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Was Bush's Knesset speech a swipe at Obama? By Shmuel Rosner Barack Obama's aides were quick to respond. His people called it "extraordinary politicization of foreign policy." While U.S. President George W. Bush was speaking in Israel and comparing those who would talk with Iran to those who would have talked to Adolf Hitler, a storm broke out in the American political arena. Did Bush mean Obama? Was he comparing him to Neville Chamberlain? The president's travels in the Holy Land - which didn't make a lot of headlines in a media steeped in election coverage - were suddenly hot news. Bush taunted those who follow "the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history." There is only one candidate for the White House in 2008 who advocates direct dialogue with the Iranian regime, and that is Obama. And although the White House stated that Bush's remarks were not directed at Obama, pundits - and the campaign headquarters - were quick to find clues indicating that these comments were directed at the senator from Illinois. Obama issued a statement: "It is sad that President Bush would use a speech to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel's independence to launch a false political attack." Advertisement Democratic strategy Obama also has an inherent interest in faking insult, thus garnering attention and emphasizing for voters the differences between him and Bush - and Republican candidate John McCain, widely seen as Bush's ideological heir. Tying McCain to Bush is the Democratic strategy ahead of the upcoming election. And regarding Israel, the strategy is clear too: Everyone supports Israel, and any Republican attempt to claim otherwise is nothing but lies. Even Obama's rival, Hillary Clinton, said yes when asked if Obama would support Israel. So too says House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-California) ahead of her visit to Israel next week: All of them will support Israel - Obama, Clinton and McCain. Obama, as we wrote yesterday, is working to calm voters worried that he might not support Israel as strongly as his predecessors. McCain plans to use the Iranian issue to prove that not all forms of support are equal. He hopes to attract Jewish votes in states like Florida, which could tip the scales in his favor, and believes he will succeed - certainly in getting more Jewish votes than Bush did in 2004. Obama is setting his sights on McCain as Clinton slides out of political consciousness. Even with her impressive win in West Virginia, she had trouble filling the seats on her press bus this week, while Obama garners headline after headline. He's gotten some help from his new friend, John Edwards, a crucial endorsement. And no one knows which way the prized Al Gore endorsement will go yet. But Obama needs something more than Gore's endorsement: He needs superdelegates. He already has more of these than Clinton, but he will clinch the nomination only after he has enough to boost him from the "leading" candidate to the "winning" candidate. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Animated massacre Animated Israeli film at Cannes explores Sabra and Shatila massacre. Kowtowing to funders When papers are sponsored, can their reporting be truly independent?

Read & React Israel protests UN chief Ban Ki-Moon's use of term 'Nakba' Responses: 595 PMO: U.S., Israel see need for 'tangible action' on Iran nukes Responses: 148 Shmuel Rosner: Bush, Obama and the 'appeasement' jibe Responses: 104 Bin Laden vows to 'fight' Israel for Palestinian land Responses: 232 Sultan al-Qassemi: Arab Jews should be welcomed back in their ancestral homes Responses: 167 More Headlines 21:59 Officials: Barak, Livni to meet Mubarak on Gaza 22:58 Report: Egypt warns Hamas of major IDF Gaza raid if Shalit not freed 21:03 Report: U.S. asks Turkey to push harder for Israel-Syria talks 18:35 Ex-IAF Chief: Expect thousands of rockets on Israel in future war 21:30 Police said set to confront Olmert with new evidence 01:30 Bush tells Palestinians he's 'absolutely committed' to peace deal 13:46 Min. Dichter says considering bid for Kadima leadership 14:44 Egyptian press blasts Bush over 'Torah-inspired' Knesset speech 17:26 ANALYSIS / Siniora's gov't will fall, the question is when 20:28 Obama says Bush policies strengthened Iran, Hamas 19:15 Police investigating possible murder-suicide near Ben Shemen 15:30 Two men shot to death in Kiryat Ata drive-by murder Previous Editions Select Day 16 may 15 may 14 may 13 may 12 may 11 may 09 may 08 may 07 may 06 may 05 may 04 may

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