It used to be that the hard line Jewish right could torment Democrats who did not follow their pro-Israel playbook. Not anymore. President Obama and Jewish moderates are providing cover.
By: Dayo Olopade
Before Rep. Donna Edwards, of Maryland’s Fourth Congressional district, traveled to Israel and the Palestinian territories for the first time in May, she hadn’t thought much about minorities in the Jewish state: “As an African-American woman, I really didn't have a perception of a significant minority population in Israel, and there is,” she told the Washington Jewish Week, adding that minority rights in Israel are “a work in progress.”
The United Nations opens its first global racism conference in eight years on Monday with the U.S. and at least seven other countries boycotting the event out of concern that Islamic countries will demand that it denounce Israel.
I have tried, earnestly, to write this column outside the political box as often as possible, but Barack Obama keeps making news. And, as I approach my 37th anniversary as a professional journalist, I am tempted to argue that there is no need for apologies. This is, after all, a brand new story, and I am a political reporter. Moreover, this is a tale I have always dreamed of chronicling -- that of a black American who might really become president of the United States.
Of course, Obama’s putative opponent, John McCain, was obliged to carp about his fellow senator’s sojourn to Iraq, Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and England. “New” politics aside, no one at this stage of the game can afford to compliment his or her opponent or to leave an achievement unpunished.
Still, he was out of line by implying that Obama is more committed to becoming president than he is to the country’s welfare. It made McCain seem both mean-spirited and desperate. I’m sure he had to have been miffed that the Democrat took what was intended as a dare -- to go to Iraq -- and, as the saying goes, made lemonade out of it.
A congressional panel has concluded that Senator Larry Craig acted improperly in a police sex sting. The Senate Ethics Committee issued a letter of admonition to the Idaho senator yesterday in connection with his arrest in a Minneapolis airport bathroom last year. The letter said Craig's actions reflected discreditably on the chamber. The committee also criticized the senator for using more than $200 thousand in campaign funds to pay legal fees related to the case. Craig responded saying he's disappointed and strongly disagrees with the conclusions reached by the committee.
Israel is beefing up its security following the assassination of a top Hezbollah commander. Yesterday, Imad Moughniyah was killed by a car bomb in Syria, and Hezbollah is blaming Israel for his death. The Israeli government has rejected that claim, but it has put its embassies on high alert and has reinforced troops on the Lebanese border. Moughniyah was also on the FBI's 10-most wanted list.
Look your mailbox for a check from the government as early as May. That's because President Bush signed a $152 million economic stimulus bill yesterday. $600 will go towards individual taxpayers who earn less than $75,000. Couple will receive $1,200. And there's a $300 per child tax credit.
Two key aides to President Bush could face contempt charges over the White House's refusal to give information on the firings of those U.S. attorneys. The House will vote today on whether to authorize criminal and civil charges against White House Chief of Staff Josh Bolten and former White House counsel Harriet Miers. Both have failed to comply with Judiciary Committee subpoenas because President Bush has refused to allow them to testify, citing executive privilege.
Egypt is now sealing off parts of its border with Gaza. That's after tens of thousands of Palestinians have crossed back and forth with little interference for the past two days. Earlier this week, Palestinians breached a border crossing, allowing them to get supplies since Israel sealed its border with Gaza a week ago. Egyptian soldiers in riot gear formed a human chain today while other soldiers rolled out barbed wire. The U.S. and Israel have been pressuring the country to close open border areas because they're worried that terrorists with weapons could travel undetected from Egypt into the Palestinian territory.
Washington leaders have agreed on a stimulus plan to give American taxpayers rebates of $600 or more, but people may not see that money for a while. Government officials say it could be May or June before Americans get any real cash. That's because the IRS has to cut the checks, and the agency is now in the middle of the '07 tax-filing season. However, nothing can get started until the bill is passed by the House and Senate. Congressional leaders say they hope to have legislation on the President's desk by the middle of next month.
