Lieberman Questions Obama's Judgment On Iran and Israel
Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), a McCain supporter, challenged Sen. Barack Obama's judgment and experience on Israel and national security issues, following the Illinois senator's speech this morning at the influential pro-Israel lobbying group American Israel Public Affairs Committee, or AIPAC, conference in Washington. Lieberman said there was "a disconnect between some of the things [Obama] said today" and some of his past statements.
"To be specific, I was troubled earlier in the campaign season when Sen. Obama compared Iran and other rogue and terrorist states to the Soviet Union, and minimized the threat represented by Iran. I think that’s wrong. Today he said he thought Iran represented a grave threat. I think the statement he made today was right."
Lieberman brought up Obama's opposition to the Kyl-Lieberman amendment that labeled the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist organization, pointing out it was supported by 29 Democratic senators. The amendment passed 76-22.
"That measure was supported by three-fourths of the Senate, including Sens. Reid, Schumer, Durbin and Clinton. Sen. Obama opposed it, saying it was saber-rattling referring to the threat of military force. If you look at the Kyl-Lieberman amendment as it was passed, it has none of that in it regarding military action. I still hope he will say that vote was a mistake and he will support that resolution."
Lieberman also challenged Obama's assertions that U.S. policies have had a negative impact on Israel's security.
"Sen. Obama today argued American foreign policy in recent years has essentially strengthened Iran. At one point he almost seemed to suggest it helped to elect (Iranian President Mahmoud) Ahmadinejad and has made Israel less safe. I just disagree with that. Iran(ians) elected Ahmadinejad for their own reasons. If Israel is in danger today, it’s not because of American foreign policy, which has been strongly supportive of Israel in every way. It's not because of what we’ve done in Iraq, it’s because Iran is a fanatical terrorist expansionist state. Iran has a leader -- and leaderships -- that constantly threatens to extinguish the state of Israel."
Lieberman, who was close to Obama when the Illinois senator first came to Washington, opened by congratulating him on apparently securing the Democratic nomination. While they remain friendly, Obama, like many Democrats, supported Lieberman's 2006 Democratic challenger Ned Lamont, which Lieberman certainly hasn't forgotten. It could be one reason for Lieberman's decision to campaign with the GOP candidate. Obviously, with McCain stepping up his rhetoric against the regime in Iran, the issue could figure prominently in the coming campaign.
Comments:
Posted 06/04/2008 01:45pm with
How demeaning is it to Americans that “what’s good for Israel” is even a campaign issue?
Posted 06/04/2008 04:36pm with
I agree with gilmanc…I’m ashamed of that our public officials have to get AIPAC’s approval. Our American president takes an oath to proect and defend our constitution, the oath does not mention Israel! An American president can be a great president and not protect Israel. It is not part of the “job description.” An attack on Israel IS NOT an attack on the U.S. An attack on Nebraska IS. What’s good for America comes first and everybody else, including Israel, comes next. I think Joe Lieberman borders on being a traitor…he gets up every morning thinking…”what’s good for Israel”...not what’s good for The U.S. A trillion dollar war and a trillion dollar increase in gas prices, because of the trillion dollar war, is our reward for protecting Israel!
Posted 06/04/2008 05:08pm with
Um Matthew, check your facts.
Obama endorsed Lieberman in 2006, not Lamont.
And this is how Lieberman rewards him.
http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/200…
Obama rallies state Democrats, throws support behind Lieberman
By Stephanie Reitz, Associated Press Writer | March 31, 2006
HARTFORD, Conn. —U.S. Sen. Barack Obama rallied Connecticut Democrats at their annual dinner Thursday night, throwing his support behind mentor and Senate colleague Joe Lieberman.
Obama, an Illinois Democrat who is considered a rising star in the party, was the keynote speaker at the annual Jefferson Jackson Bailey Dinner.
Lieberman, Connecticut’s junior senator, is under fire from some liberal Democrats for his support of the Iraq War. He was key in booking Obama, who routinely receives more than 200 speaking invitations each week.
