Barack Obama and Israel: More GOP Lies

Look, I've been around politics long enough to know that it's a contact sport. Words will be abused. Phrases will be taken out of context.

But the latest distortion from the GOP, frankly, shouldn't give us all pause -- it should spring us into action.

Here's the story, if you haven't heard - yesterday, Jeffrey Goldberg published a very interesting and engaging interview with Barack Obama, where they spoke at length about Barack's ties to the Jewish community in Chicago and his views on the Middle East peace process. When speaking about the decades old violence that has threatened our ally Israel, Barack said:

But what I think is that this constant wound, that this constant sore, does infect all of our foreign policy. The lack of a resolution to this problem provides an excuse for anti-American militant jihadists to engage in inexcusable actions, and so we have a national-security interest in solving this, and I also believe that Israel has a security interest in solving this because I believe that the status quo is unsustainable.

Does anyone seriously dispute that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a constant, open wound in the Middle East -- exploited by those who would like to see Israel and the United States driven out of the region? Of course not.

It's simply undeniable that the conflict affects all of our Middle Eastern foreign policy. For decades, these have been bi-partisan views:

There remain enemies of this peace, extremists on both sides who feel threatened by the peace and will be tempted once again to kill it with violence. We can defeat that kind of threat by building a genuine Israeli-Palestinian partnership that will stand the test of time -- Bill Clinton

Only through the process of negotiation can all the nations of the Middle East achieve a secure peace. -- Ronald Reagan

Even George W. Bush has said:

For the sake of all humanity, things must change in the Middle East.

It is untenable for Israeli citizens to live in terror. It is untenable for Palestinians to live in squalor and occupation. [...]

Permanent occupation threatens Israel's identity and democracy. A stable, peaceful Palestinian state is necessary to achieve the security that Israel longs for.

But of course, today, rather than seriously disputing that, or, even better, offering a vision of their own on how to find peace in the Middle East and security for Israel, Rep. John Boehner and Rep. Eric Cantor - senior leadership in the House GOP -- decided to ignore the actual meaning of English words and simply invent something Barack Obama didn't say. Here is what they said

Israel is a critical American ally and a beacon of democracy in the Middle East, not a 'constant sore' as Barack Obama claims. -- John Boehner

It is truly disappointing that Senator Obama called Israel a 'constant wound,' 'constant sore,' and that it 'infect[s] all of our foreign policy.' These sorts of words and characterizations are the words of a politician with a deep misunderstanding of the Middle East and an innate distrust of Israel -- Eric Cantor

This is so mendacious that the objective journalist Jeffrey Goldberg himself felt compelled to reply. He writes:

I have no doubt that Mr. Boehner will issue a correction to his press release in which he states the obvious, which is that Obama expressed -- in twelve different ways -- his support for Israel to me.

If he doesn't, however, I would, sadly, have to agree with my colleague, the less-forgiving Andrew Sullivan, who called Boehner's statement a "flat-out lie." In fact, I would add to Andrew's post, by calling Boehner's statement mendacious, duplicitous, gross, and comically refutable. So Mr. Boehner, do the right thing, and correct the record. I'll be happy to post the correction right here.

These statements by Representatives Boehner and Cantor are so bad they rise to the level of a danger to our foreign policy. America's allegiance to Israel has always been bi-partisan and unshakeable. It still is, with either Sen. McCain, Sen. Obama or Sen. Clinton as President. But how can we actually have a debate on foreign policy, if the other side simply makes up statements on which to base phony, contrived outrage?

No, people need to hear the truth -- now.

Here's what Barack said about his personal feelings about Israel in the very same interview:

I think the idea of Israel and the reality of Israel is one that I find important to me personally. Because it speaks to my history of being uprooted, it speaks to the African-American story of exodus, it describes the history of overcoming great odds and a courage and a commitment to carving out a democracy and prosperity in the midst of hardscrabble land. One of the things I loved about Israel when I went there is that the land itself is a metaphor for rebirth, for what's been accomplished. What I also love about Israel is the fact that people argue about these issues, and that they're asking themselves moral questions.

