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Obama’s Foreign Policy Faux Pas

By Larry Johnson on April 8, 2008 at 9:54 PM in Anti-Semitism, Bamboozling, Barack Obama, Current Affairs, Foreign Affairs

Sorry for the delay in posting on Barack Obama’s outrageous claim the other day that he has the most foreign policy experience. To be precise, he said:

“I think a lot of people assume that might be some sort of military thing to make me look more Commander-in-Chief-like. Ironically, this is an area–foreign policy is the area where I am probably most confident that I know more and understand the world better than Senator Clinton or Senator McCain.”

Let’s give the man from Illinois some credit. He has one hell of a sense of humor. Or is it chutzpah? It looks like Mayhill Fowler broke the story and Jeralyn Merritt at Talk Left provides an excellent analysis.

So rather than plow the same ground, let me go to the core of Obama’s argument–he’s got the judgment. Really? Well, if his judgment is so great and his acumen as a foreign policy maven so extraordinary, why was he funding a pro-Palestinian group that is likely to set off alarm bells in Israel and supporters of Israel here in the United States?Aaron Klein has the story up at the Jewish Press:

Democratic presidential frontrunner Sen. Barack Obama served as a paid director on the board of a nonprofit organization that granted funding to a controversial Arab group that mourns the establishment of Israel as a “catastrophe.” (Obama has also reportedly spoken at fundraisers for Palestinians living in what the United Nations terms refugee camps.)

The co-founder of the Arab group, Columbia University professor Rashid Khalidi, is a harsh critic of Israel who reportedly worked on behalf of the Palestine Liberation Organization when it was labeled a terror group by the State Department.

Khalidi held a fundraiser in 2000 for Obama’s failed bid for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

I am not making a judgment one way or the other about whether it is appropriate or not appropriate to support the Palestinian cause. I suspect if we poll the folks who regularly comment on this blog we will find a split down the middle on that issue. My point is political–no one can be elected President in the United States who takes a position or associates himself with anti-Israeli groups.

Barack’s relationship with folks like Rashid Khalidi, who is widely perceived by most supporters of Israel as a radical, is part of a disturbing pattern. Barack makes nice with Khalidi. Barack steers money to Khalidi and his group. But Barack’s poor judgment in making friends and hanging out with unsavory associates does not stop there. Barack was pals with a self-confessed and unapologetic terrorist–William Ayers. Barack seeks advice and counsel from a racist preacher who damns America and blames whites for inflicting HIV on African Americas–uncle Jeremiah Wright. And let’s not forget Barack’s initiative in seeking help with a real estate deal from Tony Rezko–a man Obama knew was facing a Federal corruption investigation.

So I ask again. What judgment? Barack has demonstrated recklessness, cluelessness, and foolishness in cultivating and maintaining these relations. He did not have enough sense to get up and walk out on any of these people. Does he really believe that the Republican Party will not hammer relentlessly on these issues come the fall?

So far, most Jewish Americans and most evangelical Christians who support Israel have not realized Barack’s ties to the likes of Khalidi. That is going to change. But it is not the kind of change anyone will be eager to believe in. These types of associations will hang like dead weights around Barack’s neck if he becomes the nominee. The credit he seeks for making an anti-war Iraq speech no one recorded back in 2002 will be quickly and thoroughly overshadowed by these other issues.

Barack is right about one thing. He does have experience that neither Hillary or McCain possess. Unfortunately for Barack, it is the kind of experience that will sunder a national presidential campaign. The old saw applies–if you lie down with dogs don’t be surprised to get up with fleas. Sorry Senator Obama, but your judgment is pathetic.

http://hyper-educated-uppity-woman.blogspot.com Uppity

I’m going to keep saying it. Obama has no intention of stopping the war. He simply wants to reverse the direction of the guns.

Gabriele Droz

Oh Uppity! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the laughs you give me with your diaries and comments. Thanks! It all looks so grim, and all of a sudden one of your comments pops up. Sometimes I have to hold my belly or run to the bathroom.

Hope

Wow Gabriele now that saves money on laxatives!

Northwest rain

I wonder if Obama’s arrogance will be noticed?

For myself I would like the next President to have an even handed approach in the Middle East. There must be a common ground — something that both sides can agree on. Bush has made such a mess out of America’s foreign affairs — we do NOT need another person who “knows it all”.

And Obama does not know people — he is absolutely ignorant about women. He does know how to USE people — how to manipulate people, how to con people. So in that sense, I guess Obama does “know” some people.

But his experiences as a mere child are NOT “foreign experience” on an adult level. And there are many levels — from the ordinary citizen to the diplomatic relationship between countries. No where do I see that he has any high level country to country experience.

Oh well he is a JERK as well as a wimp.

