It must have been a while since David Gergen dropped his resume in the hopper for Team Obama, so it’s no small surprise that it was about for him to turn on the rhetorical firehose and gush some love the White House’s way.
On the June 4 “Anderson Cooper 360,” Gergen was asked by the host to give his initial reaction to President Obama’s speech in Cairo. Gergen immediately mugged for the camera:
DAVID GERGEN, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Anderson, there was no way he could quite reach the summit with this speech. He couldn't please everyone. We're hearing a lot of nitpicking on aspects of the speech.
But, overall, it was the most powerful and the most persuasive speech any American president has ever made to the Muslim populations around the world, perhaps back of his background.
Cooper, to his credit, was immediately incredulous:
COOPER: Wait a minute. The most powerful – the most powerful and...
GERGEN: And persuasive.
COOPER: ... and most persuasive ever, you say, to the Muslim world?
GERGEN: Ever by – by – yes, by any American president to the – to the Muslim populations around the world.
Clearly, Gergen said exactly what he meant to say – which is all the more damaging to his credibility as a political pundit. First, Islam became a major issue of foreign policy roughly at the same time Israel as a country was internationally recognized. In case you were wondering, that was May 14, 1948, during the Harry Truman presidency. That eliminates roughly three-quarters of American history. Second, how many speeches of American presidents have been dedicated solely to the Muslim populations around the world?
One might guess that number to be quite small.
And the hits just keep coming – Gergen continues:
And that's in part because of who he is, but it's also in part because of the thoughtfulness of the speech, the fact that he is able to walk in other people's shoes as well as he does because of his own sense of, you know, he's a melting pot all in himself.
Above, Gergen pays wonderful homage to the concept of ethno-centric empathy. He argues that, clearly, Obama is especially qualified to deliver such a speech, by reason of this empathy.
If that argument sounds oddly familiar, you’re not imagining things. Gergen proceeds:
And he's able to understand other cultures. And he speaks honestly and like an adult. He's seeking – it's a bold attempt to see if he can find a middle ground, a common ground, if you would, across cultures, that, instead of a clash of civilizations, can we find a common ground among civilizations? Of course, it's going to have to be followed up by hard work, but I think he's begun to change the landscape, the emotional landscape, in which the work takes place.
He understands other cultures; speaks honestly, and like an adult? One might wonder, in contrast to what, exactly? In this, Gergen shows the Obama administration that he is quite proficient at reciting talking points.
Unfortunately for him, he is observably too valuable to Obama in his current occupation.
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Comments Policy
As soon as you get a job in
June 5, 2009 - 16:23 ET by mattmAs soon as you get a job in the MSM they give you a pair of kneepads.
AC360?
June 5, 2009 - 16:24 ET by blazermaniacMaybe AC .001. The one being the viewer that actually watches Anderson Cooper.
Riddle me this
June 5, 2009 - 21:12 ET by 24enakIf AC360 has only a viewer how is Anderson Cooper apart of the MSM? And how did AC360 show get mentioned on NB, is the only viewer a NB contributer? Your numbers don't add up. And if Foxnews has more viewers than CNN and MSNBC (which they do) wouldn't FNC be the mainstream media and not CNN or MSNBC.
And they say liberals don't
June 6, 2009 - 10:21 ET by SickofLibsAnd they say liberals don't have a sense of humor.
Or able to do
June 6, 2009 - 20:54 ET by general companyMath?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Gergen on narcissism, and pandering ... NOT!
June 5, 2009 - 17:13 ET by metaphorsbwithuObama used the word "I" in 55 sentences and the word "freedom" (twice in reference to freedom of religion and once in referring to a woman's freedom to be in bondage or not) in three.
It's nice to "reach out" but exaggerating the positive contributions of your target audience, ignoring their faults, obfuscating legitimate concerns, and casting it as misunderstood and yet another victim may make them admire you for a season, but does little to stimulate true dialogue and honest self-assessmemt.
metaphorsbwithu
Obama is a self-absorbed
June 6, 2009 - 10:32 ET by ReaverObama is a self-absorbed prima donna, like all his speeches this was about making the audience love him personally. Not about loving America or his policies, it’s all about him.
