Andrea is saying the message that was delivered by Obama was that it wouldn't be

[gateley]

enough to just not run for re-election, he needed to step down now.

So don't think that if Obama DOESN'T say that, that's not what he was promoting. I'm sure that "leak" was intentional.

[rucky]

1. yep.

After 8 years of Bush, I almost forgot how real diplomacy works.

[Better Believe It]

2. Just do it. Don't pretend with bogus "leaks" that it's been done in order to calm progressives

at home and around the world.

The Egyptian people won't buy that.

Nor will I.

If Obama truly wants Mubarak to resign now he can speak for himself and there is no need to "leak" his "true" feelings.

Do it, do it now or suffer the consequences.

[pampango]

8. No. Obama needs to keep the Egyptian military at bay until Mubarak is forced out by

his own people. They started this revolution and they should finish it. If it takes a while longer for it to genuinely succeed, so be it.

There should be no hint of "you protested so much that the American president decided that Mubarak had to leave". The resolution should belong solely to the Egyptian people - "we protested so much that Mubarak had no choice but to leave no matter what any foreigner wanted".

If Egyptians blame Obama now that's fine. The more they blame him, the more they will own the success of the revolution.

[gateley]

14. There's our relationship to Israel to consider (regardless of how you feel about it -

they're our allies), and Mubarak was a stabilizing presence. Regardless of what he's really promoting behind closed doors, he's got to make reassuring sounds to the public and our other allies as well.

Besides, it's not as though Mubarak would go "Oh, okay -- now that you put it that way and I know your feelings, let me go pack my bags" There's only so much Obama can do. I think people are making unrealistic and un-pragmatic demands of him.

[rucky]

19. I believe your suggestion is what we once called

Cowboy Diplomacy

So he threatens Mubarak, and then what? Play it out.

How will we address Israel?

To what extent should we intervene if things don't go smoothly?

How would we respond to accusations of American Influence? Would that taint the credibility of the movement? Would your idea of empowerment inspire more violence?

How would the GOP spin it? They already started rumors that Obama bypassed Congress and is sending in troops.

So far this is a relatively clean, organized and bloodless revolution. I know we've had this discussion before, but I don't see how Obama's explicit support will help. It would actually increase the risk of things getting worse.

Either way, Mubarak is toast. That's obvious to Obama and everyone except maybe Mubarak.

[global1]

3. Kerry's Urging For Mubarek To Step Down Didn't Come From Just Him.....

I'm sure it was sanctioned by the WH and they wanted Kerry to telegraph that message.

[TBF]

10. Exactly - Kerry is a team player and he did his job. Unfortunately for Mr. Mubarak

he doesn't listen very well. This is not going to end well for him.

[RainDog]

12. as a world power that's invested in keeping people in servitude for corporate interests

and for client states that support corporate interests (i.e. oil), the U.S. govt. is not going to piss off their bosses (i.e. oil).

At the same time, it appears that the U.S. govt. recognizes that Murbarak is done.

And they're trying to signal this - while placating their bosses - because, ultimately, the bosses will suffer if they, too, can't see which way the wind is blowing - and, in Egypt, it is not blowing a fair wind for their puppet, Mubarak. They can't totally abandon him b/c he served useful functions for them and, in order to assure other puppets, they can't let him twist in the wind.

I would imagine, however, that the U.S. govt wishes he would go at this time, before this revolution goes hot.

The claims of anyone in power in the U.S., or anyone who has been in a position of power, that they're "mavericky" in any way is a joke. Esp. anyone who is a conservative.

And in America, even the Democratic party is conservative at this time.

[RandySF]

4. That's exactly what I've been trying to say.

Bush talked a lot. Actually, he talked too much and and it usually had the opposite of the intended effect. Obama doesn't "jawbone" or "go with his gut" or "let it all hang out". Let him work, he's got it handled.

[RandySF]

6. Look at the Philippine example

When the Reagan Administration told Marcos it was time to go, they did so through Richard Lugar.

[Raschel]

13. I couldn't think of a better person to handle this. I don't understand why

people don't realize how delicate and complicated this is. It's not just now, it's future as well and involves the leaders of other countries who have to be considered as well.

[nadinbrzezinski]

5. The leak was intentional and for the consumption of

Cairo, since AJ will pick it up

[gateley]

16. Hope it gets lots of attention, it was kind of an offhand remark. nt

[rox63]

7. A big part of diplomacy is

getting people to do what you want while allowing them to save face in the process. Do we really want to leave the impression that Mubarek steps down because the US tells him to?

[gateley]

17. Excellent point and very well said! nt

[kentuck]

18. That is correct...

We do not want our other dictator allies to think we will throw them overboard first time they get into trouble. Countries don't have friends - they have interests.

[RandySF]

9. Oh, never mind.

There are some people who are just determined to say that Obama just isn't doing it right, no matter what he does.

[JuniperLea]

15. Yep

That goalpost has wheels.

[pnwmom]

11. Is Obama supposed to be appearing to be bossing another country's leader around?