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posted at 1:09 am on March 5, 2008 by Allahpundit
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Those of us with spines already can, Senator.

joewm315 on March 5, 2008 at 1:12 AM

Give me a break.

JeffreyLloyd on March 5, 2008 at 1:14 AM

Those of us that are not you wife are all ready proud to be an American

Jacob Hammond on March 5, 2008 at 1:14 AM

wow, i cant believe he said that

trailortrash on March 5, 2008 at 1:14 AM

One immense, Texas-sized piece of wisdom I gained from this site, I believe from Allah (paraphrasing here:) “There is nothing the American Left seeks more than the approval of the International Left.”

That, my friends, is what these people mean when they say “renewed respect from our neighbors.”

Hannibal Smith on March 5, 2008 at 1:16 AM

Gobsmacked. The self-absorbtion and narcissism is becoming laughable. Is this man truly the next President of the United States?

The_Freeze on March 5, 2008 at 1:17 AM

Obama looks P*ssed off!!!!

He looks mad as a rattlesnake!

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:18 AM

Sounds like he’s talking about future versions of his wife.

darii on March 5, 2008 at 1:19 AM

He does not take losing well. This should be a fun 7 weeks until Pennsylvania.

Dudley Smith on March 5, 2008 at 1:19 AM

He didn’t look to happy, at this one..

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:20 AM

Shut up you dumb ass empty suit!!! Good grief!!

Winebabe on March 5, 2008 at 1:21 AM

What a tool.

29Victor on March 5, 2008 at 1:22 AM

I agree he looked pretty ticked off tonight. He may be wearing down. If the press (esp from Chi) stays on him, I wouldn’t be surprised to see a minor breakdown.

mikeyboss on March 5, 2008 at 1:22 AM

Wow.

He wants to change things so that we can then and only then be proud to be an American?

My nephew fought and died in Iraq….Obama isn’t fit for him to wipe his sandy boots on.
If he were still here.

ArmyAunt on March 5, 2008 at 1:22 AM

Someone should ask Michelle Obama if she is still proud of America, or if she was more proud of it last week.. :}

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:23 AM

Just a few minutes ago, Chrissy Matthews and Olberman were all flushed and a twitter discussing how that specific part of the Messiah’s speech was wonderful and “new” and “haven’t heard before”. Chrissy Matthews looked almost rapturous.

Lori_Z on March 5, 2008 at 1:24 AM

During this same speech BO also made reference to being able to remake the world (not just the really “mean” nation known as America) as it “should be”. What exactly does that mean, Senator?

Will you be inviting Castro, Chavez, Putin, Abbas, Ahmadinejad and UBL over to the White House for some sleep overs in the Lincoln bedroom?

Pop Quiz: More dangerous person in the Lincoln bedroom:

(a) Bill out of Hill’s sight
(b) Hugo Chavez
(c) Sean Penn without a blunt to keep him mellow
(d) Oprah off the diet wagon

Sorry, no “all of the above”.

brainwizard73 on March 5, 2008 at 1:26 AM

Obamessiah will be tossing all the toys out of the cot now :)

Wanderlust on March 5, 2008 at 1:26 AM

I already do that every day, Senator. Unlike you and your ilk, I am not ashamed of America such that I won’t tell the people of my host country where I am from.

No matter what, you can’t win with people like Barack Obama. They will always be ashamed of America (case in point: his freakin’ silver-spoon-fed wife).

amkun on March 5, 2008 at 1:30 AM

This guy has made my skin crawl so often I’m afraid it’s going to learn to walk.

loganthompson on March 5, 2008 at 1:30 AM

So things will have to CHANGE before he can be proud to be an American?

Maybe he’d be happier in Kenya?

Kenya ya say- beat it loser?

profitsbeard on March 5, 2008 at 1:32 AM

Reminds me of a joke I heard:

Q: How can you spot the American in a foriegn country?

A: He’s the one everyone else is spitting on.

The irony is that joke was told to me by a Canadian during the Clinton ’90’s when America was supposedly held in such high regard in the world’s opinion.

