Obama’s silence on pirate negotiations correct
posted at 4:00 pm on April 9, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
I’m getting a lot of e-mail from readers about Barack Obama’s refusal to comment on the piracy crisis and negotiation to free the captain of the Maersk Alabama. Quite a bit of it is derisive, claiming that Obama is voting “present” rather than leading, but is that really what’s happening?
Obama was asked to comment on the situation several times by reporters at a White House event on refinancing for homeowners. Obama, however, stuck closely to the script and replied that he wanted to remain focused on housing.
I’m no fan of Obama, obviously, and I think he has serious deficiencies as an executive. This isn’t one of them. At the moment, we’ve sent FBI negotiators and warships to the location in order to impress upon the few remaining pirates that they aren’t going to go anywhere:
FBI hostage negotiators joined U.S. Navy efforts Thursday to free an American cargo ship captain held captive on a lifeboat by Somali pirates. A U.S. destroyer and a spy plane kept a close watch in the high-seas standoff near the Horn of Africa.
The pirates took Capt. Richard Phillips hostage Wednesday after they hijacked the U.S.-flagged Maersk Alabama, but the cargo ship’s crew overpowered them and at least four then fled to an enclosed lifeboat. It was the first such attack on American sailors in about 200 years.
My bet is that their primary demand will be to keep breathing for more than the next few hours. The pirates only have one bargaining chip now, and they’re obviously not suicidal fanatics, or they’d all already be dead. The only question is when they’ll realize the futility of their situation, and how they’ll react when they do.
Meanwhile, just as in any hostage situation, external comments won’t help and could make things worse. Military and civilian professionals are on their way to deal with the situation. I don’t blame the media for asking the question, but I don’t blame Obama in this incident for not responding, either. He’s right to wait until the situation is resolved to publicly comment on it.
Update: Joe Biden’s also refusing comment, but John Kerry is publicly calling for hearings on America’s piracy policies. I think that’s a good idea — once this crisis has passed.
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No way Ed. No way he gets a pass on this.
At the very least, he could have said “thoughts and prayers to the family of the captain, we’re doing everything we can to defuse the situation and make sure the captain comes home safely.”
NO WAY he gets a pass. Where is his compassion and humanity? Uh sorry guys, I’m here to talk about housing. I mean, seriously, WHO THE HELL SAYS THAT?
BardMan on April 9, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Agreed. Let the FBI and the military do their job. Then we need to let these ships start arming themselves. No reason a 20 foot outboard with 4 guys should ever be able to take over a multi-million dollar vessel.
BadgerHawk on April 9, 2009 at 4:03 PM
During the Gulf War, Bush 1 did the best thing by letting his military commanders run the war. I don’t like Obowa either but this is right.
Kerry just needs to shut up because it would be the right thing to do.
AubieJon on April 9, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Maybe he should bow to them.
Kini on April 9, 2009 at 4:03 PM
I’m still hung up on the idea of the United States government having to deal with piracy as a serious issue in this day and age.
Typhonsentra on April 9, 2009 at 4:03 PM
I think he stuck to the script because he is voiceless without the teleprompter.
Vashta.Nerada on April 9, 2009 at 4:03 PM
Agree with Ed but BardMan makes a good point.
Skywise on April 9, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Because it used to be an act of war……………
………….. now it is only an infraction.
Seven Percent Solution on April 9, 2009 at 4:04 PM
Also a good point. What President Obama has said so far has not been very ‘articulate’.
BadgerHawk on April 9, 2009 at 4:04 PM
If Obama had said something like;
I can’t comment on this issue until it is resolved.
I would have no problem with that.
Instead he declared that he wanted to stay focused on housing.
That gives the message that he doesn’t consider this issue to be worth his attention in the first place.
An entirely different message.
MarkTheGreat on April 9, 2009 at 4:06 PM
I agree with Bardman. This man is just not presidental material.
CaCa on April 9, 2009 at 4:07 PM
America’s piracy policies:
- Arm all merchant ships.
- Kill the pirates.
- Destroy all ships in a five mile range on Somolia beach.
- Trebuchet pirate bodies to beach.
Hearing over.
WashJeff on April 9, 2009 at 4:07 PM
We need a pirate czar.
lorien1973 on April 9, 2009 at 4:07 PM
I understand there are 300+ hostages and several vessels still being held for ransom by these pirates.
I still think the Obama should bow to them.