If stupidity got us into this mess,
then why can't it get us out?
--Will Rogers
"But, overall, it was the
June 5, 2009 - 17:36 ET by Clear thinker"But, overall, it was the most powerful and the most persuasive speech any American president has ever made to the Muslim populations around the world, perhaps back of his background"
Dude, like no way. I mean dude! Wow dude like wow!
http://iamnotaracist.wordpress.com/
Obama is an
June 5, 2009 - 18:42 ET by George S PattonObama is an ignorant,arrogant, socialist. Know I know why his school records and under lock and key.
Gergen literally makes me
June 5, 2009 - 19:47 ET by bigtimerGergen literally makes me ill anymore...I cannot stand to listen to one single word out of his mouth...not one.
I see him, I run for the clicker if the channel is on CNN to begin with.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Cooper tried to help
June 5, 2009 - 22:34 ET by KC MulvilleI love the part where Anderson Cooper tried to reel him back in, but Gergen stuck with his story. Hilarious.
So then...
June 5, 2009 - 20:10 ET by 24enakSo then if Gergen was wrong, which US president gave a better speech to the Muslim world? And the 'quotes' in the headline is extremely misleading and are in the wrong place. 'most powerful speech' ever to the Muslim world. This makes it sound like Gergen said it was the 'most power speech' in the history of the world, he didn't.
Keeping you honest
June 5, 2009 - 20:12 ET by criticalthinkingThe observation was "overall, it was the most powerful and the most persuasive speech
any American president has ever made to the Muslim populations around
the world." Now this may be debateably, but you blatenlty distort the comment in your headline when you simply wright Obama Speach 'Most Powerful Ever", only adding to the Muslim world after the quotation and coma. This subtle distortion makes the comment seem much more ludicrous then it already is. I know it seems small, but its exactly the kind of thing that drives you guys nuts.
criticalspelling:
June 6, 2009 - 10:25 ET by SickofLibsCan you please quit mangling the English language?
It's the only thing we have left.
Is there nothing The Amazing
June 5, 2009 - 21:10 ET by MudhenIs there nothing The Amazing Obama cannot do? Hey Gergen, when's Obama gonna pull a rabbit out of his hat like Bullwinkle? Gotta be any day now...
Huh?
June 5, 2009 - 21:21 ET by bertkillianAnd the those of us who have a clue are suppose to believe that it is an awesome thing that the President is looked upon adoringly by the Muslim world? Why would any REAL American give a shit what the Muslim world thinks and whether they think our President is delivering a message they can wrap their heads around? David Gergen is popped.
Why did I go and click over to NB tonight? It is like an addiction to porn; you know you shouldn't but you do. Dammit, I have to kill my Internet access to get clean. Reading about this stuff just pisses a guy off and ruins the rest of the evening. Nobody to blame here but myself.
HUH?
June 5, 2009 - 22:47 ET by 24enakYeah 1.5 billion Muslims in the world who cares what they think. If we gain their support and the people like the US president, it might bring down the number of US flags burned, it might persuade the people to help America on the 'war on terror', or it might hinder the recruitment of terrorist recruits. Yeah so why bother, I am a 'Real' American and I care a lot.
wow, 24enak, that was a
June 5, 2009 - 23:12 ET by criticalthinkingwow, 24enak, that was a pretty lucid answer....i mean, sure, obvisouly, it would be important to the millions of living here in the USA, or anyone that would just like to see the world get along better...while this logic seems pretty clear to you and me, you dont see a lot of that, ehem, critical thinking on this site! cheers
You two trolls above really
June 5, 2009 - 23:18 ET by bigtimerYou two trolls above really need to get back to your home base and masters...report for duty.
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
Mimi? Is that you? can you
June 5, 2009 - 23:27 ET by 24enakMimi? Is that you? can you offer a rebutle other than name calling for a change.
Rebutle?
June 5, 2009 - 23:36 ET by cocodrieIs that what you two do together?
