I've been hearing that Obama wants to put an end to all the rumor mongering and internet chatter suggesting that he will not be an advocate for Israel's security.
My reaction to this info was that Obama should stop pussyfooting around -- no more nuanced conversation and put himself in a place where he can answer the tough questions and be on the record.
My specific suggestion was that he speak or be interviewed at the American Jewish Press Association conference in Washington, DC in the next few weeks (this is the convention of all the Jewish newspapers in the country).
But the Obama rapid response team has done better and quicker (and I mean in no way to imply that my opinions were even conveyed to Obama's team -- this is just "in the air").
Anyhow, in swift sequence Obama gave a speech on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel, and an interview with Jeffrey Goldberg of the Atlantic.
Goldberg, author of Prisoners about his experiences as an American Zionist who served in the Israeli army and the Palestinian he guarded and befriended and their lives since -- asks Obama pretty much all the questions one could ask on the subject, including about Hamas, Olmert, and Jimmy Carter (although I promise if given the opportunity I'll come up with a few more).
Goldberg did a very good job, responsibly, and anyone interested in Obama's stance on Israel should read it in the Atlantic (here)