Sunday, May 16, 2010
The sales job continues: Emanuel to rabbis: US 'screwed up'
"During the elections there were doubts about President Obama's support for Israel, and now they have resurfaced," Emanuel said, according to one of those who participated in the meeting. "But concerning policy, we have done everything that we can that is in Israel's security - and long-range interests. Watch what the administration does."...
...These comments came during the second of two White House meetings with a carefully selected slate of 15 rabbis from across the US representing the Orthodox, Reform and Conservative streams. The first meeting took place on April 20, shortly after Obama was widely perceived to have treated Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu shabbily during their last White House meeting...
It's not the sales pitch, it's the substance. We got the sales pitch during the campaign, and the now-President's critics were vilified for truth-telling, foremost among them the Republican Jewish Coalition. Remember when Obama's people started to refuse to appear at events with RJC officials? They knew they were selling a sub-par product, and they had no defense, so they ran. We've now had real experience with the man, and it's going to take more than a simple "charm offensive" to change that.
On the other hand, do not underestimate the desire of many, many people to accept it and buy in again. Life is much more comfortable for them that way.
My guess is that so called "centrist Jews" will lap it up. They are defending J Street and Goldstone, why wouldnt they lap up Obama's Rahm the Jew charm offensive, following the nomination of yet another Leftwing Jew (might as well be Atheist) to the highest court in the land.