Ellen

The thing is….he probably does have the smarts to handle foreign policy as well as the others. I have lived aborad in a number of countries, and, while I certainly don’t see myself as knowledgeable on foreign affairs, i have seen more than the average american – note I say ‘seen’ and ‘lived’ among other peoples and cultures. And that experience is very valuable – I am not giving Obama kudos for his living abroad experience as it was not his doing really. But now that I am a LOT older and wiser, I notice how different I and my children (also lived abroad for many years) look at this world – as compared to most Americans, including our politicians.
And I hate to break your bubble, as you are obviously a Hillary supporter and Obama-hater – but NONE of the candidates have foreign day to day experience – NOT by a long shot.

Mary

Why does it have to be either/or?

You sound like George W. Bush; black or white, with nothing in between.

It’s quite possible NO ONE is an Obama “hater,” dear, and that any judgement is based on his simple lack of experience.
http://www.google.com Jack-The-Ripper

I’ve Been Told You Listen To A Lie Long Enough You’ll Eventually Become A Part Of That LIE!Where Do You People Come From Al-Qaida.
Nellie

Obama is not significant enough to have personal hatered directed against him – even though “Obama Hater” is one the the Bots very favorite repsonses.

From what I reserached, I do despise the actions and things Obama has done and will NEVER vote for him nor anyone like him. Hopefully you understand the difference.

Larry is right – if you lay down with dogs who have fleas…

Another way to say, you will be judged by the company you keep – and at this point anyone who keeps company with the type of person Obama has shown himself to be, is someone who will never get my support nor vote.

Dave Dial

Same old Larry and Susan show. Quoting right-wing nut Aaron Klein. Do you want some more Klein quotes?

Aaron Klein’s book also got some media attention for a chapter in which terrorist leaders state on the record they endorse Hillary Clinton for president in 2008.

“I hope Hillary is elected in order to have the occasion to carry out all the promises she is giving regarding Iraq,” stated Ala Senakreh, West Bank chief of the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades terrorist group.[13] http://article.nationalreview.com/?q=MmYwYTFhZDU1MjllMjUwODg3MDYxMTgzNDk2OTNjODM=

According to reports from Klein, of the dozens of terrorist leaders interviewed in “Schmoozing” every one stated they hope a Democrat becomes president in 2008.[14] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/denise-wheeler/terrorgate-why-terror_b_70559.html

Before the 2006 U.S. midterm elections, Klein conducted a series of interviews with senior Middle East terrorist leaders who urged Americans to vote for Democrats.[19][20] al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades leader Jihad Jaara told Klein a Democrat win would ensure victory for worldwide jihad, explaining the Democrats policy of withdrawal from Iraq would “enhance the resistance.” Klein also read to the terror leaders statements from prominent Democrats such as House minority leader Nancy Pelosi claiming a withdrawal from Iraq would end the insurgency there. All terror leaders interviewed rejected the claim. Islamic Jihad leader Muhammad Saadi said an American withdrawal would “prove the resistance is the most important tool and that this tool works.” Jaara declared a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq would “mark the beginning of the collapse of this tyrant empire (America).” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Klein

Thanks for proving you are the Republican tool we all knew you were Larry. The problem I have is with you, Susan and the rest of the gang here pretending you are Democrats.

Keep legitimizing the right-wing lunatics. Maybe Jerome might visit here and join Markos is realizing what kind of poison ALL of you here are.

http://NoQuarterUSA.net Larry Johnson

You miss the point. It does not matter whether Klein is a Nazi or a Commie. My point is that these are issues that will be used against Obama, whether you like it or not. As with the parable of the King who wore no clothes, I’m the little boy pointing out Barack’s public nakedness on these issues. Meanwhile, folks like you keep singing his praises about his sartorial splendor.

Do you seriously believe that Jewish American democrats who are strong supporters of Israel will overlook the Khalidi association? My Jewish friends say otherwise. I think they are right.

Dave Dial

Who do you think you’re fooling? You allow this poster to have front page status:

Comment by Uppity | 2008-04-08 22:02:48

I’m going to keep saying it. Obama has no intention of stopping the war. He simply wants to reverse the direction of the guns

How else could that be taken other than saying that Obama is an enemy of America?

You can pretend that you are only exposing what the Republicans will use, but rational, reasonable and intelligent people can see right through you. Your posts, and those of the people you have posting here, are all accusing Senator Obama of vile and disgusting things you KNOW are lies.

You and the rest of the posters here will not be welcome company with any real Democrat or Progressive. All of you will be forever linked to the slime that you perpetuate, and the people you are legitimizing.

http://thehorizontalworld.blogspot.com/ Mary Jo Kopechne

Actually, I don’t think Obama or his followers have the best interests of this country in mind. I think he has some post-Democracy vision and very mixed allegiances. I also think those who support him are clueless about the implications of this.

