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Last update - 21:23 22/07/2008 Why Obama? By Yossi Sarid Tags: obama When the candidate lands here tomorrow, a fog of ambiguity will still hover over his position: It remains unclear whether Jerusalem, the focus of his brief trip, will be a united city under Israeli sovereignty or the capital of two states. Barack Obama doesn't have a clear idea himself, and he has been straddling the fence - he has no idea if the hands he will be shaking during his trip to Israel will be the same ones he'll be shaking in the future. Official Jerusalem has gotten used to the idea that Obama will be the next American president. At first, Israelis didn't think he would be able to beat Queen Hillary, and they were proven wrong, as usual. Indeed, there will be less enthusiasm for his visit than in Europe or among American soldiers, but the reality of the situation will be enough to spur Prime Minister Ehud Olmert to glad-hand Obama, even though the premier is a friend of U.S. President George W. Bush and presumptive Republican presidential nominee John McCain, and to compel Knesset Speaker Dalia Itzik to whisper a secret in the leading Democrat's ear. Even if Obama is not elected president, his candidacy has already left a deep impression. It has changed the path of American policy. Bush has agreed to negotiate with Iran and discuss a timetable for a U.S. withdrawal from Iraq. Even a blinded president is beginning to understand that there is no choice but to speak with the axis of evil and, even more so, with allies. Just as the Bible decreed it is not good for man to be alone, so, too, it is not good for America to be alone, taking action in the world as it would at home. Libya and North Korea agreed to give up their nuclear activities thanks to a carrot, not just a stick. And that is precisely what Obama is suggesting - to try to talk - for which he is depicted as spineless and strange. Such mudslinging is familiar to us, and we know that someone ends up doing the work later anyway - too late. Advertisement American Jews will monitor the visit, making sure to examine every remark, every facial expression. If they prefer McCain for reasons unconnected to Israel, that's their right. But if they prefer him because of Israel, they can keep their goodwill and not do us any favors. The government considers McCain a friend, and we've had enough of Bush's friendship, which left us stranded and was remembered only after seven years. Electing McCain means continuing the Bush-Cheney-Rice policy. It means another four years of trouble: the futile war between the "enlightened ones" and the "unenlightened ones" will continue; America's deterrent power will continue to dissipate; a peace agreement with Syria will be held off until the end of days, along with an Israeli-Palestinian deal; and the Arab League's peace plan will gather dust. McCain is not as obtuse as Bush or as corrupt as Cheney, but he is their successor. McCain has even removed himself from the international arena when it comes to environmental issues. Just this month, he supported Bush's plan to allow the greedy oil companies to continue to damage the ocean environment in sensitive regions that have rare natural resources. Obama has a good chance of being not just a president, but a world leader who wants to save himself from himself. Can it not be that, for a change, what's good for the world will also be good for the Jews, and what's good for the Jews will also be what's good for the world? Bookmark to del.icio.us   A hero or a pharaoh? An Iranian film praising Sadat's assassin has touched off a row between Egypt and Iran. Primary colors Barack Obama looks to reassure Jews of his commitment to Israeli security.   1.   Obama: Man of destiny or just another hack politician? 09:42  |  Natallie Durson 21/07/08   2.   Some advise for Mr Sarid 09:45  |  Proud Israeli 21/07/08   3.   WHAT an attitude problem"Israelis-wrong as usual"."Queeen Hillary 09:52  |  PETER SM 21/07/08   4.   Sarid hit the nail on the head 10:15  |  kameel 21/07/08   5.   Durson #1 10:47  |  George Kaplan 21/07/08   6.   Terrible news for Zionists from Natallie Durson # 1 10:54  |  Clickfool 21/07/08   7.   Obama 10:56  |  George Kaplan 21/07/08   8.   Obama the Imperial 11:04  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/07/08   9.   