While a presidential candidate in 2007, our now security briefing-averse President made the case for himself by confidently pronouncing he was uniquely qualified to stabilize America’s relationships in the Muslim world. Why? Because he lived in an Islamic country when growing up and his half-sister is Muslim. (Thanks to Breitbart for the video.)
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Then-Senator Barack Obama’s bragging interview on New Hampshire Public Radio on November 21, 2007 (inked above):
The day I’m inaugurated, not only the country looks at itself differently, but the world looks at America differently … If I’m reaching out to the Muslim world they understand that I’ve lived in a Muslim country and I may be a Christian, but I also understand their point of view … My sister is half-Indonesian. I traveled there all the way through my college years. And so I’m intimately concerned with what happens in these countries and the cultures and perspective these folks have. And those are powerful tools for us to be able to reach out to the world … then I think the world will have confidence that I am listening to them and that our future and our security is tied up with our ability to work with other countries in the world that will ultimately makes us safer.
Tear gas! Molotov cocktails! Rocket propelled grenade launchers! Rocks and concrete chunks! Battering rams! Obama effigies! Bin Laden posters! Blood! Murder! Death to America! In just three days, violence and riots have spread like wildfire to a total of 20 Muslim countries spanning North Africa, through the Middle East, and into Southeast Asia.
Obama’s prognostication was frighteningly ignorant.
FOX News’ Bill Hemmer and Martha MacCallum report this morning on the spreading violence in Tunis, Tunisia:
FULL-BLOWN crisis ongoing in Middle East:
With an effigy of Barack Obama in the background, Afghans shout anti-American slogans in the Ghanikhel district of Nangarhar province, east of Kabul, Afghanistan, Friday, Sept. 14, 2012 (PHOTO – Rahmat Gul/AP)
Smoke billows overhead as thousands of demonstrators massed outside the U.S. embassy in Tunis, Tunisia and several were seen climbing the outer wall of the embassy grounds, an Associated Press reporter on the scene said. An American school, next to the embassy, was burned to the ground. Sept 14, 2012 (AP Photo: Amine Landoulsi)
An Egyptian protester flashes the victory sign next to a burning police car during clashes near the U.S. embassy in Cairo, Egypt, Thursday, Sept 13, 2012. (PHOTO – Khalil Hamra/AP)
Protesters rage at the U.S. embassy in Sanaa, Yemen, Thursday, Sept 13, 2012. (PHOTO Hani Mohammed:AP)
A branch of Hardee’s and Kentucky Fried Chicken, visible symbols of Americanism, were set on fire in Tripoli, Lebanon during anti-US protests on Friday,Sept 14, 2012. (PHOTO – KeystoneUSA-ZUMA / Rex Features)
Followers of Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr burn the U.S. flag during a demonstration against the U.S. in Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Sept 13, 2012. They are demanding the closure of the U.S. embassy. (PHOTO – Karim Kadim:AP)
Does Obama believe his “unique” background absolves him from being an active, listening, questioning participant in daily security briefings? WaPo’s Marc Thiessen weighs in:
Truly sophisticated consumers of intelligence don’t see it as a sign of weakness to “be briefed” by the experts. Most of us, if we subscribed to a daily report on, say, astrophysics, would probably need some help interpreting it. But when it comes to intelligence, Obama is apparently so brilliant he can absorb the most complicated topics by himself in his study. He does not need to sit down for up to an hour a day with top intelligence officials, or hold more than 100 “deep dives” in which he invites CIA analysts into the Oval Office and gives them direct access to the commander in chief to discuss their areas of expertise. Such meetings are crutches this president does not need. Written briefings, questions and comments are enough. Obama has more important things to do — such as attend Las Vegas fundraisers.
No doubt the intelligence community has adapted to its diminished access to the commander in chief and is finding a way to get the president the intelligence he needs. Members of the community have endured a lot these past 3 1/2 years — accusations of torture from the Oval Office; more than 100 criminal investigations from the Obama Justice Department that resulted in zero — zero — criminal charges being filed; a president who is quick to claim credit for killing Osama bin Laden while denying credit to the CIA interrogators who made the mission possible. They’ll survive not being invited more frequently into the Oval Office.
But the hubris of a president who believes he does not need to meet regularly with them is astounding. When President John F. Kennedy gathered every living American Nobel laureate for dinner at the White House in 1962, he declared it “the most extraordinary collection of talent, of human knowledge, that has ever been gathered together at the White House, with the possible exception of when Thomas Jefferson dined alone.” Apparently, in this administration’s view, Kennedy had it wrong — the most extraordinary collection of talent and knowledge ever gathered in the White House is when Barack Obama reads his daily intelligence brief alone.
The eleventh anniversary of 9/11… that’s nine/eleven. Obama didn’t think the uniqueness of that date might attract cut-throat attention of blood-thirsty Jihadists? Especially in Libya where unrest marks a newly emerging government?
Evidently.
The 48 hour security warning before the catastrophes occurred in Libya and Cairo went over the head of go-it-alone Obama.
The White House today, via White House Press Secty Jay Carney, denied having a warning of violence and, even though the mayhem began on September 11, 2012, avowed that the significance of 9/11 played no role.
So much for Obama’s assurance that his “unique” background would ease Middle East hostilities.
He’s bungled it.
Good thing Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan will soon be receiving regular security intel!
Follow Jayde Wyatt on Twitter @YayforSummer
we need a new leader,who will keep us all in good hands,we are not better off ….
Unreal. The interviewer tried to offer some caution into this man’s thinking, but he only hears his own voice.
Are you aware that, prior to the video loading, there is a terrible anti-Romney ad? Is there another link to the same video/audio of of BO interview?
What a fraud! Do these people know Hussien, Barack ate a dog? Ooops, once they learned we may have another wave of violance. As far as i know, Dog can be haraam in islam.
Com’n that worthless Hillary, the worst sec of state in history is still sitting in her job? I don’t care if she’s waiting her replacement, she MUST resign ASAP. She can’t just blame a film and move on. The US diplomats loss in Libya could’ve been prevented. NO excuses!
Obama does NOT understand foreign policy!!!
Obama does NOT understand the economy!!!
we can’t afford another 4 misearable yeasr of Obama.
Susan, I love your comment! Obama is always right. Come on!
Thank goodness Mitt and Paul will be getting NSA briefings from here on out! I feel safer already.
There certain characteristics about most Republicans politicians, they are liars, selfish, evil, and always looking for what is best for them and their families even if it means running all over innocent people and good citizens. The characteristics of the people that follow them are dumb, have no factual argument and most are people that do not do well because they are always blaming others for their failures.
By the way I am not a Democrat, I am an independent who voted for the first Bush.
Thank you