Some at Thursday’s dinner said that while they were pleased with Lieberman’s success in bringing Obama to Connecticut, they still consider Lieberman uncomfortably tolerant of the Bush administration.
Obama wasted little time getting to that point, calling it the “elephant in the room” but praising Lieberman’s intellect, character and qualifications.
“The fact of the matter is, I know some in the party have differences with Joe. I’m going to go ahead and say it,” Obama told the 1,700-plus party members who gathered in a ballroom at the Connecticut Convention Center for the $175-per-head fundraiser.
“I am absolutely certain Connecticut is going to have the good sense to send Joe Lieberman back to the U.S. Senate so he can continue to serve on our behalf,” he said.
Obama received widespread attention for his keynote address at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, delivered while he was still a state senator.
Lieberman became Obama’s mentor when Obama was sworn into the Senate in 2005. They stayed close at Thursday night’s event, too, entering the room together and working the crowd in tandem.
Despite the camaraderie between the two, the crowd was clearly more receptive to Obama’s remarks than Lieberman’s speech about party unity and the potential for Democratic victories at the ballot box this fall.
In fact, scattered boos greeted Lieberman when he took the podium, and he had to stop three times during his remarks to shush the crowd so he could deliver key points.
Ned Lamont, a Democratic activist and anti-war candidate from Greenwich, is challenging Lieberman for the party’s nomination this year. Legions of supporters of Lieberman and Lamont both attended the dinner.
Lieberman, who is seeking a fourth term, also faces an Election Day challenge from Paul Streitz of Darien, who is trying to win the Republican nomination.
Some Democrats at Thursday’s event said Lieberman’s support of the Iraq War is still a sore point with them. In fact, the Democratic town committees in Windsor and Manchester both recently passed resolutions condemning Lieberman’s stance.
“Those of us who’ve been on the shooting end of the war gallery aren’t happy at all about what’s going on,” said Warren Packer, a Manchester Democratic Town Committee member and military veteran. “I think he’s done some good things for the state, but he has to answer for the war.”
But that view was not shared throughout the ballroom.
Former Connecticut Democratic U.S. Rep. Jim Maloney, who voted against the launch of the war while he served in the House, said he thinks Lieberman’s other accomplishments will overshadow the concerns about his stance on the Iraq War.
“I’m still confident my position was correct, but I just as strongly believe that Sen. Lieberman voted his conscience,” Maloney said. “Even those of us who don’t agree with him on that one issue have to credit him for doing what he thinks is the right thing.”
Posted 06/04/2008 05:26pm with
To Wakeup -
Obama endorsed Lieberman in the primary, yes. But once Lamont won the nomination Obama, like most other democrats, switched his support to the Democratic nominee, Lamont. Most of the Democratic establishment did support the incumbent in the primary (Lieberman), but supported the Democrat (Lamont) in the actual statewide election.
Posted 06/04/2008 06:20pm with
Hw silly to say Obama or any one else ought not seek AIPAC support! It is not Israel. It is not the Jews in America. It is a group that has influence and can help get a person elected. any politician worth his or her salt goes after any and all possible groups that can gain votes…Obama would like Latino vote, Jewish votes, white votes, black votes—so he goes where he can to get those votes; and McCain does the same thing.
Posted 06/04/2008 08:39pm with
I did not vote for AL Gore because anyone who chooses such a hawk and religious fanatic is not fit to be vice president.
I will not vote for Obama because he went overboard in appeasing AIPAC, a group that is more interested in the interests of Israel than in what is good for the USA.
And, no, they are not the same!
I am ashamed of our politicians who will sell their grandmothers and trade on their so-called memories to get elected.
I am now looking for a third-party candidate. Bye, bye, Obama. You can have the Jewish vote, but you have just lost mine.
Posted 06/05/2008 11:25am with
It’s not silly to avoid support from groups whose interests are not primarily for the interests of the US! Getting support from AIPAC or any other group comes with a price. If the price of AIPAC approval is agreeing with the neocon fantasy of a revamped middle-east then Obama and any other anti-neocon should not only avoid but should condemn them.
