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March 23, 2007
Going after the Jewish vote
U.S. presidential candidates woo supporters at Israel lobby event.
DAVE GORDON
As surely as the world has a keen interest in the affairs of Israel,
the political matters of the United States have become an object
of fascination internationally, particularly the nascent presidential
races for 2008.
At the culmination of the America Israel Political Action Committee's
(AIPAC) policy conference March 11-13 in Washington, DC, some 6,000
participants were treated to personal interaction with a few of
those candidates, all reaching out to the Jewish vote.
In adjacent rooms, Democrat senators Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton
kept their swarms of admirers behind velvet ropes. The lucky few
in the front row received handshakes and exceedingly brief exchanges.
For the two, it was all about shaking hands, photo ops and perpetuating
the mysterious allure of the politician-as-rock-star.
"Let the Conversation Begin," read a star-spangled Clinton
banner, stretching five feet across a wall. Nevertheless, reporters
were forbidden to attend in an official capacity. No questions from
anyone would be fielded.
Clinton told the audience of about 1,000 that Israel deserved "every
bit of our support" and that Iran "will not be permitted
to have nuclear weapons." There was a sign on the lectern with
the former first lady's name in Hebrew, as well as a slide show
of images showing her hobnobbing with Israeli leaders.
Obama called on the Palestinians to renounce violence. Confused
murmurs came from the crowd when he equated a lack of optimism with
combatting terrorism. "[It's] one of the enemies we have to
fight," he declared. "It's not just terrorists, it's not
just Hezbollah, it's not just Hamas – it's also cynicism."
With the campaign slogan, "The Audacity of Hope," one
attendee was overheard whimsically remarking that the candidate's
support for Israel was appropriate given that "Hatikva,"
Israel's national anthem, means "Hope."
Obama has, however, shown reported naïvete, inconsistency and
lack of insight of the Jewish homeland and its security. In an ill-timed
declaration less than 24 hours prior to the AIPAC conference –
the largest pro-Israel lobby conference in the United States –
the Des Moines Register reported that the freshman Illinois
senator told an audience, "Nobody is suffering more than the
Palestinian people."
On Jan. 14, 2006, Obama was certain the Jewish state had ample military
deterrence and placed bets it was safe from attack: "There
is no risk of invasion by its neighbors," he said emphatically,
in a podcast on his website.
Only two months later, however, the New York Sun reported
of an impending conflict with Israel that included an "increased
Hezbollah threat – a regional escalation," and that Hezbollah
operatives were planning to kidnap Israeli soldiers. Four months
later, it was war with Lebanon.
Joseph Biden, another Democratic presidential candidate flanked
by his entourage, spent the entire time shaking hands and smiling
for the camera in another packed room. When asked what his top proposal
was for success in Iraq, he said, "See my website."
Dave Gordon is a Canadian freelance writer living in Brooklyn,
N.Y. View more of his work at his website, DaveGordonWrites.com.
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