Chris Matthews And Obama: From Thrill To Chill

It's part of reporting this case, this election, the feeling most people get when they hear Barack Obama's speech. My, I felt this thrill going up my leg. I mean, I don't have that too often.
Chris Matthews, February 13, 2008

But Chris Matthews is less than thrilled with the way that Obama has abandoned former US ally President Mubarak:

MSNBC’s Chris Matthews admits he feels “ashamed as an American” for the way Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak is being treated. “We’re not handling it the way Americans should handle matters like this,” he said Friday. “I don’t feel right about it. And Barack Obama, as much I support him in many ways, there is a transactional quality to the guy that is chilling.” Mr. Matthews explained that in relationship politics, “You treat your friends a certain way. You’re loyal to them. And when they’re wrong, you try to be with them, you try to stick with them.”

Give Matthews credit for saying this openly--though his comment seems to apply to Obama beyond just the issue of Egypt.

Criticisms such as these from Obama supporters may be part of the reason that the Obama administration has tempered its calls for Mubarak to step down now and is instead backing some sort of transition.

On the other hand, by changing course, Obama may very well end up alienating not only the current Egyptian government, but the opposition which may have seen the White House as a potential ally.

As if the failure of the Obama administration to support the protests in Iran was not a big enough hint.

Technorati Tag: Obama and Chris Matthews and Egypt.