I suggest you read this analysis, written by credible academics who have not been blinded by the light.

http://tinyurl.com/3fouae

Cee Hussein

ROFL!! FRONT PAGE MAG??? FUCK!!

Mary

Lookout , folks; Cee’s back.

He/she doesn’t know how to post without obscenities.

He/she thinks they make him/her sound “erudite.”

Cee Hussein

Mary,

Pay attention. I never fucking left.

Andy

MaryJo, I read FPM’s interviews and analysis you posted by Cushman, Siegel and Herf.
I have to say that despite FPM being a (neo) conservative magazine the analysis of Cushman, Siegel and Herf on Obama’s rise in politics, his political mask and his relationship with Wright are all excellent and right on.
Thanks for sharing that.

Fleaflicker

We don’t have to accuse Obama of vile and disgusting things. All we do is research the truth, find the information and publish it. But I agree that what we find is vile and disgusting. And it is definitely about Obama.
sajo

Larry has been very solicitious from the beginning in coming up with “terrible warnings” that the right wing and swiftboaters can use against Obama, — adding whether it’s true or not.

Well, Gee Thanks Larry for doing the swiftboaters job pro bono.

Hope

Hey Cujo,
What’s up with the rabid statement?
lifelong dem leaving party

sajo, if you don’t think the “swiftboaters” could figure this one out without help, you may need some help. the ad writes itself – “obama says he knows more about foreign policy than mccain or clinton because he lived in indonesia as a child and vacationed in pakistan while in college. is this the man you want in the white house?

jes

Have you taken your meds today?

simon

How else could that be taken other than saying that Obama is an enemy of America?

LOOK at the denial here, a man who deals with terrorists, who was a member of the PLO, Khalidi, is a close Obama associate, Farrakhan, for god’s sake, Qaddafi’s little buddy, visited Libya with Wright and was offered one billion dollars by the good Col in the 90′s, Wright publishes a Hamas manifesto in his church bulletin, tacitly approving Hamas methodology, Auchi launders money, is connected to Qadaffi, and was Saddam’s ex bag man, we have yet to see the depth of the Rezko Syrian, and such, family tree. And Ayers? Ever read what the Weather Underground did, killing Americans, just like Qadaffi did, when he blew up the plane over Lockerbie?

This is for starters.

You see this as OK, normal, it’s only business, for Obama?

It’s CRAZY.

You, and Obama, are in denial.

Or maybe Obama isn’t.

I swear every day, everyday, Obama’s background starts to look more and more like the kid connected to the Washington DC sniper case.

Hope

a Dial without a knob once again!
Andy

You mean that is a lie that he is tight with Wright? Do you mean that is a lie that Wright
Obama’s moral compass, published in July 2007 a Hamas terror manifesto in the Pastor’s Bulletin of the Church newsletter. Do you mean it is a lie that in the bulletin Obama’s pastor, Jeremiah Wright, compared said manifesto to the American Declaration of Independence.
Do you mean it is a lie that Khalidi is against
the very existence of Israel and that Obama has
cultivated this relationship?
What of all of this is a lie Dave Dial?
fooj

Senator Obama is an imposter. He is not who he claims to be. How long must we wait for you spiteful, petty, divisive Obamabrats to put down your pom-poms and GRAB a clue? If he was HALF the man you claim he is he would not put his OWN self interests before the best interests of his constituents and his Country.

Truth is our most powerful weapon.
http://www.google.com Jack-The-Ripper

If I Were As Blinded By Obama’s BS As You Hopelessly Are I Wouldn’t Want To Associate Myself With No Democrat’s Or Progressives.We All Know Mr Obama Is A Closet Muslim Who Has No (HONOR),No Resume,No Plan’s,No Experience,No Common Sense,No Parity,No Sense Of Direction’s,And Nowhere To Go Except Down.
Nellie

You can pretend that you are only exposing what the Republicans will use, but rational, reasonable and intelligent people can see right through you. Your posts, and those of the people you have posting here, are all accusing Senator Obama of vile and disgusting things you KNOW are lies.

There are reasonable, rational and intelligent people among ObamaBots? Whoa, that statement states much about you.

As a PhD researcher, I can truthfully state absolutely everything posted at this wonderful site is RESEARCHED to the Nth degree and factual. All you have to do is check the citations.

Another thing that is a dead give away, is you resorting to ad hominem attacks. If you can’t respond in FACTS – just throw mud – That’s the Obama way!

Further, you prove with words, your lack of intelligence, when you use one article Larry has found to demonstrate a point.

Perhaps this may be a bit too advanced for you -just remember who Larry is, and what he actually does know to the maximum degree. Can you not realize Larry has to take what he already knows for fact, then find a PUBLICALLY accessable article to illustrate his point?

