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And McCain, much like JFK, has
pledged to fight for freedom around the
world, not to retreat from our enemies.
This credo is certainly what we need
more than meaningless slogans like
"Change we can believe in" and "We are
the ones we've been waiting for."
Many in Congress have fine Israel-
related voting records. Obama, in his
very brief career, is among them. But
some of these same legislators also
appear reluctant to confront the growing
menace of Islamofacism and the threat
it presents to America's vital interests in
the Middle East and to Israel's survival.
Only one presidential candidate
repeatedly states that "the transcendent
challenge we face today is the menace of
Islamic extremism!' McCain asserts this
frequently to all kinds of audiences, and
at all times. McCain offers a clear choice
to voters on Nov. 4, as he acknowledges
the grim reality of today's world.
Obama Shortcomings
One can respect Obama for his ambi-
tion, his meteoric rise and his rhe-
torical skills. But his equivocation on
issues like Jerusalem, public campaign
financing and the success of the surge
eign affairs, chose to bring along Sen.
Joe Lieberman to the interview" and
"looked to Lieberman several times for
reassurance on his answers and seemed
a little flummoxed by a question relating
to the nuances of settlement construc-
tion:"
Horowitz's meeting with Obama was
markedly different. Obama "spoke with
only a single aide in his hotel room."
(The aide's only contribution was to
suggest that Obama and Horowitz
switch seats, so the Post photographer
would have better lighting.)
Obama did not lack for Middle East
advisers. Dennis Ross, President Bill
Clinton's special envoy to the Middle
East and who is widely respected for his
knowledge and commitment to a secure
peace settlement, and Daniel Kurtzer,
the former ambassador to Israel and
Yeshiva University graduate and its for-
mer dean, were "hovering in the vicin-
ity:' Horowitz wrote, but they were not
in the room.
Horowitz observed that Obama "knew
precisely what he wanted to say about
the most intricate issues confronting
and concerning Israel, and expressed
in Iraq are disturbing as is
of the more prominent people
his approach to dealing with
who have counseled him to date
Iran's Ahmadinejad. When
and the endorsements he has
not scripted, he has spoken
received from an infamous list
of the "legitimate claims" of
of Israel bashers, this is surely
Hezbollah and Hamas.
not a promising sign.
Also worrisome is his ultra-
One speech to the American
liberal voting record in the
Israel Public Affairs Committee
Sen. Mc Cain
short time he has served in
(AIPAC) cannot make up for
the Senate — a record that
off-the-cuff remarks that raise
does not fit with someone who
serious questions.
claims to be a "unifier." A unifier might
If one believes we live in a very
be expected to come from the middle of dangerous world with unprecedented
a party, the place that gave us the con-
challenges, the choice for voters should
structive and bipartisan Senate Gang of be an easy one. On that fabled Day
14, which forged a compromise on judi-
One, Iran, Iraq, Russia, North Korea,
cial appointments. Obama was nowhere Afghanistan, China, global terrorism,
to be seen in that group; McCain was
Middle East oil and, almost incidentally,
a lead member. And it is McCain, not
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be at
Obama, who has pledged to appoint
the top of the new president's agenda.
members of both parties to his presi-
Given the two candidates' records,
dential cabinet.
experience, and core values, this
Another primary concern is Obama's
choice for Jewish Americans should
meager national security record.
not be a difficult one: John McCain for
Instead of arriving at well-established president.
positions through years of intensive
deliberation and consideration, he will
Morris J. Amitay, a Washington attorney, is
have to rely more heavily on a group of
a former executive director of AIPAC and
advisers — some 300 by his own count. founder of the pro-Israel Washington PAC.
Given both the backgrounds of several
U nique -Park finish
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❑
himself clearly, even stridently
on key subjects."
Lest someone assume that I
am contemptuous of her deep
religious commitment, let me
Palin Factor
stress that it is the contrary. In
Many Jews, me included, were
my work and life, I find myself
deeply disturbed by the Rev.
more comfortable with those
Jeremiah Wright's most con-
who are deeply committed to
troversial comments, but there
their faith — whatever that
Sen. 0 bama
is nothing in Obama's record
faith may be — than those
to indicate that he adheres to
who are totally unconnected
Wright's views. I was glad to
and, even worse, contemptuous
hear Obama forcefully and publicly
of those who are. I just don't want them
denounce them.
imposing their faith on me.
Contrast that with Alaska Sen. Sarah
While no one should vote for Barack
who sat in her church while a
Obama because he is black, the fact that
Jews for Jesus leader, David Brickner,
a black man is a nominee for the high-
preached that terrorism in Israel is
est office in the land constitutes an affir-
God's "judgment" against Jews for failing mation of the fact that at long last, some
to accept Jesus? Maybe she said noth-
of the final barriers of discrimination
ing because she did not understand the
are crumbling. For Jews, it is yet another
implication's of Brickner's words, but
reminder of the blessings this country
that would be even more disturbing.
has offered them and other minorities.
When Patin first ran for mayor of
For me, the choice is clear. ❑
Wasilla, she did so as the town's "first
Christian mayor." What does this have
Deborah E. Lipstadt is Dorot Professor of
to do with being mayor? Is this some-
Modern Jewish and Holocaust Studies at
one you want a heartbeat away from
Emory University and author of "History on
America's oldest president, a man who
Trial: My Day in Court With David Irving."
has had multiple bouts with cancer?
-
"When you go for the
gold... you always win"
EWELLERS I G EMOLOG ISTS
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October 23 • 2008
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