Some sobering words from some eight Senators

I only had the time and the patient to listen to eight Senators today, and anyway, the event was somewhat losing steam after Hillary Clinton concluded her remarks. This is the Senator most of the people present eagerly waited for, not necessarily because they like her the most (they probably like Joe Lieberman much more), but rather because she has the star power of - well - a really big star.

It was the Senate luncheon of the Leadership Mission to Washington of the Jewish Orthodox Union, orchestrated by the Institute for Public Affairs of the organization. The Senators entered one by one, and spoke quite briefly (Senate time). It was interesting to follow the topics they chose to speak about and the tone of the remarks. They all came well prepared to this audience, namely, Orthodox Jews: Strong on Israel, and not as liberal as the majority of American Jews.

Israel

They all support Israel. Senators who do not support Israel would never come to speak to the OU. They shared anecdotes (Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota has met Prime Minister Sharon for half an hour, just weeks before he collapsed, and will never forget it). They explained why Israel is an ally (Shared values and shared history according to Clinton). They mentioned the Iranian threat time and again (Lieberman compared Iran's leadership to Hitler and Bin Laden). Bottom line: Israel is in great danger, but we will never abandon it.

Iran

Lieberman was the one speaking about Iran more than others. After all, he was the one suggesting this passing weekend that "we've got to be prepared to take aggressive military action against the Iranians to stop them from killing Americans in Iraq" and had some explaining to do.

And he laid the case briefly but confidently: Iran is sponsoring terror that is harmful to American interests in Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and elsewhere. The Mideast is "boiling" and Iran is "driving it". Lieberman wants to see it stop, but it will not happen by persuasion alone. "Diplomacy without the credible threat of real action will not take us anywhere", he said.

Clinton didn't go that far. She repeated her assertion from the past that Iran should not and will not be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon. But she also called for more discussion with the Iranians. Her argument, though, seemed to hint at the possibility of future action. Talking to Iran is essential, she said, as to show the world that all peaceful venues were explored. If worst comes to worst and the conflict gets out of hand, America will need its allies, and they will only come if it was clear that force was indeed the last resort.

Talks

But talks with Iran weren't the only more-engagement-needed topic of the day. Senator Ben Cardin was one of many to take note of recent events in the Middle East and decided to show some bravery and to tell the crowed what he thought was not what they wanted to hear: America needs to be more engaged in the region (I guess what he meant is that it needs to be more engaged in peace making in the region. No one in his right mind will say that America is not engaged enough in the region).

"It is an area that needs the attention of all of us", Cardin said. And Senator Arlen Specter, the amusing of all guests, echoed such sentiments as he talked about the need to have peace talks between Israel and Syria. President "Assad", he admitted, "is not a boy scout". Nevertheless, Specter, who also visited Damascus recently, defying the administration of his own (Republican) party, think it is worthwhile trying.

Issues

So, what were the issues mentioned in these two hours? If I counted correctly these are the numbers: Energy independence twice, Israel every time, Iran seven out of eight, Hamas six out of eight, homeland security issues (synagogues) three times, the Lebanon war four times, Islamic radicalism four times. "With these rather sobering words", as Clinton concluded, the Senators hoped to gain the support of those listening.