Obama Needs to Inspire
James P. Rubin, Newsweek | December 7, 2009
One thing that was regrettably missing in Obama's address to the nation was the moral dimension of the troop surge. ++ This is part of a larger trend in which the principles of democratic values are too often set aside. ++ By focusing on listening instead of lecturing, this administration is giving the impression that its commitment to spreading democracy has diminished. ++ Although there is no magic formula for achieving the right balance of principle and pragmatism, Obama should try to combine calculation and inspiration in Afghanistan.
