In Saturday night’s Republican debate, Mitt Romney gave a defiant statement about Iran: he will stop it from getting nukes by any means, Obama won’t. Yesterday Obama sought to parry Romney, saying that he is taking no option off the table.
Are we witnessing a primary between Romney and Obama right now, for the support of the Israel lobby?
I think so. Romney’s braintrust includes neocons like Robert Kagan and Dan Senor, while David Brooks, David Frum and Bill Kristol have all said good things about Romney. Dennis Ross and Stuart Levey have both left the Obama administration, hurting his standing in the Israel lobby. Don’t forget, the lobby defected from Bush to Clinton in ’91 over settlements; and its fundraising abilities helped assure Clinton’s election over the incumbent (as Max Blumenthal’s post at AlAkhbar today points out).
Jews are sure to vote by a majority for Obama; but as a Forward package this week shows, Obama’s polling numbers are sliding among Jews– from 83 percent approval in early ’09 to 54 percent in September. (Compared to overall #s going from 66 to 41.)
Neocons call on hawkish Jews, who tend to be older (p. 3 of that poll: overwhelmingly opposing a Palestinian state), and therefore wealthier. The fundraising question is crucial. Slate’s editor David Plotz has questioned the loyalty of Jewish donors. So have the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, talking about “Jewish donors–a major fundraising constituency for the president.” The Hill said that Obama’s big Wall Street fundraisers were turning to Romney, and I pointed out that most of the donors named by the Hill care about Israel.
New York Magazine’s John Heilemann echoes the point:
[A]mong the high-dollar Jewish donors who were essential to fueling the great Obama money machine last time around, stories of dismay and disaffection are legion. “There’s no question,” says one of the president’s most prolific fund-raisers. “We have a big-time Jewish problem.”
So again I ask, isn’t this what the dogfight over Iran policy is? Obama and Romney are squaring off in an Israel lobby primary, to try and gain Jewish financial support, anticipating the big race ahead. The neoconservatives and J Street are arguing over who can deliver that support. Politics never stays in the same place, but somehow I fear that hawkish voices will dominate my community once again.
since the public is on to the fact that america’s unconditional support for the settler entity israel is bad for america
whoever wins the support of these israel-firsters gonna wish they hadn’t
I think my man Phil is giving waaaaaay to much credit to “The Lobby” here.
The Lobby definitely constitutes “ground troops” in the American Empire’s foreign policy – but I think the policy was decided on first; ground troops came later.
The US position in the Middle East is the same position it has taken in Indonesia, The Balkans, Central and South America etc.; no economic development outside the auspices of the US. Is the Lobby responsible for Suharto? Pinochet? The Khmer Rouge? Was the Lobby responsible for the overthrow of Mossadegh? To ask these questions is to answer them.
The fact of the matter is, the Lobby parrots what is official US policy, the only difference is they use Israel as the tangible element or pretext. But pretext is near worthless as a means to understand the real goals of policy. Leaders can say whatever they want in pushing their agenda; what is really surprising is how so many in the “Jewish community” think what they do and say can really matter or affect change in this area. It can’t.
But, please, continue to donate! What a sham…….
Romney even flat out said the other day he would take the US to war to prevent Iran from being nuclear. He was criticized by rational MSM journalists who know we cannot afford another war. The polls might show that Americans are concerned about Iran and nuclear weapons. Who are they polling though? Most Americans probably couldn’t find Iran on the map or otherwise know anything about it. My teenage cousin didn’t know there was a difference between Iran and Iraq. They can spin polls to suit their narrative. Wasn’t there a recent poll showing like 80% or 90% of Americans opposed to another war? The troops certainly don’t want any more. Even the masses know the wars are the reason we’re broke.
Romney is shooting himself in the foot by saying he would go to war. It doesn’t matter if the lobby has flocked to endorse him. Donors are wasting their money, he is unelectable.
I wish no nation would have nuclear weapons, however let´s be fair:
Which is the only nation that used such bombs to kill hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians?
Which nation asked the world community if they may have an A-bomb or not?
Which nation has a lot of such weapons yet refuses an UN inspection?
After those questions we must ask: who has the right to forbid Iran to build a nuclear arsenal? They are treatened since 60 years from all directions and they want to be in the same position as Israel, Pakistan, India and other nations, you just don´t attack a nation with such capabilities unless you are imbecil.
There’s something very galling about Ross departing the Administration (it was galling that Levey was part of it). I can only speculate, but it seems Ross is jumping ship for political reasons – namely, so Obama won’t use him for political purposes during campaign season. But over these years, Ross had his way and got what his side wanted: the status quo of continued settlements and permanent negotiations. The only offense Obama has given (besides having the middle name Hussein) is to reiterate the long-standing US policy regarding two states and the 1967 borders, give or take.
Obama has been very loyal to Ross’ agenda. And now when Obama is going to want to use Ross for political purposes, Ross is gone. Since it seems the Lobby is rather harsh on Obama, is Ross under pressure to show where his true loyalties lie and thus his defection?
Alternatively, and ominously, there is the fact that he had the Iran portfolio. With saber rattling for war with Iran in the air, it is plain that Israel wants a major military attack and the US does not. So I fear this omen of him leaving could mean Israel is going to go ahead with it.