A lot of the drama was taken out of the battle to confirm Chuck Hagel as secretary of defense today when New York Senator Chuck Schumer endorsed the nomination. Schumer said he had made the decision after a long conversation with his former Senate colleague in which he was, he said, reassured that the new Pentagon chief had changed his mind about the relationship between Israel and the United States as well as his previous views about Hamas, Hezbollah and Iran. Schumer directly addressed the concerns that members of the pro-Israel community have expressed about Hagel’s sudden change of heart by saying this:
“I know some will question whether Senator Hagel’s assurances are merely attempts to quiet critics as he seeks confirmation to this critical post,” Mr. Schumer said. “But I don’t think so. Senator Hagel realizes the situation in the Middle East has changed, with Israel in a dramatically more endangered position than it was even five years ago.”
Such faith in Hagel’s conversion from a politician who bragged about standing up to the “Jewish lobby” and an opponent of sanctions against Iran as well as an advocate of engagement with Hamas and Hezbollah is remarkable. How is it possible that in the space of only a few months that Hagel could have had such a dramatic change of heart? Given Hagel’s disdain for the current government of Israel and the fact that only last fall he was signing letters expressing opposition to any mention of the use of force against Iran, only the most cynical of partisans could believe for a minute that the Nebraskan’s new positions are a sincere expression of his actual opinions. While Schumer, a powerful senator who has no fear about possible challenges to his seat, may think his seal of approval of Hagel will have no consequences, it is the sort of thing that, at the least, ought to raise the question of what it actually means to be a pro-Israel Democrat these days.
Let’s specify that many Democrats are sincere and ardent backers of Israel. They are a vital element in the across-the-board bipartisan coalition that has made the U.S.-Israel alliance an integral part of American foreign and defense policy. That is why the tepid response from so many Democrats to the president’s choice of Hagel is so disappointing.
It’s time for a little honesty about Hagel. Were someone with his record and history of incendiary comments about fighting the influence of the “Jewish lobby” and tender-hearted concern for radical Islamists put forward by a Republican president there’s little doubt that Democrats would be fighting each other to get face time in front of network cameras denouncing the nomination, with a publicity hound like Schumer at the front of the line.
After all, this is the same Chuck Hagel that even the National Jewish Democratic Council—a group that is generally blind to the shortcomings of anyone in their party no matter how egregious their transgressions—denounced as unsuitable for high office in 2009 when his name was put forward for a place on the Foreign Intelligence Advisory Board.
Democrats who have spent the last four years rationalizing Barack Obama’s inclination to pick fights with Israel and attempts to tilt the diplomatic playing field in the direction of the Palestinians enjoyed the election-year Jewish charm offensive in which the administration dropped its previous antagonism toward the Jewish state. But the decision to choose Hagel calls into question whether a second term will mean that the president plans to abandon his pledges on Iran or whether the 2012 cease-and-desist order about U.S. pressure on Israel will expire.
Hagel’s nomination gave politicians like Schumer a chance to show that they had no intention of allowing the president to make fools of them by policy reversals that would contradict his campaign promises on which they had staked their own good names.
But instead of showing some independence as well as common sense about the likelihood that Hagel could be trusted to do the right thing at the Pentagon, Schumer has shown that they will not stick their necks out if it means opposing the president.
As I stated earlier today, Hagel’s 180 does show that he had to disavow the views that made him the darling of the Israel-bashers if he wanted to be confirmed. Like the president’s campaign pledges, that will make it difficult, although not impossible, for the administration to abandon its stands on opposing containment of Iran or recognition of Hamas.
But the willingness of heretofore pro-Israel Democratic stalwarts to be willing accomplices to Hagel’s charade also tarnishes the reputation of their party on this issue. Whatever else this nomination has accomplished, it has made it more difficult for Democrats to assert that they are every bit as solid on Israel as their GOP foes.
That may not trouble Barack Obama or even Chuck Schumer, but it should worry rank-and-file Democrats who wonder what has happened to their party.
