On Sunday night, President Obama delivered extraordinary information when he interrupted the Sunday-night TV schedule to announce the death of Osama bin Laden. It was a moment of triumph for the country, and for the American troops involved in the killing of bin Laden. The President was suitably measured yet forceful in his remarks.
Obama’s address to the nation is in keeping with many other moments in Presidential history, in which our leaders have taken to the media to speak to Americans about matters of urgent import. To take just a few:
In 1941, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave a speech to Congress, broadcast via radio, after the attack on Pearl Harbor, in which he assured us “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.”
In 1983, President Ronald Reagan delivered an eloquent preface to a press conference about the attack on a U.S. military post in Lebanon, mincing no words: “Yesterday’s acts of terrorism in Beirut which killed so many young American and French servicemen were a horrifying reminder of the type of enemy that we face in many critical areas of the world today — vicious, cowardly, and ruthless… “
And President George W. Bush attempted the near-impossible in trying to comfort the country in 2001 after the Sept. 11 attacks. In a televised address, he said, in part, “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shattered steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve.”
There’s another context in which to view Obama’s remarks. It now seems, in retrospect, all the more striking that Obama gave the speech he did at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday. We can now realize that, as he delivered the stinging zingers aimed at Donald Trump’s birther idiocy, Paul Ryan’s budget proposal, and funding cuts for NPR, Obama knew what was going on in the mission to kill bin Laden.
Post-bin Laden, doesn’t it already seem amazing that so much recent media coverage has been consumed by the subjects Obama lampoons here, subjects that require Lion King footage to convey the full ridiculousness of what, as they say, “dominates the conversation”?
One of the things that drives Obama’s political critics crazy is the media characterization of the President as a cool customer, a serenely calm multi-tasker. (Of course, this is also one reason Obama has also been compared to Ronald Reagan’s media image — that of a skillful communicator adept at putting audiences, in the press corps or throughout the nation, at ease.) This weekend, I think few can doubt the man can juggle matters of great historical import, as well as frivolous irritants and pop-culture absurdities, with the right tone for each matter.
Please NEVER use the words President Obama and Donald Trump in the same sentence. Trump showed himself to be the mean spirited petty, small, insecure, and idiotic man most of knew he was at the dinner Saturday night, barely cracking a smile. He mocked Seth as a stutterer, rather than dismissing the content. Trump is a poor excuse for a human being.
Obama was re-elected over the weekend. The GOP didn’t get the memo.
Hahahahaha! Exactly! Donald Trump thought he scored against Obama but the President did one better. Sorry Donald but you want to play games with politicians you still have a lot to learn.
Nice, LOL! I certainly hope you’re right.
killing bin laden is not enough to re-elect a president who has quadrupled our deficit and engaged in another war that he didn’t even get approved by congress…sorry LOL but your wrong…also let’s not forget that obama himself is not the one to thank for killing bin laden. that would be our troops and our intelligence agencies. and ken tucker, who cares if obama is an eloquent communicator, we’ve all known that for over 5 years; doesn’t make him a good president
NICE. And so true, Ari. Trump has NO clue. Obama officially earned my respect this weekend.
Not so fast, there. Americans have ridiculously short memories. What is going to get Obama reelected is if gas prices go down and stay down at pre-Libyan uprising prices. That we will remember, not this.
@ Zack and WC Laura, OH YES Killing the most wanted terrorist in the WORLD is a HUGE PLUS on his resumee. Gas prices? He is not in full control of gas prices??? and Zach what do you mean it is not that big of a deal catching OBL. The Rights line of potentials looked weak before. All I have to say is someone better have a better argument than ” Obamacare” and where he was born. Cause he pretty much has it set now.
Agree
What other war?
@Zack: If JFK got reelected because of Castro or the Bay of Pigs, then why can’t President Obama get reelected because of bin Laden.
@Alyssa: First off, the kill has not been verified other than by word of mouth. Saddam Hussein’s execution was documented. And second, let’s see if you actually remember this in a month or a year from now. Not being a jerk; that’s just how it goes. This will also mean an even longer engagement for our troops in the Middle East.
the war in Libya…you know, the one that real liberals like dennis kucinich and harry reid are furious over because there was no congressional approval behind the invasion…i’m not even a bush supporter but you know if bush had done that you all would be up in arms over it. Lee, how does catching a terrorist ten years after having relevance have any comparison to the bay of pigs? totally different situations. and Alyssa, your arguments follow no logical order so i’m not even sure how to respond. you go from gas prices to saying it is a big deal to catch bin laden and then talking about the right’s weak potential candidates…i gave two reasons (among countless others) besides obamacare and where he was born…QUADRUPLING our deficit (in case you didn’t get that, QUADRUPLING!!!) and entering into another conflict in the middle east without permission…why are you liberals not ridiculously upset over another conflict in the middle east when he promised to end the other two? how can you look past that?
