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The trope of Obama as "reluctant warrior" has crossed the Atlantic–where it is greeted with a little more cynicism (Credit: Peter Brookes, London Times)

Reluctant Warrior Bombs Yet Another Country

If there's one thing elite media seem to know for sure, it's that Barack Obama doesn't like war. One phrase in particular seems to stand out:

 

It was a remarkable moment for a reluctant warrior.

 –Jonathan Karl (ABC Nightline, 9/10/14)

 

He's a very reluctant warrior, didn't want to do this. But you have to say, it is good he recognized reality.

 –David Gergen (CNN, 9/10/14)

 

Is he going to become a warrior, and not a reluctant warrior, when he is taking such a strong stance that he will do anything to defeat ISIS, except for if it involves American troops?

–Erin Burnett (CNN, 9/10/14)

 

He's a reluctant warrior.

 –David Brooks (PBS NewsHour, 9/10/14)

 

You have a reluctant warrior in President Obama, and the press saying, "Do something."

 –Lauren Ashburn (Fox News, 9/12/14)

 

He is, as you know, the standard phrase, the reluctant warrior. And I think he's played that long before this decision.

 –David Bergen (CNN, 9/14/14)

 

But now with weekly beheadings by ISIS, the reluctant warrior must wage war, but not total war–tepid war.

 –Bill O'Reilly (Fox News, 9/15/14)

 

Late Monday night came the announcement that US had begun conducting airstrikes on Syria. Glenn Greenwald of The Intercept posted a story (9/23/14) with this headline:

greenwald-syrian

 It does make one wonder: What would an enthusiastic warrior look like to the corporate media? Would bombing eight countries in six years be enough?

© 2021 Fairness and Accuracy In Reporting (FAIR)
Peter Hart

Peter Hart

Peter Hart is the senior field communications officer for Food & Water Watch. Previously at the media watchdog group FAIR, Hart is also the author of "The Oh Really? Factor: Unspinning Fox News Channel's Bill O'Reilly" (2003).

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