Kini on April 9, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Absolutely correct! I am sure something is being done, but Obama has nothing to do with it. The FBI is working to rectify this. I just pray they don’t do something really dumb like give them the money. That tells them it is a legitmate form of business and this will happen again and again.
If it were me I may give them money with a homing device, or I would have a submarine near them. As soon as the hostages are free, they would hear a whistling sound and be engulfed in fire. Or their ship would suddenly explode from a torpedo.
Not only that, we should have decoy ships full of marines dressed like crewmen all over the place near Somalia and give them a kill on sight command.
jeffn21 on April 9, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Hearings? What do we need hearings for? Let the Pentagon sort it out. It’s what they do.
CP on April 9, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Do we have snipers on the navy vessel? If so, assign 4 snipers, one per pirate.
MarkTheGreat on April 9, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Why not have CBS run a poll to determine the course of action………..
…….. then we can hold some committee hearings starring Barney Frank,
and pass a bill loaded with pork, but no one will be able to read it…………..?
Seven Percent Solution on April 9, 2009 at 4:08 PM
Nothing will satisfy those suffering from acute ODS, Obama could hug a small child and they’d accuse him of trying to kill the child by asphixiation.
DeathToMediaHacks on April 9, 2009 at 4:09 PM
And a ninja czar. I nominate myself for both positions.
TheUnrepentantGeek on April 9, 2009 at 4:09 PM
He didn’t know what to say, so he chastized the reporters to stay on topic. Had he been asked someting about the wonderfulness of national health care or drilling less oil, I think we would have gotten an answer to the question rather than a rebuke to a reporter doing his job.
Akzed on April 9, 2009 at 4:10 PM
<blockquoteWashJeff on April 9, 2009 at 4:07 PM
I forgot one bullet:
- Send Kenyan witch doctors to shrink their manhood.
WashJeff on April 9, 2009 at 4:10 PM
I’m sure the pirate attacks would end if Obama would just go and apologize to the pirates for Americans being so arrogant and greedy. Then he can sink our own destroyers and say look we’ve disarmed, won’t you join us? LOL
jeffn21 on April 9, 2009 at 4:11 PM
I saw that on Hannity last night. I felt so bad for the kid. Hannity was right on with his criticism.
WashJeff on April 9, 2009 at 4:11 PM
DeathToMediaHacks on April 9, 2009 at 4:09 PM
I take it that you are conceeding the fact that you have nothing worthwhile to add to this conversation?
MarkTheGreat on April 9, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Are they stuck on whether they want to go to Maine or Minnesota?
BL@KBIRD on April 9, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Obam…uhhh… is just hoping that, by drawing things out, he will pick up some useful tips for plundering the U.S. economy.
Master Shake on April 9, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Uh oh. Is this post Ed’s version of Allah’s notoriously manipulative comment magnets?
Cuffy Meigs on April 9, 2009 at 4:13 PM
Yep. He reinforced a pre-existing image. Some boilerplate would have helped avoid that.
a capella on April 9, 2009 at 4:13 PM
A broken clock is right twice a day, I suppose.
Asher on April 9, 2009 at 4:14 PM
The man is a complete failure and the pirates see him as weak the same as the rest of the world.
EnochCain on April 9, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Why should he get a pass? He doesn’t have a plan for anything except to take America down. Hillary Clinton is callling it a criminal act. That is what got us into this mess in the first place. She is afraid that we might violate the pirates’ civil rights.
The armed forces has a plan to clean out these groups on land but the Obama Adminstration won’t let them. This is a huge sign of weakness and we will pay for this big time. This is another failure of the O.
BetseyRoss on April 9, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Boy, what I would give for President AzzClown to stay silent on more things and go back to the standard ‘present’ vote.
Meanwhile, he’s heading 90 mile-an-hour down a dead end road.
cntrlfrk on April 9, 2009 at 4:16 PM
I think he’s just seeing how quickly it can get away from him.
The media was supposed to be there covering his touting of what he saw as his accomplishments in the housing arena, but they kept trying to sidetrack his awesomeness with this nasty pirate hostage business that he knew little about and had no personal heroic involvement in solving.
Basically, he’s just asking the reporters to let him enjoy his waffle.
Frankly, I’m glad he’s not micro-managing the situation, but give it time and I’m sure he’ll be all over it.
Otis B on April 9, 2009 at 4:17 PM
I’m sorry Ed, but this is a sign of weakness. A president is suppose to lead and make these minions scared of messing with the United States.