Um, Kennedy did not get re-elected. He was assassinated before serving 3 years as President.
First of all, President Bush had a lot to do with the killing. Without his tactics and rules into play, this never would have happened. So Obama should not get this credit, plus, with his announcement has put America in more danger than before. This will not get him elected, while his polls for now are high, this will not stop. Let’s not forget, how bad the economy is, depression, high unemployment, we owe trillions, he is a socialist, hates American business and also fights for the enemy, never Americans or our allies. This is the true Obama and we need to make sure he does not get re-elected. We cannot afford it. Let’s go Donald Trump or whoever our conservative nominees are.
My vote for President will go to whoever is pro-life….I guess I won’t be voting for President Obama. I am against abortion.
That is your choice, but please refrain from posts that have nothing to do with the topic of the article.
And if the candidate who’s pro-life also happens to support policies that leave your family unemployed, that deny your children medical care or decent education, and that create massive debt for your grandchildren to be saddled with, well, I guess those are all things you can deal because there’s only one issue of importance. Wow, Terri, it must be nice to have your politics – and your life – be so simple.
Well, I’d glad you really get the full complexity of the issues facing this country.
To all of those who replied to Terri. I love you all so very much. People like her are the reason things don’t get done in this country. Too many focus on their personal issues and not issues that affect this nation as a whole. Especially to you Dan, you said it perfectly.
Ummm,ok. What does this have to due with killing OBL?
Anyone who votes based on one single issue should have their voter registration revoked! I don’t care what the issue is, there’s a much broader issue than just voting based on abortion, gay rights, war, etc. You need to look at the big picture to determine who to vote for. Reagan was pro-life, but he increased our federal deficit from $900 billion to nearly $3 trilion. Let’s have that again!
Do your research, A republican justice wrote the law for abortion, the president was a republican(Nixon) the Congress was majority republican and so was the Supreme Court. If republicans did not want abortion they could have abolished when Bush had a majority in congress and the supreme court.
Republicans introduced abortions
You do realize, of course, that GWB was pro-life (or anti-women, whichever you prefer), as was the majority of the House and the Senate during Bush’s final years. Guess what? NOTHING CHANGED! You know why? They are smart enough to realize a lost cause. Roe v. Wade will never be overturned because there will be riots in the streets… so voting strictly for the pro-life/anti-women candidate is moronic since that candidate will never do anything to change the law regarding abortions.
Terri – you do realize that your inability to vote beyond a litmus test is capitalized on by people who do not have your basic interests at heart? Plenty of Repubs are pro-life in name only because they know they can garner votes that way and won’t ever have to back up their assertion. Meanwhile they pursue their agenda of stealing from the middle class to pay for tax cuts for the richest 5 % of this country. Many people don’t like abortion but recognize that it is not the only issue facing this country. Many pro-choice candidates value life – but they see things through a lens that says it is not up to the government to decide what a woman chooses for herself. Many pro-choice politicians support social programs that provide funding to help women not get pregnant in the first place, and to reduce abortions through very practical means like safety nets that mean their under-priveleged child won’t be abandoned once they have been born. Do you think an impoverished uneducated mother will feel like she can keep her child? Real and very significant reductions in abortion rates are produced through education and economic empowerment. Those changes also improve the lives of those babies after they are born. There is more than one way to tackle the abortion problem. Just saying ‘make it illegal at all costs’ carries avery high cost indeed.
I am a Woman Terri, I am pro-choice and Catholic. Being pro-choice as President Obama is doesnt make him or anybody else a killer. I dont want a bunch of men deciding for me what I can and cant do with my private area or if I get pregnant by a rapist tell me I will go to hell for not wanting a scumbags baby. As the above said stay on topic too.
what a completely ignorant reason to cast a vote. Do you think that is the only issue in this world??? Not to mention .. what the hades is it to you anyway what a woman does or does not do with her own body? Oh thats right .. lets force a woman to have an unwanted baby, then once its born -the hell with it. Don’t give it health care, abuse protection, education etc. sheesh . please please don’t procreate .. we don’t need anymore stupid people in the world.