Democrat Dennis Kucinich is reportedly dropping out of the presidential race. The congressman from Cleveland told a newspaper yesterday that he would make his withdrawal announcement today. The 61 year old has been an outspoken Iraq war critic who's consistently voted against funding the war and led anti-war efforts in Congress. Kucinich has said he won't endorse another candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination.
An explosion in Beirut today has killed four people, including Lebanon's top anti-terror investigating officer. The attack, which wounded 38 others, happened in a Christian neighborhood northeast of the capital. Violence has escalated in Lebanon as pro and anti-Syrian lawmakers in parliament are locked in a battle to elect a president. The country has been without a leader since November when pro-Syrian Emile Lahoud (a-meel la-hood) stepped down at the end of his term.
Tens of thousands of people from Gaza are reaching food and fuel in Egypt after militants destroyed a border wall earlier today. Last week, Israel closed all border crossings with Gaza to punish Hamas for days of rocket attacks on the southern part of the country. Since then, food and other necessities in Gaza have been in short supply and residents there have struggled with major power cuts. Egyptian guards reportedly didn't intervene as scores of people washed over the fences.
Former Senator Fred Thompson is abandoning his bid for the White House. His decision follows a disappointing third-place finish in South Carolina's GOP primary last Saturday. Thompson entered the race in September, long after his Republican rivals had announced their candidacies and began raising money. Analysts say the late entry may have hurt the former "Law and Order" actor.
And yesterday's rate cut by the Fed is giving borrowers immediate relief. Analysts say the average borrower could save hundreds of dollars in just a few months. The nation's 75 million homeowners are reportedly likely to feel the most significant and immediate benefits. But the rate cut could hurt those who save. Rates on money market accounts and certificates of deposits have been dropping in recent weeks.
President Bush says that common ground can be reached on an economic stimulus package. Last week, Bush proposed a temporary, broad-based tax relief package aimed at spurring the nation's slowing economy. That package would infuse about $140 billion into the economy. The Democratic congressional leadership has vowed to pass a stimulus bill quickly. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says their hope is to have something on the President's desk before President's Day, which is Feb. 18.
The Federal Reserve has cut two key interest rates by three-quarters of a percentage point. The rate cut happened earlier today, just as stocks plunged at the opening bell. The Fed lowered its federal funds rate from 4.25 percent to 3.5. That rate affects how much people pay on credit card debt, home equity lines of credit and auto loans. It also lowered its discount rate three-quarters of a point to 4 percent. That rate determines what it costs banks to borrow directly from the central bank. This was the biggest rate cut by the Fed since October 1984.
Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama engaged in their most heated debate yet last night. Just minutes into the debate in South Carolina, the two exchanged sharp criticisms over health care and other issues. On numerous occasions, they interrupted each other and even turned to direct their responses to each other instead of a panel of moderators. Former Senator John Edwards tried to stay out of the heated exchange. South Carolina voters will go to the polls on Saturday for the first Democratic primary in the South.
Israel is allowing fuel and medical supplies into Gaza today after an earlier blockade left residents struggling with major power cuts. Last week, Israel closed all border crossings with Gaza after days of rocket attacks on the southern part of the country. That sparked massive protests and a fear from aid agencies that the move could turn into a humanitarian crisis.
President Bush marked the Martin Luther King holiday yesterday with a visit to Washington's downtown library named after the historic individual. The President, First Lady and D.C.'s mayor participated in a lesson for a handful children. Bush posted pictures on a bulletin board and taught the students how King fought to change unfair laws.
President Bush is putting together an economic stimulus package in an effort to jump-start the sagging economy. He's scheduled to unveil his plan later today. That reportedly includes income tax breaks for people...up to $800 for individuals and $1,600 for married couples. Yesterday, Bush discussed options over the phone with lawmakers with Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson. Those on Capitol Hill are reportedly considering smaller rebate checks and more money for the unemployed and people on food stamps.
