Whatever Happened to "Let the Egyptian People Decide"?

President Obama decided several days ago that Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was on borrowed time. He therefore threw is hereto caution to the wind and started leading the parade himself. Daily calls for Egypt to do this, daily calls to do that, daily calls for an orderly transition-now. Today, it appeared that Mubarak was going to announce his departure. A jubilant Obama told a University of Northern Michigan audience today that...

"What is absolutely clear is that we are witnessing history unfold," Obama said. "It's a moment of transformation that's taking place because the people of Egypt are calling for change. ... America will continue to do everything that we can to support an orderly and genuine transition to democracy in Egypt."

Then Mubarak announced that he is not leaving.


Meanwhile in Washington, poor old Robert Gibbs (pictured below) has no idea what to say about the issue when asked by those nosey reporters.


There is good news, Bob. Helen Thomas isn't there anymore.

Either way, once this plays out and whoever comes out on top, history will record that the US once again tried to manipulate the events in another country-for better or worse. The final outcome in Egypt will have an effect on Obama's foreign policy legacy. If democracy truly takes root in Egypt (and I don't mean just one election) Obama will get a lot of credit for greasing the skids for Mubarak. He may even get a grand parade in Egypt much like Nixon got. If, however, (even after one election) the Muslim Brotherhood gains power and things go south a'la Iran, Obama will be compared to Jimmy Carter- pushing a despotic ally out of power, one who had kept the peace with Israel,  only to get a radical, America/Israel-hating regime in exchange.

Either way, now that we have witnessed and heard daily statements coming out of Washington against Mubarak and his government, America will be seen as having played a role.....

for better or worse.