Right on Terri! I agree!
When George Bush was in office, didn’t Republicans control the White House, House, Senate and Supreme Court and there was no talk of outlawing abortion? Do you not relaize that you are a pawn in the game? Abortion will never be outlawed so please think outside the box. republicans do not even have to work for your vote if you are going to hand it to them for giving you lip service.
Can we stop calling it pro-life? It should be called pro-fetus. If you were truly pro-life, than you would be against abortion, guns, and war. You would also be for reducing carbon emissions and free healthcare for everyone. That would be pro-life.
The GOP sets itself up for failure – for a year, they’re worried about Palin instead of coming up with BETTER plans to help the country (they’ve only extended upper Bush cuts so money will “trickle down”), now they’re worried about Trump after Ryan’s plan will dump medical costs on Seniors and states. Don didn’t even get his hair tweeked after the birther slams before Obama pulled the rug out from under him again – these clowns make it too easy. All they can do is criticize or talk petty gossip crap.
He really mocked Seth Meyers ?
What an ass—- !
Yep.
Obama will get re elected.
Bin Laden was a master stroke as well.
We should be applauding Jim Phelps and his Impossible Mission Force for supplying the intelligence President Obama needed to execute this assassination plot. Phelps’s next mission will be to retrieve bin laden’s body for positive identification. Message will self-destruct in 5 seconds, good luck Jim.
Donald Trump has spent more time feuding with comedians such as Jerry Seinfeld, Rosie O’Donnell and now Seth Myers, and parroting a ridiculous group like the Birthers than actually presenting even one single policy or plan to help America. This is all about publicity for The Donald.
I hate to think that as an elected official, Trump would engage in name-calling with leaders of the world and members of Congress. But this is the image he is presenting as a “leader.”. How can anyone think this joke could be President, let alone president of the PTA?
If you think Obama can get reelected based on the killing of UBL, you are kind of navie.
If the gas price is around $4 or more and/or unemployment is still above 9%, Obama would have a tough time getting re-elected.
As a matter of fact, after listening to the GOP potential candidates debate, I believe someone could defeat Obama in 2012.
Please enough from both these dudes.
One of these “dudes” is the President of the United States of America. So no, you’re probably going to keep seeing his name in the papers.
Like I care about Obama I don’t… I meant enough about these dudes Like Today! Seems like all we’ve been hearing is Obama, trump, obama, trump. Give me something new. I won’t argue the point thurther.
What does “thurther” mean??
Don’t tell me you haven’t heard of the insidious “thurther” movement, insinuating that President Obama… never mind.
Anonymous: He’s just showing his IQ!
jason c. Thirther it had escaped me at the time happy?
Cop – Buy a dictionary and learn how to punctuate. It will make your ramblings easier to read.
In the last 4 days, people celebrated in the streets of London because some rich couple got married, while people celebrated in the streets of New York in the streets because some Emmanuel Goldstein figure got killed. It’s a funny world we live in.
Thank you! That’s exactly what I’ve been thinking (minus the wedding thing, because that was actually kind of fun to watch). A lot of people keep saying variations of “We won!” but Al-Qaeda is a huge organization, much bigger than one pathetic excuse for a man. While I’m glad bin Laden is dead, I think the war on terror is, sadly, far from over.
I don’t think Bin Laden’s death is supposed to symbolize the end of the war on terror. Terrorism will always be around. Bin Laden masterminded two attacks on U.S. that resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and now we finally caught the murderer (although to me it doesn’t feel like justice). Hopefully we can now start to move on.
How can any of us be certain he is actually dead? Did you see his dead body and check his pulse?
That’s very true. I just feel that a lot of people ARE erroneously equating bin Laden’s death to the end of the war, as he has been somewhat characterized as the villain behind it all.
(I was replying to Ana170. @DET, by that logic, are you sure Michael Jackson is dead? Have you seen his dead body and checked his pulse?)
That’s an interesting comment. My older two boys, grades 6 and 7, came home from school with utterly opposing viewpoints. One thinks that the next attack aimed at the U.S. will be deadlier than ever, the other thinks that they have lost a lot of funding, as Bin Laden came from a wealthy family. I’m not saying either is correct, but the differences in the view points was interesting. And by the way, my third grade son said, “Is he the guy who blew up the Eiffell Tower” and proceeded to turn on ESPN. We clearly need to work with him!