The rest of us, who do not KNOW things for fact, start by researching to find the Facts so we will know. The exact opposite approach Larry’s connections and work give him.

Frankly, Larry is an excellent teacher, and it is a joy to find so many people here hungry for facts and real knowledge.

Hope

Larry,

As a Jew, no we will not. At my synagogue there is great concern for this even among my very liberal friends. No Jew will vote for anyone who has ties to destroy or hurt Israel. PERIOD!

Andy

I agree, despite what some in the left at Haartez or Marty Peretz say.

Cee Hussein

Sorry folks. Change is coming.

We’ve Been Waiting For?
God bless Barack Obama, at today’s hearing he called for regional talks to try and stabilize Iraq and get us and our children out of there. Talk to Iran!

Two years ago the Iraq Study Group said Talk to Iran and Syria, it is the only way to save the situation. Those were American realists, from Hamilton to Baker, with Amb. Daniel Kurtzer in there too. Nothing doing. Kurtzer has said virtually the same thing more recently. Walt and Mearsheimer have called for such talks, too. This seems to me a plain collision of the American interest with the deluded neocon ideology that has ruined this country’s reputation, and killed how many hundreds of thousands of people, and that has privileged rightwing Israeli concerns.

This is the test. What will the American people say? What will conservative Jewish groups say? Will Obama stick by his guns? Will he get backup? Will the new dovish Israel lobby rally support? Game onhttp://www.philipweiss.org/

Nancy H. Armstrong

You have been drinking the swill way too long. We have been talking to Iran and Syria all along. But they have their own agenda and it does not jive with ours which is a non-nuclear proliferation treaty (Iran). Despite the talks with Iran they now have more centrifuges. Do you honestly think a nubile like Obama would even begin to change their minds? They are sovereign countries and they are going to do what is in their best interest.

Ahminejahd is a hard liner (the more moderate clerics were not allowed to run for office). No way is he going to do anything the US asks. I would also suggest bringing any kind boycott of his country will not work. I suspect we would have another “oil for food” scandal under the auspices of the UN.

Then there are the other countries like Russia which are very unpredictable right now especially with a Putin crony as president and Putin as Prime Minister.

Obama does not have the experience. Four years in Indonesia and one trip to Pakistan (we only have Obama’s word for this which is highly suspect these days) does not mean he will just be able to go up and talk to any head of state. They will chew him and spit him out, while telling him not to let the door him in the a@@.

After all he said he would go and talk to the Canadian president. Well Canada has a Prime Minister…..

Cee Hussein

Nancy,

You’re wrong. Iran proposed a nuclear free Middle East years ago.

This idea, first proposed by Egypt and Iran in a 1974 UN General Assembly resolution, faces numerous obstacles.

http://www.cfr.org/publication/9822/israels_nuclear_program_and_middle_east_peace.html

http://www.peace-action.org/home/01.24.06iranstatement.html

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4756652.stm

Cee Hussein

Do you seriously believe that Jewish American democrats who are strong supporters of Israel will overlook the Khalidi association? My Jewish friends say otherwise.

Larry,

People realize the damage that those who claim to support Israel have done to Israel and the US.

What you think of the article by Philip Giraldi at antiwar.com about Obama and The Lobby?

blobert

So this stuff should be kept muffled until the Republicans surprise us with it?
Sounds more like YOU are the Republican, dude.

mel

Larry, when you have General Electric as a funder in 2 ways, money and owning NBC behind you as well as a family who holds 2 seats on General Dynamics board of directors as well as one other those being James Crown as a national finance director, war is definately not going to end with Obama, payback for this support and money is inevitable!

Maytag not proof of Obama bending over to Crwon, now General Dynamics and JP Morgan Chase!

Obama already has supported them with his votes!

It is all about judgement Larry, the judgement of who you get into bed with!

Pre Iraq, General Dynamics has sales of about 14 billion, Post Iraq war start, double, with 49 billion in resrve orders!
Patrick Henry

Interesting Larry..

Somebodys got You and NQ on Speed Dial..Looks like you really touched a nerve with this One..

Right in the 10 Ring..

simon

Yep, I was thinking that, too.

Good.

OxyCon

If you really investigate Obama, one trend seems to make itself quite clear, he usually seeks out and sides with people who are either anti-American or anti-Israeli.
The right wingers are going to blow his shit right out of the water and all the Obama blogs aren’t going to know what hit them.
But, I warned them.
Fleaflicker

The old saw applies–if you lie down with dogs don’t be surprised to get up with fleas.

Some veiled reference to me no doubt.

http://NoQuarterUSA.net Larry Johnson

You have far more class than that. In fact, he’d be better off if he hung with you.

