How Hannah Thoreson handled Mitch Daniels' disappointing dropout decision

The media spotlight has moved on from Indianapolis now, after Gov. Mitch Daniels aborted his anticipated campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in a Saturday midnight email that shocked supporters across the country.

Daniels acknowledged that his family was opposed to the grinding run, so he dropped it.

Now most of the attention focuses on Newt Gingrich's campaign here and Tim Pawlenty's newly announced bid here and Jon Huntsman's informal campaign swing through New Hampshire.

But little noticed as the political parade marches toward the state fairs this summer and the Iowa caucuses and primaries next winter are the newly abandoned supporters of Daniels.

"Well," said Max Eden, head of the Student Initiative to Draft Daniels, "the rapture took Mitch from 2012. His better angels had the last word, and he put his family first. His choice attests to half the reason why students at 65 colleges rallied to urge him to run: He is a good man."

Among those students is Hannah Thoreson, a 21-year-old physics major at ....

What they're saying about Obama's Mideast speech, mainly on Israel and Palestine

Full text of President Obama's latest Middle East speech is available here.

Now, for some reactions:

Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

Prime Minister Netanyahu expects to hear a reaffirmation from President Obama of U.S. commitments made to Israel in 2004, which were overwhelmingly supported by both Houses of Congress.

Among other things, those commitments relate to Israel not having to withdraw to the 1967 lines which are both indefensible and which would leave major Israeli population centers in Judea and Samaria beyond those lines.

Those commitments also ensure Israel’s well-being as a Jewish state by making clear that Palestinian refugees will settle in a future Palestinian state rather than in Israel. Without a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem outside the borders of Israel, no territorial concession will bring peace.

Simon Wiesenthal Center, Rabbis Marvin Hier and Abraham Cooper:

We welcome the president's recognition of Israel's security needs and that Hamas cannot be a partner in the peace process, but a call to a return to 1967 borders as the basis for negotiations, even with "land swaps," is a non-starter, when at least half of the Palestinian rulers are committed to Israel's destruction. The road to peace has been clear for a long time -- direct negotiations between parties who recognize each other's legitimacy.

Republican former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney:

President Obama has thrown Israel under the bus. He has disrespected Israel and undermined its ability to negotiate peace. He has also violated a first principle of American foreign policy, which is to stand firm by our friends.

George Will:

Obama should have said nothing about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, his prior statements (about Israel housing construction, and a deadline for a peace settlement) having made matters worse. Obama's idea -- Israel's, too -- is "two states for two people." Now, there is nothing more to be said until a Palestinian leader also says that.

Edward Walker of Hamilton College and former ambassador to Israel and Egypt for President Clinton:

The president's speech on the Middle East was clear about where he wants to go and not so clear on how to get there.

Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio of the Foreign Relations Committee:

I’m pleased the president used his unique platform to address America and the Middle East during this critical moment in history.  We need to back up our words with actions and policies. Our actions should leave no doubt that America is on the side of those who strive for freedom....

Unfortunately, the president’s reference to Israel’s 1967 borders marks a step back in the peace process, as the U.S. must not pre-determine the outcome of direct negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. Our focus should be in encouraging direct and meaningful negotiations between the sides, and to continue playing an important role as a security guarantor in the region.

Republican former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty:

President Obama’s insistence on a return to the 1967 borders is a mistaken and very dangerous demand. The city of Jerusalem must never be re-divided.

To send a signal to the Palestinians that America will increase its demands on our ally Israel, on the heels of the Palestinian Authority’s agreement with the Hamas terrorist organization, is a disaster waiting to happen.  At this time of upheaval in the Middle East, it's never been more important for America to stand strong for Israel and for a united Jerusalem.

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton:

President Obama was very clear. And what we want is to continue to support the voices of democracy. Those who are standing against the brutality.  But we're also well aware every situation is different. 

And in this one, (Syrian President Bashar Al) Assad has said a lot of things that you didn't hear from other leaders in the region, about the kind of changes he would like to see. That may all be out the window, or he may have one last chance.

Republican Jewish Coalition:

....It is, in fact, President Obama’s insistence on a settlement freeze as a pre-condition to negotiations, more than anything else, that doomed his administration’s peace-making efforts. That stand emboldened Palestinian extremists, damaged the PA’s ability to negotiate, and forced Israelis to question the sincerity of the administration’s friendship.

With that immediate history in mind, we are concerned that when President Obama speaks of “the 1967 borders,” he means borders for Israel that are much less secure and defensible and that put Israel at risk.

Leave your own reaction to the president's remarks in our Comments section below.

More reactions will be added here as they become available.

