exmachina64
Banned
"Angered by Netanyahus invitation to address Congress, the White House is now quietly working to unsettle the prime minister before elections in Israel."
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Welcome to regime change, Obama-style. There are few opportunities to change the mullahcracy in Tehran. But Jerusalem may be another story. By accepting Speaker John Boehners invitation to address a joint meeting of Congress now widely seen as a real bungle the prime minister has given the Obama administration an opening. And you can bet the White House is taking advantage to make it unmistakably clear that Bibi is bad for the U.S.-Israeli relationship.
The White House has already made clear there will no meeting with President Obama, assuming that Netanyahu sticks to his word and actually shows up in early March. The good news for Netanyahu is that the two wont have another bad meeting. The not-so-good news is that the White House door will be closed to a sitting Israeli prime minister that doesnt happen often. While White House spokesman Josh Earnest has said that the reason is that were too close to an Israeli election, thats a stretch. Trust me: If Obama and Bibi were buddies, theyd be hugging in the Oval Office. Just look at former President Bill Clintons efforts to sway the 1996 election in Shimon Peress favor, which included seeing him at the White House. This close to an Israeli election, a freeze-out cant help the incumbent.This close to an Israeli election, a freeze-out cant help the incumbent.
There are many variables in determining the outcome of the March 17 elections. And clearly Barack Obama isnt the key issue in the campaign. Indeed, Obama isnt nearly as beloved as Clinton in Israel: A January 2014 poll indicated that only one in five trusted the president on Iran and a full 50 percent worried about his views on Israel. In any event, Israelis know that hell only occupy the White House for a couple of more years. But they also deeply understand that the U.S.-Israel relationship is important, particularly with the region melting down. In a close election, the perception that the incumbent has made hash of it might very well have an impact.
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