Fleaflicker

Well, I don’t want him hanging with me! Even if I do like arugula.

What some of these folks miss is that this isn’t just a Democrat – Republican thing. Obama’s connections are abhorrent to America. I know I won’t support a President with ties to terrorists (Ayers and Dohrn), mobsters, thugs, racists, homophobes and slumlord fixers. And the list goes on and on.

This is an American issue. And if my Democratic party slates him as the nominee, as an American citizen I will work against him and them. Period. It’s only patriotic.

simon

I know I won’t support a President with ties to terrorists (Ayers and Dohrn), mobsters, thugs, racists, homophobes and slumlord fixers

.

DAMN!

America can pick it’s presidents…

LOL…
TeakWoodKite

How else could that be taken other than saying that Obama is an enemy of America?

Indifference is the enemy of America in all it’s forms. Obama has made a living in perfecting this by taking money from Exelon and voting for a bill written by the Cheney gang.

Greed is the enemy of America, in all it forms. Obama rise in political life was because he was indifferent to the greed of those he associtted with including (in this corner) Michelle “Gimme some” Obama.

Poverty is the enemey of America, in all it’s forms. Obama left people to freeze without running water and buildings left to crumple in disrepair while supporting the crook that made it happen.

Larry I agree, Fleaflicker has far more class. But even IF he hung out with Fleaflicker, I am not sure he would avail himself to what he might learn.

This meeting in california was the one hosted by this man?

Saeed Amidi.
http://www.amidigroup.com/index.html

Patrick Henry

Kite..
Indifference.to..Poverty..because of Greed..

I thought we hit bottom with the Bush Neo Cons..but it looks like this is going all the way to the Sewer..America is in the hands of Two Powerful wealty Groups..who are trying to buy Control of the Government Again..Money is no Object..They both have thier Front Men..

Rambo on Geritol…and Fakhir on Audacity

Poor Uncle Sam.. They are Stretching His Legs like a Wish Bone …

Does anyone realize what all the Money being Wasted could do for the Poor in Chicago, for people in Detroit, for katrina victims, for Poverty all over the United states..

I think many of the REALLY>>REALLY RICH..

Set Bad examples..

Cee Hussein

Now Bill (maybe Hillary) are fronts for the government of Columbia.

Columbian officials are cooperative with the Clintons and Mark Penn but President of Columbia, Uribe, is attacking Obama openly.

http://narconews.com/Issue52/article3055.html

TeakwoodKite

You need to trade in the tinfoil hat Cee and get one made of Magnesium. They burn brighter.

Perhaps…it occurs to you that (maybe Hillary) is not a playa.

And your man Bush is gumming up the works?

Cee Hussein

Teak,

Why must you keep trying to hurt my feelings by being insulting?

Andy,

Thanks for the correction. I’m glad to see that you can be right about something.

Andy

Cee Hussein, before posting about this subject maybe you should learn the difference between “Columbia” and “COLOMBIA”
PMS

The president of Columbia University is attacking Obama? Overdue library books?

http://www.google.com Jack-The-Ripper

Count Me In Too!

Deke

I don’t completely disagree with Obama position towards the middle east but living in New York less than complete acceptance of Isreal’s foreign policy is unacceptable to the Jewish community. This is a key constituancy of the democratic party in particular their contributions to candidates. His nomination could fracture that alliance. Republicans for years have been trying to make in roads this could be their opening. Hillary knows this and her Iran vote is evidence.

PMS

Republicans for years have been trying to make in roads this could be their opening. Hillary knows this and her Iran vote is evidence.

Deke, this is the key to the Obama campaign. He destroys the Democratic Party that FDR built, that Truman, Kennedy, Johnson, Carter (who’s perhaps now aiding the destruction), and Clinton maintained.

By appealing to the Democrats who view themselves as “elites”, BO is being allowed to drive wedges into the Democratic base.

he intentionally breaks away the AA vote, blocks out the Hispanic and Latino vote, and turns against the Jewish-American vote. What will be left? The Toyota Prius Left is what will remain.

Obama is the GOP’s dream come true. He is the caricature of the “World luvin’, America hatin’ ‘liberal’ Democrat” that the GOP uses as a straw man.

Obama is the incarnation of that element of the Democratic Party that holds contempt for the very people they need in order to be elected to office. Perhaps the death of the donkey is overdue. Death by hubris… washed down by kool-aid.

http://speaktruth speaktruth

I agree. Great analysis.

I’ve been noticing this and wondering if and how Repubs have set this up. They have said many times that their goal is to get rid of all remnants of FDR New Deal.

It is so Rovian – and evil.

I heard something after 2006 election, where some Repubs admitted that their new strategy, since Bush had done so much harm to Repubs, was to run Repubs as Dems.

I have been wondering this about Obama for a long time.

