Inside scoop from a D.C. informant on Dennis Ross:
Ross was all set for the big job: envoy reporting to the President, covering both the I-P conflict and Iran.
But then his successor at the Washington Institute, Rob Satloff,
decided that he had to tell the media that a WINEP guy had been
picked. Good for fundraising in difficult times. So Rob Satloff
blabbed to everyone, the news appeared everywhere, and Team Obama
decided that this was an indication that Ross might be something of a
loose cannon (and too close to the lobby) and that he had best not be
in so sensitive a position. So he will be hired but, considering he
was talked up earlier as a possible Secretary of State, he won't get
anything where he is not directly under someone's thumb (probably
Clinton's).
Some say that Satloff, jealous of his predecessor's stature, which he most definitely does not have, intentionally killed the appointment by leaking it. Either way, Satloff did him in. Satloff is of course way to Ross's right on Israel-Palestine. His bosses at AIPAC may have decided they didn't want Ross. But now they have Mitchell and they are freaking...
I would imagine you have been fooled again, Phil. You were all fooled when McCain chose Palin, even after you had been told again and again that Bill Krystol set the Palin veep run up on purpose to fail.
Look, I'm happy that Ross isn't getting the I/P portfolio. But I'm VERY disturbed that it took an ill-timed leak from WINEP to trpedo him. You mean to tell me that if that hadn't happened, Obama was ready to make Ross his point-man on I/P?! What does that say? I thought Obama understood the issue better than that, and knew what Ross was all about. If he didn't, that doesn't bode well for future decisions.
I think AIPAC wants George Mitchell, it'll be easier to dismiss him… witness Foxman's statement.
Dennis Ross served Israel faithfully during the Clinton years, there is no way Aipac would sabotage his appointment. I still find it hard to believe that Obama even considered him.
Hm. I don't believe this story.
First, "Good for fundraising in difficult times", I can't believe fundraising must be strategically planned that much. Zionists fund, regardless who gets picked.
Secondly, what exactly was Satloff hoping for in getting Ross nixed? I don't get it.
Last but not least, I don't think "Clintons thumb" on Ross is worth anything regarding the just peace cause. She's pro-Zionism.
Some blog entries mentioning Satloff:
Another Smith piece had a letter from Satloff yesterday claiming that Ambassador Ross would be overseeing the envoy, and dismissing the envoy's role.
link to politico.com
Rowan
Perhaps I misinterpret your remark to mean
McCain wasn't in desperate political straits
by the time of Palin's selection?
Contrarian, one thing is certain-Obama, "understands" the issue, because of earlier associations with recently shoved-to-the-sidelines erstwhile Palestinian/Arab friends.
I think Ken Hoop is right. Obama knows who the main victims are as between the jewish state and the dispossessed and once said so in public. So does Hillary. Someday, Obama will write a book not unlike Carter did, as a former president. You know, after his second term;by then, though he might have to say something regarding how
we got into the third gulf war.
Dennis Ross, Iran envoy (he is supportive of war with Iran):
link to itszone.co.uk
Phil had an excellent appearance on the 'Hearts & Minds' program (former '60 Minutes' producer Alan Weisman who wrote the book about Richard Perle is the host) for Press TV recently as it can be viewed via clicking on the 'Media Player' link at the following URL:
Philip Weiss on 'Hearts & Minds' for Press TV:
link to presstv.com