But then there's Ellison, the Muslim newbie. Why indeed is he along? Whether Pelosi intends to or not, such a visit by the Speaker to a foreign country will be received as a statement of US policy. I suspect the reason for Ellison is to imply a new direction of "fairness" (read: Palestinian support) in future policy. Look, we got us a real live Muslim in Congress now, and Americans elected him.
If I were Israeli, the message I would suspect is clear: US policy is changing. Out of Iraq, out of playing favorites with Israel, so to speak. Our new approach will be more "balanced". I would LOVE to hear what Pelosi and Ellison say to Palestinian groups over there...
Me..too....and then you add to that the fact that the White House has come out against Pelosi's side trip to Syria...and there is all kinds of occasions for mischief...that COULD be very dangerous for the USA.
Perhaps to calm the Dim's radical left base of Jew-haters including moveon...