SteakRules on March 5, 2008 at 1:33 AM

Wow….. this guy has no idea….I stick by my belief that he will make a much easier opponent in the general then hillary. You just can’t say things like that…..Wow…what an idiot….

tottoritodd on March 5, 2008 at 1:35 AM

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:23 AM

LOL!

Saltysam on March 5, 2008 at 1:37 AM

This kind of talk should destroy his campaign. People accuse him of being unpatriotic for a reason…he is. Imagine a President in the White House who loathes America. I hope all the anti-McCain Republicans will consider that come Nov.

bojack on March 5, 2008 at 1:38 AM

Obama talking about uniting the Country, yet he has never reached across the aisle… and he constantly bashes policies , and doesn’t offer realistic solutions or alternatives, other than “feel good” platitudes aimed at the undereducated or wittingly misled, what is this junk that he’s peddling?

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:39 AM

If Hillary can bloody this guy and he wins the nomination, I think McCains in good shape unless he blows a gasket and kills someone in a fit of rage.

and with McCain, that’s possible.

mylegsareswollen on March 5, 2008 at 1:39 AM

I bet the 81-year-old guy in Uganda thought it was groovy.

CK MacLeod on March 5, 2008 at 1:39 AM

How can one man so shoehorned into destiny be so oblivious to the fact that he’s pissing it away?

/facepalm

spmat on March 5, 2008 at 1:40 AM

I got not sound, can anyone describe what’s in the video?

ninjapirate on March 5, 2008 at 1:43 AM

If Hillary can bloody this guy and he wins the nomination, I think McCains in good shape unless he blows a gasket and kills someone in a fit of rage.

and with McCain, that’s possible.

mylegsareswollen on March 5, 2008 at 1:39 AM

Would you call John McCain at 3am?

neither would I. McCain wins, nuff said. >:D

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:45 AM

I got not sound, can anyone describe what’s in the video?

Blah, blah, blah…. I want people to be able to go to foreign countries and proudly say that they are American … blah, blah, blah..

spmat on March 5, 2008 at 1:47 AM

I got not sound, can anyone describe what’s in the video?

ninjapirate on March 5, 2008 at 1:43 AM

Obama trying to explain away his huge losses with some BS.

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:47 AM

Chakra:

You are fuuuunny toNIGHT!

Saltysam on March 5, 2008 at 1:47 AM

Would you call John McCain at 3am?

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:45 AM

What a great response ad. Priceless.

Saltysam on March 5, 2008 at 1:49 AM

Chakra:

You are fuuuunny toNIGHT!

Saltysam on March 5, 2008 at 1:47 AM

Just tonight? :{

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:50 AM

Hope died and pride goeth before the fall.

William Amos on March 5, 2008 at 1:54 AM

Ohhhhhh, looks like The Obama needed The Oprah or The Gov Duvall to write some speeches for a graceful “loss.” (too many ooos?)

p.s. Who is the fat chick on Fox bemoaning “…not having to worry about…” joke?

Branch Rickey on March 5, 2008 at 1:55 AM

Now is the time for all patriots to cross over and vote for Obama. He can be beaten in the general. I’m still scared of Clinton after this pickup today.

cjs1943 on March 5, 2008 at 1:57 AM

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:50 AM

Errr…fuuuuni-er to toNIGHT!

Saltysam on March 5, 2008 at 2:00 AM

Hillary did what she needed to do. Just keep hammering Obama it has taken him off his game.

She drove his negatives up and people now have questions about him.

Hillary went from feather weight to bare kuckles brawler and Obama hasnt adjusted to that yet.

William Amos on March 5, 2008 at 2:03 AM

js1943 on March 5, 2008 at 1:57 AM

She can’t win the general w/o Obama. So, if she wins the nomination, she’ll put him in the VP slot,

and that would not be good.

I agree, I think we need Obama to win in the end. My gut tells me he would never put her on the ticket (he doesn’t need too).

Saltysam on March 5, 2008 at 2:06 AM

Saltysam on March 5, 2008 at 2:00 AM

Did you sign up to that website?

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 2:07 AM

He plans on being in the Whitehouse a couple months before
beginning his campaign for world leader.

dragondrop on March 5, 2008 at 2:07 AM

I can’t wait to see election coverage of the Puerto Rico primary. Closed Captioning available.