In other words, he said exactly the opposite of what Boehner and Cantor scurrilously allege. The Washington Post gave both Boehner and Cantor multiple Pinocchios for their performance.

Barack Obama has spoken time and time again on the importance of our alliance with Israel, and on how important Israel is to him personally. He has spoken movingly about the inspiration he draws from Israel's historic struggle for independence and its current struggle for security, as well as his deep resolve to continue working to strengthen security for all of Israel's people. He has called America's commitment to Israel's security "unshakeable," a commitment built on the bedrock of the deep friendship between the two nations.

But the Republican Party insists on twisting his words so far they resort to actually lying about their meaning.

We have a foreign policy mess in the Middle East. The Bush administration's Iraq debacle has weakened our diplomatic standing in the region and limited our options in working on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. No wonder all Representatives Boehner and Cantor can do is to create imaginary strawmen to knock down in self-righteous indignation.

I'm not alone in condemning this remark. Here's the statement from Rep. Robert Wexler:

In his dishonest and ridiculous distortion, John Boehner has shown us the new depths that a truly desperate Republican leadership will sink to in its attempt to smear Barack Obama's strong and unshakeable record of support for Israel. This absurd parsing would be laughable if it wasn't so sad to see the U.S.-Israel relationship used as a political wedge instead of a cause to unite all Americans around a common purpose.

And here's Rep. Rahm Emanuel:

On the eve of Israel's 60th anniversary, Congressman Boehner should remember that Israel enjoys bipartisan support and commitment to its security. Nothing could be worse for Israel at this time than for it to become a proxy for Congressman Boehner's political games. Senator Obama's record is clear when it comes to Israel's security and friendship with the United States.

The politics of character assassination from Republicans on the important issues needs to stop. Playing games to drive political wedges as part of some political strategy does great disservice to our country. We need to talk about how to chart a new course, not spread these kinds of distortions.

We deserve better in this country, but we won't get it from the GOP in this election. Already we've seen John McCain trying to describe Barack Obama as Hamas' candidate. That's beneath the John McCain I used to know. But -- sadly -- that is the only way these Republicans have to try and win an election

We deserve better. We need to have an honest and important conversation about how to reorient our foreign policy to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

What we don't need are lies, distortions, and rhetoric designed only to whip up fear. That's part of what got us into this mess, and it won't get us out.

Call Sen. McCain's office at 202-224-2235 and ask him to condemn these statements from his supporters.

Comments

[ApolloSpeaks]

mm

[simplecitizen]

Why am I not surprised that the Republican leadership is telling some more lies and distorting the meaning of Obama's statements. Evidently they have failed to learn the lessons of the last eight years. Having now lost the last 3 special elections to Democratic candidates in house races one would think that they would get the message. The American People overwhelmingly now have a basic distrust in anything the Republicans say and will tell them so loudly and clearly in November. The Democrats will control the House the Senate and most importantly the White House in January and at last the gridlock will be over and the Republican naysayers will be properly rewarded for the disaster they caused in the last eight years. After election day there will be celebrations in the streets .

[BrianMac]

The person running against you for your Senate seat seems to have left out a pretty important item from his cute little timeline:

https://www.jimogonowski.com/splash

See if you can guess what it is.

Maybe he's not a real American. Doesn't grasp history very well.

[Larry Buchite]

BrianMac

Who died and made you the authority on who is a real American?

If you are referring to John Kerry U.S. Navy veteran what does that say about the rest of us veterans. Do you think we are not real Americans? If that is the way you want to go there have been some that have said that John McCain collaborated with the enemy when he was in the Hanoi Hilton. Does that make him not a real American? Get a life and something better to do with your time than try to smear some one that they are not a real American.

