Publisher's Note
May 2, 2008
Deal Or No Deal
Andrew A. Buerger
Publisher
As do many people these days, I found myself debating presidential politics with a friend I hadn’t seen in years. I took advantage of her because I know she is a big George W. Bush supporter, and that, for me, was like a shark smelling a drop of blood.
I saw a fat softball pitch coming as if Manny Ramirez were about to feast on an Orioles pitcher: “But most people say he’s the most pro-Israel president ever. And do you think Obama would be the same?”
In case you missed it, the “most pro-Israel president ever” made a guest appearance on the NBC game show “Deal Or No Deal” last week. He did it to salute the Iraq war veterans. The show had its worst ratings ever.
I guess the pro-Israel president had a few moments between mountain bike rides. It’s a shame that he couldn’t have used his time more wisely, like for shuttling back and forth to Israel to help stop the barrage of missiles raining on Ashkelon and Sderot. Bush II may not have let Arafat sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom. Nor did Mrs. Bush bear-hug Arafat’s wife; and he certainly didn’t write a book titled “Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.”
But in the end, the presi- dent has made no progress in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leaving the centuries-old battle for yet another American president. Yes, W’s been loyal to Israel, but sometimes loyalty isn’t enough.
Many faulted the Clintons for literally embracing the Arafats and for micromanaging the Middle East situation. But you also have to credit Bill with the positive accord with Jordan, which is an economic boon to Israel, and for establishing a better relationship with what is now the Palestinian Authority.
Also, while Jimmy Carter has now slid from first to worst –– winning for himself the label as one of the most dangerously laughable ex-presidents ever — the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt he brokered is partially responsible for Israel’s strength today.
What this means is that, despite differing approaches –– from going street to street with maps of Jerusalem like President Clinton did to forge an agreement, to Bush’s benign neglect –– the results are similar. Israel is still a strong country with terrible neighbors, and America is still Israel’s best friend.
Israel celebrates her 60th birthday this week. And for almost every one of those years, Israel had a friend in the White House, even in the most unlikely of residents.
So, if elected, all the presidential candidates will be at Israel’s side from day one, and just like every crisis our 60-year-old friend has weathered, the next American president will be there for her. The approaches of the three current candidates will surely be different. Still, the situation is unlikely to change because no one has a solution for the Israeli-Palestinian stalemate.
Clinton and McCain may bomb Israel’s enemies. Obama wants dialogue. The Democratic candidates tend to be environmentally greener and therefore more proactive on reducing our reliance on Middle East oil. Their campaigns both talk of better auto mileage standards. I still haven’t heard any moonshot ideas from the Kennedy-esque Obama. (The New York Times reported Tuesday that both Clinton and McCain wanted to suspend the 18.5-cent federal gas tax. I agree with Obama that the $30 per person annual savings would be a huge mistake. It will do the opposite of what we need: Give people reasons to find alternatives to oil.)
This is the first election in a while where we have three viable candidates, each of whom would make a fine president. Just as crucial, all three will be friends of Israel and implement their own vision for a lasting peace for the Jewish state.
In the end, the reality will be the same as our lame duck president appearing on “Deal Or No Deal.” When it comes to peace it will be: No Deal.
But American Jews and Israelis together can rest, knowing that there will be life after the “most pro-Israel president ever.” We should celebrate Israel’s 60th with confidence knowing that the most powerful nation on earth has had a good friend in the United States. Our next president will stamp that tradition with his or her own strategy.