Obama speech text: Middle East has 'a choice between hate and hope'

President Obama's speech on Middle East and North Africa, as provided by the White House

THE PRESIDENT:  Thank you.  Thank you.  (Applause.)  Thank you very much.  Thank you.  Please, have a seat.  Thank you very much.  I want to begin by thanking Hillary Clinton, who has traveled so much these last six months that she is approaching a new landmark -- one million frequent flyer miles.  (Laughter.)  I count on Hillary every single day, and I believe that she will go down as one of the finest Secretaries of State in our nation’s history.

The State Department is a fitting venue to mark a new chapter in American diplomacy.  For six months, we have witnessed an extraordinary change taking place in the Middle East and North Africa.  Square by square, town by town, country by country, the people have risen up to demand their basic human rights.  Two leaders have stepped aside.  More may follow.  And though these countries may be a great distance from our shores, we know that our own future is bound to this region by the forces of economics and security, by history and by faith.
 
Today, I want to talk about this change -- the forces that are driving it and how we can respond in a way that advances our values and strengthens our security.

Now, already, we’ve done much to shift our foreign policy following a decade defined by....

Syria's President Bashar al-Assad to Obama: What?

WARNING: This story contains references to the Obama administration's repetitious and meaningless diplomatic warnings that may be disturbing to some.

Every now and then the Obama administration likes to warn somebody about something. (Scroll to bottom for partial list.) It looks like real action -- even tough -- and sounds pretty good for a news cycle or two. However, like calling for immigration reform or more college education, it doesn't really accomplish anything.

Wednesday, the Obama administration tried to get really, really tough on Syria for repressing democracy demonstrators, reportedly killing upwards of 1,000 so far. This White House began warning Syria and its president with the unsuccessful moustache back when the reported victim count was in the dozens.

But Wednesday the American administration seemed to get serious. It slapped....

Jay Carney again on Syria's 'unacceptable behavior'

President Obama plans another speech on the Middle East this week, on Thursday before a safely respectful crowd at the State Department.

His press secretary Jay Carney says the president will make news, meaning have some new ideas about the old problems festering there. Carney also said the speech was intended to be a broad look at the region in turmoil, not just the Israeli-Palestinian challenges.

Carney was also asked about Syria where pro-democracy protests continue, along with reported government repression. Carney and the president have often warned that country and President Bashar al-Assad about allowing peaceful protests, so far to no effect. (SCroll down for links to those past warnings.)

Here's today's Syria exchange from Carney's regular news media briefing:

Q Just one last one, on Syria. There are now reports of mass graves near the town of Daraa and other places in the country.  The death toll is approaching a thousand, depending upon -- some human rights groups are saying that. 

As the President looks at this situation and compare it to Libya and other situations, what is the -- how much longer can this go in that direction before there’s a need for some more aggressive response? 

Not necessarily militarily, but some kind of response.  I know there’s no tripwire, no line in the sand, to use an overused cliché, but how do you -- how does the administration see recent developments, which seem to be going in wrong direction?

MR. CARNEY:  Well, we strongly condemn the unacceptable behavior. And we’ve made it clear that the recent events in Syria we believe prove that the country cannot go back to the status quo ante; that Syria’s future will only be secured by a government that reflects the popular will of its people.

The window is narrowing for the Syrian government to shift focus away from repressing its people and towards meeting the legitimate aspirations of its people. 

And as I said, we are looking at additional measures that we can take, and we continue to enforce the measures already taken, the longstanding sanctions against Syria and the specific targeted sanctions that we announced recently. 

But we remain very concerned about this, and could not be less clear -- I mean, could not be more clear, rather, about our insistence that the Syrian government needs to cease the violence, because the window is narrowing for its opportunity to embrace the demands of its people and work with the Syrian people in peaceful dialogue to respond to their aspirations.    ####

Assorted Obama administration warnings:

Again, Obama warns Syria

Now, Obama warns Syria about violence

Yemen president gets stern warning from Obama press secretary

Obama changes mind on causing regime change in Middle East

New Obama warning to Libya: Stop right now

Obama warns Libya and Bahrain

Obama re-warns Libya: 'The violence must stop'

Enough with warnings, Obama finally sanctions Libya

Obama takes a day off from warnings to praise Algeria, Motown

Next, Obama warns Libya: 'This violence must stop'

Now, Obama warns Bahrain, Yemen and Libya

Obama warns Egypt's Mubarak: 'No going back'

Obama warns Mubarak: 'Suppressing ideas never makes them go away'

Photo: Saul Loeb / AFP / Getty Images (Carney walks the White House lawn).

Ron Paul: Why his silly campaign launch today really matters for 2012

Ron Paul.

Today is the big day. Well, a big day anyway.

Ron Paul, the 12-term Republican representative from Texas, appeared on one of those morning news shows that mixes the weather, singers, weather, authors, weather, actors, weather, the scary kidnapped child story and the occasional animal tale.

Paul conversed with that little guy with the precisely-tousled hair who used to work for Bill Clinton. And 48 hours after Paul opened his Iowa caucus campaign headquarters -- News Bulletin -- he "revealed" to "Good Morning America" his candidacy for president of the United States.

