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Barack Obama (AP) Last update - 22:10 03/02/2008 Obama, Clinton and Iran: The vote that made the difference By Shmuel Rosner, Haaretz Correspondent Tags: Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama  RACE FOR THE WHITE HOUSE: More and more commentators think Obama has a greater chance of winning. National Journal included 29 foreign-policy votes in calculating its annual rankings of votes by members of the U.S. Senate. Barack Obama was declared the most liberal senator in 2007. Hillary Clinton was ranked the 16th-most liberal senator. Both altered their voting patterns in the past year - cynics will say because of the elections; the candidates will claim they acted on the merit of each vote. Either way, in 2006 Obama was ranked 10th, and Clinton 32nd. This represents a clear move leftward for both of them. The Washington weekly's annual rankings - the most reliable and authoritative around - examined these two candidates' foreign policy records primarily through votes concerning Iraq. But the list includes Clinton's vote for the Kyl-Lieberman Amendment, which designates the Iranian Revolutionary Guard as a foreign terrorist organization. Clinton supported it, Obama was absent, later said he would have voted against it, and also attacked Clinton's vote in support of what might be interpreted as an excuse for President George W. Bush to go to war with Iran. Last Thursday Obama and Clinton met for a television debate in California, their last before Super Tuesday. Anticipation ran high, on the assumption that sparks would fly between these two, but in the end both candidates kept a restrained tone. Recent days have seen an increase in the ranks of commentators who think Obama has a greater chance of winning the nomination - but Clinton evidently decided there is no point in trying to hammer Obama, since the blows delivered by her and her husband, the ex-president, boomeranged. The debate turned into a detailed and frequently tiresome discussion of their proposals for reform in various fields. Advertisement When Obama was asked to cite the differences in their policy approaches, he returned to Iran. This is a weak point he has identified since Kyl-Lieberman: voters' suspicion that Clinton will be too aggressive toward Tehran. Clinton and I do not agree, Obama said, on "meeting with Iran. He long ago promised a senior-level meeting with the Iranian leaders, whereas Clinton said in the past that she would meet only after lengthy preparations, and when it is clear there is a point to it. Obama also said that the National Intelligence Estimate regarding Iran shows that "offering them both carrots and sticks" increased the chance they will "change their behavior." This, essentially, was the proof he supplied for his argument about the need to negotiate with the Iranians. The argument over Obama's positions, and what they mean for those interested in Israel's welfare, is not over. Obama won a favorable review from the editor of the influential weekly The New Republic, Martin Peretz, who is not suspected in the U.S. of being a pure-white dove in his attitude to Israel. Peretz is not worried by Obama's candidacy, and also sought to refute the claim that Robert Malley - a member of Bill Clinton's peace team who blames Israel more than Yasser Arafat, for the failure of the Camp David summit - is Obama's adviser on Middle-Eastern affairs (Malley sometimes is asked for his opinion, but the official positions of the campaign are far from being his own). On the other hand, the right-wing New York Sun on Friday attacked Obama for praising two Republican senators, Dick Lugar and Chuck Hagel, who are not considered great supporters of Israel. This would be less interesting had not that same paper just days before - and to the surprise of many of its readers - written that Obama deserves credit for repeatedly expressing support for Israel. The newspaper did not look kindly upon Obama's opting (in a Newsweek interview) to name Lugar and Hagel as models