Welcome home, Euna Lee and Laura Ling

I cannot begin to imagine what these last months have been like for these two reporters and their families.  And I hope I never understand.  They are home and I, a complete stranger, was overjoyed for them and proud of our government.

Let the pundits criticize.  Here is how I see it.  We are currently engaged in a zero sum chess game with North Korea about nuclear disarmament.  Two reporters became pawns in that game.  Over the course of these months, other than some pointed words by the Secretary of State, there was no swagger or threats from the White House (as would have been the case in the Bush Administration).  There was behind the scenes diplomacy to get these two women home and, more importantly for our national interests, keep them off the nuclear chessboard.  President Obama used his “arsenal” — an incredibly popular former president, the Swiss and the UN.

President Obama made comments only after the women landed safely on American soil and were re-united with their families.  And, he didn’t self-serving take credit for their safe return.  The President got two Americans home for the price of a photo-op with Bill Clinton and Kim Jong Il’s opportunity to say whatever he wants to his people about his visit with Mr. Clinton — something Kim Jong Il does anyway. 

Quietly and effectively, Obama got the job done and may have opened the door a crack to restart negotiations with North Korea.

Thank you, Mr. President and Team Obama.