Barack Obama sets out Tuesday on the most politically perilous part of his foreign trip - to Jordan, Israel and the West Bank, where his every word will be scrutinized by Jewish and Arab voters back home.
Obama's recent declaration that Jerusalem should be the undivided capital of Israel - and his immediate back-pedal - created confusion over the candidate's stance on the bitter Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
U.S. Jewish and Arab community leaders told the Daily News Monday that Obama has a "second chance" to define himself on Middle East policy.
After leaving Iraq, Obama heads first to Jordan before reaching Israel Tuesday.
Obama told pro-Israeli lobbyists last month that Jerusalem must "remain the capital of Israel and it must remain undivided." He and his campaign quickly retreated, saying Jerusalem's final status was up to the Israelis and Palestinians to negotiate.
Nathan Diament, public affairs director for the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America, said Obama "blew it" with that speech. The controversy "raises the magnification of the microscope" on his trip "because people are going to be watching even more closely," he said.
Funny, I thought everyone loved Obama. I thought he would shit sunshine and make everything and everyone perfect in every way. It's just like I've said before: He's a great speaker, when he has a prepared speech. However, throw any kind of monkey wrench into it, and he fumbles....badly.
People lately have been talking about "change" from our energy, to our wars. But, we need to keep our eye on the things that matter: Energy independence, protection of allies, letting businesses that make bad decisions fail, and undermining hostile nations.
Until Obama shows that he's good at anything other than good speeches and denouncing the war in Iraq, I think he's in for a big, big problem come November.
I especially like how Obama is currently denoucing the obviously good results from the surge in Iraq troop levels. People have pointed out that had we listened to Obama in the first place, we wouldn't be there.
I'll counter that with two points:
First, Obama was never under pressure to vote one way or another on the war. He merely make statements that spoke of caution.
Secondly, and this is most important: Obama will have to make tough choices as President. Some things will clearly be out of his control, and he will have to make decisions that are tough and messy.
If he's not willing to make those choices and appreciate obvious turn around's, then he's not fit to be President.
Travis
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