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
I am always amazed BT
June 5, 2009 - 23:40 ET by general companyAt how quickly the liberals jump to defend and excuse the Muslims, but ridicule the Jews and Christians? The Muslims make slaves of about half of there people (the woman) but the liberals are still willing to give them every benifit of the doubt. Wonder if the 2 liberals above are willing to take their "gay rights" to Saudi or Iran, maybe they should go and preach their feminism. If they are not willing to do that, then I am left to think they dont even think you should be able to post here BT.
If the Muslim world want tolerance from us, they must show it to others.
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
I didn't see us excuse the
June 6, 2009 - 00:11 ET by 24enakI didn't see us excuse the Muslims or ridicule the Jews or Christians. American Christians enslaved about half of its population 150 years ago. Gay rights in Saudi Arabia and Iran is something conservatives can agree on, no? They have a different culture than America has, women didn't always have the same rights of men in America, (still don't make the same wages). How tolerant are you towards them, to homosexuals, to liberals?
If the American world want tolerance from others, they must show it to them.
This is great, what a treat
June 6, 2009 - 00:24 ET by general companySo you bring up 150yrs ago and try to contrast it with todays Muslim behaviour.
Gay rights in Saudi Arabia and Iran is something conservatives can agree on, no?
Really, are conseratives beheading them? No they dont, they practice tolerance, something liberals and Muslims are lacking.
They have a different culture than America has, women didn't always
have the same rights of men in America, (still don't make the same
wages).
Different culture, is that all it is? So they stone them for getting raped, they whip them for reading a book, they behead them for talking with a male nonfamily member. Just a culture differance.
How tolerant are you towards them, to homosexuals, to liberals?
I am tolerant to all people, you should try it sometime.
If the American world want tolerance from others, they must show it to them.
Yea ok, I guess we shouldnt had bothered giving and protecting freedom for most of the democrocies on the planet, guess we should quit feeding the hungry around the world, or helping all countries in time of crisis.
Name a more tolerant county?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Yeah i guess your right
June 6, 2009 - 00:51 ET by 24enakYeah i guess your right history isn't important, i mean we are only doomed to repeat them if we do not learn from them.
And conservatives are really tolerant if your a white christian male and not an immigrant, gay, muslim, liberal, troll.
I think you are confusing the tailban and an average muslim on the beheadings, I am not saying that doesn't go on. But then again there husbands that kill wives and wives that kill husbands in America. Today there was a report of a man who hire other guys to "break in" and rape his wife while he watched. http://www.cnn.com/2009/CRIME/06/03/north.carolina.arranged.rape/index.html
tolerance: i do it all the time
How can you ask for tolerance from muslim when the average American associates the world muslim with terrorist. And how did you get that answer from American people being more tolerant toward different people.
There isn't a more tolerant country than America is that the American people aren't very tolerant.
Liberals proving their idiocy
June 6, 2009 - 15:05 ET by general companyYeah i guess your right history isn't important, i mean we are only doomed to repeat them if we do not learn from them.
I never said anything remotly close to this, the fact is you cant compair past centuries with current affairs. You need to reach back into the past to find what you feel is equaly bad behaviour. That in it's self says something about you.
And conservatives are really tolerant if your a white christian male and not an immigrant, gay, muslim, liberal, troll.
Hhmm very interesting statement, considering all civil rights legislation was written and pasted by conservatives. Conservatives are for free speech, not just speech you agree with, we are for free enterprise not just the kind you feel is worthy, we are for true education, not what the Gov. feels our kids should be learning, we are for freedom of expression not just the kind that insults the religious and conservatives. We will fight for your right to be Gay, Muslim, or a shoe store operator, but we refuse to give you more rights then everyone else. Your hate laws only protect liberals, your fairness doctrine only protects liberals, our public radio and TV only protects liberal points of view. We are the tolerant ones.
I think you are confusing the tailban and an average muslim on the
beheadings, I am not saying that doesn't go on. But then again there
husbands that kill wives and wives that kill husbands in America.
I am not confused. What terrorist group kills more then any other? Are the Americans that you are referring to organize and go out and find wives to kill? Your analogies are lacking. Your insistance that Americans are the real problem is rather disgusting to say the least.
tolerance: i do it all the time
Sure you are, unless you are against Gay marriage or Abortion. The simple fact that you demonize most of the folks in this country is proof you are not tolerant at all. Your hypocrocy is blinding to those of us who have clear vision.