[NicoleAnonymous]

It's really strange because statistically there aren't that many Jews in this country - a very tiny percentage really. But whenever there is a story about Jews here suddenly there are all these posts from Jewish people telling everyone "I'm Jewish and I'm voting for Obama!" and of course I'm not implying these are fake or anything but it just seems really odd.

Anyway it's impossible to participate in dicussions about this topic because the people censuring them apparently only know how to read about three words a minute so it takes them hours to approve your response.

[Siryn]

They are moneyed, by and large, and very active in both parties. So no, they are never ignored.

[Delphine]

OMG tell me you didn't just say that. "They" are "moneyed"???? Yeah, and we run the media and hollywood and all the banks, too, right?

No one in my family is "moneyed". I don't expect anyone to listen to me based on the number of dollars I have anyway.

The Jewish faith values education and community involvement, hence you have a group which tends to have higher education and tends to be engaged in the political process, tends to vote and wants to be informed about the issues in order to do so.

It's not about money. And if you said Hey, all blue-eyed redheads think XXX, you'd probably get a bunch of responses here from them, and they are a minority also.

Sheesh. "They are moneyed, by and large". What a crock of shit.

[Forest]

Thank you Senator Kerry. You articulate precisely the propagandist angling some Republicans have mastered to our detriment. The tragedy is that the political and media hacks who view US citizens as gullible rubes do no favors for Israel.

[Garvagh]

Bravo! Liars and dangerous to US national security is an apt description of Reps. Boehner and Cantor. The Saudi foreign minister, in London at the Lancaster House talks late last month, said that the basic problem is that Israel demands total security for itself and total insecurity for the Palestinians. The long-term stability and security of Israel cannot be achieved if the price to be paid is the total suppression of the Palestinian people.

[Bettysdad]

There's a good chance Boehner was smashed when he made these remarks. He's been loaded on the house floor.

[sciabattoni]

Sen. Kerry is doing EXACTLY what every dem needs to be doing from now until November -- beating down the attacks, forming a human truth shield around Barack. Sure, there are things for which you can criticize Sen. Obama, and that's fine. But hopefully Kerry and EVERY SINGLE Dem senator, governor, and rep will be out there in lock step shining the hard light of truth on the far-right vampires.

[SpaceCadet]

Unlike the uneducated Hillary voters in West Virginia, many of whom were easily convinced that Obama is a secret Muslim, Jewish voters as a group are well-educated and won't fall for the ridiculous lies that lying GOP liars like Boehner tell.

[mgw]

SpaceCadet, you are doing a good job ensuring that Hillary's supporters will not vote for Obama come November. What is wrong with you? Do you really think it makes sense for you to be bashing these people? Do you expect them to turn around and vote for Obama should he win? Or, perhaps you have seen another path to the White House--you're smart anyway.

[Delphine]

My guess is that the folks space cadet is talking about aren't likely to read Huffpo, and aren't likely to be swayed by the truth.

[SpaceCadet]

So, the feminists who support Hillary will vote for McCain out of spite and elect an anti-choice candidate who thinks that the reason for income inequality is because women lack education and training? The poor folks in W. Va. will vote for McCain out of spite so he can give more tax cuts to the rich?

Yeah, that will fix Obama's little red wagon.

[UrsaMajority]

Don't assume that Jewish voters will readily see through this. I have a very close Jewish friend (and, no, I'm not being condescending -- my wife and son are Jewish as well) with several college degrees who grew up in Israel and for whom Israel's security is paramount. At lunch two weeks ago, he expressed concern about Obama's commitment to Israel and is still not convinced that Obama has divorced himself from his "Muslim upbringing". I was shocked. Of course, I sent him a link to Goldberg's article in The Atlantic.

And, of course, Boehner's lies about Obama's position are just as much "code" ("dog whistled"??) as Bill's statements about Obama's South Carolina victory being like Jesse Jackson's. Only their about religion, not race.

