Wave of change likely to wash away pro-Israel politicians

BUTLER, PA - Visitors to the sun-drenched square can wander among its several memorials, paying their respects to the fallen of war after war, from the American Revolution to the current conflict in Iraq, whose list of names is still growing, etched in wood instead of stone.

And then, among the wars, a surprise: another memorial, with a car engraved at the top. That car is the pride of Butler, Pennsylvania, where the first jeeps were manufactured. But we visit Butler today for another transportation event - the groundbreaking of a new bus terminal, attended by the town elders and its guest of honor, Senator Rick Santorum (Republican- PA), who flew in especially from another event across the state.

Later the same evening, a conservative television commentator called Santorum "the Winston Churchill of our times" - and this Churchill, on a surprisingly warm afternoon, wears an open collar for his short speech and turns over a shovelful of dirt. This is how a campaign looks. More ground to break, another hand to shake, another speech flattering his hosts. He doesn't even ask the audience to vote for him. Most apparently won't anyway. Santorum, after two terms of office, trails heavily in the polls. In an evening television interview, Santorum even evinces a certain acceptance. "I don't know how this race will end," he says, "but for now I will use the platform I have to tell the voters the truth."

The party has almost given up on Santorum, as well as on his neighbor to the West, Ohio Senator Mike DeWine who, polls indicate, is about to lose his seat to Democratic challenger Sherrod Brown. The Democrats need to take away six seats to retake control of the Senate, and these two, as well as the seats of Republican incumbents in Montana and Rhode Island, look like sure things. So the real battle is for two more seats, Tennessee and Virginia.

Either way, Santorum and DeWine's likely losses show just how much these elections are not being decided on the candidate's personality or positions. Santorum a right-wing ideologue, and DeWine, a moderate centrist, are vastly different in thinking and style, but face a common fate: both are being helplessly swept away in the wave washing over their party. The party has deserted both of them, to focus efforts in places where there is still something to save.

Those monitoring the election from the Israel perspective are somewhat disappointed and cautiously concerned by Santorum's likely defeat and by Sherrod Brown. Santorum has been one of Israel's most important friends in the Senate. Even those who disagree with his worldview can not deny his steady support for Israel. Not that his rival, Bob Casey, is suspected of being anti-Israel. "He will be fine," says an experienced observer but "Santorum was much more than fine."

In the Ohio race, there is no regret over the incumbent, but concern about the likely newcomer. Brown is a Democrat of the most liberal and radical mold the party has to offer. Like Ned LaMont, Joe Lieberman's rival in Connecticut, Brown has given no sign or clue that he plans to target Israeli policy for change. Nonetheless, Israel supporters in Washington furrow their brows at the polls predicting his victory. Even if he does no harm, someone said, he will certainly not help. Brown, a Congressman, has a very liberal voting record, which in current times makes him immediately suspect - even without any proof.