It sickens me that our military men and women have been abused by such groups (AIPAC) and people (neocon politicians and pundits). I am positive that a poll of US servicemen and women would show that more than 99% of them did not volunteer to fight for Israel’s security.
Posted 06/11/2008 10:25pm with
Coming from a man who stands with someone who actually said God sent Hitler to move the Jews to Israel, what can you expect. Of course, what the moron forgot was did God actually direct Hitler to torture and murder 6 million of them first.
This country has lost all decency and intelligence – otherwise why would we continually elect these sleazy morons to represent us every where in the world and do our business.
Such men reflect more on us than they do on themselves. You are indeed known by the company you keep.
Posted 06/19/2008 08:48pm with
Joe Lie-berman is an Israel firster and a scumbag of the first order.
Go back to Israel Joe, your ilk are not wanted here anymore.
If Israelis ever want peace, they need to get rid of AIPAC.
If Americans ever want peace in the Mideast they need to get rid of AIPAC.
I will be proud of the day when Obama will put the interest of America before the interest of Israel and not be crucified for it. It’s a shame that American politicians are selected, not on their commitment to the best interests of America, but by vowing to put the interests of a foreign nation, Israel, first. The oath of allegiance that I said everyday in school was not to Israel, or any country but America.
Why are we still unconditionally, unquestioningly, unendingly still financing Israel ? My tax dollars are still funding the illegal settlements in the West Bank and the apartheid oppression of the Palestinian people. Cutting their aid would make the Israel’s do something, finally, after 60 years. I’m sick and tired of my tax money giving every Israel $1500.00 per capita while our own go without.
Why are we still letting AIPAC define Middle East foreign policy ? Iran nuclear transparency, means Israel better be transparent too. It’s time for the US to stop the hypocritical, double standard of protecting Israel while demonizing a member of the NNPT and who allows IAEA inspections. Israel does not.
Israel warmongering through AIPAC has killed 4000+ US people in Iraq and now they want us to do their dirty work in Iran.
Those AIPAC members who demand that Israel’s war crimes never be mentioned, that the Nakba is somehow anti-Semitic, and that Israel should not have to adhere to the same international nuclear regulation that is being demanded of Iran only demonstrate their ignorance and fascist tendencies when it comes to any type of open discussion of Israel. Israel refused to allow 7 Palestinian Fullbright scholarship recipients to take advantage of this incredible opportunity. Israel has violated international law and countless U.N. resolutions for decades. The Cold War is over and Israel does not offer the U.S. anything other than hampering any positive steps toward a Middle East peace and a viable Palestinian State. Israel receives one fifth of all U.S. foreign aid and yet the country is the size of Rhode Island. That money needs to be spent on America’s infrastructure. It is time for the U.S. to stop the blind support of a rogue nation and cease all financial assistance to a country that continues to refuse to abide by the E.U. and U.S. ‘road map”.
The goal of the Israeli lobby in America,AIPAC,is to falsify, manipulate,stifle, and color discussion,debate,and our beliefs and perceptions of who is our “enemy” and who is our “friend” by deliberate obstructionism and McCarthyism.Israel and fifth-columnists in America have largely controlled our “free press” to limit the truth about the occupation and the Palestinian struggle to end the repression,apartheid,occupation,illegal colonization (settlements),collective punishment and abuse of ALL Palestinians by Israeli forces and “settlers”.There will be no peace with AIPAC in existence.
The ever growing power of this group of extremist fifth-columnists to subvert OUR foreign policy in their supposed interest, at the expense of OUR real interests, is a clear and present danger to the United States. AIPAC and the other numerous pro-Israel groups like JINSA, AEI, & PNAC also subvert our electoral process to such an extent that if a candidate does not kowtow to this group of war-mongers, they will be attacked in the most extreme vitriolic manner, witness their vicious attacks on Pres Jimmy Carter and professors Walt and Mearsheimer. ANY criticism of Israel or its racist policies & occupation/colonization (theft) of Palestinian land is met with howls of outrage & the worn out charge of “anti-Semitism”. The ugliness of their attacks is representative of their mistreatment of the Palestinians under the brutal occupation and policies of collective apartheid.
