President Obama’s 2012 deputy campaign manager has refused to answer whether Obama or any of his administration has asked Palestinian or Arab leaders for “space” so Obama can be more “flexible” after the election.
This follows Obama’s infamous meeting in Seoul, South Korea, with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, in which Obama pled with him to beg president-elect Vladimir Putin for “space” with the promise that Obama would be more “flexible” after he was reelected. Tuesday night, Ari Fleischer, former press secretary to George W. Bush and now a CNN contributor, put the question of Obama asking space from the Arabs to Obama deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutter; Cutter refused to answer.
Obama’s question to Medvedev has triggered an outcry because of its implication: that Obama was waiting until the election cycle was over to cave to Russia on missile defense. Speaking with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, Obama said, “On all these issues, but particularly missile defense, this, this can be solved but it’s important for him [Putin] to give me space.” Medvedev replied, “Yeah, I understand. I understand your message about space. Space for you.” Obama then offered, “This is my last election. After my election I have more flexibility.” Putin is an opponent of the U.S.-NATO missile defense system for Europe.
As a result of Cutter’s non-answer, Matt Brooks, the executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, called for the Obama Administration to come clean:
President Obama’s plea for space with Russian President Medvedev makes me wonder if he has done something similar with any Arab or Palestinian leaders … given the President’s worrisome track record on Israel, it’s clear he wants to ratchet up pressure on Israel, but he doesn’t want to lose the Jewish vote. The American Jewish community and Israel’s friends in this country deserve to know whether President Obama has indicated to Arab or Palestinian leaders that if they give him space now, he will be more “flexible” with Israel after the election.
The answer, of course, is that Obama likely did exactly that. Remember, Obama has effectively asked Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to refrain from attacking Iran until after the 2012 election, putting the lives of 6 million Jews in Israel in mortal danger just so Obama’s reelection was assured. Would it be any wonder if he made assurances to Israel’s enemies to get them to hold off long enough to ensure a second term?
COMMENTS
Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.