 pmfreedom says be very afraid of these people Israel has quarantined into ghettos. Israel is afraid of a handful, the rest of us should be too.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:22 pmThat high-pitched whine again… I guess we can live with it. It’s not hurting anything, except the dogs keep responding to it and coming looking for a treat.
Even the dogs are disappointed in the squeak.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:23 pmConservativeForProgress Says:
Obama’s “words” haven’t had much effect so far as, for example, Defiant settlers build new outpost near Migron containing ‘Obama Hut’
Somehow, I doubt that Obama will get 78% of the Jewish vote in 2012.
Read it and weep moron:
http://www.usnews.com/blogs/god-and-country/2009/03/23/poll-american-jews-strongly-support-obama-israeli-palestinian-peace-settlement.html
June 8th, 2009 at 5:26 pmI have noticed that the one thing Republicans and their bought trolls really don’t like is to be laughed at.
Pity because they work so hard at being ridiculous.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:27 pm‘you’re demoralizing the troops with your rhetoric’…you should stop…you suffer from paranoid, schizophrenia…you are in pain and should seek medical help…Please, do not reply…
June 8th, 2009 at 5:29 pmWhat do you call a troll spewing talking points?
The Pity Fountain.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:29 pmFreedom brings to Mind Freedom Fries.
You know…the Anti French Hysteria promoted by the GOP because France had the audacity and FORESIGHT to Warn us that Invading Iraq was a BIG MISTAKE.
Rumsfeld Even declared the Lucrative Rebuilding Contracts for “Post War Iraq” to be off limits to Old Europe (ie. the French)
WELL… Guess who is set to Get MOST of the Rebuilding and Oil Contracts in Today’s Iraq…THE FRENCH! Due to their longstanding Experience in Working in IRAQ.
And Guess Who will Get Almost NONE of the Contracts.
Hint: it is the Country that Spent over a Trillion $$$ and Sacrificed over 4000 of Brave Lives.
We apparently have NO American Corporations with the Experience and Know How to Take advantage of the situation.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:30 pmIf Newt and Sara have a date, what do you call it?
1) A meeting of the slimes?
2) Tryouts with a minor league picture?
June 8th, 2009 at 5:31 pmDear freedomfries:
Look in the mirror for the definition of a$$wipe.
PS. I own the Northern Exposure DVD set, does that make me an Alaskan?
June 8th, 2009 at 5:32 pmthe freedom Says:
in order to be a good citizen i have to know what comprises the undertaking of the defense of a free nation.
Oh is that we were doing when we dropper phosphorus on the heads of women and children who were trapped there? Defending our country?
Veteran admits: Bodies melted away before us.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:32 pmThe pictures are truly horrifying…
June 8th, 2009 at 5:34 pmFreedom has obviously never looked up the meaning of the word defense.
Pre-emptive invasion of a nation with no capability of invading the US isn’t in there.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:36 pmthe freedom Says:
the threat posed from palestine is a threat to world security. i’m into military affairs and i’m apt to point that out. our troops fight to win despite the rhetoric from the lefties.
Is Palestine is such a threat, then how come the Israelis have been able to kill so many Palestinians compared to the number of Israelis they have killed? In Israels last attack on Gaza they killed over 1,000 where their death total was like 3. The biggest threat in that region is the terrorist state of Israel.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:38 pmthe freedom Says:
what’s an “as swipe?”
Look in the mirror.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:41 pmthe freedom Says:
i’m into military biographies, tactics, weapons research, i own the george patton dvd set.
It’s too bad you’re too much of a coward to actually serve and find out what war is really like. Typical chickenhawk coward. You are more than happy to send your brethren to die for your lies, but you wouldn’t even think of serving yourself.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:48 pmIf Obama took a harder stance on Iran who is about to go into elections then we could potentially hurt any relations by showing our hand too soon if there is a new a president in Iran.
June 8th, 2009 at 5:48 pmbenji85 Says:
If Obama took a harder stance on Iran who is about to go into elections then we could potentially hurt any relations by showing our hand too soon if there is a new a president in Iran.
Some hopeful news coming out of Iran on this. Some links…
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20090607/ml-iran-s-showdown/
June 8th, 2009 at 6:15 pmhttp://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/08/world/middleeast/08iran.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/08/irans-macaca-moment-amhad_n_212654.html
the freedom Says:
i’m into military biographies, tactics, weapons research, i own the george patton dvd set.
Why didn’t you tell us that before? You MUST be a military genius! LOL. Gee, I own every season of Sex & the City on DVD, and I have 100 pairs of shoes. I must be Carrie Bradshaw! Big, where are you? Big?
June 8th, 2009 at 6:48 pmthe freedom Says:
You are a stupid worthless piece of garbage. Do the world a favor and STFU.
June 8th, 2009 at 8:45 pmSenator Lugar isn’t going to apologize to anyone. He’s done great work with issues surrounding WMDs that actually exist, and I’m proud of the work he’s done, even though he’s Republican and I refer to my birth in Indiana as “a fluke”.
I really like the preview function.
June 8th, 2009 at 10:19 pmBoehner, Bush, Cheney and the others of his kind are who makes America look weak. They do not obey the laws that are for EVERYONE not just a select few. They lie to Americans and to the world and started a war for NO reason.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:28 pmThese are ALL acts of a bully and we know that bullies are really wimps if you stand up to them.
I don’t believe in you, but you’re posting on TP, so you must exist.
Isn’t that the required amount evidence to prove you exist? ;)
Perhaps, My dear mortal friend, though there will always be those with doubt, even if I appeared to them personally. Unfortunately, I am a rather busy diety, so you will forgive My delay in answering you.
—
And as we all know, that plan worked like a charm.
My Son knew the burden he would have to take, and thus did he take it. I do feel sorry if you do not feel it has done much for your life, but nevertheless hope you are living a fulfilling life.
—
My dear mortal friend, the freedom, owning George Patton on DVD does not make you a military expert. Many movies exaggerate and distort the truth about what really happened, and Patton is no exception.
To truly know war, one must go to war. It is unpleasant, terrifying, even in the cases it is neccessary. I promise you, you would not be bragging about how you know so much about defending any country once you serve.
June 9th, 2009 at 12:59 pmgreat
June 10th, 2009 at 4:00 amsikis
sikis