Last update - 00:00 18/03/2008
McCain rep to Jews: Christian right a 'serious problem'
By Shmuel Rosner, Haaretz Correspondent
Whenever Lawrence Eagleburger, former Secretary of State and the representative of the McCain campaign in a Jewish gathering, was called upon to respond, he was writing a new chapter of the straight-talk book
The location keeps changing, and the speakers might be different as well, but the goal remains the same: courting the Jewish vote. Today, it was in Washington, at the Washington 15 Conference, an event of the United Jewish Communities aimed at young Jewish leadership. And three campaigns sent their representatives as to convince these young enthusiastic crowed that Obama/Clinton/McCain is the candidate they should be voting for.
For Obama it was advisor (former ambassador to Israel) Daniel Kurtzer. For Clinton it was senior advisor Ann Lewis. For McCain, the most senior speaker, former Secretary of State, Lawrence Eagleburger. I will write more about this event later, but this first installment will be dedicated solely to the person speaking on behalf of McCain. With his abrupt, grumpy style, he stole the show, and also made some rather interesting comments.
Here is one prediction: this mouth of his might get the candidate in some trouble.
Yes, it can.
Eagleburger was trying to have fun. He was mocking his fellow panelist Kurtzer, sitting to the left of the others ("where he belongs"), and making noises and funny, impatient faces, as Lewis was speaking. But more importantly, he did not mince his words. In a response to a question about the religious right, an important component of the Republican coalition, he said that it was, indeed, "a serious problem" and reminded his listeners that he now lives in Charlottesville, surrounded by such people that he needs to fight.
One would think that this is not exactly what McCain needs, while he is trying to win over this reluctant constituency. But Eagleburger calmed these young Jews by promising that McCain will not change his ways as to please anyone. And did not forget to take a swipe on Rush Limbaugh - this is not the first time - while forgetting, or pretending to forget, his name.
Whenever Eagleburger was called upon to respond to a question or a comment, he gave something to chew on, as if writing a new chapter of the McCain straight-talk book. How can he, a member of the controversial Iraq Study Group, endorse the champion of the surge? Eagleburger has no problem to admit: he was the one making the mistake. He did not believe that the Bush administration can pull it off. He should have known better and either submit a dissenting report or quit the group altogether.
And talking about the more senior member of the group, also supporting McCain, James Baker, Eagleburger admits that Baker was not always considered best friend of Israel. But Eagleburger do not have a problem to talk about the dispute between the first Bush administration and the Israeli government over the lawn guarantees. Friendly countries do not always agree, he said. And such disputes can "become unpleasant". Bush, he said, was wrong to complain that he was standing alone against the all-powerful pro-Israel lobby. He does not seem to like the "pernicious ideas" of Walt and Mearsheimer. Nevertheless ? Israel supporters should cut Bush the father some slack. After all, he was the one fighting Iraq and kicking Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait.
And Eagleburger believes that those people who might want to "cut and run" from Iraq now are endangering Israel. If you?re worried about Israel, he said, "just think" about the consequences of leaving Iraq, essentially making Iran stronger. As I predicted many times in the past, in this election Israel might find itself in the middle of the American internal debate over the Middle East. The McCain camp is definitely going to use Israel as a way of convincing people that leaving Iraq prematurely is going to have grave results.
And why else should American Jews vote for McCain he was asked. His answer: for all the reasons all Americans should be voting for him. What you see is what you get. He will not talk to Iran, or to Syria (no matter what others might say), or to Hamas, or to Hezbollah. Countries and organizations calling for the destruction of Israel do not deserve to honor of speaking to an American president.
Oh, and one last thing: McCain also "has no interest" in hearing the opinions of Zbigniew Brezinski.