Comments on: Obama at AIPAC, in the Capital of Nixonland

By: Mr. Obama, Did You Pack These Bags Yourself?

Mr. Obama, Did You Pack These Bags Yourself? — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:16:30 +0000

[...] that she wasn’t that politician. When he addressed the AIPAC Conference in June, Obama also seemed ready to pander, promising that “Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must remain [...]

By: Updates: Pipes’ Pinocchios; Obama’s Gender; Undivided Jerusalem « South Jerusalem: Gershom Gorenberg and Haim Watzman

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 13:48:04 +0000

[...] adviser to the Obama campaign has responded to my criticism of O’s statement to Aipac, “Jerusalem will remain the capital of Israel, and it must [...]

By: V.D.

V.D. — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 23:18:05 +0000

Gershom,

This is unrelated but related to a previous post of yours. The Times did a good article about immigration. This was buried in it.

“They are citizens and parents of four American-born children, ages 2 to 16. They have lived in Santa Rosa County for more than a decade, founding a Baptist church here and working 16-hour days, six days a week to build two restaurants known for their affordable food and Christian atmosphere, which extends to a ban on alcohol.”

No alcohol! My God! What next, burqas?

Article here – http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/09/us/09panhandle.html?pagewanted=3&_r=1&hp

By: John-Paul Pagano

John-Paul Pagano — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 19:37:26 +0000

I’m nowhere near desirous of a war on Iran, but Hillary’s promise to obliterate that country was in reply to the hypothetical of its launching a nuclear attack on Israel. It seems reasonable for the aspiring President of the unipolar superpower, which is a liberal democracy and the key ally of the country in which the Jews ingathered after the Holocaust, to establish this as a baseline for dealing with Iran’s theocratic war party. This is not mere sabre-rattling against an “opponent” to pander to the Jewish vote, as John Sterns seems to believe, and should not be viewed as such by people of even vaguely liberal sentiment.

By: Bad Ideas About Jerusalem « Pax Americana: Culture, Politics, and Ineffectual Debate

Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:33:13 +0000

[...] one thing. But they haven’t. So it’s an idea that remains divorced from reality, as Gershom Gorenberg observes: In most respects, Jerusalem is already a divided city, and recognizing this politically is the key [...]

By: John Sterns

John Sterns — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 18:23:19 +0000

This speech occurred the day after Senator Clinton said that she was going to take her 18 million votes and “think things over” for a few days. With a significant chunk of the “woman vote” at risk, it’s unlikely that Senator Obama would take any chances with the Jewish vote. He stayed to a safe set of standard positions for the political mainstream in America.

The real foreign policy will be unveiled after the election, and it’s tone will be set by the cabinet and advisors Obama picks for his administration. Until then I’m afraid it’s all just campaign talk and not really an indicator of what he could or would do, beyond his commitment to “change the course”.

The neighborhoods that need some canvassing like Gershom used to do are among Florida democrats, too many of whom have bought the false rumor that Obama is a Muslim and bad for Israel.

I’m not sure when promising to obliterate opponents became a criteria for being crowned “a supporter of Israel” in the United States, but that’s the political reality Senator Obama has to deal with.

By: george a. hilborn

george a. hilborn — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:45:42 +0000

Y: Mr. Obama has much more pressing problems facing him on the home front.,than whats going on in Israel. I live in the most economicaly depressed state in the Union ” Michigan” The population is polarized, the welfare list is beyond budget constrains, the affluent young are facing “hard times”,industry that provided a decent standard of living is either going under or has left the state, only 23% of Detroit’s high school population graduates, suicide rates are climbing.food costs are going out of sight,and there is no end in sight. Yes we care what happens to Israel, but most of us look at the Near East as a pain in the a-ss and a minor distraction in our lives. There are those in the financial community who are concerned with possible revolt on the street;I don’t buy that. My parents, who raised me during the Great Depression, said that’s what they feared most not having enough to eat.They grew their own.

Foreign policy is fine to talk about in the abstract and the AIPAC community is a small segment in a country of 320 million who most Americans have no idea who they are and what they stand for.As I have stated before the American adult population in majority is uninformed and is only cognizant of ” sound bites” like ” breaking news”but they know what they see on the street; no job, repossessed cars, foreclosed homes,no jobs available,hunger in this land of alledged plenty, runaway divorce rates, loved ones dying because of no health care and they really don’t give a crap about what’s happening between the Israeli and the Palistinians. The general concensus in my church’s senior men’s group when I showing them my “power point” show of Israel including pictures of the security walls was “those people have been killing each other for centuries ,we should keep our noses and money home let them wipe each other out”. I disagree but I”m in the small minority I still of the audacity of hope

By: Chris Dornan

Chris Dornan — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:06:08 +0000

Thanks for the thoughtful article Gershom, and I have written a n article in reply, which can be summarized as follows. I think the situation may not be as stark as you suggest. Jerusalem isn't inside the 50 states, right, so its not up to him. I think he is just saying that he won't try to strong-arm any Israeli government against its better judgment on this issue, and maybe that is wise. It is really up to the people of Jerusalem--Israelis and Palestinians to come to their own conclusion on this one. Perhaps it makes sense to offer reassurance on this deeply symbolic issue and save the tough love to other areas.

By: Dividing Jerusalem « Peace & Wisdom

Dividing Jerusalem « Peace & Wisdom — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:56:28 +0000

[...] 5, 2008 · No Comments Over at South Jerusalem Gershom Gorenberg has a thoughtful article where he explains in stark terms the bind that Obama is in in addressing the concerns of AIPAC over [...]

By: Aaron

Aaron — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 14:42:46 +0000

Thanks for posting, Gershom. I too was taken aback when he mentioned the above line about an “undivided Jerusalm”. Not only does this spit in the face of almost every international document that addresses this conflict, but it also gives any chance of future peace deals less viability. Palestinians want East Jerusalem as its capital, and will probably not agree to any agreement that promises otherwise. Since there is virtually no chance that Abbas, Olmert and Bush can come up with an acceptable comprehensive peace deal by 1/20/2009, it is clear that Bush’s successor will inherit an unresolved conflict.

If that successor is Obama, which I still hope it is, this puts him in an untenable situation. His choices are: either anger the AIPAC community at large by going back on his words, or ultimately fail in delivering a workable Palestinian state. The second option, as most of us know, leads to a complete lack of longevity for Israel as a democratic Jewish State.

Talk about a lose-lose situation!