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Fly Strike Shows Another Side to Prez

No 'negotiation' in direct smack

By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff

Posted Jun 21, 2009 6:18 AM CDT

(Newser) – President Obama’s precision fly-swatting has caught the nation’s attention—perhaps because it showed a surprisingly forceful approach, writes Maureen Dowd in the New York Times. “Some Americans fear that President Obama is too prone to negotiation, comity and splitting the difference,” Dowd notes. “This moment didn’t involve any talking or therapy or charm or compromise or seminars.”

“If only the president could be so brazen about pushing through gay rights and health care,” Dowd writes.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

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A waxwork model of President Obama is equipped with a fly swat at Madame Tussauds waxworks museum in central London Thursday June 18, 2009, following his lethal encounter on Tuesday. (AP Photo Yui Mok, PA)

This image made from video released by CNBC, shows President Barack Obama getting ready to smack a fly dead during an interview in the White House on Tuesday June 16, 2009 in Washington. (AP Photo/Courtesy CNBC)

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President Obama's fly moves. (sUckpun)

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The snuff aspect of it was psychologically useful for Obama. He decided to take it out and he did take it out. - John Harwood, New York Times

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Fly Strike Shows Another Side to Prez