This is one of the sillier things written lately on the presidential campaign:
Obama’s lucky we’re all so obsessed with secret meetings[between Obama and Hillary Clinton], because his apparent reversal on Jerusalem — telling AIPAC that the city must remain “undivided” and then backtracking yesterday by saying to CNN’s Candy Crowley that the city should be up to negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians – could be used by McCain as an example of inexperience. Did Obama, in his exuberance to win over Jewish voters, just say what the group wanted to hear regarding Jerusalem? Or did he not realize what he was saying? All in all, this wasn’t a good moment for Obama. He’s just lucky no one noticed — for now.
Silly, because of course the MSM lack of interest doesn’t, hasn’t and won’t prevent the McCain camp from seizing on this as evidence of Barack Obama’s unpreparedness. And silly because lots of people noticed. And even sillier because I was under the impression that it is the media’s job to inform us of important events — like when the brand new nominee stumbles on the first day after the nomination in front of a core constituency group which is posing a challenge for him.
And if the media or the Obama camp think no one is noticing, the Republican Jewish Coalition put out this:
On Thursday, Barack Obama backtracked on this position and reversed it. Following criticism from Palestinian and Hamas officials, Barack Obama on Thursday announced in an interview with CNN’s Candy Crowley that “obviously, it’s going to be up to the parties to negotiate a range of these issues. And Jerusalem will be a part of these negotiations.”
“Barack Obama’s attempt to use buzzwords to impress pro-Israel leaders has already backfired. Barack Obama’s reversal on Jerusalem, 24 hours after his AIPAC speech, demonstrates why the Jewish community has doubts and fears about an Obama presidency,” stated Matt Brooks. “Barack Obama’s retreat demonstrates that Senator Obama lacks the resolve and leadership necessary to protect America and Israel from the serious threats we face. Worst of all, the impression that Barack Obama changed this position because of pressure by Hamas officials sends all the wrong messages that a President Obama will back off pro-Israel positions when Hamas protests. Yet again, Barack Obama demonstrates why the Jewish community does not trust Barack Obama to keep America and Israel safe and secure.”
This sense that Obama gets away with glaring errors has a modicum of truth, of course. The media cocoon in which he lives doesn’t make it very hard on him. But it may also insulate him and perpetuate his own misunderstanding that his problems stem not from his own missteps, but from sinister forces ready to confuse and befuddle the voters.