It is time for the U.S. to stop the blind support of a rogue nation and cease all financial assistance to a country that continues to refuse to abide by the E.U. and Quartet ‘road map”, UN sanctions, Geneva conventions, IAEA and NNPT rules, and continues the inhuman, apartheid treatment of the Palestinians.
Good news? There will be when the Israel recognize a two-state solution, a separation between their country and this one, the United States.
Posted 06/30/2008 12:42am with
JOHN McCAIN’S 3R ECONOMIC PLAN 2008
Abbreviated version
Progressive Republican Candidate John McCain comes through for America with his 3R economic plan. In the persona of Theodore Roosevelt, McCain’s plan just makes sense.
NUTS AND BOLTS of the plan are simple.
The US needs a separate tax revenue source before it can move away from fossil energy fuels which supply hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes for state and federal agencies.
Here is the John McCain 3R solution.
McCain’s 3R is about technical, closely monitored and rapid hands on training from pros to create new pros. Thousands of currently-job-displaced “once leaders in the manufacturing arena” will be asked to train and play instructor rolls in the 3R plan.
Paid, of course, as these new leaders will help create a whole new style of prosperous America. A massive restructure providing thousands of new American MFG companies means millions of new jobs for infrastructure alone.
1. RETHINK: America must see globally on what America is capable of in our current state of technology, engineering and meet the demands that face the world.
“RE-Think” the basic job goals involve the dwindling retirement, health care and social security plans that are failing Americans. With a strong base and a higher Gross Domestic Product (GDP) America has a new bargaining chip in the way we live and the ways we retire.
Private Sector framework is in place and current laws allow the 3R to happen. The Progressive attitude of John McCain to get things done by crossing party lines will resurrect America.
2. REFORM: The American people must demand higher quality products and less restricted trade routes for Made in USA components. We will lead the way of MFG again!
The USA will reform its dead manufacturing base to create the most innovative and green-engineered products possible. We will compete in a world market along with other high quality products. Our Private Sector teams are making this reality now.
3. REINVENT: America and Americans must reinvent themselves to reach and maintain these standards and by sheer American ingenuity, control the world’s marketplace in the competitive manner, as the USA has always been proud to be #1.
Americans are going back to McCain’s 3R-schooling program where they are paid to reinvent their skills and learn new skills to design and lead their personal LLC, Corporation or joint venture company. That’s easy enough to comprehend and just as easy to implement.
The 3R plan is designed as a six-month rapid advancement system. Graduates may return for additional skill enhancements from time to time, or step up after new advanced training in executive management.
While manufacturing is a very important part of this plan, thousands of other new businesses must to be created to meet the new surge of 3R manufacturing industries to create a new era of prosperous Americans.
Initial estimates of 1 in 5 students will begin his or her own company and drive even more Americans into a viable lifestyle with real jobs, real benefits and a retirement to look forward to.
This 3R plan will be done without costing taxpayers (or the government) additional funds. America has the means to follow through with John McCain’s 3R plan, ready and in place across the USA. The buildings we need sit vacant for the most part. By assuming leases on abandoned stores and factories across America with MC-3R schools and mini-manufacturing training centers, the USA made products can be sold and support the stores. Building owners write off the loss in taxes over a few years if they donate the space!
This is the new place for financial speculators to invest!
The speculators who first drove the economy with mortgage investments and most recently with crude oil investments have a better arena for their investments. America as nation of industrious individuals who want to work and want to succeed will make them huge profits. The supply of eager Americans with ideas and dreams to prosper is limitless.
Although the thousands of new businesses manufacturing USA Made products is exciting enough, the real excitement comes from the massive amount of additional jobs that will be created to provide the new housing, new buildings, new parks, shopping, grocery stores, schools, government outlets and so much more.
McCain’s Progressive nature embodies Theodore Roosevelt more than any US presidential candidate in history since the original Rough Rider blazed the greatest era of growth in America.
We need John McCain to lead our nation with the same type of change.