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

[sclucie]

Even Political Punch stood up for Obama on this one - and that is a first. The Atlantic has two pieces on how outrageous Boehner's comments were - one called him an outright liar. Worth a read.

[PioneerKing]

Sen. Kerry:

Is your memory failing you? The republicans "swiftboated," you and have been lying about your military service, your voting record and comments that you have made for 30 years. Why, sir, are you surprised at the lengths the republicans will go to for political expediency?

Sen. Kerry, perhaps you should remind your republican collegues and all Americans that the ultimate measure of patriotism is exhibited by the level of honesty that one embodies while serving our nation.

[NicoleAnonymous]

At least he served in the military - he didn't use his family to get out of service that way Bush did.

[torrrep]

Let's see. Bush was in the Texas Air National Guard. Clinton was where? Oh that's right. He was overseas using college deferment. Bush's unit volunteered for service in Viet Nam and Clinton's unit....oh that's right he didn't serve. So I guess military service is only required of republicans. Especially since they sent the troops to Viet Nam. Oh wait that's right. That was done by the democrats. I should stop while I'm ahead.

[Probus]

Thank you Sen. Kerry for speaking out on the distortions of Boehner and Cantor. The GOP needs to be called out on their lies. Also thank you for your service to your country both in the Navy and the Senate. I know the country would be in a much better state if you had been president.

[KOisGod]

Hear Hear - Senator Kerry, You should have been PRESIDENT KERRY.

You would have done us proud.

God Bless you for your service to this country and your allegiance to the truth.

[CalexenderJ]

That's John! That's all the Republicans have this year, deliberate distortion of words and smears. But this year, when we hear this crap we need to band together and say NOT THIS TIME.

[brutus948]

you,re wrong Mr kerry. Our one sided approach to this issue is the problem with our mid east foreign policy. Because most of our congress both republican and democrat like yourself are in the pocket of AIPAC. AIPAC is the one writing our mid east policy. That's the problem.

[Probus]

You are missing the point here, which is that Boehner and Cantor lied about what Obama said. Their comments should be repudiated.

[NicoleAnonymous]

You don't get it- if the Israeli lobby didn't have politcians so frightened of them this would not even be an issue.

The reason the Republicans can make it an issue is because everyone is so worried about getting on the bad side of the Israeli lobby that they want people to think the other candidate is against them.

What would happen if they were talking about Saudi Arabia or Japan or France?

"Saudi Arabia/Japan/France is a wound in our foreign policy." Nobody would care if he meant that or not. This only shows that Israel has way too much influence in this country.

And anyway only an idiot would think Obama meant it that way.

[abby4ever]

I think their distortion of what Obama said, is just sickening---and I am grateful to John Kerry for pointing it out. There should be a retraction straight away, if either of them have the decency God gave a goat.

[snobama]

hey everybody...

sign the card ....
don't forget to congratulate Sen Kerry for his performance in the senate ..

here is the link :
http://www.helpusretirejohnkerry.com/happyanniversary/

Congratulations Kerry , you not only managed to lose 2004, looks like you have quite the senate record ....

[proudliberal4truth]

Did you actually READ the post or did you respond right after you saw the picture at the top of the page? It amazes me how some people are so blilnded by hate that they don' t use their senses. Get over your problem with Kerry and get a life!

[Karencnj]

This is just another example of Republican lies. Here is the response giving many pieces of legislation theSenator - in spite of Republican road blocks got passed - http://www.johnkerry.com/2008/4/14/when-national-republicans-attack

In fact, to understand what a valuable asset Senator Kerry is internationally, the RNSC could have gone to their own President’s chairman of the Council on Environmental Quality, James Connaughton. Mr. Connaughton was part of the President’s delegation who attended the second week of the Bali Conference. Because of the Senate schedule, Senator Kerry flew 40 hours round trip to spend 36 hours as the sole US Congressional representative to the conference. At a SFRC hearing earlier this year, Mr. Connaughton, who represented President Bush said:
“I would particularly also want to call out thanks to Senator Kerry for coming to Bali. I would note that the remarks he gave in Bali were very constructive in helping to educate the international community on the needs, what it would take for America to move forward together in a bi-partisan way. I thought those remarks were very well received. Senator Kerry, thank you for that.”
Listening to the hearing, the Senator is praised for his leadership on this issue by both Republicans and Democrats. http://www.senate.gov/~foreign/hearings/2008/hrg080124p.html

[nyboomer]

Boehner wants to return the GOP to its core principles. I must assume that lying is at the center of the core of GOP principles. I'd wager that he would swear that he is a religious man too.

[BayAreaResident]

I wonder at times if running for president of US is somehow inavoidably bound to an approval of all the pro-Zionist zeals out there? Everyone is talking about providing security for Israel, that's fine, but how come none of these people are dearing asking WHY is there a constant need to provide this security to them in the first place?

