Obama intimidated by Mubarak?

"...Egypt's elections, they said, are "worrying"; they "give cause for concern." Officials were "dismayed" by "reports of election day interference and intimidation by security forces." But "the United States has a long-standing partnership" with the government of Egypt. When State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley was asked on Tuesday what would be the administration's "next step," he said only that "we will continue to raise our concerns where appropriate." Cairo's response was far more direct: it bluntly dismissed "unacceptable meddling in Egyptian internal affairs."
Other countries watching this exchange will marvel at Washington's weakness. A nominal U.S. ally that receives $1.5 billion in annual aid makes a mockery of democratic rights -- and is answered with mild and low-level expressions of regret and promises to do nothing other than "raise concerns where appropriate." The Obama administration appears to be thoroughly intimidated by Hosni Mubarak - when what it ought to be worried about is who or what will succeed him ."