Obama reaches out to Pro-Israel group
- added June 4, 2008
- 49 responses
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- mjsmith11
- added this
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- related topics
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- Obama (2724)
- Israel (1073)
- Wrongful Lobbying (55)
- Palestinian (40)
- Lobbying (39)
- Aipac (20)
- Tyranny (18)
- Middle-East (2)
Introduced as the nominee of the Democratic Party, Senator Barack Obama drew several standing ovations from a vastly Jewish crowd at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee’s annual policy conference in Washington on Wednesday, talking tough on the Iranian threat to Israel while also promising that he would lead in pursuing a peace settlement in Israel.
Mr. Obama endorsed a two-state, Israel-Palestine settlement, and took an implicit poke at President Bush. He was speaking, as did John McCain before him on Monday, to a policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major lobbying organization for Israel.
“I won’t wait until the waning days of my presidency,” Mr. Obama said. “I will take an active role and make a personal commitment to do all I can to advance the cause of peace from the start of my administration.”
As president, he added: “I will work to help Israel achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state of Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.”
Shortly after he spoke, his former rival, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton came a touch closer than she did last night to acknowledging that he is the nominee of the party. She vouched for Mr. Barack’s friendship and concern for Israel, but did not call him the nominee.
“Let me be very clear,” she said, “I know Senator Obama will be a good friend of Israel.”
Mr. Obama defended his stance that he would negotiate with the nation’s enemies, but coupled that with a pledge of unstinting support for Israel’s security. He also promised to send military hardware to Israel under the same conditions governing NATO nations.
He talked tough on Iran, describing it in terms suggestive of a rogue nation. He made clear that he would place the military might of the United States behind Israel in the event of an Iranian attack on the Jewish state.
Mr. Obama endorsed a two-state, Israel-Palestine settlement, and took an implicit poke at President Bush. He was speaking, as did John McCain before him on Monday, to a policy conference of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a major lobbying organization for Israel.
“I won’t wait until the waning days of my presidency,” Mr. Obama said. “I will take an active role and make a personal commitment to do all I can to advance the cause of peace from the start of my administration.”
As president, he added: “I will work to help Israel achieve the goal of two states, a Jewish state of Israel and a Palestinian state, living side by side in peace and security.”
Shortly after he spoke, his former rival, Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton came a touch closer than she did last night to acknowledging that he is the nominee of the party. She vouched for Mr. Barack’s friendship and concern for Israel, but did not call him the nominee.
“Let me be very clear,” she said, “I know Senator Obama will be a good friend of Israel.”
Mr. Obama defended his stance that he would negotiate with the nation’s enemies, but coupled that with a pledge of unstinting support for Israel’s security. He also promised to send military hardware to Israel under the same conditions governing NATO nations.
He talked tough on Iran, describing it in terms suggestive of a rogue nation. He made clear that he would place the military might of the United States behind Israel in the event of an Iranian attack on the Jewish state.
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I hope the next President of the United States IS committed to an independent unoccupied Palestinian state. Enough lip service, Let's See action!
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It is a complete contradiction from his original pledge to the American people not to be influenced by Lobbyists. I find this favoritism for Israel extremely disturbing from Barack Obama. I did not expect this from him; a major disappointment. I think Obama owes his supporters an explanation.
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Well he has a hard time courting the Jewish vote and he has to do something to get them in order to win the election. aipac has a huge following of Christians that support it. so if he finds favor with aipac he finds favor with the christian following that supports aipac as well. I believe from now till election day is when we will actually see the true Obama. will he change his rhetoric or will he stick to what got him nominated for the democratic ticket.
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He doesn't owe me an explanation,I know why he's doing it. I don't completely agree with his hard line on the matter, but that has more to do with the way I see things. As long as the fighting stops, I'm down for whatever.
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Be VERY careful. If you attempt to voice your opinion in any matter other than sucking up to Obama, you'll get a load of "racist Pig" e-mails. Pucker up, or else.
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- Ruthlessma
- 4 months ago
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Really Ruthlessma - that hasn't happened to me.
What'd you say your email address was?
LOL-
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- VoyagerFilms
- 4 months ago
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Vasqi: this is a very powerful lobby and a lot of electoral votes at hand. like it or not he has to do something to court all those people. its the same old excuse but its an excuse that has made every president since its founding to seek its approval in the Israel -Palestinian conflict. in order for him to win he has to be a pro-Israelite and as long as this lobby is alive and well a Palestinian state will be almost impossible. this is unfortunately one lobby that the nominees cannot ignore. unless of course they want to loose.
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This is the first thing he does after declaring himself the winner of the nomination? Don't tell me that none of them are beholding to lobbies to get elected in this country. And isn't that sweet? After all the division they caused they are now friends because they will get what they want. This to me is not the politics of change but the status quo.
Did Obama or Clinton mention that it is wrong for any country including Israel to have nukes? Did they explain why American taxpayers don't have healthcare but yet our money goes to buy tanks and weapons for the Israeli government to bomb innocent people and children and keep them from having water and food thus putting their own people in danger of attacks? And what does Obama mean by doing "everything" to eliminate the threat of Iran getting a weapon? Didn't the IAEA already claim they don't have one? That sounds just like the rhetoric we are getting now. Does this also mean that if Bush moves to attack Iran they would condone it?
