 |
|
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
Caroline B. Glick: Obama: Of course I intend to prevent a nuclear holocaust . . . in a few months
Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
|
| |
Jewish World Review
Sept. 4, 2008
/ 4 Elul 5768
Biden, Palin take lead in clash on Mideast issues
By
Ron Kampeas
| 
|
|
|
|
http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (JTA)
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The two vice-presidential candidates led the way Wednesday as the Obama and McCain campaigns worked to draw clear battle lines on Iran and Israel.
In a highly anticipated speech at the Republican convention, Alaska Gov. and GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin mocked Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill) for saying over a year ago that he would meet the leaders of pariah states unconditionally. "Terrorist states are seeking nuclear weapons without delay — he wants to meet them without preconditions," she said during her acceptance speech Wednesday night at the Xcel Energy Center in St. Paul.
Palin's address followed a speech by former New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani — the most popular candidate among Jewish GOPers in the primaries — in which he warmed up the crowd with his own swipes at Obama, including an assertion that the Democratic nominee had flip-flopped on the issue of Jerusalem. "When speaking to a pro-Israeli group, Obama favored an undivided Jerusalem, like I favor and John McCain favors it," Giuliani said. "Well he favored an undivided Jerusalem — don't get excited — until one day later when he changed his mind."
Earlier in the day, the Democrats launched their own Middle East-related attack, as Obama's running mate, Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), used a 20-minute conference call with members of the Jewish media to blast the Bush administration and Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.). The Democratic vice presidential candidate blamed the Bush administration's sluggish diplomatic efforts for slowing up Israeli-Palestinian talks and paving the way for the ascendancy of Iran and its proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah. Biden also argued that the administration has failed to respect Israel's autonomy, citing for example reports that at a certain point the White House was directing Israel not to engage in talks with Syria — and he appeared to reject the administration's reported efforts to block Israel from taking military action against Iran.
"This is not a question for us to tell the Israelis what they can and cannot do," said the Democratic vice presidential candidate. "I have faith in the democracy of Israel. They will arrive at the right decision that they view as being in their own interests." That said, Biden added, the Bush administration could have done much more on the diplomatic front to help avert the potential need for military action. Taken together, Biden's press call and the GOP convention speeches underscored the ramped up efforts by both campaigns to paint the other side as promoting a reckless foreign policy that would endanger Israel and undermine U.S. interests. They come as polls suggest Obama commands about 60 percent of the Jewish vote — a solid majority, but at least 15 points less than the percentages recorded by recent Democratic presidential candidates.
On Iran, however, the disagreements appear more pronounced — both between Obama and the Bush administration, and between the two presidential campaigns.
In mocking Obama's stated willingness to meet with the president of Iran, Palin was echoing a longstanding line of attack against Obama, employed not only by Republicans, but by Obama's main rival in the Democratic primaries, Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.). Since Obama first made the remark, during a primary debate more than a year ago, he appears to have backtracked, saying he would require extensive preparations before such a meeting.
Still, Obama and Biden have stuck to the view that hard-nosed talks between the United States and Iran could ultimately lead Tehran to change its behavior — and, failing that, make it easier to build international support for tougher sanctions and possible military action against the Islamic regime. McCain, on the other hand, has scoffed at the notion that talking with top Iranian leaders would do any good. At the same time, McCain has opposed several congressional measures backed by Obama that supporters say would place increased economic pressure on Iran to abandon its nuclear pursuits.
Biden argued during his conference call that the net result of McCain's positions is that he's offering a choice between "unacceptable status quo or war."
"There's nothing in between with the McCain doctrine — nothing," Biden said. "That is no option. That is a Hobson's choice."
In her speech Wednesday night, Palin expanded the Iran debate, arguing that the energy policies she favors — in particular, expanding oil drilling in the United States, and especially Alaska — would help diminish the Iranian threat.
"To confront the threat that Iran might seek to cut off nearly a fifth of world energy supplies or that terrorists might strike again at the Abqaiq facility in Saudi Arabia or that Venezuela might shut off its oil deliveries," Palin said, "we Americans need to produce more of our own oil and gas."
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in Washington and in the media consider "must reading." Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
Comment by clicking here.
© 2008, JTA
|
