And now we know why he didn't dare do this deal in his first term
The Hill reports that President Obama is
having a little trouble with his Jewish donors over his sucking up to Iran (Hat Tip:
Memeorandum).
The timing of the pact set the stage for awkward moments at a scheduled
Democratic fundraiser in Beverly Hills, Calif., Monday night. Obama
attended an event, hosted by Haim Saban, an Israeli-American media
mogul.
Obama attacked the issue head-on, telling about 120 donors who paid
$16,200 per person to attend the dinner at Saban’s sprawling estate that
the agreement with Iran opens “the prospect that we’ll be able to,
through peaceful, diplomatic means, remove this cloud that has hovered
over the Middle East that had the potential and continues to have the
potential of triggering a nuclear arms race in the most volatile region
of the world.”
“It’s good for the United States, it’s good for our allies, it’s good for Israel,” he added.
“Because I’ve said, and I will repeat, that I don’t take any options off
the table as commander in chief when it comes to the security of the
United States or our allies.”
Saban drew applause when he told the donors, gathered in his back yard
in a heated tent bathed in orange/gold light, according to a pool
reporter, that "the president’s commitment to Israel’s security has
never been stronger."
"And if the Iranians are at the negotiating table today, make no mistake
about it, it is only as a result of President Obama’s resolve in
striking down the most strict sanctions ever,” Saban added.
What a load of crap. The Senate forced Obama to accept sanctions he never wanted and now he's willingly frittering away their effect in exchange for nothing.
The post goes on to list some truly devastating comments from Jewish supporters, and to point out Obama's former Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, who is likely to be a candidate in 2016, has not taken a position and is not likely to take one.
Read the whole thing.
Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Hillary Clinton, Iran sanctions regime, Iranian nuclear threat, Jewish donors, P 5+1, US presidential campaign 2016
Will the Jews buy it?
In an earlier post, I gave you my assessment of what President Barack Hussein Obama had to say on Monday night to the
stupid Jews who still support him. But I was looking at the substance of his words. A separate question was whether the Jewish donors who were present bought into it. Obviously, given that they paid at least $25,000 a plate to be there, they bought into it at least somewhat. Will they donate more? Here are three assessments.
The Wall Street Journal describes the evening as an attempt to
reassure Jewish supporters. But it noted that he warned of 'tactical disagreements' between the US and Israel.
“And there are going to be moments over the course of the next six months or the next 12 months or the next 24 months in which there may be tactical disagreements in terms of how we approach these difficult problems,” Mr. Obama said. ”But the broader vision, which is one in which Israel is a secure Jewish state, is able to live in peace with its neighbors … where the hopes and dreams of the original travelers to Israel, the original settlers in Israel, that those hopes and dreams that date back a millennium, that those hopes are realized. That will remain our North Star. That will remain our goal.”
Mr. Obama said that despite the challenges in the Middle East, Israel will “always be at the top tier of considerations in terms of how America manages its foreign policy.”
I find it curious that the furthest date Obama gave is 24 months, which would be five months past - God forbid - a second Obama inauguration. What does he think will happen after that?
Reuters adds:
The president said that Israel and the United States were united on a broader vision for a secure Jewish state able to live in peace with its neighbors "where kids can get on the bus or go to bed at night and not have to worry about missiles landing on them."
Was that a reference to kids in the Jewish state or kids among the neighbors? Curiously, Reuters also acknowledges that Obama 'ignited the latest row with Netanyahu.' I wonder if these wealthy Jews see it that way.
Another Reuters account makes it clear that the wealthy Jews are
buying in.
"The most important message I have for all of you here tonight is that, even as we try to manage what is going to be a very difficult and challenging situation over the next 12 months, the next 24 months, the next decade, that one inviolable principle will be that the United States and Israel will always be stalwart allies and friends," Obama said to applause.
Although some conservatives have been attacking Obama's policies toward Israel, members of the audience greeted Obama with applause. They had paid $25,000 to $35,800 each to attend what a Democratic National Committee official said was a sold-out event.
"That bond isn't breakable and ... Israel's security will always be at the top tier of considerations in terms of how America manages its foreign policy," Obama said. "... Israel is our closest ally and friend. It is a robust democracy. It shares our values and it shares our principles."
Obama spoke for about seven minutes before beginning what he said he expected to be a "substantive" question and answer session with the group. Reporters were ushered from the hotel meeting room before the questioning began.
I would love to be a fly on the wall there, although it doesn't sound likely that Obama was significantly challenged. After all, it was a sold-out event.
Omri Ceren has some
reactions from the attendees.
Marilyn Victor, a supporter at the fundraiser, characterized the attitude of Jewish donors thusly: “We support you, but we’re a little insecure, so make us secure.” “We were very reassured,” said Randi Levine, who attended with her husband, Jeffrey, a real estate developer in New York City.
Omri believes that Obama is setting out to weaken Israel and to drive a wedge between the US and Israel.
Read the whole thing. What could go wrong?
Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Campaign 2012, campaign finance, Jewish donors
