Posted on 02/20/2015 4:43:25 PM PST by jazusamo
The White House is reportedly exploring how to handle Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's upcoming address to Congress and is considering a media blitz to counter his messaging.
The Associated Press reported Friday that U.S. officials are mulling multiple responses, including having President Obama sit for an interview with "a prominent journalist known for coverage of the rift between Obama and Netanyahu."
Other options include senior White House national security aides appearing on multiple Sunday morning shows as well as the administration bucking tradition and sending lower-level foreign policy officials to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference, the AP reported.
The conference, which is a major gathering for pro-Israel activists, will be held in March while Netanyahu is in Washington.
Administration officials are considering sending recently-confirmed Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken to speak at AIPAC's annual policy conference, AP reported, though Treasury Secretary Jack Lew could also attend. More senior officials, including Secretary of State John Kerry and Vice President Biden, have attended the conference in the past. Obama spoke in 2012.
Two potential Republican presidential candidates seized on the report to reaffirm their support for the Israeli leader, who accepted an invitation to speak from Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio).
Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush tweeted that he was "very disappointed" the White House would attempt to "undermine" Netanyahu's speech, while Sen. Ted Cruz (Texas) tweeted that the U.S. is "stronger when we stand firmly with our allies."
Jeb Bush
Very disappointed the White House would try to undermine @netanyahu’s speech, our strongest ally in the Middle East
2:08 PM - 20 Feb 2015
Ted Cruz
We're stronger when we stand firmly with our allies.
RT to let @netanyahu know he will be warmly welcomed when he visits DC next month.
2:26 PM - 20 Feb 2015
The White House did not respond to a request for comment on the report.
Netanyahu's address to Congress has roiled already tense relations between Israel and the Obama administration. The White House is currently hammering out a framework deal over Iran's nuclear program that faces a self-imposed deadline at the end of March.
Many congressional Democrats have said they will not attend the speech, on the basis that inviting a foreign leader to deliver a rebuke to a sitting president in front of Congress is disrespectful.
Obama and Kerry have said they won't attend the Israeli prime minister’s March 3 address since it falls two weeks before Netanyahu is up for reelection in his country.
Biden will be in Latin America discussing immigration, the White House said this week.
The Democrats ignore Israel at their peril. Israel is the only Nation that G-d is promised to protect. Unfortunately, the Democrats’ treatment of Mr. Netanyahu may spill over to the rest of America. Do not be surprised if any of this happens.
I agree with others. Boehner should double down and invite Al Sisi.
Amen...That would really tick off 0bambam.
Given the relative positions of Øbozo and Netanyahu the best and smartest thing for Øbozo to do is.....nothing. Naturally he’s likely to do the exact opposite.
regarding Iraq = regarding Iran
There are American allies and there are Obummer allies, ne'er the twain shall meet.
“I agree with others. Boehner should double down and invite Al Sisi.”
That would be a great move - after Obama has invited the muslim brothers to the white hut multiple times.
“I will stand with the Muslims,” as was ghost-written into ø’s book.
And he’s doing it.
If the White House were to start campaigning FOR Netanyahu, THAT would doom the Israeli PM’s career.
He could start with posters such as:
“BAMBI FOR BIBI!”
Juan Williams went off on Bibi tonight when Hannity pointed out that Obama had people over there working against him. I’m so sick of Juan today. He is really getting obnoxious. He’s loud, talks over people and just plain unbearable to watch. He never strays from protecting Obama no matter how stupid he sounds.
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