Is there perhaps anything Israel can do for itself to get them out of this mess? We've been supporting them for half a century now, have things gotten any better in any conceivable way? All this blind talk of how bad the symptoms of the conflict in the middle east are, while profoundly refusing to discuss the very reasons that cause this illness is simply unimaginably dismal.

It "appears" pro-zionist media has succeeded in implanting a perpetual fear in the American people of ever trying to get to the bottom of the truth, which is (paraphrasing George Orwell) while all the nations are entitled to security dignity and human rights some of them are entitled to it more than others. Is that what we call security these days?

Fair and balanced is clearly at it's full swing. What a shame.

[LBM]

I think it's pretty obvious what the problem is. Israel is surrounded by enemies who want to wipe it off the face of the earth. I suggest you read the truth about the human rights abuses in the area, instead of relying on biased reporting:

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

What would you suggest that Israel do that they are not doing in order to live in safe and secure borders? If you have a solution that would be feasible, there are many who would be grateful.

[McSameisthegame]

How does a hard-working(???) pol like Boehner get the time to kep that great tan?? Wonder if he and Florida gov. Crist share a tanning bed from time to time???

[Erdgeist]

I am sure Senator Obama support's Israel's attempt to adopt a Constitution after the Knesset figures out who has the right to be equal and who does not and whether or not Israel is to be recognized as an Jewish state or a democracy which would include non-Jews.

[NicoleAnonymous]

Although I understand your point don't forget that Arabs probably have more freedom in Israel than they do in any other country in the middle east - at least in Irsael they don't stone women or put gay people in jail and women are allowed to drive.

[anaeem]

This is an inane and outright insensitive form of reasoning. Arabs in Israel face a whole slew of institutional discrimination by being Arabs in an ethno-Jewish State, one such example is presented in this piece ( http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7361036.stm ).

The point is justifying Israel's very real and serious issues with its Arab/Palestinian population and dismissing the Palestinian narrative on your basis that somehow they should be grateful for their 'Nakba' is no different in spirit then when David Horowitz said Blacks owe a debt to America for enslaving them and bringing them forcefully to this 'land of opportunity.' No individual Palestinian elected or chose to have their homes and autonomy taken away and appropriated for the Zionist dream, and whatever positives have come from living in Israel are all well and good, but that is hardly any succor from their very real national tragedy.

[LBM]

I don't think you understand that Israel is based on their Declaration of Independence which insures equal rights for all citizens regardless of their race. They have a 20% Arab population that has all the same rights as the Jewish population, they even have seats in the Knesset. Maybe you should read the Declaration:

http://www.israel.org/MFA/Peace%20Process/Guide%20to%20the%20Peace%20Process/Declaration%20of%20Establishment%20of%20State%20of%20Israel

Israel does not question whether it is a Jewish state, it was formed with that intention and to be a democracy with equal rights for all.

[McSameisthegame]

What are you talking about?? 20% of Israeli citizens are Arabs NOW-and 20% of the Israeli parliament, the Knesset is made up of ArabsNOW! BTW-NO JEWS serve in the Palestinian Authority-or ANY Arab nation's government. Perhaps Jimmy( the peanut farmer )Carter could explain his comments about Israel being an Apartheid government-when the FACTS and TRUTH are that the Arab states and the Palestinian Authority are the real Apartheid governments. Then, again, the truth and facts never mattered to Carter or most of the lefties posting here on Huffpo!!

[ResidentChimp]

Just as he did with the Canadians, Obama's staff have been telling the Arabs that what he's says no is just "politics". As Wright has already confirmed, Obama says whatever he needs to to get elected. If you want to know what Israelis think, check out some of their media web sites. You can see they realize that they're in deep trouble if Obama is elected.

[BayAreaResident]

Is if they are not in the BIGGEST mess already without him? By the way, do you talk to your parents the same way you talk to your best friends? Just curious.

[ResidentChimp]

You'll have to explain your curiosity in greater detail so I can understand what you are asking.

[queotic]

The Canadian government apologized to Barack over the NAFTAgate situation - it was actually Clinton's campaign who made that comment, but Brodie reported it as Obama's campaign. From Wiki:

"Mr. Brodie, apparently seeking to play down the potential impact on Canada, told the reporters the threat was not serious, and that someone from Ms. Clinton's campaign had even contacted Canadian diplomats to tell them not to worry because the NAFTA threats were mostly political posturing. The Canadian Press news agency quoted that source as saying that Mr. Brodie said that someone from Ms. Clinton's campaign called and was "telling the embassy to take it with a grain of salt...."

