I hope it wasn’t a slip of the tongue.  So true.

Let me see if I remember my High School algebra aright:

Israel = x
United States = Israel
.:
Israel = Israel
Q.E.D.

Mathematically, I think Obama is entirely correct!

Boy, for a guy noted for his eloquence, he sure picked a whale of a time to utter his first Bushism.

Funny, after hundreds of nearly flawless speeches, it’s there that he goes all wobbly and sweaty and incoherent.

Yeah, I had to laugh at that, too. A Freudian slip if ever there was one, and probably the most intellectually honest utterance Obama has made in months, albeit in a slip of the tongue.

Israel and diaspora Israelites (Zionists) have one loyalty and one loyalty only—to themselves.

“Let me be absolutely clear. Israel is a strong friend of Israel’s.”

Not to worry, I doubt if the Israelis noticed the slip up.

If the participants in this round table discussion (video link below) are real and not set up, Obama has good reason to visit Israel: .. he’s in huge trouble with Jewish voters.

Scroll down to “Baruch Obama”:
http://www.thedailyshow.com/

Not all Jews are Zionists or supporters of Israel.  If Jews make up roughly 3% of the American populace, and some of American Jews don’t support Israel, why then does Obama feel the need to go to Israel whilst campaigning for the *American* Presidency?  Clearly, he’s not doing it for the votes.

LJ: you are right: A billboard on the BQE in Williamsburg Brooklyn states in 6’ tall letters:
“Jews of the Diaspora against Zionism”

Mention Zionists and their cozy relationship with Southern Evangelicals to a Hasid in Brooklyn and you will get an earful of hand-waving invective worthy of the Damascus Souk.

@LJ

although your point ("not all Jews") is well-taken, I think it is fair to say that *nothing* a presumptive nominee does publicly is not “for votes.”

Most all Jews care *something* for Israel.  The Orthodox Jews in America who for theological reasons do not support the State of Israel would still like to see an American candidate go to Israel and embrace its leadership as a token of non-anti Semitism. (and, @ Dirk, one thing you can’t accuse Obama of is being a Southern Evangelical). Liberal Jews, some of whom see the justice of the Palestinian cause, are voting for Obama regardless.  It just so happens that the Jews that Obama needs to sway are Democrat-leaning staunchly pro-Israel.  This group is a powerful swing voting block in FL. and OH.  Plus a major source of campaign fund-raising.  Thus, Obama has good reason to have sweaty palms.  Watch the Daily Show video linked above to understand.  Evangelicals will agree with Obama embracing Israel, but there are no votes there for O. to win.

LJ

“Not all Jews are Zionists or supporters of Israel.  If Jews make up roughly 3% of the American populace, and some of American Jews don’t support Israel, why then does Obama feel the need to go to Israel whilst campaigning for the *American* Presidency?  Clearly, he’s not doing it for the votes.”

Because the Jews who are Zionists are the most powerful political force in the United States. They may cast few votes, but they influence many.

Because the Jews who are Zionists are the most powerful political force in the United States. They may cast few votes, but they influence many.

Exactly. What Walt and Mearsheimer call the Israeli Lobby is the most powerful political influence machine in this country. Despite the fact that two of its high-ranking officials are under indictment for espionage, Capitol Hill annually re-convenes at AIPAC’s Washington convocation. Baby, that’s power! And anyone who believes the AIPAC duo will serve a day of prison time for their crimes needs a refresher in reality comprehension. Once again, baby, that’s power. AIPAC and other entities in the Lobby were allowed to flourish and permeate because the smear-charge of anti-Semitism kept all criticism and exposure at bay. Enough! It was never about Jews, Jewry or Judaism. It’s about the priorities of another country infusing the policies of our own. There’s nothing anti-Semitic about the truth.

San Fernando,

I find it particularly telling that few media outlets have even reported the espionage.

>>They may cast few votes, but they influence many.

That’s it.  Obama’s visit to Israel is an implicit acknowledgment that another nation’s influence in America is vastly disproportionate to the number of its “supporters” in America. (Again, its American supporters only make up roughly 3% of the votes--an amount hardly worth contenting for.)

Moreover, Israel is a state based on ethno-religious discrimination--something that the Obama phenomena is supposed to wash away in America.

Mike Gavin,

I’m not trying to make any connection between the two, but the only other news story I recall being ignored as relentlessly as the AIPAC spy scandal is the 2001 anthrax mail attacks on the East Coast.

Does anybody recall the Obama + Hillary “town hall” this past Spring, hosted by ABC, when there remained many uncommitted delegates over which to contend?

Hillary effortlessly passed the Israel question with flying Stars of David.  Obama, on the other hand, simply could not bring himself to commit to unconditional love and support for anything and everything Israeli.  He stumbled, staggered, and weaved, but could not find his politician’s legs - the ability to lie blatantly to his audience and the cameras - regarding his thoughts on Israel.  He’s evidently spent a good deal of time in the gym since then.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/25/AR2008072503490.html?hpid=topnews

“ Foxman said he’s uncomfortable with the idea of Americans playing such an important part in determining who gets to lead Israel. “It is the height of arrogance,” Foxman said, “for someone living in Great Neck to make life or death decisions on behalf of someone living in Israel...uncomfortable with the idea of Americans playing such an important part in determining who gets to lead Israel.”..

I wonder if he is as uncomfortable having Israeli’s make decisions for Americans-and lead Americans into war.

“I wonder if he is as uncomfortable having Israeli’s make decisions for Americans-and lead Americans into war. “

lol!

beautiful, Mia.

I hope that it would at least be, for Mr. Foxman, a “co-height” of arrogance.