Are his supporters and Dem Party so unaware that he is GOP’s dream come true?

http://hyper-educated-uppity-woman.blogspot.com Uppity

I don’t think we belong in either of their wars. But I CERTAINLY don’t think Obama will stop this war. I just think he will reverse the fire. That’s not acceptable to me.

Catriley

I’m still trying to figure out why any Jewish voter would still even consider Obama, considering his association with Rev. Wright.

As far as Obama’s rather lengthy comments regarding his qualifications to be Commander in Chief. As I read through all of his comments (not just the small paragraph further up here), it struck me that he seemed to be rather confused as to what the Commander in Chief entails. He’s all over the place talking about foreign relations and time spent abroad, but truly… the role of Commander in Chief is rather narrow in scope, he seems to be confusing that with Head of State, or other diplomatic roles.

That’s why he believes he is better qualified to be Commander in Chief than McCain or Clinton, because he is unclear on the job description. He’s truly having many George Bush Jr. moments lately, out without a teleprompter or Axelrod nearby.

The last time a cocky know-it-all (who didn’t really know much) got in the White House, we were screwed, and we will be until January 2009.

Andy

why any Jewish voter would still even consider Obama, considering his association with Rev. Wright.

Most don’t.

The Wright affair is a very low blow; hard to get pass that at a gut level; even less when one thinks about it.

Cee Hussein

Andy,

You wish. From Muzzlewatch:

Alterman quotes Matthew Yglesias:

“First Obama was an anti-Semite because Zbigniew Brzezinski is an anti-Semite. Then Obama was an anti-semite because Robert Malley is an anti-semite. And now according to [Commentary’s Noah] Pollack [sic] it’s Samantha Power who’s tainted by Jew-hatred.”

As usual, attempts at painting Obama as anti-Israel have had almost no traction with the majority of American Jews, whose liberal views comport with Obama’s with quite nicely.
What exactly are they so scared of? Alterman writes:

Perhaps it is honesty about the issue. Speaking to a largely Jewish audience in Cleveland, Obama explained, “There is a strain within the pro-Israel community that says unless you adopt an unwavering pro-Likud approach to Israel, you’re anti-Israel and that can’t be the measure of our friendship with Israel.” Then came his kicker: “One of the things that struck me when I went to Israel was how much more open the debate was around these issues in Israel than they are sometimes here in the United States.” No wonder he scares them so…

Nag

Yglesias has his finger on the pulse of All American Jews? Since when? Besides, I didn’t see the name Rashid Khalidi in the list of Obama’s relationships. We’ll see how just how well that goes over, won’t we?

TeakwoodKite

First of all, who is they?

One of the things that struck me when I went to Israel was how much more open the debate was around these issues in Israel than they are sometimes here in the United States

You for got the link.

Cee, why is it that you do not express your own opinions and thought in a attempt to advance your argument?

So now the American Jewish community is “afraid”?
Obama is no friend of Israel.
Cee Hussein

Nag,

This mud isn’t sticking to the wall like Clinton Bush supporters hoped.
McCain won’t touch it because he has a Hagree problem.

Jewish American Democrats Largely Divided on Clinton v. Obama
by Jonathan Singer, Wed Apr 09, 2008 at 06:29:07 PM EST

This is a little old, but I’m just seeing it now. According to Gallup polling (via the Jewish Review of Portland, Oregon), Democrats of the Jewish faith are fairly evenly divided on their pick for the party’s presidential nominee. Take a look at these numbers released March 24:

Jewish Democratic voters show a slight preference for Hillary Clinton (48%) over Barack Obama (43%) for the party’s 2008 presidential nomination. The five-point Clinton advantage is within the margin of error for this sample of Jewish Democrats.

The data are based on interviews with 348 Jewish Democratic voters conducted in Gallup Poll Daily tracking in March. So far this month, all Democratic voters regardless of religious affiliation are equally divided (46% each) in their nomination preferences between Clinton and Obama.

Obama’s ability to win votes in the U.S. Jewish community has been questioned, given suggestions that he does not support Israel as strongly as other candidates. Some of Obama’s supporters (including the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, former pastor of Obama’s church) and foreign policy advisers are regarded as anti-Israel. Obama has met with Jewish leaders to reassure them of his commitment to Israel.

http://www.mydd.com/

Andy

Cee, I don’ “wish” I know.
And please; quoting Matthew Yglesias on this topic (or Alterman) is laughable. Since when are any of these two the “pulse” of the jewish community?
Yglesias #@*&?!?!
And what does your quote have to do with their reaction to Wright?
Andy

Cee, I don’t “wish” I know.
And please; quoting Matthew Yglesias on this topic (or Alterman) is laughable. Since when are any of these two the “pulse” of the jewish community?
Yglesias #@*&?!?!
And what does your quote have to do with their reaction to Wright?

