Tim, it's clear that Phil isnt looking to suppress Jewish - or American Jewish - lobbying power, rather he wants to simply oppose it; after all any American has a right to agitate for his own interests, and he sees his best interest in the other direction to yours.
what's at issue here is simply the ability to discuss - and oppose - an issue openly; heck, most people cant acknowledge the lobby even exists. why not be as forthright as the NRA, say, and let vocal supporters and vocal detractors keep the lobby's power in balance with the nation as a whole? you catch more flies with honey, and most lobbyists know better than to smear their opponents at every turn.
as this issue gains prominence, which it will as long as the administration feels obliged to send men to the middle east, then pro-Israel advocates will need a smarter strategy than simply playing the anti-Semitism trump card at every hand.
Tim, it's clear that Phil isnt looking to suppress Jewish - or American Jewish - lobbying power, rather he wants to simply oppose it; after all any American has a right to agitate for his own interests, and he sees his best interest in the other direction to yours.
what's at issue here is simply the ability to discuss - and oppose - an issue openly; heck, most people cant acknowledge the lobby even exists. why not be as forthright as the NRA, say, and let vocal supporters and vocal detractors keep the lobby's power in balance with the nation as a whole? you catch more flies with honey, and most lobbyists know better than to smear their opponents at every turn.
as this issue gains prominence, which it will as long as the administration feels obliged to send men to the middle east, then pro-Israel advocates will need a smarter strategy than simply playing the anti-Semitism trump card at every hand.