Instead Obama keeps silent, because, maybe, he doesn’t want to offend Muslims.
He even said. “I’m only discussing housing.” Excuse me?! What if President Bush said this?
Our enemies are laughing at us for electing this weak guy.
jencab on April 9, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Oh come on!
This could be solved with 3 scoped m1A rifles. “One…two…three…BAM, uh Captain, you can come up now.”
We are talking about three “pirates” in a small boat 300 miles off the coast. Pop them and be done with it. As to Obambi’s “no comment”, what a maroon. If he as the stones to order a hit on three Muslims, I will personally apologize on this blog. Odds of me having to? Zero.
GunRunner on April 9, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Just read Meacham’s book on my fave pres, Old Hickory…and he had the exact same problem. And he started off by doing the same thing as Obama is doing…not speaking publicly about it while seeking a non-public solution about it.
Then, he sent out a little military group to punish the pirates. The group basically razed a few villages which wasnt Old Hickory’s intention but it fixed the problem.
The Wall on April 9, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Bashing CEO bonuses: OK
Commenting on pirates: Not OK
Whatever, Ed.
fossten on April 9, 2009 at 4:19 PM
So, you think Obama shouldn’t say something like:
“Our prayers go out to the Captain that is still in harms way. Efforts are underway to secure his release.”
faraway on April 9, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Exactly. “Now watch this drive.”
Cuffy Meigs on April 9, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Hitting a target in a bobbing motor launch from a ship platform may be a bit tricky. I’m wondering how much water and food the pirates and captain have had since they have been out there.
a capella on April 9, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Exactly!
A compassionate answer about the Captain would have been the good answer. Saying the US Navy is in the area and the situation is being monitored would have been a good answer.
“We’re talking about housing” is not a good answer.
MayBee on April 9, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Obama’s silence on the issue is a good thing. The less said the better. Been too much Obamafying lately, too much talk.
Once the Captain is released/rescued, we know where the pirates hang out, one of several small coastal Somalia towns. This isn’t the first time these coastal pirates/brigands/bandits have engaged in this stuff. Let’s make it the last. Once the Captain is back in safe hands, we go in, saying nothing, of course, and level the entire area, lay waste to it all, each coastal town involved. Middle of the night raid. No warning, no demands. Zip.
Just do it.
Admiralty law allows it. Encourages it, actually.
But that will take commitment…real leadership…and we have a paucity of that of late.
coldwarrior on April 9, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Exactly. Axelrod and Emanuel couldn’t poll fast enough to determine an action. Punks.
marklmail on April 9, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Gibbs pretty much said this.
Otis B on April 9, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Ed, I don’t think anybody is asking that Obama lay out a strategy. I just think they would expect, at a minimum, some sort of “We’re on it” statement, rather than a brush off to talk about “housing”.
It’s just clumsy. It emphasizes his inability to communicate without a script, and it makes it appear as though housing is more important to him than what is happening with this ship.
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Yes, an apology is needed. We should have never had ships carrying humanitarian cargo.
The obama only needs to talk to his muslim brethren and apologize. That’s the ticket!
Kini on April 9, 2009 at 4:21 PM
BardMan,
I would agree if we didn’t have a Teleprompter Tubbie as President. Even the act of wishing the families well could likely cause him to run on for several minutes hemming and hawing about the change in maritime law he would like to see in the future.
Better that he clam up in public.
OBQuiet on April 9, 2009 at 4:22 PM
That’s right. It makes him look like his domestic giveaways mean more to him than an American in peril.
It also makes him look afraid to talk without crib notes.
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:22 PM
TOTUS didn’t tell him to comment on the situation. Sooooooooooooo……there you go.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on April 9, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Sorry Ed, but I think you’re wrong on this. NO comment is akin to voting “present.” At the very, very least, he could update us with what is happening and something to the effect of what BardMan said above. I find the Obama administration’s silence and lack of action deeply troubling.
conservative pilgrim on April 9, 2009 at 4:23 PM
And Obama couldn’t?
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Respectfully disagree, Ed. He could of at least said something. The way he said “guys, we’re talking about housing, now” made him sound wholly disinterested in the fact Americans are being held captive. I don’t expect him to map out strategy, but to dismiss the topic the way he did… if I was a family member of one of the crew guys, I’d be a little… confused, if not miffed.
Pasalubong on April 9, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Any bets his first words on the matter will be in the form of an apology to the pirates for our “capitalist arrogance”?
