The Wolf At The Door CNN's senior White House correspondent waxed on everything from the Lincoln Bedroom to Middle East peace. ALAN ABRAMS SPECIAL TO THE JEWISH NEWS W olf Blitzer knew he had crossed the threshold to fame in America when his name became the punch line of a joke by John- ny Carson. It happened during the Gulf War, when CNN's round-the- clock coverage of that conflict made household names of its on- air correspondents, including Mr. Blitzer. "Tonight Show" host Mr. Carson quipped that Holly- wood would probably do a sequel to the Kevin Costner hit film Dances With Wolves called Dances With Wolf Blitzer. Mr. Blitzer spoke at Adat Shalom Synagogue in Farming- ton Hills last week as a bonus for those who had contributed $1,000 or more to the Allied Jew- ish Campaign. He reached out to his audience with the same informal, yet knowledgeable, de- livery he projects on television. Currently CNN's senior White House correspondent, Mr. Blitzer had reported the night before on the latest Lincoln Bed- room disclosures. Thus, it was only fitting that the subject should arise early in his wide- ranging speech. "I never did sleep in the Lin- coln Bedroom, and I may be the only one who didn't. I think everybody should sleep in it once or twice," Mr. Blitzer told his au- dience, tactfully side-stepping any mention that his boss, CNN's founder Ted Turner, was listed among those who rested their well-coifed heads on White House pillows. Mr. Blitzer said he wouldn't be surprised to see an indepen- dent counsel appointed within the next two weeks to probe De- mocratic Party fund-raising ac- tivities. Does that mean Mr. Blitzer Es money to the Democ- ratic Party and others. 9 He intimated that President Clinton and Israel's Prime Minis- ter Binyamin Ne- tanyahu are political soul mates because of the possible corruption charges both men may face. Calling politics in Israel "a contact sport," Mr. Blitzer said the charges against Mr. Netanyahu "could bring down the gov- ernment and him per- sonally" and could spell an end to the prime minister's 20- year "dramatic" ca- reer. Fortunately, the parallels Mr. Blitzer CNN senior White House correspondent Wolf Blitzer observed between the men extend beyond sees any chance for campaign fi- their political troubles. nance reform? "Only if the Sen- "Mr. Netanyahu is very simi- ate hearings generate grassroots lar to Bill Clinton in terms of his outrage. I, for one, am not hold- intellectual capability, political ing my breath," he said. dynamism and drive," said Mr. Mr. Blitzer said the most se- Blitzer, who has had ample op- rious problem President Bill portunity to study both leaders Clinton faces is whether there up-close and personal. was a direct effort by foreign gov- Mr. Blitzer delivered several ernments to penetrate the White predictions, including one to "ex- House by using agents to funnel pect Bill Clinton in the next four years to be more personally in- volved in the Middle Fast, as he is looking to secure his place in history." According to Mr. Blitzer, dur- ing the president's first term in office, Mr. Clinton "sub-con- tracted" the Israeli-Arab conflict to his then-Secretary of State Warren Christopher. That's be- cause the president was more preoccupied with domestic is- sues. But Mr. Blitzer doesn't think that will be the case this term. "I don't expect to see Madeleine Albright be as aggressive in the Middle East as Christopher was," he explained, adding that Mr. Christopher was disap- pointed that his legacy was not capped with an Israeli-Syrian pact. Mr. Blitzer anticipates that Mr. Clinton will play more of a hands-on role in the Middle East peace process, which "could get back off the ground in the next few months. I can envisage [Is- raeli-Syrian peace talks] re- sumed, with the United States playing an aggressive role as mediator." Mr. Blitzer reported a signif- icant shift in the attitude of Is- raelis toward Mr. Netanyahu after he signed the Hebron agreements. He praised the BAS S ONOVA 20% off everyday 20% off everyday 20% Buy from the manufacturer IN-STOCK Spring Suits - Petite & Regular Cy Lisnov Spring & Summer Pants All Styles & ALL Fabrics EVERY SATURDAY I 0 a.m.-4 p.m. COMFORT INN • FARMINGTON HILLS • IA C.- ( I 2 Mile Just East of Orchard Lake Rd.) , (810) 471-9220 [Mon-Fri call (810) 754-6360] tiOt A-9G S ismagnam. C C-) LOCATED IN THE ORCHARD MALL 6385 ORCHARD LAKE ROAD AT MAPLE WEST BLOOMFIELD MI 48322 810.855.4488 MONDAY - TUESDAY - WEDNESDAY FRIDAY - SATURDAY 10 AM - 5:30 PM THURSDAY 10 AM - 8 PM and an ever changing selection of outstanding hand crafted items for yourself, your home, and gift giving See what's new & cool For women & children D r eg Orchard Mall Orchard Lake Rd. N. of Maple W. Bloomfield • 851-5566 SHOES "Serving the community for 40 years"