Comments on: EDITORIAL: Talking to the enemy http://warincontext.org/2008/04/11/editorial-talking-to-the-enemy/ ... with attention to the unseen Thu, 09 Feb 2012 08:49:09 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: carol Elkins http://warincontext.org/2008/04/11/editorial-talking-to-the-enemy/comment-page-1/#comment-1977 carol Elkins Sat, 12 Apr 2008 12:09:07 +0000 http://warincontext.org/2008/04/11/editorial-talking-to-the-enemy/#comment-1977 I like your pragmatism here. When it comes to "deconstructing assumptions" it is important to stay under the radar. A politician must, of course, work within the limitations of a constituency, however dysfunctional that constituency may be. But then, that is true of elected officials as well, and there is much which is specious about the designation of "great" upon such leaders-- compare Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. Where does Carter rate in the public mind? Way down! Speaking for myself, having Obama as a candidate who fulfills my longing for a great leader, I get depressed when he "triangulates", but am glad to be reminded of the reality of what he has to do to win. I like your pragmatism here. When it comes to “deconstructing assumptions” it is important to stay under the radar. A politician must, of course, work within the limitations of a constituency, however dysfunctional that constituency may be.

But then, that is true of elected officials as well, and there is much which is specious about the designation of “great” upon such leaders– compare Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter. Where does Carter rate in the public mind? Way down!

Speaking for myself, having Obama as a candidate who fulfills my longing for a great leader, I get depressed when he “triangulates”, but am glad to be reminded of the reality of what he has to do to win.

]]> By: Enzo http://warincontext.org/2008/04/11/editorial-talking-to-the-enemy/comment-page-1/#comment-1976 Enzo Fri, 11 Apr 2008 15:48:18 +0000 http://warincontext.org/2008/04/11/editorial-talking-to-the-enemy/#comment-1976 Paul: "Meanwhile, there’s reason to wonder whether Jimmy Carter is being politically tone deaf right now." Certainly possible. But Carter and Mandela are two old foxes. I've read that Carter has all but formally endorsed Obama. And I think Mandela must surely support him. It has suddenly occurred to me that whatever they may try to do to advance the Palestine-Israel situation, they'll not only be careful not to do something that might undermine Obama; they might also look for a way to give him a boost. Now that would be cool. Paul: “Meanwhile, there’s reason to wonder whether Jimmy Carter is being politically tone deaf right now.”

Certainly possible. But Carter and Mandela are two old foxes. I’ve read that Carter has all but formally endorsed Obama. And I think Mandela must surely support him. It has suddenly occurred to me that whatever they may try to do to advance the Palestine-Israel situation, they’ll not only be careful not to do something that might undermine Obama; they might also look for a way to give him a boost. Now that would be cool.

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