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Of course, he was critical of Pres. Bush. When he no longer can blame him,. what is he going to do? Obama is most arrogant – he is scarey – arrogant – mean – you name it that is what he is. Leave the former administration alone and do your thing and then you take responsiiblity for what you do so the next administration can blame you and they will have enougb to blame.

Republicans have a problem with comprehension......The President is too deep for them....His intelligence continues to reduce them to a noun, a verb and sound bites.....

Axelrod is right. Pres. Obama didn't point any fingers – he stated a fact. Iraq was a war of choice, that should be beyond dispute at this point. I watched the speech, he made no apologies. The folks that say he did weren't paying attention. Mitt Romney must be psychic...he called the apology hooey before the speech even took place. Not only was he totally incorrect, it's also bad form to criticize a sitting President while he's overseas. I thought mittens had better sense and better manners, but he reacted like a 12 year old.

I welcome the turn of the page from cowboy diplomacy to taking a more intelligent, productive and pragmatic view of the middle east.

Job well done Mr. President.

As an American, I find my country extremely exceptional and better than other countries around the world. For the past 100 years we have done nothing but try to do right in the world. We have contributed to the world's economy, and therefore the worlds people, at least 10 fold compared to any other country in the world. We have pushed the boundries of scientific and medical research. We have contributed treasurers and blood to free the worlds oppressed and feed the worlds starving. There is zero doubt that our country is exceptional, and we should all be proud of it and feel free to talk about it and challenge others to live up to our ideals.

To reject exceptionalism and say that no country is above another is simply disingenuous and a slap at the American spirit. Other countries are free to prove us wrong, by example. Not one has stepped up to do so. Few have even made small steps to prove us wrong. I won't apologize for these facts but I guess our president is free to do so. I'm free to call him out on it. Hopefully people realize the harm before we reach the point of no return.

He can continue to apologize for us and in essence "dumb us down" to the rest of the world. Just like our education system dumbs it down so that others can keep up. And just like our welfare system "dumbs it down" so that those who don't have the work ethic are not left behind. I think it's wrong, and it will destroy our country. Good thing he'll only be president for 4 years.

We are not a Christian country, but we are one of the largest Muslim countries in the World?

It's ok to speak to the Muslim nations but there is no such thing as a Christian nation?

Pandering, all the way.

Those who are commited to seeing our President fail, have absolutely NO desire to listen, or to be fair and objective.

Their only interest is to pull soundbites from our President's speeches, take them out of context, and try to convince people that he's saying something that he's really not.

These people are a bunch of intellectually dishonest, lying hypocrates!
"Fair and balanced" my @$$!

It is interesting how the Republican analysts have reacted to the President's speech in Cairo. They must have been listening to a totally different speech than millions of others around the world or else they didn't listen at all and are reacting to little clips taken out of context and are blowing them out of proportion. Again they missed a perfect chance to show that they care more about their country and bringing peace to many parts of the world than they do about partisanship and whining about President Obama's successes. If he brings world peace, stops global warming, solves the economic crisis and cures cancer, the Republican right will still criticize him. They are still coming off as sarcastic, bitter and unwilling to ever admit that he is so popular around the whole world and has done so much to rebuild your country's reputation. They would choke ever admitting that. The huge majority of blogs on many sites except Fox fully supported the President's trip and speech and are proud your new President. Until the Republican leaders and analysts start to put aside the hatred and show that they are Americans first and politicians second, they are never going to gain more supporters. Don't they see that? I wish someone would get a body analyst to watch many of the Republican pundits and report on their body language and the "deer in the headlights" look in their eyes. It is sometimes fun to watch.

I e-mail in stead of leaving a comment for today's.Can guest on Cnn NEWS say President OBAMA and not just OBAMA.your show is not the only one many others. Give the man his respect Mr Bush had know problem with this as much go fugire, and remember it have not been a year yet people lets give him some time. And I'm one too is woundering what's going on as well

Ah, not again: anything less than uncritical raves, and the Obama Organization comes forward with the explanation that their guy has been misunderstood, blablabla. Obaama is tiresome enough, but Axelrod is a hectoring sorehead.

Criticizing the previous administration - while escalating its policies in every area - is ONE thing. then pretending NOT to have done so is simply silly. Silly and sinister.