THE CHOSEN ONE on March 5, 2008 at 2:08 AM

Now is the time for all patriots to cross over and vote for Obama. He can be beaten in the general. I’m still scared of Clinton after this pickup today.

cjs1943 on March 5, 2008 at 1:57 AM

He could always be beaten so can hillary, and they will, in due time.

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 2:08 AM

William Amos on March 5, 2008 at 2:03 AM

I’m loving this fight. This could be a great learning experience for “independents” and “moderates”.

Saltysam on March 5, 2008 at 2:14 AM

BO’s speeches stink as badly when he loses as when he wins. How can someone use so many words and not say anything???

HawaiiLwyr on March 5, 2008 at 2:15 AM

Anyone with this attitude about his country should implicitly be disqualified to represent and lead it.

Add to that a wife who’s even fiercer in these put-my-country-down convictions.

p.s. I proudly travel the world with my American, and only, passport, though I could have more than one.

Entelechy on March 5, 2008 at 2:16 AM

There will be no nookie at the Obama household tonight. Michelle isn’t going to like Barack’s suggestion that anyone at any time could be proud of America.

BKennedy on March 5, 2008 at 2:16 AM

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 2:07 AM

I must confess (if you are talking about the “debate” site), that I just glanced at it and never gave it another thought.

Saltysam on March 5, 2008 at 2:16 AM

p.s. I am betting Lee Greenwood would not be invited to sing at a President Obama inauguration…not that this horrific event would ever come to pass.

HawaiiLwyr on March 5, 2008 at 2:17 AM

Oh…that is the “change” you are calling for?!

…’cause earlier you said, “I’ve been to the same church the same Christian church for almost 20 years,” Obama has said. “I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible. Whenever I’m in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.”

So, tell me, Barack, to whom do you - and who do you want illegal immigrants to - pledge allegiance while overseas…Mexico?…Kenya?

Lockstein13 on March 5, 2008 at 2:44 AM

I am an American!! I am proud to be an American every day, everywhere, all the time, 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year since I could talk. This, Mr Obama, will never change!!

Dollayo on March 5, 2008 at 2:53 AM

So Senator Obama is promising a friendly, generous America; a prosperous, well-educated America; an America that is respected abroad, and an America that we can be proud of.
.
Instead of “yes we can,” or “yes she will,” maybe Republicans should shout “YES WE ARE”. Which is not to say that we can’t do better (I don’t want to encourage complacency, my point is simply that we aren’t in need of radical, transformational salvation–America is basically good, as she is right now).
.
Are we kind? YES WE ARE

Are we generous? YES WE ARE

Are we prosperous? YES WE ARE

Are we hopeful? YES WE ARE

Are we optimistic? YES WE ARE

Are we honorable? YES WE ARE

Are we respected in the world? YES WE ARE

Are we standing by our treaties? YES WE ARE

Are we standing by our trade partners? YES WE ARE

Are we standing by our allies? YES WE ARE

Are we going to win in Iraq? YES WE ARE

Are we going to win in Afghanistan? YES WE ARE

Are we proud of America? YES WE ARE
.
Are we going to make Senator John McCain the next President of the United States of America? YES, WE ARE.

daryl_herbert on March 5, 2008 at 2:55 AM

So let me get this straight. The one who wears the pants in the family, his wife, is “proud of America for the first time” just recently, but he has yet to reach that milestone?

Myself, I’m damn proud of America, and always have been. While we’re not perfect, and we have our collective faults and shortcomings, we most definitely have VERY MUCH to be PROUD of yesterday, today, and tomorrow yet to come.

Screw the Obama’s. They pander way too much at the expense of something that is infinitely larger than they. But the funny part is, the Obamanites gobble it up and can’t even see how condoscending and patronizing he and she both are.

SilverStar830 on March 5, 2008 at 2:57 AM

I am an American!! I am proud to be an American every day, everywhere, all the time, 24 hours, 7 days a week, 365 days a year since I could talk. This, Mr Obama, will never change!!

Dollayo on March 5, 2008 at 2:53 AM

You’re reading my mind, Dollayo (It’s just late here and I’m sleepy…).