How can you ask for tolerance from muslim when the average American associates the world muslim with terrorist.
So this is our fault? Why does the avarage American associat terrorist with Muslims? So this excuses the Muslims? Perfect,
There isn't a more tolerant country than America is that the American people aren't very tolerant.
This is about the stupidest claim ever written on this site, and that is saying something. So America is tolerant, just not Americans. Nice
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
you said 'So you bring up
June 6, 2009 - 16:51 ET by 24enakyou said 'So you bring up 150yrs ago and try to contrast it with todays Muslim behaviour.' and i wasn't comparing the two i was reminding you that America hasn't always been equal to women and that it has enslaved half of their population. You can't compare different centuries but you can compare different cultures?
Didn't LBJ pass the most civil rights legislation? I believe he was a Democrat. I don't see many republicans fight for gay rights, they may not care if a person is gay or not, gays just can't have the same right to get married. The gays aren't asking for 'more' rights they are asking for 'equal' rights, the right to get married.
Go back 80 years to the 1930 which terrorist group killed more than any other, KKK. though they didn't terrorize in the name of god they were white american males. While every member of the Tailiban is Muslim not all muslims are terrorist just like while all members of the kkk were white males, not all white males were apart of the Klan. And in the stanza you are reffering to I never said Americans were the problem.
Just because I disagree with your stance on gay marriage or abortion doesn't make me intolerant. How many 'liberals' kill other Americans because of an opposing view? YOU demonize the entire Muslim population in this country and abroad. Where did I demonize them?
Of course it isn't are fault. And stop using the word Muslim(s) in place of the word terrorist, there in lies part of the problem.
No Americans has never been tolerant in the beginning of a social change. First it was the Native Americans, then African Americans, then european immigrants, then gays, then mexicans, now Muslims. Have you opened a history book?
Good evening 24
June 6, 2009 - 17:28 ET by cocodrieHomosexual men have the same rights that I do. They are free to marry any woman of their choice. Lesbians have the same rights as straight women. They can marry any man of their choice. I am not allowed to marry a man and my wife was not allowed to marry a woman. What is it about EQUAL that you do not understand?
Why is it OK to kill unborn human beings? It seems very intolerant to deprive them the right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Your view of history concerning killings by groups in the 30's is totally wrong. Did you forget the gangs in Chicago?
Jesus Loves You so much He died for you
Liberals named Ron continue to wonder why we call them Mo
June 7, 2009 - 00:49 ET by general companyand i wasn't comparing the two i was reminding you that America hasn't
always been equal to women and that it has enslaved half of their
population.
Reminding me, why would you think I would need remindinding? Never mind my folks never owned a slave never mind my folks worked very hard to provide for their children, help Europe , free Japan, and half of Korea. Continue to give support to Japan and SKorea.Yea we havent helped anyone have we? Geez if you hate us all so much, just move. May I suggest a Muslim country like Saudi Arabia?
I don't see many republicans fight for gay rights, they may not care if
a person is gay or not, gays just can't have the same right to get
married.
Why would we fight for something we are against? Gay marraige is against all religiouse forms of marraige. Why do Gays deserve more rights then anyone else? Why does every one have to change their way of life for the Gay folks(less then 1% of the population)? Why do we have to alter our way of life for the Muslims, even though they would cut the Gays head off? Why is it every one has to alter their lives to support the liberals? Who do you support? Do you spend your money supporting anyone? Liberals give nothing to charities, just compair Obama and his whole cabinet to just Bush and Cheney. You think we should all give our cash to you, yet you do nothing for the rest of us.
Go back 80 years to the 1930 which terrorist group killed more than any
other, KKK. though they didn't terrorize in the name of god they were
white american males.
While I dont know about your numbers claiming the kkk killing more folks then anyone, I do know they were Democraps. Our Party is the party of Lincoln. Your party continues to threaten and meline folks everyday. Not only that but I thought I made it clear that today is not decades ago?
