I agree with you 100%.

Miko: What would be the proper response if there were a few women wearing Muslin head scarves at an Obama event, seated visibly right behind the stage, in full view of cameras? Shouldn’t the proper response be “so what?”

This happened, perhaps Miko missed it, although it did make headlines (briefly). The Obama campaign had the Muslim women REMOVED so that they were not in the camera shots. They thought it would be bad publicity. Audacity for hope? Please. You don’t have a leg to stand on with this article.

Perhaps it is the complexity that you mention, that I feel compelled to post once again.

The policies of the US are little guided by a single leader. The powers that exist in this country which have caused bombs to be dropped hither and yon, are not about to be dismantled (that would take a complete upheaval of the system which the candidates are ensconsed in). I think those powers, mostly corporate, are stronger now than almost ever before. Can that power implode? Possibly.

The president is the Commander In Chief during a time of “war” or he has the bully pulpit. The president can chose to set a tone, but the tone, so far with these candidates is not different than what has transpired over the last 30 -40 years (and longer).

The exceptionalism and deep tie to the power which drives (and has driven) US foreign (and thereby domestic) policies is off-bounds.

The parameters that presidents work within are very limiting in that regard.

But again, what Obama has said has mostly been vague and where he as been emphatic it has not been favorable for Middle Eastern peace (Afghanistan is in the ME) and certainly not for Palestinians. Let’s be clear.

Is this because he must toe the line until elected? Or is it because he has learned to adapt, to play within the system. He will not be a repeat of George W. Bush in style. But then who truly runs America?

I do in the end come back t0 this being much bigger than a POTUS. It is a crap shoot only if you think the POTUS has real control over events. In retrospect, was GWB really that powerful? Did Cheney and the neocons really call the shots; or were they simply the result of a system locked and loaded regardless of the particular establishment players?

Your supposition that Obama has a familiarity with Muslims seems a bit fetched. He has run away from any associations he has had with anyone who might injure his campaign – including Muslims.

What would ever make you think that this person who defines himself in terms of “fitting in” in spite of his color (and name) would ever do anything more than he has said he would do. His condemnation Palestinians as “terrorists” and his “will protect and defend Israel” comments don’t seem to have sunk in with some who see these things in simplistic – Dem/Repub terms. Yes, one will be president; but that is no reason to deny the facts.

By the way, I can think of a lot of “smart” leaders who have been some of the worst leaders and in some cases tyrannts.

Precisely my point, Rosemarie. When these insults and bigoted remarks are made the only thing you hear from Obama and his campaign is the HE IS NOT MUSLIM. I expect from a leader, some backbone. He should be condemning such bigoted remarks.

For Obama it’s all about “not losing” the election. What you do to get to the White House is pretty much the President you’ll be.

Obama’s instincts are always self-protection. It is always about joining, not differentiating.

As I’ve said, independent progressives have no candidate in either of these two candidates – not even close. They are essentially the same on the critical issues. And no Obama supporter can demonstrate otherwise.

But for them, that’s not the issue – it’s about getting elected and hoping that this guy will be something that his history – aside for Republican slanders – has NO indication he will ever be. His instincts are follow, not lead.

Nader!

As to Obama,we should leave it to the American electorate to decide.

HR, I think what would impress the people of the Middle East is someone, like Obama, who has firsthand knowledge of Muslims and does not have prejudicial attitudes or just plain ignorance of them. Americans consider themselves pretty clever, but I heard a lot of predictions from Arabs that came true because the Bush administration don’t understand Arabs or Muslims. Because of this ignorance, it has also become clear that Americans have been involved in terrorist activities in Iraq.

What would also impress the Middle East is if Obama lives up to his word in Berlin of opening a dialogue with the world rather than dropping bombs. Despite what some people say, people in the Middle East do prefer dialogue over bombs. Most frightening is when McCain says he will not have dialogue because it is “too dangerous.” Somebody who feels dropping bombs is safer than chatting has got to be as crazy as Dick.

With the US economy crashing down and the military being cut to pieces in two unwinnable wars, I just wonder what planet Mr Peled has being living on! The odd thing, of course, is that US military and economic power is the sole obstacle to the single Palestinian state he dreams of, so I also wonder why he seems to want to prop up that power and seems to fear its collpase.