I just finished watching a documentary about Ronald Reagan. He was a true man of the people. His fearless persona and prideful idealism made him a legend in the eyes of many.
As a master of ceremony he was able to take on the Soviet empire with his use of summits that flouted his personal charisma. By forming a bond with Gorbachov he changed the world in his own Reagan style.
Sadly, President Obama is not Ronald Reagan, nor will he ever be. The current leader of the free world lacks the connection with everyday America that the great communicator possessed. What Obama does have is an ability for astute policymaking and the art of conversational patience that make him perfect for solving the Israel/Palestine dispute.
This is a crisis that will require long and arduous negotiation. It will be slow, no doubt. Both sides will be stubborn, especially Israel on the settlement issue. This is perfect for this president. He is a good listener and a patient negotiator. During the healthcare debate, he listened to all sides and touted every small change as a victory.
On Friday, the state department announced that talks were back on between the two parties in the Middle East. Special Envoy to the region, George Mitchell, has worked slowly and tirelessly to get this process started. If the president makes a committment to this issue, he could probably make major headway or solve the crisis by the time he leaves office, whenever that might be.
Despite the image of his lack of love for Israel, he and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have talked more times than Obama and any other world leader. This could work.
Reagan with his personality of no fear and charm used the summit to beat the Soviets. Similarly, Obama’s personal attributes, I think, will make this peace process work to his advantage.
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