Uprising in Egypt (Heather Hurlburt & Eli Lake)

[Stapler Malone]

Originally Posted by BornAgainDemocrat

Inconsistent muddle is good!

I think this is pretty much right. Eli is advocating for Obama to be more full-throated, which is an emotional response that most everybody can get on board with, but I don't think it's the smart move. Richard Haass got it right this weekend on Fareed Zakaria GPS:

So, the administration, in a funny sort of way, I think needs to do less publicly and more privately. Because the more it does publicly, and we've seen, it will make nobody happy. Whatever they say will not be enough for the protesters and it will be too much for our friends throughout the region. I would put the emphasis on what the United States says and more important, does privately.

There is very little to be gained with any kind of public statement, no matter which side you take, but there is significant downside risk. Obama needs to play it cool and work the angles behind closed doors, where a difference could be made.