James Cunningham, who is our ambassador to Israel, says “According to the polls, there is doubt” about whether Obama is “a good friend to Israel.”
According to a poll in August, 4% of Israeli Jews think Obama is pro-Israel. That’s four percent. One in twenty-five. In a country not known for consensus politics.
It seems to me that this result leaves no room for doubt whatever. How low would the percentage have to be to resolve Mr. Cunningham’s sense of “doubt”?
Comments 2
You’re kind to him Peter, but then one must be kind to diplomats put in his position.
The lede is, “US President Barack Obama is Israel’s “closest friend,” contrary to what many Israelis seem to believe in recent polls, US Ambassador James Cunningham told a Tel Aviv audience. . .”
Presumably he said it pretty much as that goes, unless the reporter or the editor was engaging in wishful hearing or editing.
It always amazes me that diplomats can utter such transparent falsehoods with straight faces. And that audiences can keep from groaning or rolling their eyes too obviously on hearing them. Diplomats are, of course, necessary; but what a job!
That 4% poll number is pretty amazing. I would have guessed that 20% or more of people would be constitutionally unable to believe something that carries as much potential menace as that. The raw odds say he gets re-elected which means 7 more years without a reliable ally in the world.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:51 pm
As evidence that Obama is “Israel’s closest friend,” Cunningham cited the administration’s “opposition to the Goldstone report.” I suppose if they didn’t have the Goldstone report they would have to fall back on their opposition to the Protocols of the Elders of Zion.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:11 am
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