[McSameisthegame]

With all due respect, you should look at a pro-Israeli website caled "israel Insider" and see what so-called intelligent Jews think about Obama-they WANT to believe all the lies. The ownership of that site makes sure, in fact, that every story-er-ah-lie about Obama has Obama's ENTIRE name above each story-a reminder to these brainwased Jews that his middle name is Hussein! No other person written about gets that same "honor"! It's nauseating!!!

[McGillis]

The cynicism and partisanship that begot those lies is reprehensible.

It is also unfortunate -- and not helpful -- that Mr. Kerry opted to paint an entire party with the same brush when he commented "But the Republican Party insists on twisting his words so far they resort to actually lying about their meaning." The Republican Party didn't twist his words, Mr. Kerry. Two individuals did.

We need to ask ourselves what we have done to foster this type of idiocy and how we can end it. Rather than drawing party lines in the sand, it is time for us to step across the divide and look for what unites us. As long as we focus on what separates us, we will only see more separation. Plants grow from the seed we choose to sow. It is a choice!

And I am so hopeful that Obama's vision and actions will begin the healing of this division -- a division started and protracted by us: all of us.

[Cybershaman]

I kind of agree, yet, this isn't the first time these tactics have been used and it certainly won't be the last.
If you haven't noticed, every time democrats 'turn the other cheek' we just get slapped again. Calling them out on their lies is the only response that is a challenge for them to turn on it's head.
Frankly, I am all for reconciling with the intelligent part of the GOP, but most of them can go hang themselves for all I care. There's no point trying to wake the brain-dead!

[lvogt]

When anyone worries that any Democratic candidate has an issue that may be exploited, remind them that the GOP does not need an issue... They just make things up. They lie all the time. They get away with it most of the time because that is how the corporate media supports them. The media ignores the lies and merely reports that "so and so said". The lie is left unchallenged.

[Artos]

< The media ignores the lies and merely reports that "so and so said". The lie is left unchallenged.>

They only do that when a Republican lies. If a Democrat or any Liberal says something, they beat it to death until they have wrung all the juice out of it. The reason I think that this happens so frequently is because the media has become a propaganda tool of the Right wing since most of the media is owned by Wealthy Republicans. To me this is a sure sign that our country has become an oligarchy of the Wealthy. Even lay Republicans are forever saying that America isn't a Democracy it's a Republic. I've always assumed that a Republic was ruled by a patrician class (The Wealthy) as it was in Rome and Greece. These once Empires were never really Democracies, only Republics. How could slave owning nations ever represent themselves to be anything else but. America is also now a Slave owning nation and we the citizenry are the slaves.

[ICanHasDemocracy]

Crybaby Boner is only good at twisting words and mock umbrage. what a twonk.

[abluevoice]

Thank you John Kerry for bringing this defamation of Obama by actual Republican Congressmen, not the usual Republican liers such as Limbaugh and Rove, out in the open. It is good to see you get in the battle again to win the White House from these corrupt, incompetent and bitterly partisan Republican politicians that have hi jacked the government and the media for the past 7 years. Your voice on matters such as these is greatly needed in the political battles to come.
The Democrats can't expect anything from a spineless, Ms Pelosi, or Mr Reid. They have shown no desire to hold these Republican bastards accountable for their past and present abuse of political power. Not a peep out of Pelosi on these distortions, typical.
We learned from your campaign if you turn the other cheek on these guys they will slap it also.

[monster50]

I don't get how people don't see Kerry for what he is he didn't want help in his election his state didn't vote for Obama Why? he goes against people he can't get to play his game

[monster50]

Just forthe record the best friend Isreal had was the Clintons always and most of the U.S. the only reason Obama jumped on that is because every one say's their so alike Clinton and Obama is because he uses Hilarys speech he copies her OPEN EARS AND LISTEN!!!!!!!

[Artos]

Our courageous house and senate leaders are merely enablers. By being docile little lambs they prove to the Republicans that Democrats are weak. It's the reason why Republicans steamrollered their way over the Democrats for the last several years. I personally decided to become an Independent because this reprehensible behavior on the part of both parties disgusted me.