And time may be running out for Republican presidential hopefully Fred Thompson. Thompson has reportedly admitted that a disappointing finish in tomorrow's GOP primary in South Carolina may end his chance in the race. The former Tennessee senator is hoping that a combination of his Southern roots and conservative views will lead to a breakthrough in South Carolina for his campaign. Thompson came in third in Iowa and received one percent of the vote in New Hampshire.
The CIA says Al-Qaida and followers of a tribal leader are to blame for the death of former Pakistani Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto. CIA Director Michael Hayden says fighters allied with Pakistani leader Baitullah Mehsud (By-too-la May-sood), with support from Al-Qaida, plotted Bhutto's assassination. The two groups are also apparently behind the violence that threatens to destabilize Pakistan. Hayden warns that they intend to do more harm to the country in the future.
The Israeli Defense Minister has ordered that border crossings be closed that lead to and from the Gaza Strip. This comes after days of rocket firings into Israel by Palestinian militants in Gaza. More than a hundred rockets have reportedly been fired. The Israeli Army has retaliated with military strikes that have apparently killed at least two-dozen Palestinians. The border closings will block food, fuel and medicine from entering Gaza.
Senator John Kerry is endorsing Senator Barack Obama for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Kerry made the announcement yesterday, saying the Illinois senator will bring the country together. The endorsement may be seen as a blow to former Senator John Edwards who's running against Obama for the White House. Edwards was Kerry's running mate in the 2004 election when Kerry was the Democratic presidential candidate.
Democrat Dennis Kucinich is calling for a recount of the New Hampshire primary. The Ohio congressman says he's concerned about the integrity of Tuesday's results after reports and allegations have surfaced questioning its credibility. Kucinich won less than 2 percent of the vote. In a letter yesterday, he said he doesn't expect significant changes in his vote total but wants assurance that all of the voters had all of their votes counted.
The Israeli government says it endorses President Bush's call for a speedy peace agreement with Palestine. However, the government cautioned that it doesn't see the final establishment of a Palestinian state this year. Bush visited the region this week in an attempt to move the process ahead. A spokesman for Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert says the country hopes for a historic agreement in 2008 that would outline the framework of a future Palestinian state.
And scientists say they've identified more than 200 proteins in the human body that help the AIDS virus multiply and spread. That discovery gives researchers many more possibilities for developing new drugs to combat the disease. Scientists say HIV, which is the virus that causes AIDS, depends on proteins in the body to fuel its growth.
Senators Hillary Clinton and John McCain are the frontrunners after yesterday's primaries in New Hampshire. Clinton, who finished in third place in Iowa, rebounded to the top, overcoming Senator Barack Obama. Exit polls show female and older voters gave Clinton that much-needed boost. On the Republican side, McCain easily won over second-place finisher Mitt Romney. Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee, who was the winner of the Iowa caucuses, finished third in New Hampshire.
And a new poll out shows McCain's stance on the Iraq war and independent voters helped him win in New Hampshire. The Arizona senator is a strong supporter of President Bush's troop buildup there. Exit polls show that McCain did well with voters who put the war at the top of their agenda. He also scored high among independents, attracting 38 percent of those votes, compared to his to rival Mitt Romney who garnered 16 percent of independents.
President Bush is visiting Israel and the Palestinian territories today in an attempt to forge ahead with the peace process there. However, no breakthroughs are expected in the three days of talks. The discussions follow up on an international conference Bush hosted in Annapolis, Maryland last November. In the next few days, the President will try to push Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to move ahead with promises made to try to forge a two-state accord before his term ends next January.
Iran is calling a conflict video released by the U.S. fabricated. The four-minute video shows a confrontation between the two nations, where small Iranian boats swarmed around U.S. warships in the Persian Gulf. A spokesman for Iran's Revolutionary Guard Navy reportedly says the tape was compiled using file pictures, and the audio had been made up. Another Iranian official downplayed the incident, saying it wasn't serious. However, the U.S. is calling the event a significant confrontation.