Israel is "…in a dramatically more endangered position than it was even five MONTHS ago…” n nanyway, other points need not be posted on the internet, except that most Americans want jobs and an end to all the political brinkmanship with the economy. n n n n n
You'd think a 'pro-Israel' Jewish senator in a safe electoral position would not endorse a nomination so totally riddled with doubt about it's dedication to a safe Israel. I guess ' marks should be placed around the 'Jewish' in the above description. But it is more than that. The Arabs committed a brutal aggression against Israel in every war and in between wars as well. Murdering thousands of Israeli soldiers, women, and children. And they want to go to the prewar status and start all over again? Only anti-Semitic fools would agree to that even if their intentions were honorable. And their intentions are blatantly clearly not honorable. And neither are those who endorse a return to 1967 cease fire lines. Aggressors, murderers, evil men, must pay for their crimes.
These cowards, Schumer, Bloomberg, Emanuel and other jews, are nothing more than Dear Leaders' boot lickers. Hitler had them too.
amen to that, brother.
"Like the president’s campaign pledges, that will make it difficult, although not impossible, for the administration to abandon its stands on opposing containment of Iran or recognition of Hamas." n nThe difficulty is virtually nonexistent. Obama is something of a cult figure. His adoring followers will find any excuse to go along with a change of position on just about any issue. Democrat Jews are now mostly appeasers. They are convinced that Israel is essentially better off surrendering to its enemies.
Exactly right. A cultic figure can do no wrong until the incompetency is unmasked by an act that hurts a lot of people, very badly. n nWe're not there yet.
To me, the cult concept is the only thing that even approaches an explanation for the astonishing naivete of Schumer and others of his party. "A cultic figure can do no wrong until the incompetency is unmasked by an act that hurts a lot of people, very badly. We're not there yet." n nWhat does it take to get "there"? I got "there" when the incompetency resulted in the murders at Benghazi and has now been blown off and covered up . The Jewish people have already been "there". That American Jews would ignore all danger signs and willingly follow anyone back there again is totally incomprehensible to me.
Wait. It will get worse. Much worse. n n nWhen the fans of Niki Menaj realize they are suffering and getting hurt, then we will be starting to get there.
"A cultic figure can do no wrong until the incompetency is unmasked by an act that hurts a lot of people, very badly. " n nAnd even then, if enough people help him cover it up. Stalin controlled the press, so the starvation caused by his 5 years plans, to say nothing of his constant butchery, were not exposed or criticised until he fell out of favor years after his death. Obama does not have Stalin's control over the press, but the press are loyal to him to nearly the same degree.
Fine. Eliminate all doubt and confusion. From now on Israel needs to strike off in her own direction with her own agenda and her own partners.
The only use for Israel of the USA, and the only real leverage the USA has over Israel is the UN Security Coucil veto. That, and military spare parts. But these are huge items, not so easily shaken off. n nAs for Hagel's conversion and the ape Schumer's acceptance of it, one can only assume Schumer would confirm Rev. Jeremiah Wright as Sec. Of State were Wright to mouth the same formulaic words Hagel did.
Clearly, Sen. Schumer's party affiliation trumps all other considerations. Those other "considerations" being what serves the best interest of the US and its allies. Thus, it is more accurate to refer to him as a DEMOCRATIC Senator rather than a US Senator.
Better a Democratic Senator than a Likud Senator.
aren't you on the wrong site? Try Stormfront.-that's about your speed. I understand IQs under 70 accepted there.
Yeah, but he'd have to figure out how to post under a non-Jewish screen name.
Nothing new here. In the 40s, the machers of the Jewish Establishment bent over backwards to protect Roosevelt from the inconvenience of having to make big decisions about the fate of European Jews. We Jews still suffer from the complex of just wanting to be accepted by the big-time majority population. So we have the reputation of having this powerful Jewish Lobby, which somehow manages to lose every important battle. Schumer's decision about Hagel is ultra-predictable. He'll still get a "how ya doin', Chuck" from the President. And that's important if you're a Jew with an inferiority complex.
And the supposedly all powerful AIPAC isn't even taking a position on the Hagel nomination. I hope pro-Israel Jews stop contributing to it and send their money to the ZOA instead. Yes, and when Hussein and his minions speak at AIPAC again this spring they will once again receive applause and cheers from the crowd as they do every time. Of course, the mostly Democrat Party AIPAC elite will once again also enforce their no-booing rule. If the annihilation of European Jewry started all over again, I don't think American Jews would do any better this time.
But Roosevelt got a pass because American Jews knew we needed to win the war, and FDR's opponents had been the isolationists. What's our generation's excuse?
