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

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/idUSTRE50J48M200...

If so, I'm all for it.

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

secondly, he's certainly not an asshat.

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Mitchell is a very good person to pick for this.

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

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

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.

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

at the St. Louis Speaker Series.

I think George Mitchell is a great choice.

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!

as he did to peace in Northern Ireland.

Does that mean the asshat gives up his senate position?	liberalmuse	Jan-20-09 01:42 PM	#1
"former Sen. George Mitchell"	fjc	Jan-20-09 01:44 PM	#2
Why do you consider him an 'asshat'? (nt)	muriel_volestrangler	Jan-20-09 02:13 PM	#6
Obviously because liberalmuse has no idea who George Mitchell is.	Alexander	Jan-20-09 02:25 PM	#8
Is he that guy that sang "You gotta have faith" back in the 80's?	harun	Jan-20-09 02:55 PM	#11
me thinks....	Sherman A1	Jan-20-09 04:22 PM	#16
wrong mitchell, hon.	roguevalley	Jan-20-09 05:32 PM	#19
First of all, he hasn't been a Senator for a decade or more	cali	Jan-21-09 04:36 AM	#24
This is proactive and very good indeed	whistle	Jan-20-09 01:58 PM	#3
From the above article:	Jefferson23	Jan-20-09 01:58 PM	#4
Mitchell is the man....	Hell Hath No Fury	Jan-20-09 02:06 PM	#5
Agree	Skelly	Jan-20-09 03:13 PM	#13
Wow, that's great.	bushmeister0	Jan-20-09 02:24 PM	#7
Wasn't he on the 9/11 commission? That was piss poor.	IsItJustMe	Jan-20-09 02:47 PM	#9
No he wasn't - here's the list of members	karynnj	Jan-20-09 02:57 PM	#12
Thanks. I was thinking of Lee Hamilton. For some reason, I always got these to guys mixed up.	IsItJustMe	Jan-20-09 10:30 PM	#22
Excellent choice.	ceile	Jan-20-09 02:50 PM	#10
Wasn't he involved in the Northern Ireland peace process? I believe he was,	KCabotDullesMarxIII	Jan-20-09 03:15 PM	#14
Largely responsible for its success.	Hell Hath No Fury	Jan-20-09 04:51 PM	#17
Having seen and listened to him on the box, I don't doubt it at all, although	KCabotDullesMarxIII	Jan-20-09 05:56 PM	#21
I hope he waits until Wednesday for this as I am to hear him speak tonight	Sherman A1	Jan-20-09 04:21 PM	#15
His 2001 efforts failed. Why do we keep going back to these dry wells for help?	RCinBrooklyn	Jan-20-09 04:52 PM	#18
Well, in 2001 he had the full support	bluedigger	Jan-21-09 04:39 AM	#
Edit for dupe n/t	bluedigger	Jan-21-09 04:39 AM	#25
Doesn't this clown have the Mitchell Report II to write up?	pinniped	Jan-20-09 05:40 PM	#20
Great news! Let's hope he can make as good a contribution to peace in the Middle East	LeftishBrit	Jan-21-09 03:54 AM	#23
Good news.	Scurrilous	Jan-21-09 09:54 AM	#26