Obama Compares Mideast Peacekeeping To Steroids Work

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Foreign Policy

(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

At the very start of an appearance today with George Mitchell, his special Middle East envoy, President Obama was heard to joke that "compared to steroids, this is going to be a breeze," CBS News White House correspondent Mark Knoller reports.

Mitchell headed an investigation into steroid use in baseball in 2007. His new job has him departing on a peacemaking mission to strengthen the Israel/Hamas ceasefire, Mr. Obama said this afternoon.

"When he speaks, he speaks for us," Mr. Obama said at the appearance, alongside Mitchell and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Many Israeli analysts believe Mitchell's appointment could signal a shift away from the pro-Israel policies of President Bush. He arrives in Israel Wednesday.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by ourtomorrows January 27, 2009 3:06 AM EST: George Mitchell, did such a stellar job in Northern Ireland. The Good Friday Accord and all, it worked for about five minutes then totally collapsed only to be reborn again with the work of Blair and others. Maybe he can have the same success in the middle east, he can help broker a peace that will last just up until he can be lauded again as some great diplomat and then promptly collapse.; Reply to this comment


by hhkeller January 27, 2009 12:42 AM EST: Looks like the Facists have taken over Israel. Killing babies for an extra acre of land.; Reply to this comment