White House moves to put GOP on defensive over Iran, Israel policies

[babylonsister]

http://thehill.com/blogs/defcon-hill/policy-and-strategy/215353-white-house-moves-to-put-gop-on-defensive-over-iran-israel-policies

White House moves to put GOP on defensive over Iran, Israel policies
By Jeremy Herb - 03/11/12 12:10 PM ET


President Obama ramped up his attacks on his Republican rivals last week, pushing back at the idea his polices are anti-Israel.

Obama used a speech at the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference and a press conference to try to put Republicans on the defensive over Iran.

He ripped the GOP presidential field for employing overheated rhetoric on the campaign trail about going to war to prevent the country’s nuclear program, and sought to portray himself as supportive of Israel and tough toward Tehran.

snip//


“Those folks don’t have a lot of responsibilities,” Obama said. “They’re not commander in chief. When I see the casualness with which some of these candidates talk about war, I’m reminded … of the decisions I have to make in sending these men and women into battle.

“This is not a game,” Obama said.

snip//

Obama supporters felt he strengthened his position on Israel. Jeremy Ben-Ami, president of J-Street, a dovish pro-Israel Jewish advocacy group, said the president was effective in deflecting Republican attacks by showing his support for Israel and that he’s in control of the Iran situation.

“I think it’s very important the president was on offense,” said Ben-Ami. “The president has a really strong case to make that he has a powerful pro-Israel record to run on, and those who are looking to say otherwise are doing it for purely partisan political gain.”

[annabanana]

1. Ben-Ami was on UP with Chris Hayes this morning.

It was a fasscinating discussion. The guy makes a lot of sense.