of Republicans who represent "the best tradition in foreign policy." These two are among the chief "realists," whose voting record leaves no hope for those interested in a bellicose American stance toward Iran, for example. They were the only two senators who voted in 2001 against renewing sanctions legislation against Iran and Libya (96 voted in favor). Hagel, who considered running for president himself, regularly received the lowest grade from the "Israeli Index" panel - the team of experts monitoring for Haaretz the candidates' positions on matters relating to Israel. In any case, the newspaper wrote, either Obama is simply ignorant and doesn't know what he's talking about - or else, in choosing to mention them specifically, "he spells trouble for the cause of those Americans who stand with the State of Israel." Either way, here Obama's National Journal rankings on foreign policy votes: 92 on the liberal index - in other words, he was more liberal than 92 percent of senators - and 7 on the conservative index - that is, he was more conservative than just 7 percent of senators. His foreign policy voting record is almost perfectly liberal: only in one case did he vote for the ostensibly conservative position, when he voted against any cuts to budgets for troops deployed in a combat zone. Clinton, despite a hawkish image, was also fairly liberal on votes concerning foreign policy: more than 83 percent of senators. She was more conservative than just 16 percent of senators. Her vote on Kyl-Lieberman is what made the difference. Bookmark to del.icio.us   All in the family Tel Aviv municipality moves to retain contract with Gaza City as 'twin city.' Pining for a leader A documentary examines Ariel Sharon's motive for the Gaza disengagement.   1.   National Review partisan; see VoteView 08:51  |  DrSteveB 03/02/08   2.   Don`t count on the US to do the dirty work 08:56  |  RW 03/02/08   3.   IRAN and your future 10:10  |  Mahmood 03/02/08   4.   mahmood preaching to the deaf adder 13:45  |  Truths 03/02/08   5.   #1: National Journal is not National Review!!! 14:40  |  yoram 03/02/08   6.   #5 I know; still did hatchet job on Kerry 15:51  |  Steve 03/02/08   7.   Viva 16:18  |  Human 03/02/08   8.   Iran is a distraction. Russia & China are the problems 16:46  |  POP 03/02/08   9.   Obama a Disaster for America 17:38  |  Brod 03/02/08   10.   Mahmood in Dubai 18:14  |  Tzahi 03/02/08   11.   To Brod 18:18  |  Ben Hamed 03/02/08   12.   Obama and Clinton 18:31  |  Mark Jeffery Koch 03/02/08   13.   Mahmood from Dubai, your ideas 18:31  |  Sam 03/02/08   14.   Americans are finally opening their eyes... 18:51  |  Ben 03/02/08   15.   Obama won`t win if elected democratic candidate 18:51  |  Dror 03/02/08   16.   democratic candidate 18:55  |  joki 03/02/08   17.   Let it be 18:56  |  Absolute Truth 03/02/08   18.   # 13 Sam 19:15  |  Bob 03/02/08   19.   Who cares if it`s Democratic or Republican ....... 20:12  |  IL supporter 03/02/08   20.   9# 20:33  |  Cheops 03/02/08   21.   #9 Brod 20:42  |  James Rassouk 03/02/08   22.   More liberal than a Socialist? 20:54  |  Absurd 03/02/08   23.   A strong, prosperous and respected America... 20:59  |  Ariel 03/02/08   24.   To RW (#2) 21:38  |  Morris Valentine 03/02/08   25.   Intelligence 22:40  |  Ed Metelits 03/02/08   26.   Brod - Worse than Bush? 22:58  |  Mark of Lewiston 03/02/08   27.   Mark Jeffery Koch - You don`t need an American Islamic 23:15  |  Ben 03/02/08   28.   Both of them had no qualifications and accomplishments 23:18  |  Cristo 03/02/08   29.   Obama, Clinton 00:30  |  Ryan Markovitz 04/02/08   30.   For Dror on Ron Paul 00:31  |  Fortuna Benmayor 04/02/08   31.   Response to #3 00:54  |  Give me a break 04/02/08   32.   Obama`s Israel policy: MoveOn.org 01:50  |  Mack E. 04/02/08   33.   Mark #26 05:39  |  Brod 04/02/08   34.   #27 Ben 10:49  |  Lloyd 04/02/08   35.   To Brod - Groundless 11:30  |  Niku 04/02/08   36.   Niku #35 14:52  |  Brod 04/02/08   37.   # 9 Obama a Disaster for America YOU"RE RIGHT ON! 17:46  |  Petra 04/02/08   38.   # 15 Dror Not Ron Paul as polls show. 17:51  |  Petra 04/02/08   39.   # 27 Ben BINGO! 18:03  |  Petra 04/02/08   40.   Morris VAlentine NOPE you forgot something 18:05  |  Petra 04/02/08   41.   # 33 Brod not so surprising the Papists hate Israel 18:11  |  Petra 04/02/08   42.   # 34 LLoyd Chicago 18:17  |  Petra 04/02/08   43.   Clarification on Kyl-Lieberman Amendment 18:43  |  Carah Ong 04/02/08   44.   obama x clinton 21:28  |  Shmuelshachor 04/02/08   45.   Lane Bryant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 21:37  |  Does this change u? 04/02/08   46.   Lane Bryant Lane Bryant Lane Bryant!!!!!!!!!!!! 21:38  |  Wake up Stupid 04/02/08   47.   Crime will go up if Obama wins!!!!!!!!! 21:38  |  Duh! 04/02/08   48.   Obama is an empty suit and a light weight. We dont need excellent 23:00  |  Steve-NYC 04/02/08   49.   #41 "Chosen People" 02:21  |  Ty 05/02/08   50.   Not either of them, don?t the histories will repeat votefor McCai 02:33  |  e.m.Jordan is Palest 05/02/08   51.   Not either of them, don?t the histories will repeat votefor McCai 02:33  |  e.m.Jordan is Palest 05/02/08   52.   Not either of them, don?t the histories will repeat votefor McCai 02:33  |  e.m.Jordan is Palest 05/02/08   53.   Nr 49 TY of Buenos Aires, read the bible before you whine 05:45  |  Cristo 05/02/08   54.   Obama Aide Wants Talks with TERRORIST HAMAS 19:30  |  Linda Rivera 05/02/08   55.   We are Electing President of USA 22:50  |  FreeAmerican 05/02/08   56.   # 7 23:41  |  Mark 05/02/08   57.   not known for the sharp minds 03:03  |  true intelligence 06/02/08   58.   # 53 05:56  |  Mark 06/02/08   59.   More Liberal becasue . . . 12:55  |  Shlomo 06/02/08   60.   to #15 Dror 13:42  |  Hilda 06/02/08   61.   to #13 13:52  |  Hilda 06/02/08   62.   Obama is good for Israel 03:50  |  Cohen 07/02/08   63.   # 55 You should have told Bush 15:04  |  Petra 07/02/08   64.   #9 Brod 18:10  |  Joe 07/02/08   65.   its israel who decides for america afterall 20:22  |  jew.s.a 07/02/08   66.   Obama a Disaster for America 20:42  |  Eva 07/02/08   67.   "islamisizing the world" and "their God,Allah" 10:58  |  shia muslim lebanese 08/02/08   68.   I like Ron Paul too 02:06  |  hollingsworth 09/02/08   69.   #67 Who are you kidding? 20:00  |  fiona 09/02/08   70.   Obama - Oprah`s candidate 20:04  |  amused 09/02/08   71.   # 69 13:50  |  harald 11/02/08

Today Online Hamas leaders go underground as Israel plans targeted killings Responses: 132 Harel and Issacharoff: New Hamas tactic: Bomb Israel into truce Responses: 73 Hebron settlers, Arab clans said holding 'reconciliation talks' Responses: 51 Editorial: Israel must protect its citizens and borders at all costs Responses: 52 Rosner's Domain Think Clinton won the Jewish vote in California? Think again McCain found a tool with which to woo conservative Republicans: Israel Why many Jewish men go beardless (WTR) New poll: Is it legitimate to cut electricity to Gaza? Factor: How's McCain better than Obama More Headlines 12:41 Barak orders IDF to gird for wide Gaza offensive 13:34 Hamas leaders go into hiding as Israel plans targeted killings 14:14 U.S. Jew says kicked out of Belgian cafe for wearing kippah 14:38 Sderot residents move protest over Qassam fire to Tel Aviv 13:45 Olmert: Security forces may use every means to stop rockets 13:50 Barak said hoping to clinch spy satellite sale during Turkey visit 09:52 ANALYSIS / New Hamas tactic: Bomb Israel into a truce 13:12 On revolution anniversary, Iran vows not to suspend nuclear program 14:30 Jewish-owned home torched in northern Druze town of Peki'in youth 13:23 Obama rides momentum before 'Potomac Primaries' on Tuesday 12:44 U.S. pushes Israel to accept proposed Egypt border deal 09:01 Police: Crime dropped in 2007 as less terror put cops back on beat 14:29 Denied entry to U.S., Amy Winehouse dominates Grammies from afar Previous Editions Select Day 10 feb 08 feb 07 feb 06 feb 05 feb 04 feb 03 feb 01 feb 31 jan 30 jan 29 jan 28 jan

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