[newworldman777]

Allow me to go ahead and say what many here won't. Israel -- the current Israel involved in a continual campaign of land grabs, targeted assasinations, retaliatory violence and discriminatory acts against the Palestinians -- is indeed a wound, a festering sore on the surface of Mother Earth. Boehner's assertion that Israel is "a critical American ally and a beacon of democracy in the Middle East" means nothing, as long as they continue to behave with the entitled arrogance that they exhibit. Their very bullying existence, and our unwavering support for them, is harming America much more than our allying with a democracy in the Middle East is helping us. Come on...that's a no-brainer, and if people can't figure that one out, then I don't see much hope in solving this problem.

We need to "man up," as they say, either by pressuring Israel to shape up and abide by moral standards and practices, or by cutting our aid and support for this odious little country, whose flawed presence has been nothing but trouble since its inception in 1948.

[LBM]

If you are going to make hate filled assertions, I suggest you need to read up on the truth of the situation. Read the Human Rights Watch report:

http://hrw.org/englishwr2k8/docs/2008/01/31/isrlpa17596.htm

Now read about other Middle Eastern allies of ours such as Saudi Arabia where it is still illegal to practice Judaism and the law discriminates against women. Is that a wound festering on Mother Earth?

[Troubledgoodangel]

The Mount Etna has just erupted in force in Italy. Doesn't this string of natural disasters tell you something upsets the planet? As far as I am concerned it's immorality of people like Sen. Obama, willing to sacrifice the unborn children to the volcano (Mount Etna, that is). The volcano says, No!

[Bettysdad]

This is not a forum about Israel. It's a forum about Republican lies.

[NicoleAnonymous]

I did notice that we're starting to get off the topic...

[bb1234]

Thank you for clearly articulating the sentiments of the libs and your candidate Obama. You are blatantly anti-Israel and anti-Zionist. You have no regard for the actual history and deplorable behavior of the terrorist Palestinians and terrorist Arab states.

You solution is to pressure Israel to give into the terrorists. You and your candidate are appeasers. Your position encourages the terrorists behavior and the US is next in line. You actually think that Israel is the end game?

[mgw]

Right, this is exactly what Obama meant. But, as usual, he says things in private then screams and hollers about his words being twisted when they are made public. Obama has to learn to stand up to his words or say what he really means. For a man who has made so much about words and their meanings, how is it that he is always in the position to be "misquoted"?

[Cybershaman]

The Jewish people,and Israel, are collectively suffering from the abuse they went through in Europe and Russia. Like an abused child, who turns into an abuser themself, the Jewish people were collectively disempowered by the racist treatment they endured. In order to regain that sense of empowerment they have turned around and abused a less powerful people. It is a vicious circle where each side bloodies the other and then justifies it by pointing to their own losses.
Forgiveness is the only hope for any of us. We must all accept our losses and not seek revenge for them, because we have lost loved ones on every side. The death and destruction will continue until ALL those with a chip on their shoulder get tired of the bloodshed and go home.
Israel has a right to defend itself, it does not have the right to collectively punish an entire population because of the actions of their extremists. It is an inherently self-defeating solution.
Back on topic: Accusing liberals of being 'appeasers' shows that you know nothing about us but the propaganda and lies spread by your 'leaders'. Just because we think your tactics come straight out of your behinds, and create EXACTLY the response we predict, doesn't mean we have different goals. We just tend to think things through instead of just swinging wildly hoping to hit a target you can be proud of.
How many innocent people have to die before your lust for revenge is sated?

[newworldman777]

I must admit...you have got me pegged, to a tee. I am most definitely anti-Israel and anti-Zionist. I hate to burst your bubble, but America is full of disgusted citizens, just like me. Like I have stated over and over again, the world has had nothing but trouble regarding the presence of Israel in the Middle East, ever since they retook "their" land and recreated their country, in 1948 -- to the horrible detriment of the Palestinians. What bothers me is the fact that my tax dollars are helping to support this fiasco, and the world at large hates me for it, because they lump me into the same group with Israel-supporting Americans (a shrinking group, I might add). I am not anti-Semitic. The Israelis can resettle here, in America, and that will be the end of this fiasco.