Oh , I am so sick of these critics and republicans. Obama is doing a great job fixing the republicans mess! but they have to keep putting in their 2 cents. even Palin wont go away. she can try all she wants to be president, she will LOSE!!! all she does is start arguements with people. I must say , I am not happy with america for the last 40 something years. why? because all the politicians since then only cared about themselves and their own pocketbooks! all the hard work I ever did, mounts to never getting the flight off the ground! because someone is always there to step you back down .if you are born with money, then you are lucky. if you are born poor, most of the time, you stay that way. america let the drug war continue. millions of americans are hooked on crack,meth, and prescription drugs! they even sell the tools to smoke it at your local circle K, and all these indian stores. even flea markets sell ( oh beautiful , colored and shaped bongs ) . I see Obama fixing all this stupid mess! he needs time!, I have faith.

The speech was OUTSTANDING. Truthful, and respectful. It was NO apology. But the previous 8 yrs were a very bad portrayal of the USA. That wasn't us, but rather extremist US leaders. The right wing is no better than the extremist over sea's. We have terrorist American that want to do our citizens harm. Should we round up all Christians and water board them for info? By the GOP's standards we should. The point is Not all Muslims are bad, not all Christians are bad. But there are crazies in both groups. Lets find common ground for the moderates so we can weed out extremism. We will never completely ride ourself of it, but we can surely slow down the recruiting.

WERE BACK baby!!

Some of you bought the latest Sean Hannity lie...

President Obama: “If you actually took the number of Muslim Americans, we'd be one of the largest Muslim countries in the world, and so there’s got to be a better dialogue and a better understanding between the two peoples.”

President Obama: “We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation, or a Jewish nation, or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens, who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”

Sean Hannity: “The same president who insists our country is not a Christian nation is now calling us a Muslim nation.”

And of course Hannity hammered this absurd spin over and over again. Say it often enough, with enough vehemence, and the low-info voters will believe it. They are dumb. He is a liar.

Let's face facts, if all Obama had said was "Good morning and thank you for inviting me to visit your country and learn about it and the region." – the Republicans would have claimed it proved he was weakening America in the eyes of the world.

We all know they would.

Of course it was the apology tour. Apologizing for Bush and Cheney. People forget the rest of the world considered us the most dangerous country in the world .Yes ahead of Korea and Iran and the axis of evil. The US had lost every ounce of goodwill we had gained from 911. I was in Europe and spat at because I was American. Bush and Cheney were regarded as dangerous clowns and bullies. The Americans who say the rest of the world has a problem need to look in the mirror and just realize how many innocent people we have touched with our collateral damage.I applaud Obama for improving our image. To all you born agains " If I praise myself , my praise be nothing." ...JESUS

I agree with the poster that said the republicans had their attack dogs ready to pounce the second the speech was done, they just had to wait to find their appropriate sound bites. Same way they have attacked Sotomayor, they probably had an attack planned on every conceivable Supreme Court nominee. It proves why they are just the party of "no" and why they are losing their grip on power in this country. Democrats need to be wary though, because they will get more devious and dangerous the more the power slips through their fingers, and will no doubt pull every dirty and dishonest trick in the book to get their power back. That's all they care about, they don't care about the people in this country.
BTW, these thoughts primarily are aimed at the far right wing of the republican party, most republicans are not that far from their ideals and values as most democrats and independents are. Moderate republicans and TRUE conservatives should be just as wary of the far right as the left and centrists are.
PS – for those who think the far right are the ones whose ideals are firmly rooted in Christianity, they should read the book of James, thoroughly

In France he said we are one of the largest muslim nations ???? 1.6 million. A day later he tells the muslim world it's 6 million .

what won't he say .

Who needs OSAMA when ya got obama

If the greedy Repubs ever payed attention to anything but their own pocket books the US wouldn't have gone to He** in a Hand basket...now our INTELLIGENT PRESIDENT must dig us out of the toilet the Repubs flushed us down!!! Now all you Repubs go and take some reading courses in COMPREHENSION!!

Obama expresses outrage and sadness at the killing of an abortion doctor, His admin vows to investigate,

but not one word about a muslim killing recuits at a recuiting center .No vow to investigate ? One must ask ??????

I think some good things were said and some very questionabke decisions were taken. I think it is a good idea to notify the Moslem world that the current American administration has reoriented to better align with reality. I think it is good to work against irrational hatred.

I think it is extremely questionable to use Arabic, the language of our enemies, of the people who are killing Americans daily, in a speech at this time. It would be like Franklin Roosevelt addressing the world in German during the Great War. I am disappointed that President Obama resorted to that tactic.

My perception is that the loudest critics (who are very different from the true conservative critics of the administration) are indeed concerned with creating sensation rather than with addressing the needs of Americans. Still, that's equally true of the loudest supporters ... the people babbling on television are doing nothing more than trying to keep themselves on television. Venues like this support that behavior, and so it goes. Those with real power ignore these babblers except when they can use them for marketing purposes.

