Freeman hits 'Israel lobby' on way out

Politico ^ | March 10, 2009 | Ben Smith

[Scanian]

President Barack Obama's controversial pick for a top intelligence post blasted the "Israel lobby" on his way out the door Tuesday, intensifying a debate on the role Israel's allies played in the latest failed Obama appointment.

Charles W. Freeman Jr.'s abrupt withdrawal from his appointment as chairman of the National Intelligence Council came after he drew fire on a number of fronts - including questions about his financial ties to China and Saudi Arabia.

But the most heated opposition came from supporters of Israel - and Freeman's departure shows Obama's reluctance to signal a change to a U.S. policy in the Middle East that centers on standing beside Israel.

Throughout his presidential campaign, Obama jettisoned aides and backed off statements that appeared to imply a change in the Bush Administration's firm support for hawkish Israeli governments.

As president, Obama dispatched Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to the Middle East last week with a tough message for the Palestinians, saying it was hard for Israel to make peace with people who are hurling rockets into their country.

And the attacks on Freeman, in the end, hinged primarily on the question of Israel, something the Democratic senators who helped break the back of the nomination Tuesday made clear.

[NYC GOP Chick]

After eight years of running the Bush administration, now the "Jewish Lobby" is being "exposed" as running Obama apointments. Always by the same dirtbags.

You know what? If it were really true about how much power we wield, then these morons who keep antagonizing us should be very afraid of antagonizing us, right?

[Slings and Arrows]

I love to read about how powerful I am.

[Tijeras_Slim]

So that’s why you have all the cool ping lists...

[Slings and Arrows]

[Convert from ECUSA]

ROFL!!!!

[Slings and Arrows]

;^)

[Convert from ECUSA]

You little ole “conspirator” you...............heeheehee!

[justiceseeker93]

Yes, Freeman is showing his true colors by blaming the "Israel lobby" for forcing him to withdraw.

But the fact is we don't really know why he was forced to withdraw.

My guess is that this lefty Ben Smith at Politico is spinning this story to make readers believe that such is the case, perhaps on orders from the O WH. By doing so, he is perpetuating the myth that the Obama folks are pro-Israel, the same myth that they were spreading to the Jewish (and pro-Israel) community during the campaign last year.

[Canedawg]

“That this traitor was nominated at all speaks volumes about BO and his friends.”

Exactly. Rev. Wrong, Farrakahn...Odumbo hangs with the anti-semites.

[PRePublic]

Yes, Freeman is showing his true colors by blaming the "Israel lobby" for forcing him to withdraw. But the fact is we don't really know why he was forced to withdraw

One might suspect that the fear of the slowly revealing tangling web of 'oil money ties' is involved in his withdrawal...

[dennisw]

Screw him. The Jews had it in for him because he had it in for Israel. He lost. Buh bye!

[Zionist Conspirator]

Yes, Freeman is showing his true colors by blaming the "Israel lobby" for forcing him to withdraw.

But the fact is we don't really know why he was forced to withdraw.

My guess is that this lefty Ben Smith at Politico is spinning this story to make readers believe that such is the case, perhaps on orders from the O WH. By doing so, he is perpetuating the myth that the Obama folks are pro-Israel, the same myth that they were spreading to the Jewish (and pro-Israel) community during the campaign last year.

It's great that Freeman is out. But it's very frustrating that "pro-Israel liberals" are still beating their chests and claiming that Israel, like Chavez, the Sandinistas, the perverts, and the don't-drill-for-oilers belong to their side of the spectrum. These people are the opposite of Pat Buchanan. He thinks Arabs are the only good Communists while they think Arabs are the only bad Communists. Barring the arrival of Mashiach (may he come speedily) I fully expect the liberal claim to exclusive rights to the pro-Israel position will last beyond my own lifetime. Still you never know.

But you know, it's strange that one man is buddies with both Communist China and Saudi Arabia, two powers supposedly on opposite ends of the ideological spectrum. But it seems that as Communist China morphs ever so gradually into a militant, nationalist authoritarian regime that Saudi Arabia morphs into an international radicalizer of the "dispossessed."

[freekitty]

I am thinking about Michelle and how they pulled a fast one by appointing her head of Obama Brown Shirts. How long before she is appointed to the cabinet with a paid position. There is enough money there from both private and government. I think she should be immediately removed from this position and stripped of everything. I will bet Hillary is either cheering wildly or having a big hissy fit as she was planning some time ago to have her own brown shirts.

We need to protest this vigorously. Michelle Obama should have absolutely no access to a group like this period.

[ChicagoHebrew]

I actually buy the story that "the Israel lobby" was behind Freeman getting thrown under the bus, in the sense that the pressure came largely from pro-Israel activists and politicians. The difference is that I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

There is nothing nefarious about a pressure group using its influence to change policy. That's what democracy is about.

Here, the "Lobby" succeeded in getting a crackpot kicked out. And not just an anti-Israel crackpot. A guy who criticized the Red Chinese for being too EASY on democracy protestors. Way to go "Lobby!"

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!

[Hildy]

It’s not that simple...and I’m Jewish.

[sheik yerbouty]

Another shill for the fraudis and Chicoms..

[dennisw]

I actually buy the story that "the Israel lobby" was behind Freeman getting thrown under the bus, in the sense that the pressure came largely from pro-Israel activists and politicians. The difference is that I don't think there's anything wrong with that.

The anti-Israel lobby lost. The pro-Israel people won. Just another DC power struggle
Freeman had no use for Israel and this was rightfully reciprocated

[SJackson]

I actually buy the story that "the Israel lobby" was behind Freeman getting thrown under the bus,...There is nothing nefarious about a pressure group using its influence to change policy. That's what democracy is about.

While I agree about the value of pressure groups, even lobbyists, I think this went beyond Israel. It's true one of the initial objections came from Chuck Schumer and Mark Kirk, who I suppose get thrown into the nefarious "lobby", but note the signatures on the letter here, Tom Coburn, Christopher S. Bond, Saxby Chambliss, Richard Burr, Orrin G. Hatch, James E. Risch, Olympia J. Snowe. Hardly the typical "Israel Lobby". The ZOA objected early. I think the pro-Saudi, pro-China issue was far more important than the anti-Israel issue. I understand Pelosi was very vocal because of his China positions. This was a bad guy for a multitude of reasons, something most everyone buy Obama recognized. His reaction in leaving seems to confirm his identity as a Jew obsessive as well.