It just hit me that Obama wants this person:

1) to be able to say that she’s proud to be American, but

2) that that is the “change we all want.”

IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE A CHANGE TO BE PROUD OF BEING AMERICAN?!!?

Only with the Democrats. I sure hope McCain’s machine is tocking up all these “presents” Obi gives him….

Lockstein13 on March 5, 2008 at 3:07 AM

But Barry…our country’s such a mean, cynical, terrible place (your wife’s words, not mine) how could ANY of us EVER feel pride in such a terrible place?/sarc

SuperCool on March 5, 2008 at 3:23 AM

It’s hard to remember a time when a politician of any stripe has had his ass handed to him with such incredible precision and destructive force. An now, the quintessential definitive Obama quote! (with many more to come!!!)

What a hilarious democrap campaign to August this is going to be!!! I’ll have to giggle myself to sleep tonight.

Fishoutofwater on March 5, 2008 at 4:08 AM

Hey, he has a point. How is it possible to be proud of being American when half the country is now idiot Democrats? I’m ashamed of what we’ve become!

Halley on March 5, 2008 at 5:00 AM

Wow.

Now that pretty much said it all.

The very FIRST time I ever hear a liberal openly admit he’s ashamed to go overseas and tell people he’s an American, and it happens to be out of the very mouth of a candidate who’s the liberal presidential FRONTRUNNER.

And yet they still whine when we accuse them of not being patriotic.

OK. Now we know it for sure. He and his wife and a whole slew of liberals AREN’T proud to be American. He admitted it and they clapped on hearing it.

Pathetic. Our parents and grandparents who sacrificed so much for us in the Great Depression and WWII and even Korea are CRYING from above. From this point forward, I ackknowledge raindrops as their tears.

Get ready folks. With people like this in charge of our government, soon, VERY soon, it’ll be time to drop trou’, bend over and yell “DHIMM-MI”.

Shirotayama on March 5, 2008 at 5:03 AM

I jsut heard Rosen on Fox saying that Obama said the press was too mean to him.

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

conservnut on March 5, 2008 at 5:09 AM

Wouldn’t it have been great to run in the General Election against a moron who can not even stand up and say he is proud to be an American?

But it ain’t gonna happen. We’re gonna get the Beast, instead, and she is gonna tear us limb from limb. Congratulations Big A.

gridlock2 on March 5, 2008 at 5:29 AM

To be an American is to BE an American FIRST, not an internationalist. That’s the change, moron!

Indy Conservative on March 5, 2008 at 5:31 AM

He looks sounds mad as a rattlesnake hatter!

Chakra Hammer on March 5, 2008 at 1:18 AM

I fixed it for you.

Captain Scarlet on March 5, 2008 at 5:46 AM

daryl_herbert on March 5, 2008 at 2:55 AM

And yet the Left, the world over, including the American Left, hate you. If you become weak, like them, they will scorn you for being weak. Ignore them - they need you to supply them with the wherewithal to feed their hate. You do not need them to help you with your success.

OldEnglish on March 5, 2008 at 6:08 AM

Pride in American isn’t yet another government subsidy.

AbaddonsReign on March 5, 2008 at 6:37 AM

I, too, am already proud to be an American. I am proud that many millions of other people who were not free until fellow proud Americans liberated them from evil tyranny. I am proud that hundreds of millions of people in this world continue to see the United States of America as THE shining light of liberty and opportunity.
Wake up, Mr. Obama. This IS a great country already worthy and to be proud of!

Wildcatter1980 on March 5, 2008 at 6:38 AM

Are we kind? YES WE ARE

Are we generous? YES WE ARE

Are we prosperous? YES WE ARE

Are we hopeful? YES WE ARE

Are we optimistic? YES WE ARE

Are we honorable? YES WE ARE

Are we respected in the world? YES WE ARE

Are we standing by our treaties? YES WE ARE

Are we standing by our trade partners? YES WE ARE

Are we standing by our allies? YES WE ARE

Are we going to win in Iraq? YES WE ARE

Are we going to win in Afghanistan? YES WE ARE

Are we proud of America? YES WE ARE
.
Are we going to make Senator John McCain the next President of the United States of America? YES, WE ARE.

daryl_herbert on March 5, 2008 at 2:55 AM

WOW
MCCain needs to use that at the convention!

lizzee on March 5, 2008 at 6:41 AM

Obama, sit down with your wife, have dinner with her, and explain that to her.
It is okay to be an American, just explain that to her, it is okay to be an American…

right2bright on March 5, 2008 at 6:44 AM

“Until Barack is President, there is NOTHING to be proud of in the country!”