Round ‘em up and send ‘em to GITMO!
Closing it? Welfare? Book deals? Talk shows? Oh yeah, right. Never mind!
Sweet_Thang on April 9, 2009 at 4:24 PM
I’m willing to reserve judgment until the situation is resolved. He could have been more “articulate,” as others have noted (e.g., I can’t comment on this ongoing situation, our prayers are with the Captain, etc.)
If the right were vindictive, though, this “housing” comment could be Obama’s “My Pet Goat” moment.
cs89 on April 9, 2009 at 4:24 PM
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:23 PM
Yes, of course he should have. It should have been a no-brainer.
Otis B on April 9, 2009 at 4:24 PM
What it really means is that obama doesn’t know how to handle a crisis. As serious as this is, what if something really big happened.
Present?
Kini on April 9, 2009 at 4:24 PM
I wish Obama would vote present on every issue.
zmdavid on April 9, 2009 at 4:24 PM
Obama is a gutless wonder. Calculating, gutless, coward.
marklmail on April 9, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Considering the fact that the left was pissed off at Bush because he did not wave a magic wand and evacuate New Orleans in one fell swoop, I don’t worry too much about giving Obama a break.
In truth, sometimes it is better for the media to stfu and let people do their jobs, but it has been so long since that was how things were done that it seems a tad old fashioned to do it now.
Terrye on April 9, 2009 at 4:25 PM
YES. EXACTLY.
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:25 PM
I say put Kerry in a Swiftboat and send him full steam ahead. Maybe he could finally earn that medal he’s always boasting about.
He should make sure he wears his lucky hat.
roux on April 9, 2009 at 4:26 PM
He should say something. It’s not like the pirates are sitting on the lifeboat watching CNN, and his press conference is going to affect the negotiations. This incident should be the focus of his attention, not a distraction to be dismissed.
joe_doufu on April 9, 2009 at 4:26 PM
Just read your comment above mine– we’re on the exact same page. :)
Pasalubong on April 9, 2009 at 4:26 PM
BINGO!!!
Sweet_Thang on April 9, 2009 at 4:27 PM
I am sure that Obama is waiting to hear from the International Community for quick and decisive action…………
……………. as soon as they are finished with North Korea for their missile launch.
Seven Percent Solution on April 9, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Obama could have said something along the lines of;
Actions such as these have always been considered acts of war. The commander on the scene is handling the situation, and we in the White House are monitoring events. I will answer no further questions until the incident is resolved.
—-
That would have underlined the fact that he took this situation seriously. It would not have injected him or the White House directly into the situation.
Instead he told the world that he considered housing to be more important.
MarkTheGreat on April 9, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Hmmmm…. lets see…
FBI negotiating team… even though the DOD has trained hostage negotiators themselves.
4 guys, in an out of gas lifeboat… still holding off a US Navy Destroyer.
Supreme Court ruling saying that Military prisoners have access to US Civil Courts…
Negotiating with Terrorist/Pirate…
This is, IMO, most probably being run out of the Dept. of JUSTICE… but if things go wrong, they will be able to blame the military as there is a Navy ship now there (even though IMO it seemed to take an inordinate amount of time to get on station).
Solution… no snipers needed?
Run the Bainbridge out about 3 miles… pull the battlestops on the engines… kick her up to about 25 knots… stear NEAR the lifeboat (which can’t manuever, its out of gas)…. do a crashback (reverse pitch on the variable pitch props)…. creates a HUGE wave which swamps the boat… have your SAR swimmers both in the air, and in smallboats ready to go…
But meanwhile…. we look like impotent Beta males to the entire world, as the vaunted US Navy is stared down by four Ragheads in a Lifeboat…
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Someone who forgot to have the sympathy speech loaded into the teleprompter.
Caper29 on April 9, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Still waters run deep
But Obama is just asleep
MB4 on April 9, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Beautiful!
GunRunner on April 9, 2009 at 4:29 PM
He’s waiting for a return call from King Abdullah for instructions on what to do.
Kini on April 9, 2009 at 4:29 PM
Well, since Obie Want will sit on his hands as much as possible in this, I say we rescue the Captian, then send in some mercs to “esplain” to the Somalis that they should wait ANOTHER 200 years before doing this again….
MBuck on April 9, 2009 at 4:30 PM
I hope Obama was just being careful not to upset negotiations, but I suspect that he sees these things more abstractly than most Presidents would, and he’s less offended by the situation than someone like George Bush would be.
