Chase Potter 10/23/08
Title: Right of Reply: Compare records, not rhetoric
Source: The Jerusalem Post
Article Summary:
Time: Presidential Campaigns
Place: Israel, USA
Key People: Barack Obama, John McCain, Joe Biden, Sarah Palin
Main Idea: This is an OP-ED piece written by someone who is openly in favor of John McCain, but he makes some good points about each candidate’s position towards Israel. Obama is highly regarded among European countries, and the general consensus is that if Europe could vote in the election then Obama would win in a landslide. Now assuming the Obama is truly pro-Israel, as he has been stating in his recent speeches, then having him lead to support of Israel could help the country’s image throughout the Western world. The problem is that Obama has been a little inconsistent with his support for Israel, unlike McCain who has voted without a doubt high on Israel. The article is not meant to discount Obama’s commitment Israel, only to raise doubts on what he intends to do.
Your response: Although I know that this article is biased towards McCain, it makes a very good point. If you are an Israeli relying on the support of the United States then you have to be in favor of McCain because he has proven himself a friend to the country, while if you look back on Obama and some of the things he has said, it is difficult to figure out exactly how he feels.
{ 2 } Comments
If I am understanding this article correctly, then Obama’s popularity with Europe and his support for Israel will greatly affect Europe’s views of Israel. If this is true and if Obama is truly supportive of Israel, then I think it is a good time to acknowledge. It defines Obama as a leader because he will be able to indirectly bring two sides together.
It is true that if Obama is indeed supportive of Israel then it would certainly improve Israel’s image across Europe, but the question is really h0w supportive is he? Israelis know that McCain is a staunch supporter of their country, but with Obama they cannot be sure yet. I think Obama’s case of support for Israel however was made much stronger by his selection of Joe Biden for his running mate.
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