So far nobody has provided a quote to support this claim that the President has been going around apologizing. The closest has been this: "...there have been times where America has shown arrogance and been dismissive, even derisive.” Hardly an apology. Of course, there would be no harm in America recognizing mistakes and admitting we're not always right about everything.

I don't see any quotes of the President saying any version of these phrases: We're sorry , We apologize. We regret, Please forgive us,
We were wrong.

Where is all this apologizing? I suspect this might be little more than a Fox Newsism being parroted by low-info voters. Can anyone prove otherwise?

This speech in Cairo is a distraction to American people. Messiah went to Cairo to spread Islam. Our President must stay at home and put the economy in order. He has borrowed huge amounts of money which we do not have. This speech distracts everything. By giving a lecture to Muslims, do you think our economy will go back. We lost more than 300,000 jobs last week. Yet administration is saying it is a lesser number than the previous week. Get a life.

No, the critics didn't pay attention, they don't care. All they do is come out and criticize everything and anything President Obama does. They have no intention to actually listening to President Obama with an open mind. They have their talking points in order, criticize, whine, bi!ch and moan. Say nothing positive and try their best to scare the American people.

There are 3 "fronts" on the war on terror

1. The terrorists themselves – they must be caught or killed. W understood this and so does Obama.

2. There are nations providing overt and covert aid to terrorists. This is a diplomatic issue. W's foreign policy alienated most of the world, but Obama is working to re-engage.

3. There are Muslim civilians who provide overt and covert aid to the terrorists, and are the source of new terrorists. W's policies actively enraged the entire Muslim population. Obama is trying to improve our image among Muslims, which will hopefully reduce al-Queda's support.

W concentrated on the first front, with some success. Obama is fighting the entire war.

It must be terrifying to the Republicans for a thoughtful, intelligent Democrat to have taken the White House. Someone who sees the need for diplomacy and the futility of endless wars. Someone who was able to overcome their constant attacks and negativity. Someone who inspires hope.Ergo the constant attacks and negativity. They don't know how else to respond, because other than trying to spread fear, they have no ammo. So just ignore the world's positive response and the respect that President Obama is returning to the U.S., because acknowledging that would mean you would have to admit what a dismal failure the last Republican Administration has been.

Axelrod really missed the point. The Republicans did pay attention to the speech, they poured over it carefully for anything that they could use to hammer President Obama. The real point is that President Obama has a better chance of bringing about peace in the Middle East than he does in winning over any Republicans.

Come on now...aren't you democrats just a little bit tired of Obama going overseas and constantly apologizing for our country on just about every topic goint back to George Washington?

The republicans wuth one of their "leaders" tried to set the content of the President's speech before he even made it. Romney called it an "apology" tour and it wasn't. It was even handed and accurate. Now the right wing extremist talk show hosts are trying to find words to prove this characterization and they are failing miserably.

The irony and reality of the president's speech is that no present republican leader could have made it. They have absolutely no crediblity with other nations and they are beginning to realize it.

An example is the phoney controversy of President Obama so called "snubbing " the French by turning down an invitation for dinner. This is the same country that the right has demonized, denigrated as an evil "socialized", "marxist" country.

The best critics can do is to try to perpetuate the myth that did not work in the election and will not work now: that Pres. Obama is a Muslim. Again pointing out that they are bankrupt of ideas and policies.

This is time to support president obama who is fighting to bring America in normal position on closing war bring economy in good shape regardless of party politics being we are one and only Americans regardless of party/race/religion.This position is not created by Obame IT IS inharited .So critics please wait and watch in the interest of country.

The GOP responded to his speech before he even gave it. That's what they do: they oppose Obama 100% of the time instead of being intelligent. The delegitimize themselves.

We are now a large muslim nation, no longer a Christian nation. Everthing is America's fault. It's America's fault that most muslims live in dictatorships and they love it. Isalmists want to take the world back to the 7th century, but that's ok. We'll let you and talk to you about it. Who wants to hear that kind of CRAP? I didn't waste my time on it. There are more important things than listening to someone tell you of one more way about how he's going to ruin your counrty.

Our first Muslim President is more concerned about appeasing the muslims in the Middle East who attacked us on 9/11 and attached the Cole, than he is about meeting and working with leaders of France and Germany.

Elections are important. We're now seeing why the wrong man was elected in 2008.

