Romney assault on 'naive' Obama headlines expat Israeli-American fete

[Jefferson23]

The former Republican candidate used the ascendant Sheldon Adelson-backed Israeli-American Council to lambaste Obama’s letter to Iran’s leader and his 'demeaning' policy towards Israel.

By Chemi Shalev | Nov. 8, 2014 | 9:30 AM

The inaugural conference of the Israeli-American Council served as a platform for a blistering attack on President Barack Obama on Friday night, launched by his defeated rival in the 2012 elections, Republican Mitt Romney. The "naive" president, Romney said, “is weakening our military, distancing ourselves from allies, and being divisive and demeaning towards our friends.”

Romney said that he was ‘stunned’ by Obama’s recent letter to Iranian leader Ali Khamenei. “That the president would write a letter of this nature, in effect legitimizing a nation and a leadership that is violating international norms and is threatening the world, is so far beyond the pale, I was stunned. I was speechless.”

Romney was warmly received with a standing ovation by about 700 expatriate Israelis who are participating in the first-ever national political conference exclusively devoted to the expat Israeli community. The conference, organized by the Israeli American Council (IAC) aims to establish the community as a “strategic asset” for Israel in the U.S. and, according to Jewish activists, as a potent political force in the future. The organization was established in Los Angeles in 2007, but underwent dramatic development and expansion after casino mogul Sheldon Adelson's decision in late 2013 to serve as its main funder.

Romney, who was interviewed by his former adviser Dan Senor, author of the popular book “Start-Up Nation," told the crowd that he had flown on Adelson’s private plane last week from Alaska, where he had campaigned on behalf of the Republican candidate for the Senate, Dan Sullivan. Adelson sat in the audience, together with his wife Miri, who serves as the chairperson of the IAC’s Las Vegas branch. Also attending were Israel’s UN ambassador, Ron Prosor, who exhorted his audience to participate in hasbara efforts to defend Israel, as well as Israel’s new Interior Minister Gilad Erdan, who will address the conference on Sunday.

http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.625287

[BeyondGeography]

1. They're so cute

Living off of laundered money from corrupt Chinese officials and drug dealers, aka Sheldon's Macau gambling profits. Can't think of a better starting point for any strong-arming enterprise.

[Jefferson23]

2. I was wondering if Adelson thinks it's a good idea, and if Bibi would agree, that

dividing the parties up and no longer have bi-partisan support for Israel is a smart
thing to play around with.

Seems risky to me, I can see why our Republicans would like it to be so, but
I don't see how that would serve the Israeli agenda of continued occupation.

[BeyondGeography]

4. Oh they can buy plenty of Democratic support if need be

They also have the Great American Apathy working in their favor. Everything is peaches but the cream.

[King_David]

5. Can't see that happening with more than 80% of Jews supporting the Democratic Party

Adelson and Romney could only get 700 people here.

[Jefferson23]

6. That's one reason it is risky for Bibi. I don't see how it is wise to

screw around with Obama for the next two years. American Democrats,
especially the youth will only support, supporting Israel less, not more,
as a result.

[King_David]

7. It's not wise at all ,

It's idiotic.

[bemildred]

3. Superb acting, Mitt. nt