Cee Hussein

Andy,

MOST people are decent and smart enough not to tar people based on the woods or actions of others.
The Wright smear isn’t working.
The Phelegar smear isn’t working.
The Meeks smear isn’t working.
The Farrakhan smear isn’t working.
Next?

PMS

Then why hasn’t Obama closed the deal?

http://hyper-educated-uppity-woman.blogspot.com Uppity

Forget Wright. The biggest anti-semetic in his crowd is Farrakhan.

beachnan

The more he speaks, the less I can picture him as Commander in Chief. America, and especially young America is being duped, and hopefully, many will wake up before it is too late. We’ve already had 8 years of someone who did not know what the job entailed. Can we really afford another 4 years of the same if we get Obama?
jwrjr

Obama thinks that he understands the world better than Clinton? Who is his speechwriter, Lewis Carroll?

Hope

Alfred E. Newman

jwrjr

What, me worry?

Cello

Barack Obama clearly does not have experience ducking sniper fire with his daughter while in the midst of a warzone.

JM

Cello,

Referring to this is so stupid. She embellished. OMG… maybe we should stone her! Her trip was told about the possibility of sniper fire occurring, but luckily, it did not. This is not to say that she has never been in a situation like that, though.

TeakWoodKite

Why would Obama believe never having served is something to be proud of?

How many grunts would want him on your 6?

JM

Barack Obama is a wannabe, not quite ready for primetime. Even if he was ready for primetime, I wouldn’t vote for him. He is all blowhard, no substance.

Andy

I just saw a clip of Obama speaking to Petreaus on the BBC news and I swear that he seems to be holding back smiling; like an actor that all of a sudden becomes conscious of the camera.

Has anyone else see this?

I heard Nelson gave him his turn to speak b/c Obama “claimed” to have a scheduling conflict!! Can you believe this? Surely making sure too get a clip ready for the evening news….

Andy

Meant

“Has anyone else seen this? “

TeakWoodKite

He asked the chair for “indulgence” and proceeded to brattle on worse than 5 year old, well past the point of indulgence.

Mr.Murder

WingNut Daily already has some Obama ammo:

Once again, Democrat presidential candidate Barack Obama is distancing himself from a statement made by his Chicago church and defending himself by saying he wasn’t present when the statement was made.

This time, Obama is reacting to a WND report of the church’s decision to reprint a manifesto by a Hamas spokesman that defended terrorism as legitimate resistance, refused to recognize the right of Israel to exist and compared the terror group’s official charter – which calls for the murder of Jews – to America’s Declaration of Independence.

The Hamas piece was published on the “Pastor’s Page” of the Trinity United Church of Christ newsletter reserved for Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., whose anti-American, anti-Israel remarks landed Obama in hot water, prompting the presidential candidate to deliver a major race speech earlier this week.

That’s right, someone gave Wright a box of matches and told him to play with fire.

Obama was(and still is) a member of this same church.

In his July 22, 2007, church newsletter, Wright reprinted an article by Mousa Abu Marzook, identified in the publication as a “deputy of the political bureau of Hamas.” A photo image of the piece was captured and posted today by the business blog BizzyBlog, which first brought attention to it. The Hamas article was first published by the Los Angeles Times, garnering the newspaper much criticism.

http://www.bizzyblog.com/2008/03/17/tuccs-church-bulletins-from-july-2007-probably-make-whether-obama-was-present-on-July-22-irrelevant/

http://www.bizzyblog.com/wp-images/TUCChamasColumn072207.jpg

This guy’s freakin’ nukular. The audacity of hope, give me some of what that preacher is smokin!
Mr.Murder

For the record, Hamas has earned legitmate political standing in the most recent elections, not all of the assertions are accurate, but the general perception of Hamas is a key part of the problem. Leslie Blitzer gets into concern tone every time they are mentioned.

We really expect the MSM to not go for the throat with this kind of material?

Andy

They earned “legitimate political standing” only within Gaza (and maybe some of the Arab countries).
Hamas -just as Hezbollah — is a terrorist group.

Lyn

Larry you missed MY favorite part of the quote

Obama fielded a question on what he’s looking for in a running mate, HuffPo”s Mayhill Flower writes.

“I would like somebody who knows about a bunch of stuff that I’m not as expert on,” the senator is quoted as saying. “I think a lot of people assume that might be some sort of military thing to make me look more commander-in-hief-like.

lifelong dem leaving party

sounds like he’s channeling bush. lol.

TeakwoodKite

bunch of stuff ….the speech of a muddled and clutter mind.

What I draw from that is the Bush – cheney setup.

What a funky way of saying he is not qualified.
What is he an expert on? No seriously, what IS his expertise?

queue the crickets….

