MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Ross: Comparing Trump and Obama’s Mideast messages

May 22, 2017, 5:54 AM | Updated: 8:45 am

President Donald Trump addressed Muslim leaders in Saudi Arabia this weekend, and while I know some people thought he sounded exhausted, his message on how to handle terrorists was pretty clear.

“Drive them out of your holy land, and drive them out of this earth,” he said.

If you want prosperity, get rid of your terrorists.

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It was eight years ago, President Obama gave his first Mideast speech. It was in Egypt, and he said a lot of the same things. That Muslim communities must reject and isolate the radicals, that most victims of terrorism are Muslim, and this is not a clash of civilizations.

Obama: “America is not, and never will be, at war with Islam.”

Trump: “This is not a battle between different faiths.”

Both of them also said America does not intend to impose itself on other countries, but in Obama’s speech that came with a caveat.

“That does not lessen my commitment, however, to governments that reflect the will of the people,” Obama said.

He was saying we won’t force Democracy on you, but we’re still going to lecture you about it.

Mr. Trump has a different approach.

“We will make decisions based on real-world outcomes, not inflexible ideology,” Trump said. “And wherever possible, we will seek gradual reforms, not sudden intervention. We must seek partners, not perfection.”

You terminate terrorists, and we’ll skip the sermons.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
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Ross: Comparing Trump and Obama’s Mideast messages