13 Responses to “Tom Friedman thinks the world sees Obama as a strong horse…”

1. T Says:
   April 21st, 2010 at 1:52 pm

   Only in his own mind.

2. Assistant Village Idiot Says:
   April 21st, 2010 at 2:04 pm

   “Comments are no longer being accepted.”

   Perhaps that should be the new masthead quote on the NYT.

3. Occam's Beard Says:
   April 21st, 2010 at 2:20 pm

   Please remind me: why is this man considered some sort of foreign affairs expert?

   We’ll get to that, right after someone reminds me why anyone should care what he thinks.

4. Occam's Beard Says:
   April 21st, 2010 at 2:22 pm

   the world sees Obama as a strong horse because he finally managed to pass HCR.

   I’m sure the Pushtun press (is there such a thing?) is ablaze about this issue.

5. Don Janousek Says:
   April 21st, 2010 at 2:41 pm

   Hmmm. For once, Friedman and I are almost on the same page. The only difference appears to be that I see Obama only as part of a horse – that is, the north end of a southbound horse. Close though.

6. Bob From Virginia Says:
   April 21st, 2010 at 3:00 pm

   By the standards of the upper east side of Manhattan and Shrangri-La Friedman is a foreign affairs expert.

   Honestly if he wrote the truth about Obama do you think anyone in his neighborhood would speak to him again? He could face heresy charges, divorce, unemployment, ostracism and being turned away at the better NYC restaurants.

   If you want reliably insights about foreign affairs in NYC you have to speak to a taxi driver, if you can find one who speaks English.

7. Don Says:
   April 21st, 2010 at 3:11 pm

   Back in the day, it was Reagan’s handling of the air controller’s union strike that convinced the Soviets that he wasn’t prone to bluff. But that was not known until loong after the fact.

   In the case of Obama, it is hard to see how HCR shows strength. After all, it took a long time and lots of effort to pass it despite Democrat majorities, and a large reason for this was Obama’s incompetent handling of things; had Obama set about doing it smart in the beginning, like by showing leadership and actually proposing a plan upfront (rather than letting the senate and house flop about creating messy legislation goop), he could have had a fairly quick and easy victory.

8. Bob from Virginia Says:
   April 21st, 2010 at 3:20 pm

   I just read some of the comments to Friedman’s article. My g-d some people really believe that Obama is now a strong horse. They must be college graduates or some other sheltered protected species, and certainly related to the Ostrich.

9. Occam's Beard Says:
   April 21st, 2010 at 3:44 pm

   Honestly if he wrote the truth about Obama do you think anyone in his neighborhood would speak to him again?

   Bug, or feature?

10. expat Says:
    April 21st, 2010 at 4:24 pm

    His comment about the NATO guy saying America is back again shows Friedman’s silliness. Europeans know nothing about the offal that went into the sausage, nor have they been told of the corrupt deal making needed to get the bill through Congress. That Friedman isn’t bored to tears by such superficial statements says a lot about his perceptive depth. The greenies also say they love America–as it used to be back when they were smoking pot and listening to Joan Baez. I really don’t think the people who have to sign the checks in Europe are quite as impressed. And of course Medvedev could be impressed that Nancy got her way without having to resort to plutonium like a real strong man.
    Maybe the gov wants to restrict our salt to ensure that enough grains will be available for future Friedman interviews. He seems to be running a little short.

11. Bob from Virginia Says:
    April 21st, 2010 at 4:32 pm

    Occam, ye got me, what does “bug or feature” refer to?

12. Occam's Beard Says:
    April 21st, 2010 at 4:41 pm

    Bob, I meant being being shunned by Friedman’s earnest liberal confreres for writing the truth about Obama may be a disadvantage from some perspectives, but an advantage from others (such as mine).

13. Tim P Says:
    April 21st, 2010 at 4:46 pm

    Well geez, given Friedman’s love of despotic regimes, I can see how he thinks the passing of HCR shows a strong horse.

    He defied the will of the vast majority of the public and along with Congress broke all the procedural rules he could find to get it passed. His lap dog media shilled for him in the most shameful manner throughout. They have and are trying, on all issues, to paint any dissent as racism or treason.

    If you’re an autocratic thug, what’s not to love?

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