- the Obamess

drjohn on March 5, 2008 at 6:48 AM

Proud American since 1955. Barry Hussein’s wife needs some convincing though - he ought to work on that first.

“Until Barack is President, there is NOTHING to be proud of in the country!”

- the Obamess

drjohn on March 5, 2008 at 6:48 AM

sums it up nicely

jimbo2008 on March 5, 2008 at 6:58 AM

Obama really is “JimmyCarter 2.0″ in so many ways. Maybe the Messiah can plagarize borrow J.C.’s national malaise speech sometime.

Logic on March 5, 2008 at 6:59 AM

“that is the change we are calling for.”

What a scumbag. If the mccain camp isn’t making that into an ad already then they don’t deserve to be in the race.

peacenprosperity on March 5, 2008 at 7:08 AM

Funny thing is that I only started to really appreciate this country when I spent a year in Indonesia. All that negative reinforcement I got from four years at UC Santa Cruz washed away pretty cleanly, I must say.

NorthernCross on March 5, 2008 at 7:09 AM

Obama, sit down with your wife, have dinner with her, and explain that to her.
It is okay to be an American, just explain that to her, it is okay to be an American…

Why would he do that? His views are the same as her’s, he’s just a slicker speaker. He has been talking down America and race baiting right from the start but if you only listen to the soundbites the media put out you won’t catch it. They are a one trick pony.

peacenprosperity on March 5, 2008 at 7:11 AM

My gawd…this guy (and his wife) become more offensive to me the longer they campaign. According to this self-absorbed nitwit, I’m supposed to be ashamed to say I’m an American when I travel abroad?

I travel overseas quite a bit, and have never been ashamed to say I’m an American.

flipflop on March 5, 2008 at 7:12 AM

The audacity hypocrisy of hope?

Chap on March 5, 2008 at 7:20 AM

It’s the Soros Effect.

Remember, Soros is funding Hussein.

So, of course that boy have to express what his Master is feeling about America.

Remember, I told you that boy Hussein is a puppet.

Do you want a puppet president?

Indy Conservative on March 5, 2008 at 7:29 AM

And therein lies the difference between them and us.

sheesh on March 5, 2008 at 7:29 AM

p.s. He’s givng McCain a lot of good material to use against him, hope McCain has it in him. A fighter could drill the Obama family’s comments right back down their throats.

sheesh on March 5, 2008 at 7:32 AM

Shillary has dared to deny B.O. The Anointed his right to glory!

She shall pay!

Break out the popcorn, gang! This is gonna be goooooood!

pilamaye on March 5, 2008 at 7:36 AM

as oppossed to being what? a Saudi, Iranian, Taliban, Russian, Chinese?

wake up America, the Obama’s hate you and are ashamed of you.

I’ve been proud to be an American for as long as I can remember. I’m especially proud to have served as a Marine for 23 years.

Hog Wild on March 5, 2008 at 7:38 AM

why do the Obama’s hate America so?
I’ve always been proud to say I am from the USA!

ctmom on March 5, 2008 at 7:40 AM

He said that in TEXAS? And he got cheered?

ctmom on March 5, 2008 at 7:47 AM

How is any declaration of pride going to change the instructions of the Quran? How are any policy measures installed by Obama Presidency going to change the goals of extremest Muslims as called out in the Quran? Wouldn’t it be refreshing for a politician to tell everyone “it isn’t us or our policies that are the problem, it’s the ideology and texts of Islam that needs to change”.

lowandslow on March 5, 2008 at 7:49 AM

Does he do any impersonations other than MLK?

