Can A New President Make A New World?

NPR by Ron Elving | Jun. 5, 2009 (Opinion)

In his effort to reach out to the Muslim world from a lectern in Cairo, President Obama relied on the stark differences separating him from former president George W. Bush. This was at once the underlying strength of the speech, and its ultimate weakness. Those who heard the speech, or who will hear of it, cannot fail to note the change of regime. For the Muslim world, and others disenchanted with the previous American president, nothing could be more welcome. Full Story »

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 by Derek Hawkins - Jun. 4, 2009

The opinion on the speech I've been looking for all day. In careful language this reinforces the notion that although the tenor of Obama's message wasn't far removed from similar addresses from the Bush administration, Obama's reputation and character gave it unprecedented sincerity.

But from this point forward, the great virtue of being someone other than George W. Bush will pay diminishing returns. And while the speech foresaw a far better world for Muslims everywhere, it did not include a clear path or plan for getting there.

He did scold the Israelis over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the expanding settlements in occupied territory, saying: “It is time for these settlements to stop.” But he did not go beyond what has been said on that subject before, notably in the early months of the administration of George W. Bush.

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