"The story was followed by CTV's Washington bureau chief, Tom Clark, who reported that the Obama campaign, not the Clinton's, had reassured Canadian diplomats. Mr. Clark cited unnamed Canadian sources in his initial report. There was no explanation for why Mr. Brodie was said to have referred to the Clinton campaign but the news report was about the Obama campaign. Robert Hurst, president of CTV News, declined to comment.[1]"

[ResidentChimp]

Excuse me, but I did look up Naftagate on wikipedia and the Obama's man did tell the Government to disregard what Obama said as it was political posturing. Hillary was completely exonerated in a seperate quote to the same effect. The Canadian Government apologize to Obama, not because it was false, but because it was embarrassing to Obama. It seems the Liberal Canadian governmant wants to pander to Obama just like the MSM.

[stanjz]

So you admit Senator Obama's words were twisted? How about we hold Republicans accountable for not addressing problems in a meaningful way instead of twisting others words? Does that sound like a better idea than blaming Obama?

[linus]

First comment on this blog...

Thanks for the insight into Who Obama really is. His rhetoric sounded good in 2004, but he has indeed become a politician with the same ties to the corporation, we call a government ,that we see in the rest of the gang. In my opinion the two most viable candidates for president have been compromised by the main stream media. Dennis Kucinich and now Ron Paul have been rendered almost invisible, but I'll probably write one of them in and it will probably be Ron Paul, who still has a larger following than is really recognised...G:

[castlerider]

We've got to get past worrying how Obama puts his words together in situations like this and come right back at them when they (the liars of the right) try to pull this crap. This is what is making the biggest impact, truthfully. Dammit, we gotta fight these idiots that want to keep us stupid.
Thank you, Sen. Kerry for your post and for giving us the chance to take this in and take it home to our families, and warp out on it with lightning speed on the internet.

The internet is what's making such a huge difference in getting us all on the same page and helping us gain intelligence, or rather, work our already existing intelligence beyond the keep-you-stupid Mainstream media, which has become a major tool for the liars on the right. It's a big reason why "06 made such a big difference. People were able to see through the ignorance at home, on their own blog news sources, and get resounding follow-up that ultimately cuts through the crap!!

Now, we've GOT TO do everything we can to make the internet free. When I found out that Comcast was working against net neutrality, I cancelled my subscription immediately, in protest. Everyone else who has an account with these greedy bastards should consider it as well. Do what ya want, but we need to do everything we can to keep it free.

[avraamjack]

.
John Kerry would be a great VP choice.
.

[NicoleAnonymous]

What about Rahm Emanuel? He could bring his some Clinton supporters and apparently he is influential although I had never heard of him before here.

Now is not that time to choose a woman - he needs a white man for VP who isn't controversial.

[sclucie]

i don't think they can both be from illinois. or is that just senators?

[IneptitudePrideB4Fall]

Rahm Emanuel is controversial. He served in the Israeli military.

++++++++++­++++++++++

[LBM]

I have to say that I think Obama has a problem with putting together sentences and paragraphs in ways that can't be twisted and interpreted in fairly negative ways. This is the same as the bitter remarks. I think it just shows his inexperience in politics. He needs to think before putting his foot in his mouth. I'm not saying that I believe he thinks Israel is an open sore, but that statement can be misinterpreted and obviously has. Instead of attacking the Republicans for taking advantage of his difficulty in communicating well, he should take this as another lesson to better prepare for questions like this with statements that are clear and to the point.

[appetite88]

Come on.

I personally like the fact that he still speaks like a human being. I would rather we spend our energy criticizing the people who are distorting the obvious meaning of his words for their own political gain.

[lorisc]

He didn't put his foot in his mouth. When you take a sentence totally out of context you change the meaning. If you read the entire paragraph you see exactly what he meant and it was accurate. You can take anything out of context and change the meaning. Anything can be misinterpeted. Do you really want a leader that has to think about all angles of every single sentence so that people don't take it out of context for their own benefit? If that's what you want you will never find that person.

[Wanjiru]

LBM:

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.
----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­----------­---

...CLEARLY, Sen. Obama was an effective enough communicator that Jeff Goldberg, the interviewer himself, along with several other parties including John Kerry, Rahm Emmanuel, etc, understood what he was saying...

...your concern should be more with the MOTIVES of those two shady Republicans, who are attempting to re-create the English language with their distortions...and NOT with Sen. Obama's communication skills!...

Obama 2008!

.

[4wehttam]

It can only be misinterpreted by idiots.

When asked about the decades old violence against Israel, he said the constant sore/wound does infect our foreign policy. That constant sore is THE DECADES OLD VIOLENCE AGAINST ISRAEL.

What part of that was so difficult for you to comprehend, maybe ESL classes are in order? I'm sorry to be so sarcastic, but this kind of blatant denial of what he ACTUALLY said is very upsetting.

[sd4peace]

It can only be purposefully misinterperated

[Aussie69]

After reading your blog, I went back and read his statement again. I'm buggered if I know where anyone could get confused what Obama said.

Perhaps your education is lacking in comprehension!

[Danny]

There used to be rules and sanctions for this kind of demagoguery, at election time, following Cong Joe McCarthy's excesses in the early 1950s.