Percy

My greatest fear is that maybe Obama and his croonies are actually very knowledgeable about world affairs ….yet it is just not in the best interest of Americans.

Keep this man out of the White House.

Those pushing for a shared Dream Ticket … remove those links.

The next president NEEDS to be Hillary … and a default to McCain.

Obama seriously needs to stay away from the White House, get out of the Senate.. and start a speaking tour and get a TV show on Oprahs new network.

Then.. he can find a new country to move his family to where he can be the Messiah and where Michelle can be proud of.

lifelong dem leaving party

he scares me too, even as veep. hillary or mccain, no other option. (the only possible good thing that could come out of him getting the dem nomination is him losing the general – that would be the end of him. and we would all be safer because of it.)

JM

I support Hillary Clinton, but if she picks Obama as the VP, then I don’t think I will support her. Her judgment needs to be better than that.

kenoshaMarge

Well she may judge that the only way to win is with both of them on the ticket. I don’t personally think so but some pundits are saying that’s what needs to happen.

Then she could send him off on a “fact finding” junket for 4 years. The experience would do him good and he’d be out of the way of the adults.

Alien

Andy -Hamas is the legitimate ruler of the whole of Palestine not just Gaza. Fatah with foreign backing managed to extricate themselves into west bank. They are still NOT the legitimate elected power in Palestine.

So until a new vote =HAMAS is it.

Mr.Murder

Such it is, alien, thanks for the comment.
Andy

First I was refering to Hamas being “legitimate” within Gaza where Hamas is strongest -and ok. West Bank – and some Arab countries only.

I was not commenting at the power play between Hamas and PNA but about Hamas vis a vis the US , Israel and most countries outside the region. Hamas is a terrorist group. Hamas does not recognize the right of Israel to exist.

Abbas was elected President of the PNA in 2005 in elections that were boycotted by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. In 2006 Hamas won the legislative elections and Haniyah become “prime minister” but early in 2007 he resigned and now there is a “unity government”.

At any rate; as long as Hamas, Hezbollah(Lebanon) and the rest continue to be terrorist organizations they are not and cannot be viewed as “legitimate” governments by the US, Israel and allies.

http://www.correntewire.com/blog/myiq2xu myiq2xu

I was born in Germany, and lived there again for a couple years as a young adult. I also visited Mexico once.

My step-mother is German, and I dated at least four women who were from other countries.

Can I be President too?
Rocio Juarez

Obama left Indonesia was he was ten years old. What exactly does a child learn in reference to foreign policy from watching cartoons while he eats his cereal? The man is arrogant, and inexperienced. In 2004, Obama said he would not consider running anytime soon because he believed he did not have enough experience. The man is inexperienced. Period.
Rocio Juarez

Obama left Indonesia when he was ten years old. What exactly did Obama the child, learn in reference to foreign policy from watching cartoons while he ate his cereal? The man is arrogant, and inexperienced. In 2004, Obama said he would not consider running anytime soon because he believed he did not have enough experience. The man is inexperienced. The man is a liar.
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http://DeeLee deelee

I was so stunned when I heard Obama (during his love-in with Chris Mathews last week)say in reference to Hillary Clinton “Judgement in the past is indicative of judgement in the future”.(refering to her vote on the war)

That statement alone should be enough to hang him, but I guess it only applies to anybody that opposes him.

http://hyper-educated-uppity-woman.blogspot.com Uppity

Well CNN asked the candidates if they think Bush should boycott the opening of the Olympic games. As we know, Hillary already called upon both oppontents to join her in encouraging the President to boycott. Obama’s Answer? We should be “tougher” on China. He didn’t commit one way or another to a boycott, must like alwaysssssssssssss. What a coward.
Kevin

“why was he funding a pro-Palestinian group that is likely to set off alarm bells in Israel and supporters of Israel here in the United States?”

Good grief Larry… what, you’re saying he should kow-tow to the wishes of every single special interest group? Funny… you’ve held differing opinions about that before.

But more importantly – again, does serving on a board of directors or acting as a consultant in any way shape or form = “funding” an organization? Think carefully before you answer, because as I’ve noted before – then there are things that if you’re being unbiased – you need to point about Hillary as well.

Granted, it was an amazingly hubristic statement, but apparantly that’s par for the course for politicians running for office… what, you’re going to say Hillary hasn’t done the same?

LOL

DJ

Unfortunately, Larry does not seem to be familiar with Prof. Rashid Khalidi, or his books, and is only going by the Neocons’ description of Khalidi.
The other day he was quoting some guy who would call Dershowitz a self hating jew, so the sources are not entirely credible.

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lizben08

I agree, this will all be used against BHO in the general election. Democrats have lost already.

I wish the media would do their job and make this public now!