Always so very amazing with how little imagination the GOP goes about politics. Should not be really noteworthy, if it did not negatively affect the lives of so many people. Within the US, but also around the world.
Here, the president does something of real greatness and he is believable because it is intelligent and what he says comes from his conviction and the heart!
Congratulation President Obama! What you said was absolutely correct and the way you said it will open you many hearts that where in despair! Now the American people have to stand behind you to make it work.

The very dogmatic critics do not pay any attention. While I don't agree with all of Pres. Obama's decisions, I prefer this rational "mistakes have been made and now we will try to repair the damage" mentality over the cowboy "smoke 'em out of their holes" diplomacy of the past 8 years.

You would think the republicans would be happy to see our president accepted, respected and praised by the Middle East and the world. You would think any steps for peace and harmony would be welcomed. But, of course, we are talking about the republicans whose goal is for our president to fail, consequently our country.
It is hard for intellgent people to understand or respect what this
political party is doing and how they can ever justify their actions.
They have totally lost their way with their hate, anger, distortions and anti-American behavior.

Obama's speech was very articulate, intelligent with very strong decisive ideas. No apologies anywhere or even hint of one. Suddenly I am proud to be an American rather than ashamed.

The republicans either need to love their country and do all they can to support it and this admin or leave it and take Rush Limbaugh, Hannity,O'Reilly and Beck and don't let the door hit them in the backside.

Obama's Cairo speech once again raised the image of America throughout the world (not just the Islamic world). HIs leadership will help to repair the damage done to this country's reputation by the Bush-Cheney war machine. America is weak because of the mis-leadership of the Republican Party and their Democratic allies over the part eight years, not because of anything Obama has said or done in the five months he's been in office.

No country is perfect - we all have our faults. Obama is just pointing this out as a preface to his remarks to give a little backdrop to history. If he totally ignored this point and just launched into a blustering, braggadociious spewing of hot air to an international audience, who is, after all, his host, then his message would be hollow, meaningless, and ill-received. What a tragedy that would be given the world stage at hand.

To all of you detractors out there, most of whom are right here at home: Do you not understand anything other than 'bring it on' ? That's sandlot, childish behavior that is used in lieu of an ability to settle disputes in a mature, grownup manner. But if you insist on this course of action, I'd suggest spending a little time in a combat zone, say, fighting in a war with real bullets and missiles and shrapnel present. Then, unless you're just really dumb, you might want to try a more civil approach to conflict resolution.

The hate-mongers are getting their talking points from Hannity, Limbaugh, Gingrich – multi millionaires who don't give a darn about them but are getting richer by dividing the country. Their dilemma is that many American's are finally waking up, exposed to a world view from the internet, cable TV and meeting diverse people and have witnessed first hand how Bush and his administration have ruined the country in countless ways. The critics have no sound solutions other than having your children fight in wars based on lies, tax breaks for the wealthy, and spreading hate and ignorance. I support President Obama wholeheartedly. I am happy that other nations love and respect him. I am also relieved that I no longer have to hold my breath when my President speaks publicly.

Ill conceived war? Then why are we still there? Bring our 150,000 troops home and dismantle the illegal 200,000 private contractor Army business that, if not watched will take over the U.S..

The Middle East doesn't believe Obama and most of the U.S. citizens don't believe what he's saying either.

After years of policies that rained America and its global vision; I think that it is about time that we see the much promised change. Being an advance and free nation, America's citizens should realise that today this world needs to heal. Your president is doing the right thing.

I thought President Obama's Cairo speech was wonderful. Only the republicans in this country have something negative to say. They have shown their jealousy and stupidity since election day.

The Republicans count only on lies, to win support. Luckily, they are destroying themselves faster. Americans are not stupid. They don't need Hannity, Oreilly, Limbaugh to translate a speech for them. They have access to the internet now. They read things on their own. Having said that, let see what will happen in the next elections. We, hispanics, will respond correctly to thr republicans. We now know where they stand. We know their position on healthcare, immigration and Hispanics. From now on they will have to win without us. Let see if Limbaugh's audience can keep them in the game.

Why does this guy keep apologizing? Why is no one questioning his tripling of the deficit in just 5 months. We need a new middle of the road fiscally conservative and socially middle of the road political party and throw all the bums out.

Another day, another speech.
I think the problem for Obama and his speechwriters is that people are listening very closely.
And we're figuring out what he's really all about.
And what he's really saying.
And what he eventually is going to do.

the republicans are an embarrassment to our country. i have never seen and heard so much hate and pure lies coming from such a group of hyperites. everyone knows that g. bush chose to start the iraq war and now after over 4000 american soldiers have died for a war of choice president obama is making his point that we are a better america and will defend our nation when we are in harms way but not just to show ego power as the bush/ cheney gang did. president obama is brilliant and will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents.

