After McCain Speech, Obama Campaign Stresses Israel Commitment
Between Representative Adam Schiff of California, Barack Obama foreign policy adviser Denis McDonough and spokesman Josh Earnest, the word "Israel" -- as in security of the state of -- was used 14 times in the first 15 minutes of the Obama campaign conference call this afternoon.
"Is Israel safer today?" McDonough asked, repeatedly asserting that there are few differences between John McCain and George W. Bush's Middle East foreign policy.
The surrogates were responding to John McCain's speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group that all three candidates are addressing this week. During the speech, according to the Washington Post, McCain called for "broad sanctions against Iran and a South African-style worldwide divestment strategy."
Obama, whose relationship with Jewish voters has been the subject of endless analysis, much of it arguable, looks forward to voicing his "steadfast commitment to Israel" when he speaks to AIPAC and on future occasions, Schiff said. "This is certainly an important speech," he said. "But it will be just one in a line of them."
If Obama is so keen on Israel...then how does anyone explain either of the following none of which has been reported in the media (no surprise there).
Obama proclaims on tape at Khalidi's going-away party: Israel commits "genocide against the Palestinians" and has "no God-given right to occupy Palestine."
Israel Insider
Award-winning blogger Doug Ross reports that a reliable source has provided an eyewitness account of what he saw on the videotape of the PLO official Rashid Khalidi's farewell bash that the LA Times is suppressing.
The paper used the tape as the basis for its watered-down story about the event and has been suppressing ever since, despite massive appeals — including an official request by the McCain campaign — to release indisputably newsworthy evidence that could inform voters about where Barack Hussein Obama really stands.
The eyewitness source, who Ross calls "a person who has provided useful, accurate and unique data from LA before" writes:
Saw a clip from the tape. Reason we can't release it is because statements Obama said to rile audience up during toast. He congratulates Arafat's associate, Khalidi, for his work saying "Israel has no God-given right to occupy Palestine" plus there's been "genocide against the Palestinian people by Israelis."
It would be really controversial if it got out. That's why they will not even let a transcript get out.
The eyewitness' use of the word "we" suggests that he is a Times staffer.
In a separate development, a European financier, cited by the Atlas Shrugs blog, has offered a $150,000 reward for providing the tape.
After four days of hemming and hawing, and trying out other excuses for the suppression, the LA Times' editor Russ Stanton came up with the following "reason": "The Los Angeles Times did not publish the videotape because it was provided to us by a confidential source who did so on the condition that we not release it."
Ross retorts: "How frickin' stupid do they think we are?" Someone gave the Times a videotape so it wouldn't be released? And they can't publish a transcript?"
Now we may know why not. At the very least, the leak of the quotes may compel the paper to release a transcript, or the Obama campaign to confirm or deny their veracity.
-----------------------------------------
And this...
Bonior Joins Obama Team as Latest Anti-Israel Campaign Official
Washington, D.C. (May 30, 2008) - The Republican Jewish Coalition today responded to the announcement that former Rep. David Bonior will be representing the Obama campaign at the Democratic National Committee meeting this weekend in Washington, D.C. As a Congressman, David Bonior was known for his strong opposition to pro-Israel policies, being called by some "the biggest supporter of the anti-Israel Arab lobby in Congress."[1] The RJC cited Bonior as the latest in a string of advisors and campaign officials to Barack Obama that harbor anti-Israel views.
"Barack Obama's path to strengthening ties with the Jewish community is severely blocked when appointing an anti-Israel figure like David Bonior. While in Congress, Bonior refused to stand by Israel after repeated terrorist attacks, was known as a stalwart opponent to Israel, and is now a representative for Barack Obama. Bonior's appointment is the latest in a series that raises serious questions and doubts about Barack Obama's positions and judgments on the Middle East."
During his Congressional career, David Bonior repeatedly opposed pro-Israel legislation. In 1997, David Bonior was one of 15 Congressmen who signed a letter asking then-President Clinton to pressure Israelis into making concessions to the Palestinians. In 2002, David Bonior was one of only 21 Congressmen who opposed H.R. 392, which publicly affirmed Congress's support of Israel's right to self-defense and called for the dismantling of the Palestinian terrorist infrastructure.[2] In 1990, David Bonior was one of only 34 Congressman to vote against a measure naming Jerusalem as the united capital of Israel.[3] In 1989, Bonior was one of six House members to vote against a bill that prevented US funds from going to UN entities that granted the PLO membership.[4] Throughout his career, Bonior repeatedly opposed US aid to Israel and supported arms sales to Arab states opposed to Israel's existence.
"The appointment of yet another anti-Israel advisor like David Bonior to represent Barack Obama speaks volumes to the Jewish community. The pattern including Tony McPeak, Zbigniew Brzezinski, and Robert Malley continues with this appointment. It's no wonder the Jewish community remains deeply skeptical and troubled by Barack Obama."
[1] Jonathan Tobin, Jewish World Review, 7/12/99.
[2] H.R. 392, "Expressing Solidarity with Israel in its Fight
against Terrorism", May 2002, 352-21 (29 voting present).
[3] H.R. 290, "In support of a unified Jerusalem", Apr. 1990,
378-34 (6 voting present).
[4] H.R. 2145, "Prohibiting US Contributions to the United
Nations Under Certain Condititons", May 1989, 396-6 (11 voting present).
The only nations intrest Obama should be concerned about is the U.S.A.