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Presidential Candidates and their Speeches to AIPAC & Israel Lobby |
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The U.S. Presidential Elections already in full swing, it would seem prudent to look at what some of the candidates are saying to AIPAC and to look at their foreign policy agenda in regard to the Middle East. More info coming.... Senator Hillary Clinton Democratic Senator Hillary Clinton spoke to AIPAC February 1, 2007 Her remarks are here. "No Options off the table" in regard to Iran. Democrat John Edwards spoke
to AIPAC in March 2006. "This week, during a speech at the Herzliya Conference, a major international gathering dedicated to Israeli security and diplomatic issues, Edwards stuck to his hawkish positions on Iran." Jewish Daily Forward Hillary the Favorite in Race for Jewish Donations January 26th, 2007 Edwards joined the chorus of those threatening the Iranian government. "Iran threatens the security of Israel and the entire world," Edwards said, echoing a line peddled by many neoconservatives. "Let me be clear: Under no circumstances can Iran be allowed to have nuclear weapons." ...by calling on Congress to deny funding for an escalation of troops and advocating the immediate withdrawal of 50,000 US soldiers---why is Edwards veering right on Iran? There's a few possible explanations. One, Edwards
sincerely believes in a more confrontational Iran policy. Two, he's
pandering to win the support and money of hawkish "pro-Israel" voters and
donors. Three, he's trying to impress the foreign policy intelligentsia by
talking tough.
The Nation Edwards Iran Problem. January 29, 2007 Democratic Senator Barack Obama spoke to AIPAC in March 2007. Read the full speech From the speech: ...Our job is to rebuild the road to real peace and lasting security throughout the region. That effort begins with a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel: our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy. My plan also allows for a limited number of U.S. troops to remain and prevent Iraq from becoming a haven for international terrorism and reduce the risk of all-out chaos. In addition, we will redeploy our troops to other locations in the region, reassuring our allies that we will stay engaged in the Middle East.... The world must work to stop Iran’s uranium enrichment program and prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. It is far too dangerous to have nuclear weapons in the hands of a radical theocracy. And while we should take no option, including military action, off the table, sustained and aggressive diplomacy combined with tough sanctions should be our primary means to prevent Iran from building nuclear weapons. How Obama learned to love Israel I first met Democratic presidential hopeful Senator Barack Obama almost ten years ago when, as my representative in the Illinois state senate, he came to speak at the University of Chicago. He impressed me as progressive, intelligent and charismatic. I distinctly remember thinking 'if only a man of this caliber could become president one day.' ...While constantly emphasizing his concern about the threat Israelis face from Palestinians, Obama said nothing about the exponentially more lethal threat Israelis present to Palestinians. More From Electronic Intifadah
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