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Master of rapport skills?

Reader comment on item: Islam in Obama's Cairo Speech

Submitted by Laura McGaffey (United States), Jul 6, 2009 at 16:18

In business Obama would be lauded for his ability to address his audiences based on their makeup. For instance, in this case, play down the Jews and play up his Muslim childhood (using his middle name, etc.) to gain rapport, attention and cooperation in some negotiation.

In politics and the leading of a nation, Obama has the responsibility to NOT play these "games" of distortion/manipulation when it is so unclear what the "end game" is and when he's making these statements publicly. He may have been playing to the Muslims in the audience but non-Muslims (and non-Christians and non-Jews) all over the world heard his comments and he apparently didn't care about the impact of his words on those people. That's significant, IMHO.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (8) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
you are all wrong about this speech [309 words]JeffMar 16, 2012 20:48194445
1His Muslim Identity [279 words]John in Michigan, USAJul 7, 2009 11:10158567
Obama's Cairo Speech [216 words]Edward ClineJul 6, 2009 19:11158550
Obama's Cairo speech = Obama unmasked. [35 words]M.D.Jul 6, 2009 17:29158545
Master of rapport skills? [123 words]Laura McGaffeyJul 6, 2009 16:18158540
Islamism is the new curse of our Free world...they want complete control..Dan Pipes is right on! [129 words]Sheldon SMar 7, 2010 11:37158540
Islam in Obama's Cairo Speech- The western world is pretty gullible to not recognize Obama's Islamic ties. [68 words]AnneJul 6, 2009 15:44158538
True enough? [248 words]Noach SternJul 2, 2009 08:34158377

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