Obama: We've Got 'Unique Opportunity' To 'Reboot' US Image In Muslim World

[babylonsister]

Barack Obama plans to reach out to Muslim world

In exclusive interview, he says he plans to be sworn in like every other president, using his full name: Barack Hussein Obama

By Christi Parsons, John McCormick and Peter Nicholas | Tribune staff reporters
8:48 PM CST, December 9, 2008


Barack Obama says his heart will remain in Chicago, even as he moves to Washington. (Alex Garcia / Tribune / December 9, 2008)


Barack Obama says his presidency is an opportunity for the U.S. to renovate its relations with the Muslim world, starting the day of his inauguration and continuing with a speech he plans to deliver in an Islamic capital.

And when he takes the oath of office Jan. 20, he plans to be sworn in like every other president, using his full name: Barack Hussein Obama.

"I think we've got a unique opportunity to reboot America's image around the world and also in the Muslim world in particular,'' Obama said Tuesday, promising an "unrelenting" desire to "create a relationship of mutual respect and partnership in countries and with peoples of good will who want their citizens and ours to prosper together."

The world, he said, "is ready for that message."

In a wide-ranging interview with Tribune reporters, Obama discussed his strategy for his first year in office, vigorously defended his choice for attorney general and reflected on his role as the first African American to be elected president.

He also made it clear that, even as he plans his move to Washington, his heart will remain in Chicago. His "Kennebunkport" will be the South Side, Obama said, and he pledged to return at least every couple months for some family down time.

more...

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/obama/chi-barack-obama-muslim-1210,0,2831014,full.story

[Beetwasher]

1. Change Is A Comin'!

n/t

[babylonsister]

2. Yes, a most WELCOME change! nt

[ClarkUSA]

3. Glad to see he doesn't want to "obliterate Iran" or "bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb, bomb Iran"

And some said he was "naive". :rofl:

Americans chose the right person to be President, the one who wants to meet with America's enemies without preconditions or
warmingering saber-rattling.

[skeewee08]

4. I tell you January 20 needs to get here already!

Luv me some Prez Elect Obama!

[babylonsister]

5. I hear you, skeewee08, and welcome to DU!

:fistbump:

[hughee99]

6. Unfortunately, an image can't be "rebooted"...

We can't start from scratch, we have to start at the bottom of the hole that * dug.

[babylonsister]

7. Well, we have made a good start by electing PE Obama. nt

[hughee99]

8. I agree.

but we're going to need a lot more fill to get out of that hole.

[cooolandrew]

9. This is the most impressive part of Obama he doesn't let anything stand in his way of his vision of

a better world. The more we learn and as time progesses he is the only candidate for this moment in history. If the world can be on the same page addressing the environment can become a more minor problem. Knowing that there are good and bad folks in every corner of the world and reaching out to the good makes the work faster and easier.