I may not be an expert on this issue (as you people clearly are not, as well), but I can plainly see that your unwavering support for that country is creating an immense amount of hatred for America, resulting in events like 9-11 (the no. 1 reason for the attack). The Palestinians are also clearly suffering from this act of "naked aggression." Hate me if you want, but you Zionists are fighting a losing battle -- and if this keeps up, we will all lose because of it. You are such a stubborn and arrogant lot.

[jeffepops]

bb1234 -- You jump from attacking Newworldman777 to lying about Obama? You must have another agenda besides the safety of Jews and Israel. I'm as big a supporter of Israel as anyone, and also an Obama supporter. You are guilty of either reading the lies and distortions of Boehner, Cantor and their ilk, or you're reacting out if ignorance and irrational fear.

Do your own homework. Anti-Israel propagandists use the same tactics, misquoting Jewish and Israeli leaders in order to falsely accuse them of perpetrating crimes against Palestinians. Just look at all of the misquotations and partial quotations from the diaries of David Ben-Gurion. Boehner did the exact same thing with Barack's statement of strong support for Israel.

[Imhotep]

Israel is running out of time. They had better begin to talk to everyone in the region Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran, Syria, and soon, or there will be nothing left to talk about. Peace

[LBM]

They never stopped talking. They asked Egypt to talk to Hamas, and they are starting talks with Syria although Bush is trying to stop that. Israel has been in this position since 1947, why would time be running out all of a sudden now? Oh, because Bush is leaving office? I don't think so.

[NicoleAnonymous]

They don't need to talk to anyone. Every country in the middle east knows Israel has nuclear weapons and will use them and also that they're different than this country. They won't have lots of meetings in congress about and lots of emotinal op-ed pieces on the newspapers asking about the morality of using those weapons.

If you attack Israel then your country will be annihiliated immediately - they all know that. And notice how the terrorists didn't hijack Israeli planes or plan the attack there. I'm not saying that I think it's right - only that Israel doesn't really care what other countries think.

[KHAAANNN]

The problem with this discussion is the assumption that the parties involved (Israelis, Palestinians, Americans) are monolithic entities. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Read some Israeli newspapers or websites some time and you will see a populace that is deeply at odds with the "official" policies of the current ruling government (sound familiar?)
Israel is currently ruled by a right-wing coalition of fundamentalist Rabbinic parties and Neo-con (for lack of a better term) militarists, all of whom profit from the current situation.
To say they want to maintain the "status-quo" over the desires of 80% of their population is an understatement (again, sound familiar?)
The unholy alliance these groups have forged with the Rapturist Neo-christians and militarist Neo-Cons in America has resulted in the intractable stalemate that is the current situation.
Throw into this mix the criminal-gangs pretending to be "Palestinian liberation parties" such as Hamas and Fatah, and you have one giant cluster-fu$k.
The ONLY way to solve this type of issue is to TALK to one another, and that is why all parties involved WILL NOT DO IT. Because it might actually work, and none of them want that.

[Troubledgoodangel]

You do not know if "Israel is running out of time." Israel is God's People, and God is the Lord of time! As for Sen. Obama, I reiterate what I have always said: I mistrust him each time the world "morality" pops in his mouth, like for instance when he said: "What I also love about Israel, is the fact that people argue about these issues, and ask themselves the moral questions" (reply to Geffrey Goldberg, above). Make no mistake, in Obama's mind, "love for Israel" means vindication of the Palestinian rights cutting Israel to size!(al-Sadr wants the same! As far as "these people," these for Obama are the Democrats only (republicans are not people in his Huffington­ian-Oprahi­an mind)! As far as "moral questions," you can bet on it, for Obama they mean "moral relativism of the worst kind" - his kind!