If this happened to the USSR in the old days, what they’d do is find either friends or family of the pirates, take them hostage, and then start dealing.
RBMN on April 9, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Lip zipped, Capt Ed.
Got my Bible, my Jobu, my Budda, and my fingers crossed I can keep it zipped.
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Well. At least we know how to shut him up for awhile. Useful information for the future.
BrideOfRove on April 9, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Hmm… how’s this:
“Obama was asked to comment on the situation several times by reporters at an event at a children’s school classroom about the attacks. Obama, however, stuck closely to the script and replied that he wanted to remain focused on the children and finish reading the book.”
Skywise on April 9, 2009 at 4:31 PM
He paid more attention to his NCAA bracket picks.
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Hey, the Decider took days to do anything when Katrina hit. Heckuva job, Bushie!
capitulus on April 9, 2009 at 4:33 PM
That would have been a good way to handle it. If you could stomach the job, he should hire you.
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Bingo.
What did the British Foreign minister write about him as a candidate? That he can seem unfeeling?
MayBee on April 9, 2009 at 4:33 PM
Which has exactly squat to do with this. Thanks for reminding us.
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Ed has made other stupid statements about supporting Obama in relation to military matters.
I’m not about opposing Obama for the sake of doing it, but Ed definitely does play the useful idiot sometimes.
TTheoLogan on April 9, 2009 at 4:34 PM
+1…..Bush can do nothing right and nothing Bambi has ever done is wrong…
“surreal”
sven10077 on April 9, 2009 at 4:34 PM
What would King Abdullah do?
Kini on April 9, 2009 at 4:34 PM
When all else fails, bring up Katrina – but make sure not to mention the incompetency and lack of cooperation by the local and state Democrats. That’s a secret.
I guess you think housing trumps American lives, too.
capitalist piglet on April 9, 2009 at 4:34 PM
and Ogabe did nothing and said nothing on the ice sotrms or the red river your point?
sven10077 on April 9, 2009 at 4:35 PM
It probably took Bush a while to realize that Ray Nagan was a busophobic.
MB4 on April 9, 2009 at 4:35 PM
I have to disagree here.
It’s important, and someone in the White House should be monitoring it. But it should not the Presidents focus.
One of Carter’s big mistakes was making the Iranian Hostage crisis the single most important issue for his administration. Then when it drug on for 444 days, it made him, and us look impotent.
Let the commander on the scene handle it, with the WH monitoring.
MarkTheGreat on April 9, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Old Hickory huh? That explains a lot about you.
thomasaur on April 9, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Cap,
Unlike yourself, an obvious ignoramus, I was in Louisiana, near new orleans, when all of this happened, and was directly affected by it. There’s a reason our governor didn’t run for a second term, and it wasn’t because of Bush that she didn’t.
TTheoLogan on April 9, 2009 at 4:35 PM
Besides giving his sympathy to the families, I wish he has emphasized that whatever possible scenario that may get played out here – whether it be the best case scenario surrendering to the authorities or the worst case scenario of all involved (pirates and hostage dying) – no scenario involves the pirates living walking away from this scot free.
DarkKnight3565 on April 9, 2009 at 4:35 PM
He’s talking about getting housing for the pirates??
Wait…what….??
How long does it take for them to unload the ‘Housing is a Right’ file and que up the ‘Pirates are our Friends’ file into the TOTUS??? Don’t we have this technology down yet??
BigWyo on April 9, 2009 at 4:35 PM
sven10077 on April 9, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Hey Dude, the Bush war is over. You need to get new parts for your head.
GunRunner on April 9, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Oh, MY, GOD…
On Fox…
Gates just announced he’s sending BACKUP to the scene…
Because you know… a US Navy destroyer can’t handle 4 guys in an out of gas lifeboat with small arms…
I am so disgusted.
Romeo13 on April 9, 2009 at 4:37 PM
+1 I am near Ft. Polk and not only did she do damned little she actively tried to jam prepositioned aid in case the storm missed…..
“we don’t need his help” was heard at her office until the storms’ impact was seen.
sven10077 on April 9, 2009 at 4:37 PM
He was and by extension, we were.
thomasaur on April 9, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Whenever the one gets into trouble, his devoted minions trot out the old lies about Bush trying to distract attention.
MarkTheGreat on April 9, 2009 at 4:39 PM
Brass. Every CPO on board knows exactly how to handle it.
Limerick on April 9, 2009 at 4:39 PM
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