Here's why Paul and ABC did this together: It seems like news. Real news is hard to come by on Fridays. Especially "exclusive" access. Less competition for a bigger headline. It also saved Paul ballroom rent money and got....

Ticket pic of the week: A little father-son time in Libya

No disciplinary discussions necessary with this young armed Libyan rebel sympathizer.

He can stay up as late as he wants, even on school nights.

Related:

Ticket pic of the Week: Some foreign fans displeased with the NFL

Ticket pic of the Week: Did Gallup poll her on Obama?

Ticket pic of the week: A face in Japan to touch your heart

Ticket pic of the week: First photo from Mercury orbit

Ticket pic of the week: 'You know in the last uprising we didn't have cellphones'

Ticket pic of the week: Finding some unburied treasure

Ticket Pic of the week: Year of the Rabbit off to rough start for this guy

Ticket pic of the week: Even pandas need to play too

Ticket video of the week: Jesse gets down to work

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Amr Abdallah Dalsh / Reuters (The son of a Libyan rebel fighter poses with dad's gun). 

Bin Laden's death and polls: Some fearful findings

While a Monday poll showed the slaying of Osama bin Laden had boosted President Obama's approval rating by a modest 9%, a new Gallup survey this morning produces some more disturbing findings.

The violent demise early Monday of Al Qaeda's founder, who masterminded the mass murders of 9/11, among other deadly incidents, prompted spontaneous late-night street celebrations in Washington and in New York, where the president will visit Ground Zero tomorrow.

A quick Pew/Washington Post poll that first day found 56% approved of the Democrat's job now, up from 47% in April. The same poll found 38% now disapprove of Obama's job, down from 45% last month.

An historic comparison by Public Opinion Strategies of presidential poll bumps after national security events predicts Obama's increased approval will be around 13% and last maybe 22 weeks, compared with George W. Bush's seven-week 15% jump after capturing Saddam Hussein.

However, a new Gallup/USA Today poll out this morning also finds that the death of that tall, haunting Saudi man has prompted more than 6 in 10 Americans to believe that a significant act of terrorism within the United States is very or somewhat likely in the next several weeks.

Seventeen percent believe such an attack is "very likely."

That 62% is the highest number fearing such an imminent attack in eight years, since the start of the Iraq war in 2003.

Additionally, fewer than 4 in 10 (39%) say Bin Laden's death makes them feel a lot more confident that the country can succeed in the ongoing war against Islamic terrorism. A third feels a little more confident about that.

Related:

Yes, SEALs were in on the Osama raid, but aides hail Obama's office bravery

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Al Jazeera

Osama bin Laden's death: Clarifying the Obama administration's cnofsuoin and missteaks

It's taken a couple of days to sort out the confusions and conflicting versions of Osama bin Laden's welcome demise early Monday at the hands of a gutsy president crouching on the floor and a couple dozen unidentified helpers with rapid-fire weapons, night-vision goggles and nerves of steel a half-world away; you know how it is in the chaos of battle and Chicago campaign politics.

Back in 2005, when rookie Sen. Barack Obama was just beginning to plan his $745-million 2007-08 presidential campaign, U.S. intelligence became aware of a $1-million housing compound under construction in Abbottabad, Pakistan, a city of 1 million about 60 miles outside the capital.

Using certain interrogation techniques on involuntary wartime guests, the CIA acquired the name of a high-level al Qaeda courier, who was eventually tracked toing and froing from said elaborate compound, which his invisible income would seem to put beyond his financial reach.

Last August, as Obama vainly campaigned to preserve his Democratic Party's....

Donald Trump still wants Iraq's oil, calls Fox analyst a 'sad fool' for disagreeing

Donald Trump believes in the old adage "to the victor belong the spoils" so much that he is willing to disparage syndicated columnist Charles Krauthammer while standing his ground.

The real estate mogul has established on several occasions that if he were president and the United States was involved in foreign wars with oil-rich countries, he would "take" their oil after the conflict ended.

Fox News analyst Krauthammer told Fox host Bill O'Reilly that he considers conversations like that "nutty" and "unserious."

"Look Bill, that kind of talk is the stuff you expect at a guy at a bar at closing time with slurred speech," Krauthammer said on "The O'Reilly Factor."

"Charles doesn't like the idea of us taking the oil," Trump told "Factor" producer Jesse Watters on Wednesday in New Hampshire. "We won a war. We're in a war. We spent $1.5 trillion on this war. We lost thousands of soldiers, great military people, and thousands and tens of thousands are wounded. And I say take the oil. Because what's going to happen is Iran is going to take the oil the day we leave."

Trump continued, "Iran's not taking the oil, not if I'm president. And Charles said 'that's impractical'. So honestly, Charles is a fool. He's a fool. I mean, I want to be respectful. He was very nice on the phone. But he's really a fool."