This clown grew up in Hawaii at a rich kid school, and overseas, but wears that Southern, descendant of a slave badge in a very sickening manner. It’s fascinating that Black America is letting him be their messiah since he’s got no history. His Muslim family probably sold most of their ancestors to the White slavers.

He and his loud-mouth wife might try to pass as something else when they travel abroad, but that doesn’t mean the rest of us do. Get a clue, Baracko.

Hening on March 5, 2008 at 7:50 AM

And he wonders why Hillary cleaned his clock last night???

D2Boston on March 5, 2008 at 7:52 AM

SOB made me root for Hillary! That’s something heretofore thought impossible. My family is psychologically damaged from watching me openly cheer for her last night! This SOB is responsible for that! Maybe I should sue him for intentional infliction of emotional distress.

TheBigOldDog on March 5, 2008 at 7:57 AM

PS - After watching this, I realized I can’t stop rooting for her either. More distress for me and my family.

TheBigOldDog on March 5, 2008 at 7:59 AM

I live overseas (in Europe) and I have no problem telling people I’m an American. I’m proud of it. I’m certainly not embarassed about it. People always ask me what I think about George Bush and Iraq, and I tell them what I think. It’s an opportunity for debate.

JS on March 5, 2008 at 8:04 AM

I’ve been travelling the world on “business” since 1982. My work takes me to places far outside the secure bubble of the usual tourist destinations. Despite the many and varied policies and embarassing scandals of the elected leaders, I’ve always “held my chin up” and been proud of my country. Never an issue with me or anyone I serverd with.

Security has always been a concern because as an American you are always viewed as super rich, even if you live well below the poverty level stateside. But I guess when you interact with people who make $300 per YEAR, comparetively, even on an E-5 salary, we do live like rock stars.

In the very few problems I’ve run into most often they were occasions of simple financial jealousy not hatred fostered by this clown’s inference of “Imperial American policies”.

Funny how a little dose of 3rd world living makes it easy to love the USA. These phonies should try it sometime.

Alden Pyle on March 5, 2008 at 8:17 AM

these liberals love this stupid no name crap

the old lady from so and so with one leg and who has a dog named sam who cant pay for her health insurance and oil and heating and eats a half a banana a day.

and that man from wisconsin who loves apple pie but cant afford to buy apples to make it because he is too busy paying for his two son’s college education. he can barely afford it because his

DUMB ASS SONS SHOULDNT HAVE GONE RIGHT TO PRIVATE COLLEGES!~!!! THEY SHOULD HAVE GONE TO COMMUNITY COLLEGES FOR A YEAR OR TWO AND TRANSFERRED TO THOSE EXPENSIVE COLLEGES WITH GREAT GRADES SO THEY CAN GET SCHOLARSHIPS.

and the family from new york who can barely afford to feed themselves because they are so sad because there is no change and hope

blatantblue on March 5, 2008 at 8:18 AM

People always ask me what I think about George Bush and Iraq, and I tell them what I think. It’s an opportunity for debate.

JS on March 5, 2008 at 8:04 AM

I relish those opportunities. I was in Germany for a month in 2004 just a couple months ahead of the election. The first thing a German would ask when they found out I was an American was who I was voting for. Invariably, they’d be absolutely floored when I said Bush. I ended up in more than a few rather spirited debates.

flipflop on March 5, 2008 at 8:27 AM

As a PS to my 8:27 comment…

The one German I spoke with during that particular trip who was an unabashed fan of America was from the former East Germany. Coincidence? I think not.

flipflop on March 5, 2008 at 8:29 AM

WOW; talk about an empty suit… What an embarrassment Obama is for our country. What an embarrassment Obama is for a once great party; the party of JFK. I remember how I felt when our Olympic hockey team beat the mighty machine from the USSR. I remember how proud I felt while attending a UCLA football game at the Rose Bowl shortly after 9/11, when the field was covered with the flag of my nation & some 80 thousand people wept together for the loss of our brothers and sisters. America is the “beacon of freedom around the world”, providing hope for all mankind. I’m really getting to hate this empty suit American hating POS.

