Pro-Israel Lobby AIPAC Sitting Out Hagel Fight

[WilliamPitt]

Source: The Daily Beast

Opponent of Chuck Hagel's nomination to be secretary of defense have been lining up for battle, citing concerns about the former senator’s position on Israel.

Notably absent from the cast of critics: the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, Washington’s largest and most well funded pro-Israel lobby.

The powerful lobby, which doesn’t typically shy away from a fight, has decided to sit this one out, say several House and Senate staff members, as well as some pro-Israel activists in Washington.

“Staffers and members are trying to find out what AIPAC thinks of Hagel, and we are not getting anything,” one Senate Republican staff member said. Another Senate staff member said, “AIPAC will be sitting this one out.”


Read more: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/01/07/pro-israel-lobby-aipac-sitting-out-hagel-fight.html

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Wow.

In the parlance of back-room politics, the anti-Hagel argument just got de-nutted.

[Purveyor]

1. I don't believe that for one second but I'll reserve judgement for further info. eom

[oberliner]

7. Of course you don't

Maybe it's time for you to reassess your assumptions?

[yellerpup]

2. Good news.

Nobody wants to back a loser, the anti-Hagel faction with surely lose, and Israel will be dealing with the President for the next four years so there is no point in pissing him off. Especially when the objections coming from Republicans are so disingenuous.

[totodeinhere]

3. There is no reason for AIPAC to oppose Hagel.

He has always been a strong supporter of Israel.

Chuck Hagel said Monday an accurate assessment of his record will demonstrate "unequivocal, total support for Israel" and endorsement of tough international economic sanctions against Iran.

http://journalstar.com/news/national/govt-and-politics/exclusive-hagel-says-critics-distort-his-views-on-israel-iran/article_c4f3da0a-af78-5496-b62f-a89ca28c4bac.html

[King_David]

4. I guess the Gay lobby is not as powerful nt

[shaayecanaan]

10. Apparently not

I agree with you that the allegations of anti-semitism against Hagel were pretty shaky, but certainly he has made homophobic statements in his time.

I guess the only conclusion to draw from that is that homophobic statements are not regarded with as much urgency as anti-semitic statements are.

[Lil Missy]

5. That's interesting.

(In a curious kind of way)

[Ken Burch]

6. I think AIPAC gets it that the accusations against Hagel are bullshit.

The U.S. will always support Israel's right to exist...it's just that we don't HAVE to offer that country special deference.

[oberliner]

8. Hopefully some myths are being shattered

Specifically with regard to this lobby.

[bemildred]

9. Now that's a tell. nt