Yeah, everybody’s parroting “Emmanuel Goldstein” today. Osama bin Laden may have been larger than life, but he wasn’t fictional. And the cheers are from the country having held its collective breath for 10 years – folks are bound to get a bit giddy from the lack of oxygen.
But, never fear, we won’t lose our cynicism – we’re already asking “what’s next?” and “When are we getting our of Afghanistan?” In the 21st century, presidents don’t get to bask for more than a couple of hours.
I agree with Mr. Tucker. You can be a Liberal, Conservative, Populist, or Libertarian and still agree that President Obama handled both of these speeches with aplomb.
Well said, Celia!
Brilliant – as usual.
I am so glad to see this article. I hadn’t seen the correspondent’s dinner speech until last night and then only 20 minutes later we got the news about Bin Laden. I was so impressed thinking “wow, he was sitting there with it on his mind the whole time and we had no idea.” It really hearkens back to the chess game that he’s always playing while we’re all playing checkers.
Katie… LOVE your last line. It sums up the President perfectly. Pretty impressive stuff.
Yes – he is impressive indeed, and able to compartmentalize his thoughts to an amazing degree.
The big difference between Reagan The Great Pretender and President Obama is Reagan did nothing when 200+ Marines were killed in Lebanon. But then again, Reagan was a worthless “do nothing” against terrorism, AIDs, corporate corruption, taxes against the filthy rich and racism. Obama simply kicked ass.
Well said.
Obama didn’t do crap….Our military did. If in fact Osama is dead. I find it hard to believe, already buried at sea? Maybe it’s Obamas way of getting re-elected.
Paranoid much? Stupid all the time.
Last time I checked our military was under civilian control. They do NOTHING without the direct orders of the President. So yeah, President Obama actually did a lot. That’s what it means to be Commander in Chief.
So the commander in chief and man responsible for directing the strategy didn’t do anything? And if a republican– or a white man– were in office, you’d never be denying him credit.
Are you serious? Obama was working with the NSC the whole time!!! He was in all the meetings, he was directing them. Yes, the Seals did the dangerous work, but Obama made the decisions, and that is worthy of credit.
And I just know that if the mission had gone wrong instead of being executed flawlessly, you’d be blaming Obama, wouldn’t you?. You can’t have it both ways. He played a major part, all the while having to do with this birther insanity and staying collected throughout. You have to give him props for that.
So by your logic TXJessie, When Bush wanted to go to war- all those soliders had the choice to say __ YOU and no one could have gone. Then no one would have died??? Wow, didnt know you could talk back to the President when he gives an order.
Dude…REALLY? You hate Obama that much that you ACTUALLY think that he and the US government have conspired to fool the entire world into thinking Osama Bin Ladin is dead? You and Trump should unite and figure out if the moon landing was a hoax, what really happened at Roswell, and where are Biggie and Tupac!
Come on people!
Who the hell would fake Bin Laden’s death? What would it gain Obama besides ridicule beyond measure knowing this terrorist could show himself at any given moment? If Obama says Bin Laden is dead I definitely know he will provide proof.
Well said my man Phil! What doesn’t some Americans get??? Keep working hard for us Mr. Prsident! There are still so many of us that believe in President Obama, and this situation is just the proof!
Nutzu / Dont worry WIRB dceember review will deliver……B.Bird there was a stunning comment from Ice’s son…Will have to hit email banter for it
this is an awesome article, i must say one of the best speeches ever!
what’s weird is that hilter died on the same day, anyways i found a video of all this in action at http://www.osamabinladenvideo.net/
During his campaign, Obama was asked to tell something few knew about him. He said it was that he was a pretty good poker player. Seems he demonstrated it this past week. While Trump just folded, game over (and I hear his 4th bankruptsy is nearing with his casino operation). Go figure.
Seth Meyers actually made a joke about the whereabouts of Bin Laden on Saturday night and watching it (post-Sunday’s announcement) that Obama had a little bit of a nervous laugh/smile with that one thinking “if you only knew…”
Was very disturbed and uncomfortable with his use of the word “I”… over the years don’t ever remember a president speaking in first person. It was as if he was taking credit for the efforts of those who actually carried out the mission and those who put the man hunt operation in place years before he was ever in any office. His words were strong but his character came across weak.
