Netanyahu's dangerous deal with the Republicans

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4618044,00.html

Netanyahu is not the first prime minister to be aided by the American political system on his way to the polls. It's wrong and it harms the purity of the democratic process, but it's the reality. There are pressing interests on both sides, and there is a lot of temptation. One can only take comfort in the fact that in most cases these attempts fail.

But Netanyahu is taking it one step further this time. There has never been a deal like the one struck here: The American Republican Party is intervening in our elections, and in return an Israeli party is intervening in their politics. They are helping Netanyahu beat his rivals here, and he is helping them humiliate their rival there. It's dangerous. It's poisonous. It's not so amusing anymore.

The American administration has no doubt that the invitation was a joint scheme concocted by the Republicans in the Congress, the Prime Minister's Office and the Jewish patrons of both sides. According to the acceptable behavioral norms, the Congress leadership should have informed the White House about the invitation in advance. It didn't do so. Netanyahu should have informed the State Department and the White House about it, and perhaps even listen to their opinion about the timing. That wasn't done.
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Netanyahu's decision to hide the invitation he received is perceived in Washington not just as impertinence by a guest, but also as ingratitude of the ugliest kind.

[99th_Monkey]

1. Well, this is bordering on an open insurrection -nt-

[unblock]

2. this seems so inside-the-beltway. the public wants to know: were bibi's balls deflated?

i mean, sure it's wrong. definite breach of protocol.

but will anything come of it?

[Fred Sanders]

3. Once again America has to hear the undeniable truth from the free press of another nation.

Meanwhile Obama's popularity continues to soar. Quite the predicament if your goal is to convince
Americans, by hook or by crook, that "Obama is a failure". The cave folk the GOP believes will help them usher in Chrstfukuistan need their raw red meat.

http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/other/president_obama_job_approval-1044.html

[libodem]

4. You know he wants

To cut across Iran with an oil pipeline to his back yard.

He should stay home and negotiate a two state solution.

Conservatives of any stripe are Authoritarian Fascist Pigs these days. All about wealthy elitism.

Fuck Boner and that Yahoo.

[philly_bob]

5. Reminds me of alleged Republican October Surprise

One conspiracy theory I tend to believe:

See wikipedia "October Surprise Conspiracy Theory"

Republicans using backroom political deals to cynically influence outcome of democratic elections.

[King_David]

6. Agree 100%

Stay home you just being foolish and hopefully it backfires on you.

PM Hertzog please.

[RoverSuswade]

7. I wish the American media would just ignore his visit.

But that won't happen. Fox will provide wall-to-wall coverage. Bibi will also make an appearance on O'Reilledup.

[Iliyah]

10. cnn

[oberliner]

8. "Netanyahu will deliver the speech on February 11..."

March 3rd actually.

[Iliyah]

9. never happend

2015

[KauaiK]

11. The damage that Bibi has done to American's perception of Israel is breathtaking in its arrogance

The bombing of Gaza iced the cake for me. Trying to emasculate Obama thru someone as pathetic as Bohener is going to blow up in his face.

[oberliner]

12. Only among Democrats

Among Republicans, he is regarded quite highly. Sort of like Maggie Thatcher back in the day.

[R. Daneel Olivaw]

13. Well, ober, suckers for that kind of shit are a dime a dozen. Right?

[oberliner]

14. Indeed they are

Watch what happens when he speaks to Congress. As that other article you posted suggested, I expect numerous standing ovations from the Republicans (and some of the more hawkish Democrats).

[nilesobek]

15. Reminds me of a story from Gulag Archipelago.

There is a Soviet political rally and Stalin is speaking. The captured (literally) audience listens to a lengthy speech full of verbage and responds with thunderous applause at the end. The only problem being that no audience member wants to be the first one to stop applauding...out of fear.

The applause goes on for almost an agonizing hour, with audience members falling faint from medical conditions, this was somehow excused. Finally, a brave man in the audience started to applaud more slowly and then finally, gradually, he stopped clapping. He was immediately arrested, taken out and shot.

I don't know why this Netanyahu visit reminds me of this Solzenytsin vignette but it might be the nauseating scene of repeat standing ovations for a foreign leader in our congress all the while the same Congress condemning our President.