Erick Erickson gives the most concise version so far of the conservative freakout over the administration’s statement that Muslim Brotherhood could be part of a democratic coalition in Egypt as long as it agrees to “reject violence and recognize democratic goals.”
Note that by saying the Muslim Brotherhood “must reject violence and recognize democratic goals”, the White House is presupposing that the Muslim Brotherhood accepts violence and does not recognize democratic goals.
Notwithstanding that, the White House is perfectly happy to give them a seat at the table.
It’s 1979 all over again. I hope the Embassy has been fully evacuated.
I think the White House statement reflects contemporary domestic politics more than an accurate view of the Brotherhood’s role in Egypt, but I’m curious to know how conservatives would construct a democratic system in Egypt while insisting that whatever democracy emerges somehow ban outright the most visible organized opposition. If someone tried to do something similar in the U.S., I think people on both sides of the spectrum would be justifiably outraged.