For years now, the American left has been arguing that the war in Iraq is a distraction from the “real” war against al Qaeda and is counter-productive because it’s “creating” new terrorists. Apparently, it never occurred to these deep-thinkers that inflicting a defeat on al-Qaeda in Iraq — a defeat made possible because a previously sympathetic population turned with our help against al Qaeda — might constitute a devastating blow to al Qaeda’s standing in the Arab world.

The idea that losing a war hurts one’s standing may be a novel one for our sophisticated liberals. But Osama bin Laden has long grasped it, famously stating years ago that “when people see a strong horse and a weak horse, by nature, they will like the strong horse.”

Our amazing progress in Iraq is demonstrating that, for now, al Qaeda rather than the U.S. is the weak horse in the very country that al Qaeda has identified as the key battleground in its struggle against us. Consequently, as Peter Wehner shows, the tide within the Islamic world is beginning to run strongly against al-Qaeda. For example, Sayyid Imam al-Sharif recently published a book — Rationalizations on Jihad in Egypt and the World — in which he argues that the use of violence to overthrow Islamic governments is religiously unlawful and practically harmful. He also recommends the formation of a special Islamic court to try bin Laden and Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda’s number two and its ideological leader. These words are significant, Wehner says, because Sharif was once a mentor to Zawahir and has been described by terrorism expert Jarret Brachman as “a living legend within the global jihadist movement.”

Similarly, Sheikh Abd Al-‘Aziz bin Abdallah Aal Al-Sheikh, the highest religious authority in Saudi Arabia, issued a fatwa late last year prohibiting Saudi youth from engaging in jihad abroad. It states: “I urge my brothers the ulama [the top class of Muslim clergy] to clarify the truth to the public . . . to warn [youth] of the consequences of being drawn to arbitrary opinions and [religious] zeal that is not based on religious knowledge.” Around the same time, Sheikh Salman al-Awdah, an influential Saudi cleric whom bin Laden once lionised, wrote an “open letter” condemning bin Laden. “Brother Osama, how much blood has been spilt? How many innocents among children, elderly, the weak, and women have been killed and made homeless in the name of al-Qaeda?” Sheikh Awdah wrote. “The ruin of an entire people, as is happening in Afghanistan and Iraq . . . cannot make Muslims happy.”

Public opinion polls seem to confirm al Qaeda’s suddenly low standing in the Muslim world. Wehner points to a survey in Pakistan finding that in January less than a quarter of Pakistanis approved of bin Laden, compared with 46 per cent last August, while backing for al-Qaeda fell from 33 per cent to 18 per cent. And Pew reports that the percentage of Muslims saying suicide bombing is justified in the defense of Islam has declined in seven of the eight Arab countries where trend data are available. In Lebanon, for example, 34 per cent of Muslims say such suicide bombings are often or sometimes justified. In 2002, before the Iraq war began, 74 per cent expressed this view.

Wehner notes that, even in the face of evidence like this, Barack Obama declared in a recent debate that “we are seeing al-Qaeda stronger now than at any time since 2001.” This may reflect the counsel he’s getting from Zbigniew Brzezinski, Lawrence Korb, and Samantha Power. However, with Sunnis in Iraq siding en masse siding with the American “infidel” and “occupying power” to purge al Qaeda and with prominent Islamic clerics throughout the region following suit, Obama’s view bears no apparent relation to reality. (Powerline)

Keemo on March 5, 2008 at 8:29 AM

Isn’t this the same person, who told Tim Russert, we should use an economic “hammer” on our neighbors and allies?

franksalterego on March 5, 2008 at 8:30 AM

keemo, i just wonder what happens when we leave with all these ex militias armed up..

blatantblue on March 5, 2008 at 8:39 AM

peacenprosperity on March 5, 2008 at 7:11 AM

Barack Obama and his America-hating wife are cut from the same cloth. Probably explains why they were attracted to one another. Both think of themselves as “victims” who are owed something by this country. (Ironic, isn’t it, that the media insists that Obama is the second coming of JFK, the President who said: Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country).

AZCoyote on March 5, 2008 at 8:51 AM

AZCoyote on March 5, 2008 at 8:51 AM

“Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty.”

I knew John Kennedy…He was a friend of mine…You, Mr. Obama,…………………..

franksalterego on March 5, 2008 at 9:07 AM

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