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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2009
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 ANALYSIS 
11

Obama Plays Cool Hand, Wins in Pirate Crisis

This will boost faith in his military prowess

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(Newser) – The daring US Navy rescue of Capt. Richard Phillips from Somali pirates yesterday earned President Obama a key credit: He didn't screw it up, Michael Shear writes in the Washington Post. Presidents Bill Clinton and Jimmy Carter both suffered for their early missteps abroad, in Haiti and Iran, respectively. "Had yesterday's rescue at sea gone badly, the political damage for Obama might have been severe," writes Shear.

The rescue vindicated Obama's "muted but determined handling of the incident," which included bringing in officials to cover judicial elements of the standoff and granting Navy officers authority to strike, writes Jennifer Loven in the AP. Even Wall Street Journal editors complimented Obama: "No doubt he would have been criticized in some quarters—though not by us—had Captain Phillips been killed once the order was given to shoot the pirates."

Crew members celebrate on the deck of the Maersk Alabama after their captain was released.
Crew members celebrate on the deck of the Maersk Alabama after their captain was released.   (AP Photo/Sayyid Azim)
This Navy image taken from video made with an unmanned aerial vehicle last week shows the 28-foot lifeboat where Phillips was being held by Somali pirates.
This Navy image taken from video made with an unmanned aerial vehicle last week shows the 28-foot lifeboat where Phillips was being held by Somali pirates.   (AP Photo/U.S. Navy)
Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, shakes hands with Lt. Cmdr. David Fowler, commanding officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued.
Maersk-Alabama Capt. Richard Phillips, right, shakes hands with Lt. Cmdr. David Fowler, commanding officer of USS Bainbridge after being rescued.   (AP Photo/ U.S. Navy)
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Obama twice authorized the military to use "appropriate force" to free Phillips.   (YouTube)

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Had yesterday's rescue at sea gone badly, the political damage for Obama might have been severe. - Michael D. Shear

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Doctor_Zaius
Apr 13, 09 5:51 AM CDT
I'm sure Rush Limbaugh had hoped he would fail. Reply
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jimmypop
Apr 13, 09 6:29 AM CDT
Doctor you're totally correct! The Do Nothing Party has no answers! Obama wins again! FTW! Reply
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northeast
Apr 13, 09 8:08 AM CDT
Thankfully, his foreign policy is much better than his terrible economic ideas. Reply
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Doctor_Zaius
Apr 13, 09 8:48 AM CDT
Yes, domestically we need more of the same that caused it. *sarcasm.gif*
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northeast
Apr 13, 09 9:44 AM CDT
...not bailing out GM would have led to pirate attacks?
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