While every member of the Tailiban is Muslim not all muslims are
terrorist just like while all members of the kkk were white males, not
all white males were apart of the Klan. And in the stanza you are
reffering to I never said Americans were the problem.
So the kkk was white?, And all of the taliban are Muslim, ohh what a good point. Good grief?
Just because I disagree with your stance on gay marriage or abortion doesn't make me intolerant.
Really, did you not accuse me of being intolerant because of my veiws? Yes you did, that in its self make you intolerant.
How many 'liberals' kill other Americans because of an opposing view?
Oh I dont know, about as many other folks kill each other. Are you claiming all of the gang violence and other type crime are from Conservatives? Nope joke we dont claim those folks.
No Americans has never been tolerant in the beginning of a social
change. First it was the Native Americans, then African Americans, then
european immigrants, then gays, then mexicans, now Muslims. Have you
opened a history book?
Yep I read history all the time, but there isn't anything you or I can do about history. You can be a liberal and use it against those you disagree with, like you do. Or you can try to influence folks in a positive way, help them become successful, help them raise good children, help them become understand what this county and its people have done for the rest of the world.
But I guess we could just sit by and let liberals like you vomit on the worlds best Country and the worlds most tolerant folks?
But not me, I know the folks in this Country, I travel often. Most of them think your the problem!!
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
Mimi? Is that you? can you
June 5, 2009 - 23:40 ET by 24enakMimi? Is that you? can you offer a rebutle other than name calling for a change.
24... Doubling down on
June 5, 2009 - 23:45 ET by bigtimer24...
Doubling down on stupid is not a particularly good idea. ~Andrew Breitbart
I waiting
June 6, 2009 - 00:12 ET by 24enakI waiting
Homebases? They both need to
June 6, 2009 - 10:30 ET by SickofLibsHomebases? They both need to get back to 5th grade English class.
Islamic terrorism is worldwide 24enak...
June 6, 2009 - 03:45 ET by Army BratHere are the latest attacks
2009.06.05 (Upper Dir, Pakistan) - A suicide bomber
manages to infiltrate a rival mosque and massacre forty
worshippers. The US is to blame how?
2009.06.04 (Kandahar, Afghanistan) - Four farmers are
blown to bits when Talibanis attach a bomb to their
vehicle. Blame America?
2009.06.03 (Wardak, Afghanistan) - A political
candidate is kidnapped by Sunni fundamentalists and
murdered.
2009.06.03 (Nazran, Ingushetia) - Suspected Islamic
militants kill a police officer and injure his wife with
a car bomb. Get the picture? No US involved...just islam.
2009.06.03 (Shopian, India) - A teenaged girl is shot
to death inside her home by Islamic
terrorists. Can you also blame American policies for this?
These murders occur every day in the name of islam...no US policies involved...just the blood and death that flows from the koran through the various imama and ayatoilets.
Your theories on the origins of islamic terrorism are flawed to say the very least.
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
Yeah Christianity doesn't
June 6, 2009 - 10:05 ET by 24enakYeah Christianity doesn't kill in the name of Christianity except for the crusades, inquisition, and all the blood shed to convert other to Christianity.
So i guess you have read the Koran and have read the blood and death that flows from it. If the Koran preached blood and death than shouldn't there be 1.5 billion terrorist.
Your theories on Islam are idiotic to say the least
islam, christianity, juddism, are all lies.
Did you know the Jesus is a prophet in Islam
"Juddism"
June 6, 2009 - 10:37 ET by SickofLibsIs that an offshoot of "Jeddism"?
You know, Clampett worship?
but, you see, most of us do
June 6, 2009 - 10:07 ET by bertkillianbut, you see, most of us do NOT care what the hell the Muslim world thinks and why should we? Our country was NOT built on the Muslim ideal but the Christian ideal. Just because so many believe in it does not make it correct; except in their mind's eye.
I got news for you oh deluded one, NOTHING will ever change the hatred the Middle East has for the West; so quit thinking that kissing their asses will ever bring them around. My money is on them continuing on as usual. Go ahead and dream about a utopian relationship with the Muslims, they will always despise the infidels.