We want to hang out with the uber-goyim and not be seen as Jews? Oh, wait, didn't the German Jews try that?
Exactly!
Anyone who seriously thought that Schumer or any other "pro-Israel" Democrat wouldn't back Hagel in the end is quite naive. They are–and have been for a few years–consistently falling in line behind the leader. At the moment, I see little chance of an independent spirit breaking out there.
Come on now, cut Chuck a break…he's just trying to maintain his status as Obama's Kommandant of the Ordenienst. Sooner of later, Harry Reid is going to croak and you wouldn't want Shumer to sacrifice his place in the succession with some foolish adherence to principles.
bs'd nLadies and gentlemen, welcome to 1938. The only difference is that we now have Israel.The writing on the wall began under LBJ. Get your passports and make aliyah. I am just saying……. Here you have a home and while politics rears its ugly head here, you know who is who and what is happening. I came for a visit six years ago and Mr Obama got elected and I stayed. I am at peace with that decision.
One wonders about the mentality of any Jew who would trust Barack Obama. I well recall the protesters in Tehran who asked in legible English, "Obama are you with us or against us?" As the Revolutionary Guard snipers cut them down there came from the White House, a deafening silence. The Torah advises, "Put not your faith in Princes." The same advice is pertinant for Barack Hussein Obama.
Funny. No mention is ever made of the Christian lobby. The strongest supporters of Israel in America.
clarespark: please stop thinking NCIS has a hidden agenda. n"Leap of Faith" from 2007 is on USA cable channel as I type. nDeep cover Syrian mole honey trap gets nailed by Ziva and Gibbs, although Tony had the idea to run her DNA through Interpol. n nWith 20 million viewers for every new episode, and millions of us watching the re-runs on USA and CLOO channels, my theory is that NCIS is a key reason why there is so much American support for Israel. n nI visited your blogpost, but want nothing to do with those who mis-interpret and seek to censor NCIS. n
I am a professional historian and make judgments based on evidence and research. No one is forcing you to agree with my analysis. I am certainly not in favor of censoring NCIS. If you have some points of disagreement, do leave a comment on the blog, and I will possibly approve it. No ad hominems please.
oops:) nit was Abby who ran the Syrian mole's DNA through Interpol in "Leap of Faith". n nIronic that two historians interpret NCIS so differently. n
This is a species in the process of disappearing. nAnyone forgot what happened at the Democratic convention a few months ago! nThe Jewish demo consider IL as a major headache. But they will take any time for their own whatever comes from IL.
Rather, I think it's we who should be "worrying about what has happened to [our] party" and not the Democrats! n nBut this is a bizarre line of thought in any case. Are you telling us, Jonathan Tobin, that the 65% Jewish vote, in both 2008 and 2012, was unaware of Obama's true feelings re: Israel? If you are, then your analysis is flawed. America's Jews have always known what Obama really thought, and therefore what he ultimately would do about Israel in his second term, once all need for "the Jewish vote" would be in the past and would not constrain him. n nSo why did they vote for this man? Because they too long for Israel's demise. The Jews of this country are just as anti-Israel as Obama is! Or do you think most of them think the way the writers and editors of Commentary do? n nFace that, and you'll recover your grip on the realities that underpin the American Jewish community. It is one thing to build Holocaust museums (may every one of them be struck by lightning, for the damage they've done to the Jewish psyche!), quite another to lend one's passion and reputation to the Zionist cause, without which Israel is not even a viable "idea." America's Jews talk, and they donate tzedaka. Period. n nHowever, what Israel needs are Jewish men willing to fight. And that is why Jews vote for Obama—so they don't have to fight, either for Israel or for the US. n nFace that inconvenient truth about us, and you'll be on your way to understanding the disconnect between America's Jews and the Israeli people. They are not the same animal; they never were. We inhabit far different, utterly irreconcilable, moral universes.
What Schumer did today is prove to every Jew that Democ-rats of Jewish origin are nothing more than the moral equivalent of compliant Judenrat members who will sell out the Jewish people for a very low price. (In Schumer's case it may be a Judicial nomination for his brother in law.) n nIn any rate he's given our commnity over to the transport department for that slow ride to the political concentration camp where Capos Cardin, Lautenberg, Feinstein, Boxer (originally from the same congressional district as Schumer) and never forget Al Frankin will to their morally equivalent work.