Obama to tap ex-Sen. Mitchell as Mideast envoy: report

[subsuelo]

Source: Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Barack Obama plans to name former Sen. George Mitchell as his Middle East envoy in one of his first actions as the new U.S. president, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.

Mitchell's appointment could come as early as Tuesday, the newspaper said, quoting unidentified Obama aides.

Mitchell, 75, led a commission appointed by former President Bill Clinton to find ways to halt Israeli-Palestinian violence.

His 2001 report called for Israelis to freeze construction of new settlements and stop shooting at unarmed demonstrators, and called for Palestinians to prevent terrorist attacks and punish those who perpetrate them.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE50J48M20090120

[liberalmuse]

1. Does that mean the asshat gives up his senate position?

If so, I'm all for it.

[fjc]

2. "former Sen. George Mitchell"

[muriel_volestrangler]

6. Why do you consider him an 'asshat'? (nt)

[Alexander]

8. Obviously because liberalmuse has no idea who George Mitchell is.

[harun]

11. Is he that guy that sang "You gotta have faith" back in the 80's?

[Sherman A1]

16. me thinks....

You don't have a bunny's idea of whom you are speaking.

[roguevalley]

19. wrong mitchell, hon.

[cali]

24. First of all, he hasn't been a Senator for a decade or more

secondly, he's certainly not an asshat.

ever think of informing yourself just a wee bit before spouting off?

[whistle]

3. This is proactive and very good indeed

[Jefferson23]

4. From the above article:

James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, said appointing Mitchell would show Obama's determination to reclaim U.S. leadership on Middle East peace issues.

"This is a president who appears to be serious on the Middle East from day one. This is an appointment that sends the message, 'I'm ready to solve this,'" Zogby said.

This is GOOD news to me.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. Mitchell is the man....

who did the impossible and figured out the British/Irish thing a few years ago.

Good choice.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/526980.stm

[Skelly]

13. Agree

He was also considered for Gore's running mate. He would have been the first Arab-American VP. He is an excellent choice.

[bushmeister0]

7. Wow, that's great.

I hope he goes over there and roughs up Bibi Netanyahu a bit.

[IsItJustMe]

9. Wasn't he on the 9/11 commission? That was piss poor.

[karynnj]

12. No he wasn't - here's the list of members

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/9/11_Commission#Members

Mitchell is a very good person to pick for this.

[IsItJustMe]

22. Thanks. I was thinking of Lee Hamilton. For some reason, I always got these to guys mixed up.

[ceile]

10. Excellent choice.

His work in Northern Ireland was nothing short of a frickin' miracle.

[Joe Chi Minh]

14. Wasn't he involved in the Northern Ireland peace process? I believe he was,

and played a very positive role in it. A very wise old boy, with working-class roots.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

17. Largely responsible for its success.

Both sides had been going back and forth for a year, rehashing old grievences and getting nowhere. Mitchell got fed up and eseentially told them to shit or get off the pot. It worked -- that's when the real progress was made.

[Joe Chi Minh]

21. Having seen and listened to him on the box, I don't doubt it at all, although

a lot of great work preparatory work, was done in both communities by former para-militaries, ex-military MI5 types and politicians.

[Sherman A1]

15. I hope he waits until Wednesday for this as I am to hear him speak tonight

at the St. Louis Speaker Series.

I think George Mitchell is a great choice.

[RCinBrooklyn]

18. His 2001 efforts failed. Why do we keep going back to these dry wells for help?

[bluedigger]

Well, in 2001 he had the full support

and backing of the * administration. How could he fail?:sarcasm:

Mitchell is as good a choice as any I could think of, and deserves our support in being willing to tackle this vexing task once again!

[bluedigger]

25. Edit for dupe n/t

[pinniped]

20. Doesn't this clown have the Mitchell Report II to write up?

?

[LeftishBrit]

23. Great news! Let's hope he can make as good a contribution to peace in the Middle East

as he did to peace in Northern Ireland.

[Scurrilous]

26. Good news.

K & R :thumbsup: