Obama to offer pro-Israel views at Chicago gathering March 1, 2007
BY LYNN SWEET Sun-Times Columnist
For the first time since becoming a senator -- much less a White House hopeful -- Barack Obama on Friday will talk in depth about U.S. policy toward Israel and the Mideast.
The story behind the story of Obama's appearance before the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's regional forum at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers provides insight into the Obama presidential operation.
AIPAC, whose sole interest is U.S.-Israel relations, is one of the most influential lobbying groups in the nation. Its annual policy conference starts March 11 in Washington. The gathering provides fertile territory for Obama to schmooze with well-connected backers and donors. Though no 2008 presidential candidates are on the program, Obama is hosting a reception for AIPAC members -- as is archrival Hillary Rodham Clinton...cont'd
http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/278222,CST-EDT-sweet01.article___________________________________________________________________________
Obama: US Must Have Total Commitment To Israel, Attack Iran If Necessary
Added: Mar 7th, 2007 9:14 AM
Obama: US should never dictate what's best for Israel In speech delivered before AIPAC lobbyists in Chicago, US Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama reveals strongly pro-Israel platform: US must preserve ‘total commitment to unique defense relationship with Israel’, work to stop Iran’s nuclear program even if military action is necessary
Yitzhak Benhorin Published: 03.02.07
Israel News
WASHINGTON - In a powerfully pro-Israel speech, Democratic presidential candidate US Senator Barack Obama clarified that Israel and the United States do not have the luxury to ignore the exhortations of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and “no option, including military action, (should be taken) off the table” in the effort to stop Iran's nuclear armament.
Regading the Middle East peace process, Obama declared that Israel should never feel "dragged to or blocked from the negotiating table" by the United States.
Senator Obama appeared Friday in Chicago before an audience of hundreds of lobbyists from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC)...cont'd
http://www.raidersnewsnetwork.com/full.php?news=3467_____________________________________________________________________________________________
In AIPAC speech, Obama repeats support for Israel, peace talks By Shmuel Rosner
March 05, 2007
Haaretz Correspondent
United States Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama reiterated his support for Israel on Friday, while at the same time calling on the U.S. to make a concerted effort to revive the peace process.
"Our job is to rebuild the road to real peace and lasting security throughout the region," Obama said during a speech to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee in Chicago. "Our job is to do more than lay out another road map."
"That effort begins with a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel: Our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy," he added. "That will always be my starting point."
..cont'd
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/832668.html--------------------------------------------------
Why Obama came last By Shmuel Rosner
March 07, 2007
Haaretz U.S. correspondent
It's been a week since our first Israel Factor survey, and my initial analysis rightly dealt with the clear winner, Rudy Giuliani. All the while, however, a question about the loser was troubling me: Why was Barack Obama ranked bottom?
Talking to some of the panelists this week, I tried to understand if there was anything significant about the fact that the popular senator from Illinois came last, or if it was just coincidence. I got different answers from different panelists, and, delving into Obama's numbers again, now I think it's time to present some limited conclusions.
..snip..
But, again, why did Obama come last?
I asked around and was told that Jewish activists in the Chicago area tend to think he is pro-Israel in the most sincere way. Some mentioned his trip to Israel, others highlighted his perfect record in the Senate on Israel-related issues. But the panelists still didn't feel they knew enough about him.
It's "the unknown factor," one explained. "What kind of constituency does he bring with him, and how will they influence his positions?"
Another panelist told me that, "we need more time to trust him. Voting for Israel a couple of times doesn't constitute enough of a track record on which to make a more favorable judgment."..cont'd
http://www.raidersnewsnetwork.com/full.php?news=3467______________________________________________________
His Speech Transcript on CounterPunch
http://www.counterpunch.org/obama03052007.html
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