Far too many of President Obama's critics do not have the intelligence to "get it", they just regurgitate their redundant talking points and hope for his failure, which means American's failure. They nitpick but don't have a world view to understand how Pres. Obama is reversing the negative image of America around the world. They don't and will never get it. They are bitter, jealous, ignorant and yes – many are blinded by their racism, so let's just ignore them. They had eight long years to screw up our country so who really cares about their opinions. President Obama is doing a phenomenal job in less than 6 months and I am proud to have him as my President.

I agree with Axelrod. The President's critics never pay attention to what he says but who cares? However, unlike Axelrod, I DO blame the previous administration for worsening the situation in the Middle East. Post 9/11, many countries in the WORLD were willing to help America and President Bush squandered that goodwill by invading Iraq. And anyone who still believes that the war in Iraq was a necessity is a complete idiot. We went in under the premise that Saddam had 'WMD' with false intelligence- even Cheney admits that there was no link between 9/11 and Saddam. Then it turned to 'liberating' the Iraqis when it came to light that there were NO WMDs. The GOP and their followers had no problems causing trillion dollar deficits to rebuild Iraq after destroying it for NO REASON but they have a problem with our President spending our tax dollars on American infrastructure, education, healthcare, green jobs, etc. all things our children and grandchildren will benefit from not suffer from. But I digress... The President wasn't on an apology tour but I believe he should have been. After the last 8 years of a disasterous U.S foreign policy, our allies suffered (The war tarnished Tony Blair's political career, Madrid and U.K got bombed, terrorist groups recruitment increased, etc.), I believe those who voted for Bush TWICE owe the world an apology.

Before the president even gave his speech the enemys of progess and peace issued statements of cynism and negativity.

The GOP withi it's "apology tour " hateful talking points and Al Queada with OBL's hateful taped message.

As long as the president has both of these entities in an frothing uproar, he is on the right path.

Great job Mr president !! Ain't nobody mad, but the devil !!

Obama is the terrorist's worst nightmare.

President Obama, is doing everything right. His position as a 'FAIR BROKER', has elevated America!

what I find extremely telling and very serious is the people who are criticizing Obama'c Cairo speech:
Michelle Malkin FOX News: Obama was very decpetive, disingenious, not based in reality and naive
Radical Islamic extremeist: Obama is telling lies, being very deceptive and using charm to conceal his bloody legacy in arab world

In my opinion they, Fox news conservatives/Islam extremists, are both one and the same and are terrified to death that Obama will succeed in his efforts

I agree with Axelrod. Hannity was complaining about one line in the first speech that was taken out of context on purpose so they can keep claiming Obama hates America. Fortunately, the huge Democratic majority and even smart Republicans, realize that Obama is making friends around the world, and that America is not an island...the world must work together. That flies in the face of Republican isolationism, but is a fact.

i feel every word of Obama's speech are the correct words. Obama does not need to point a finger at Bush/Cheney thinking and decisions, people already know. I could not understand why Bush was sent to the Oval office by the Supreme Court, and I never will forget the jaw-dropping when he got back in for a second term (without the Supreme Court).

The enemys of peace and progress in the middle east and here at home are tryng thier best to minimize the presidents speech which was ground breaking and a breath of fresh air.

These detractors have a vested interest in hate and division..

On the one side it is keeping muslims focused ot the US as an enemy and not thier own dysfunctional governments and policies and tied to extreme religious dogma

On the other side here in the US, it is keeping americans fearful and mistrusting and tied to a legacy of policy failure and cynicism brought about the GOP which is tied to extreme religious dogma.

The simarlaries between Al Queada and the right wing of the GOP are uncanny. Both want the US to fail.

GOP is all about PARTY FIRST, COUNTRY SECOND..... They'll purposely misunderstand the speech.... no surprise

I'm sorry is shows no strength. He show weakness. Just listen to his words then watch he actions. There are none. America because of freedom needs to be at the head of the world. We are the cutting edge nation and we sure don't look that way now.

As long as I can remember; Presidents after Presidents, has put pressure on the Middle East about Israelis. His speech was well received by the world. It was directed to the Middle Eastern world. Reaching out to them.

Not all Muslims are terrorist and not all terrorist are Muslims!

You people should not pay any attention to John King

He is now religiously Jewist (having cnverted when he married Dana Bash) and he has always been republican.

They all spend too much time defending the Bush crimes and offending those of us who see things from the other side.