Dude, did you not pay ANY attention to his speech. Obama clearly honored both Bush and all the military/intel ops that pulled it off.
You are just another tbag, birther conspiracist who inhabits the echo chamber of the far right.
This was Rush Limbaugh’s talking point for today. Make the President seem like he was taking credit for the entire thing and as if he were behaving selfishly. It isn’t true, but it’s a measure of the sway Rush has over the minds of some people that we’re seeing his lies repeated here.
Obama carried out the Bush doctrine by keeping up the war efforts in both Iraq and Afghanistan. He also refused to cave to the ignorance of those who thought it should be closed.Keeping Guantanamo Bay open is what led to Bin Laden’s demise.We should all be in Jubilation. I do not know why you are so angry. I simply thought referring to himself instead of a “we” “team” ect. was in poor character. I have no political agenda. If you want to make it so then you will have to argue with someone else.I think you need to listen to the speech again though. By the way I am not a dude.Enjoy your evening.
Man, are you really that idiotic?
No that would be you
It’s truly amazing how people hear what they want to hear and remember what they want to remember.
“Obama carried out the Bush doctrine”
Are you saying the Bush Doctrine is bad for America? TRAITOR!!!
He acknowledged the troops so many times in his speech! And everyone else who played a part. He said “I” when talking about giving the order, but why shouldn’t he?! He did give the order to the military to go in and perform the mission. That’s fact.
If the president is going to give an order to enter another country without permission for a military operation, he HAS to take responsibility for it. I don’t see the problem.
Bush was also one of the first people he called.
And Bush may have started the whole thing (ten years ago), but Obama finished it and made the decision to go in the way they did. He deserves some credit.
When did he say “I”? Aside from stating physical actions that he actually made? Saying that “I” can report…or “I” directed…the director of the CIA, to make the killing or capture of bin Laden the top priority.
These are all instances where saying “I” is not only acceptable, but practical.
Yo vivo en un pelbuo de Galicia, para ir al psicólogo tengo que desplazarme 56 kilómetros pero merece la pena para curar mi trastorno de ansiedad. Sé que en mi entorno hay muchas otras personas con ansiedad que también han buscado ayuda. Si la ansiedad tiene tratamiento mediante terapia yo quiero acceder a él.
Yes, he should have used the “royal we”. Seriously, he took responsiblity for ordering the attack, as he should, and gave due credit. Nothing wrong there.
He said “We” 40 times. When telling a story in which you are one of the MAIN character, like the guy who actually authorizes the military operation, do you not include yourself in the story?
You are reaching…
Nutzu / Ruthless WIRB will be rcoking that shoat come December babay!!!!!!!!!! Oh yeahhhhhh, Any pics of Juillette lewis to confirm ahh??? Billjobs start practicing lost that loving feeling..!!!!!
I thought he was taking responsibility, not credit. He made the decision, he gave the order, and he’s taking responsibility.
He isn’t taking credit by saying “I gave the order…” – he was taking responsibility. This was a difficult call to make since he was ordering a kill on another sovereign nation’s soil without the being involved in the mission at all. There are potential international circumstances for this, even possible legal ramifications under the US Constitution.
As Commander-in-Chief, it is his decision to make this operation happen. He was saying it was his call, and took the potential blame away from anyone else.
Trump the clown shoe. PLEASE let him run. The DNC should put him on the payroll. The GOP wouldn’t even take Utah.
After much speculation about where William and Kate were going to honeymoon, I noticed that it had suddenly been “delayed”. Obviously, our gov gave them the heads up that Bin Laden was about to be attacked and it might be safer for them to wait.
And GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Um… WHAT?
William is a search and rescue pilot, so unless he was searching and rescuing someone involved in this, which I doubt, this is nonsense
In ;ainer words. The royal couple was obviously advised NOT to be traveling out of England in the immediate aftermath of bin Ladan’s killing.
Please stop reporting on anything Trump does or says as if he has any credibility or importance. I understand this is an entertainment website, so let’s keep in perspective exactly WHAT Donald Trump is: A reality tv star. His opinions and statements have exactly as much weight as those of Snooki, Jon & Kate, Heidi Montag and the Real Housewives.
It’s amazing how Barack was able to appear so casual knowing full well what was about to take place in the next 24 hours.
That is called being a leader.