A New Generation Emerges--Obama on Egypt

President Obama's comments on Egypt eloquently emphasized that the Egyptian Revolution was a moment in history where people expressed their "hunger for change" and when the 'wheel of history turned at a blinding pace." He commented on the power of human dignity to inspire us all and urged that we be defined by our common humanity and not our differences. Quoting Martin Luther King,Jr. he said the Eyptian people had used the "moral force of non-violence to bend the arc of history once more." "Something in the Soul cries out for Freedom." President Obama said that the reason why Americans respond to the scenes they viewed in Liberation Square was because of who we are. He praised the Egyptian military for protecting the rights of the people and carrying out their patriotic duty. He closed by saying that the Egyptians had forever changed their country and changed the world.

The remarks were greeted in Cairo by chants of Obama, Obama, Obama and "We love America." A few Egyptians used Facebook and Twitter to thank America for being on the right side of history.

President Obama briefly got into policy details, saying that he expected all of Egypt's voices to be at the table for the discussion on the transition and that he expected that the transition will lead to a full democracy.

Apparently, he did not phone or consult with other leaders in the region before making his remarks. In Palestine, people celebrating the Egyptian Revolution said,"two down, 20 to go",referring to the Arab League leaders. In Algeria, a massive police presence is on the streets before tomorrow's protests. The cafe crowd in Lebanon were celebrating Mubarak's downfall. Only crickets were heard in Israel.

The Swiss have seized all of Mubarak's assets. Leaders of the protests claim that they want to see trials of Egyptians who have pilfered the country.

The Muslim Brotherhood told the BBC quite openly that "this wasn't our Revolution so we are not going to co-opt it." A retired Egyptian general suggested that the next President will not be a military man, who just dons a civilian suit, because the young people created this revolution and they won't want that. He pointed out that both Sadat and Mubarak were from the liberation movement and that it was this current Revolution who would have to choose its leaders. The BBC reporter, who was an expert on the Egyptian military,tried to argue that the Egyptian people would accept another military man. The retired general said that the military had been very moved by these events and wants only to play the role of ensuring the country's stability. He went on to say that his own generation realizes that the young people taught them that they had lost out in both the political and economic area because there had been no democracy.

Of course, Chuck Todd had to emphasize that President Obama was thankful that the military was in place and the National Security types were hopeful that the military would place an essential role in the future government. It's strange how our journalists really fell for the old military regime brings more stability than democracy line. Others have suggested that there would be Mubarakism without Mubarak. I doubt it. I would bet on the view of the old retired general more than Chuck Todd that Egypt is going to transform into a full democracy.

Meanwhile Amir Mussa, the head of the Arab League resigned today, and appears heading to Egypt to run for President. El Baradei said this was the happiest day in his life and credited his young supporters for pulling off the Revolution.

Meanwhile, there were no speakers at CPAC who mentioned Egypt today. OK, one--the candidate who reminded us that the rent was too high. Sad.