Just what country are they running for president for? Why is such devotion to AIPAC obligatory for every presidential candidate? What about obligations to the people of this country who on the whole have had enough of this? When someone actually sees the "change" he speaks of, let me know.-
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- JanforGore
- 4 months ago
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Another reason why he spoke the way he did was to expel the rumors that taunt his campaign about him being against Israel and his support for talks with Iran. But the part where he emphasized the "everything in my power" was kind of suggesting something that we associate with the bush administration.
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I think that Obama did the right thing. I also believe in the "Two-State Solution" . The amount of control that AIPAC has over our policy is wrong. Both McCain and Obama have to bow to their pressure, it is obvious. Being upfront from Day 1, Senator Obama made it clear he is Pro-Israel and Pro-Palestinian. I believe that it is in the United States interest to have the occupation of Palestine end. The sooner there is an independent Palestine, the better.
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Without an independent Palestine, there won't be any peace in the MIddle East.
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Sad to say, I think he's only doing it for the votes and to appease the wrongfully powerful Jewish community.
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- cerealforeal
- 4 months ago
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so much for change, ay?
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- DefenderOfPants
- 4 months ago
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it's up to the jewish community to make up their minds but to be honest the jewish community is not gonna vote for obama instead they are gonna vote for mccain
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It's nice to see that our politicians are beholden to foreign interests over the interests of regular Americans. Especially when that foreign interests is AIPAC, who are trying to push America into another war with Iran, and when the foreign lobby AIPAC has compromised our national security though espionage:
http://www.antiwar.com/justin/?articleid=6890
So much for Obama being against war with Iran. See folks, that's what you call a false choice: Obama or McSame it doesn't matter, just one is going to look and sound better while they march more Americans into the middle east. -
I happen to be Jewish and am not powerful. You would be better talking about human beings as separate from governments. It is hurtful to me to be lumped with Bush and many of Israeli Government's wrong policies... You are being racist. I just posted that 70% of the Jewish Americans want a peaceful two state solution..stop believing the stuff put out by the media that lumps us all together with governments and groups. We are individuals.
Do you like being lumped with Bush's murderous policies as an American? It hurts doesn't it?
It's the same difference whether you admit it or not.
This hurt turns into hate and fear and anger.
Don't you see the cycle? We need to be smarter than the War Propaganda Noise ..it can start here..in this type of free forum on Current. We can continue it with ignorant racist comments like a few here posted or stop it right here by listening to what is really being said by most of The People.
Once we are all listening and tuning out the War Propaganda Noise then we can begin to achieve Peace and Prosperity in the region.
Keep it up and there will be more blood...-
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- CarolynGillis
- 4 months ago
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I am also disappointed by this talk from Obama. Too much of American policy is influenced by Israel and WAY too many American dollars are spent on the nation. But of course we all know the reasons behind all of this.
But I didn't see any racist comments here...maybe a few generalizations but nothing more. The references to Israel when speaking of the conflict ARE pointing to the government and not the people.
And of course individuals are not to blame. Except perhaps the folks who move onto new settlements in Palestine.-
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- lovezieness
- 4 months ago
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When you speak you
must
be
careful
about
your
words
because even though your intentions might be pure..your words might be gas for the fire of hate to others...especially those less educated.
Prejudice is on all sides of the issue.
Just because Israeli Government is a big bully at the time doesn't mean the children and other innocents who are being killed are less valuable on the Israeli side.
Look at the whole picture.-
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- CarolynGillis
- 4 months ago
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ONLY ONE CANDIDATE FOR ME RON PAUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Say no to Ethnic and Religious Cleansing!
You might think this is a war on terror or for oil but this is a covert Holy War! -
As much as I want a good president and support Obama as the next President, I dislike his speech in front of AIPAC. This is what is expected by such a powerful lobbying organization. AIPAC has pressured Obama and Clinton to denounce Hamas despite the wrongdoings of the Israeli government. Instead of finding a peaceful solution for peace, Obama has all but given in to the right wing government of Israel. But most people know and understand anyone who will have a chance at the Presidency has to support AIPAC. What a crying shame. I can't see peace in the region as long as we have this type of rhetoric, making enemies and pointing them out is not the way to go. Also,it's not like some members of AIPAC did join Rev. Hagee in his church. These people to me are nothing but hardliners. I'd probably vote for Paul, but what scares me is McCain beating Obama. That would be a disaster.
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Once again, goes to prove, that Israel has too much influence over America. Our candidates have to impress Israelis/Jews?!
I thought we were an independent country and I thought Israel was NOT a U.S. territory/state.
I hope that one day a candidate kisses up to Israel like all in the past sadly have, then when he/she gets in the office, they tell Israel to piss off and cuts the strings that are attached to it. And no, I'm not an anti-Semite. Just anti favoritism, bullshit, leaching, and corruption.-
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- Wessagusset_Oracle
- 4 months ago
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now i think some people on current.com is being close-minded you're gotta realize the palestinians been making life a living hell for israelis for a very long time but it have to be a reason palestinians feel like they are being wrongly injustice and obama is trying to bring israel and palestine together but the palestinian don't want that they just wanna have their land back but israelis and palestinian been fighting since jesus was alive and there will never be peace between them
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No matter what Obama says, paranoid, one-issue Israel voters will flock to John McCain because they think he is anti-Israel.
Not there wasn't a wealth of evidence before this, but show this to every crazy one-issue Israel voter you know. Obama needs all the support he can get now.
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