Why not Obama 11:06  |  Shimon Cleopas 21/07/08   10.   will Obama start a war with Pakistan? 11:30  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/07/08   11.   Mothers, start wishing upon a star 11:36  |  Shimon Cleopas 21/07/08   12.   Obama`s misunderstanding of Islamic terrorists 11:43  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 21/07/08   13.   Sarid`s Ghetto Mentality strikes again,now he`s found a Protector 11:57  |  Absolute Sweden 21/07/08   14.   US voters. 12:04  |  M. Franks-Lhermann 21/07/08   15.   Khadafi: Our brother Hussein Obama 12:13  |  Jonathan S 21/07/08   16.   A VERY SUCCESSFUL VISIT TO AFGHANISTAN 12:31  |  indrajaya 21/07/08   17.   One capital for two states ONLY SOLUTION 12:41  |  Ivar 21/07/08   18.   Semitic racism showing loud and clear here on Talkback 12:52  |  Mark B. 21/07/08   19.   # 18, MARK B 13:14  |  indrajaya 21/07/08   20.   to #`s 1 & 6 re: obama and special interests 13:14  |  eric 21/07/08   21.   Nobody Gets It 13:16  |  Yosemite 21/07/08   22.   Why no Obama 13:25  |  Hilda 21/07/08   23.   dear yossi 13:40  |  albert paul ortiz 21/07/08   24.   i do not care what photo ops obama uses; McCain is my choice. 13:41  |  Elliot 21/07/08   25.   #1 nutullies perpetual tunnel vision 13:42  |  victor hardman 21/07/08   26.   # 21, YOSEMITE 13:45  |  indrajaya 21/07/08   27.   Its not Obamas Ideals Im worried about 13:52  |  Ronnie Wolman 21/07/08   28.   Mark B Jews have a Long History of fighting for Civil Rights 13:59  |  Ronnie Wolman 21/07/08   29.   Re Cipora #8 #10 14:07  |  Esther 21/07/08   30.   Obama will NOT cut aid to Israel.... 14:14  |  The Equalizer 21/07/08   31.   I am an American Jew 14:39  |  Johnny Weintraub 21/07/08   32.   Careful about being in Obama awe 14:52  |  Tammy 21/07/08   33.   Why Obama? 15:00  |  Ruby 21/07/08   34.   # 32, TAMMY 15:04  |  indrajaya 21/07/08   35.   Oy vey, Obama! 15:04  |  Jonathan S 21/07/08   36.   IVAR pefect solution! for Estonia! 15:13  |  PETER SM 21/07/08   37.   DURSON Wrong! the majority of Jews have always voted Democrat 15:17  |  PETER SM 21/07/08   38.   #5 George Kaplan Wow! Grab This One! 15:19  |  Jim 21/07/08   39.   #31 Johnny Weintraub 15:33  |  Big Deal 21/07/08   40.   obama and change 15:34  |  Miriam 21/07/08   41.   MEANWHILE just saw Obama on TV talking about attacking Pakistan 15:35  |  PETER SM 21/07/08   42.   SARID IS NOT A JEW SO DONT GENERELIZE ALL ISRAELIS TO SARIDֱ 15:46  |  SARID=LEFT LUNATIC 21/07/08   43.   indrajaya,people in jarkarta can`t vote in american presidential 16:00  |  terrornator 21/07/08   44.   #12 Cipora Julianna Kohn 16:35  |  Tareq 21/07/08   45.   Jews FOR OBAMA! 16:38  |  NYC Jew 21/07/08   46.   #28 Ronnie Wolman 16:40  |  Jim 21/07/08   47.   We, Obama supports want peace for all 17:18  |  omolll 21/07/08   48.   wolman #28 18:17  |  george 21/07/08   49.   Why Would ANY Zionist Vote For Obama ? 19:03  |  Tod Zuckerman 21/07/08   50.   Indrajaya 19:03  |  Yosemite 21/07/08   51.   Dear Ronnie # 28 19:14  |  North American 21/07/08   52.   # 50, YOSEMITE 19:18  |  indrajaya 21/07/08   53.   Will Obama be another "cut and run" democrat president?? 19:29  |  Voice of Reason 21/07/08   54.   Don`t worry, Israel. Obama IS just another hack! 19:30  |  Toronto`s Finest 21/07/08   55.   Indrajaya 19:36  |  Jane 21/07/08   56.   # 55, JANE 19:51  |  indrajaya 21/07/08   57.   Cipora # 12 Ciporas misunderstanding of terrorists 20:21  |  American in NY 21/07/08   58.   #49 Say Zuckerman 20:36  |  ballistic 21/07/08   59.   Why? 20:39  |  Shmuelshachor 21/07/08   60.   #53 Voice of Reason, not aptly named 20:46  |  ballistic 21/07/08   61.   #45 NYC Jew 20:47  |  ballistic 21/07/08   62.   57 Gray, Obama will do things not because of AIPAC but 20:52  |  The Equalizer 21/07/08   63.   #43 Say Terrornator 20:53  |  ballistic 21/07/08   64.   #45 NYC Jew 20:57  |  Big Deal 21/07/08   65.   Ich bin ein Beginner 21:05  |  Jeremy 21/07/08   66.   To Proud Israeli #2 21:32  |  Otto Rand 21/07/08   67.   To Absolute Sweden #13 21:46  |  Otto Rand 21/07/08   68.   Cipora`s misunderstanding of Muslims 22:05  |  Otto Rand 21/07/08   69.   Ballistic #61,US victory in Iraq must really cause you pain 22:05  |  Voice of Reason 21/07/08   70.   Very good Tereq 22:13  |  Otto Rand 21/07/08   71.   Wow, A First! 22:17  |  Mark of Lewiston 21/07/08   72.