Freeman nomination in trouble
The nomination of Chas Freeman to head the National Intelligence Council is apparently in trouble. Earlier on Thursday, the Obama White House threw National Intelligence Director Dennis Blair under the bus, saying that the White House had not vetted Freeman's nomination. And later on Thursday, 'a person familiar with their conversation' leaked that New York Senator Charles Schumer 'privately' called White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to 'express concern' over Freeman's positions on Israel (Hat Tip: Memeorandum). Senator Charles Schumer has privately expressed concerns directly to White House chief of staff Rahm Emanuel about Chas Freeman, the Obama administration’s pick to head the group that prepares some of the intel community’s most politically sensitive assessments, a person familiar with their conversation tells me.I would love to see this nomination fall by the wayside, but you know that if it does, Freeman and his friends Stephen Walt and John Mearsheimer will be all over the media blaming that mysterious cabal known as the 'Israel Lobby.'
Obama’s choice of Freeman as head of National Intelligence Council — which has aroused opposition because of his strong criticism of Israel and other things — signaled that the President isn’t afraid to buck the pro-Israel lobby and the neocon critics who aggressively opposed the Freeman pick.
But Schumer’s concerns could create serious problems for Freeman, since Schumer is a Democrat and a high-profile voice on Israel, and could give cover for other Democrats to come out and vocally raise questions about the appointment.
The source familiar with Schumer’s conversation with Rahm tells me the New York Senator was concerned about Freeman’s positions on Israel.
“It was in a phone call to Rahm,” the source says, adding that Chuck expressed reservations about Freeman’s positions on Israel. “It was about Freeman’s positions on the Middle East.”
The source added that Chuck isn’t “threatening to block him” yet, but wanted to weigh in to the White House about his concerns. Schumer spokesman Brian Fallon declined comment on the call. The Weekly Standard first reported, with no detail or sourcing, that a conversation had taken place.
Heh.
posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 1:03 AM
3 Comments:
the fact that ANOTHER israel hating slime ball is part of bho's inner circle just makes me smile...
I voted for McCain....
All of my Jewish friends & family all TOLD me dont worry, BHO is a nice guy...
I guess as each day passes it's dawning on them what schmucks they have been...
If anyone thinks that an alternate nominee will be more friendly to Israel then you don't know enough about Hopenchange's worldview. I'm not for this nominee, but there's no reason to expect anything better,none at all.
I am reading about "moderate" republican and democrats who voted for BHO who are saying 'WTF' right now. Even a few LLLs are questioning whether this was the right choice.
Fellow Americans, we have a mid term election in 18 months. Lets not waste this opportunity to get the government back in the hands of the people and out of the hands of the elite snobs who run it now.
Our future and our kids future depends upon this. Never mind a sane foreign policy ... we can't have that until we have a sane government. With the troika of BHO - Pelosi - Reid, sanity isn't in the cards.
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