Conn Hallinan at Counterpunch says that Obama's voters have his back if he really wants to get tough on "settlements."
does he have the political backing to make it stick?
On
the last point, the answer would seem to be “yes.” According to a
recent Zogby International poll, 50 percent of Americans think that the
U.S. should “get tough” with Israel. Some 32 percent were “not sure,”
and only 19 percent said, “do nothing.” But once the partisan gap is
factored in, Obama supporters overwhelmingly favor “getting tough” by
71 to 18.The poll shows strong support for Israel
– 71 percent to 21 percent — and a negative view of Palestinians –
25 to 66 — but again, there were strong differences between Obama and
McCain supporters. Asked if Israeli and U.S. interests were identical,
Obama voters said “no” 59 to 28, while McCain voters said they were
identical 78 to 15. Obama backers had a largely negative view of
Netanyahu — 49 to 29 — while McCain supporters favored the Israeli
prime minister 82 to 9.
I wonder when Obama will invite that progressive base to the White House. The *other* meeting is taking place (no announcement on the official calendar) today: http://www.politicsdaily.com/2009/07/13/obama-to-...
Time for more humility & sincerity, an end to hubris & arrogance. That Zogby poll is interesting, but what would be even more interesting is how those trend lines have moved over time. Momentum is not on the side of Netanyahu, I suspect.
all you have to do is listen to C-Spans Washington Journal;s callers in the morning. The tide has shifted on the I/P conflict. The efforts of Vanessa Redgrave, Former President Jimmy Carter, Meirsheimer and Walt's book "the Israel Lobby", ArchBishop Tutu, Norman Finkelstein, Edward Said, Amy goodman, and now Phillip Weiss's site along with Medea Banjaman, Naomi Klien recently jumping on the bus (took them a while) but better late than never. have changed the equation. The racism the brutality that has taken place for the last 50 years is starting to break through on the internet, books and Free Speech T.V. and foreign news. The tide is shifing
A little progress! Rome was not built in a day.
The changing of the tide is unavoidable, and even those who like the status quo know this. The real work is now starting. Do you trust everyone who claims to want change? Even if the situation starts to change, the majority of the decision makers and opinion shapers are likely to give the Palestinians and average Americans the shaft.