OH-08 GOP John Boehner: He Doesn't Know Israel Is A Middle East Democracy

Map Courtesy of FOX News
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio (TDB) -- The highest-ranking Republican in the U.S. House apparently doesn't understand that Israel -- the closest ally of the United States in the Middle East -- is a democracy. Either that, or the House GOP leader is so remarkably blind in his support for President Bush that he would stretch the truth and go out of his way to snub a friendly nation. Matt Hurley at the conservative Ohio blog Weapons of Mass Discussion has John Boehner's statement on the 5th anniversary of the Iraq War, which he reprints. Hurley doesn't note Boehner's slip into ignorance that praises the war as paving the way "for the first democracy in a part of the world that needs it most."

Ooops. Israel has been around since 1948, electing governments and prime ministers and parliamentarians who serve in the Knesset. It is a multi-party state. There is a segment of the world that does not consider Israel the first democracy in the Middle East, but they tend to be islamists, militants, or supporters of the Palestinian movement that someday hopes to drive the Jews in Israel into the sea. Boehner surely must not have meant to side with the islamists by slighting Israel's nearly 60 years as a democracy. Or did he distort the truth hoping to confuse Americans, who may not know the region's geography? Israel shares borders with Jordan, which is becoming a constitutional monarchy; Lebanon, which is struggling to regain some footing as a democracy; Egypt, which is a republic but has an authoritarian government, and Syria, which is considered a Baathist dictatorship. Turkey is in the region, too, and is considered a Middle Eastern a democracy. Tukey border Iraq, Boehner's "first democracy." And some of the Persian Gulf states are moving toward democracy.

The complete text of Boehner's statement on the war's 5th anniversary is here. His error about Israel appears in the first paragraph:

"In the five years that have passed since the start of this conflict, our men and women in uniform have heroically ousted a terrorist dictator, freed a nation, and planted the seeds for political reconciliation that will pave the way for the first democracy in a part of the world that needs it most. Today, after countless obstacles to our success over the past five years, Iraq's fledgling democracy is at long last taking important steps toward the ultimate goal of self-rule."

Hillary Tells AIPAC: Iran Is A REAL Danger

CINCINNATI (TDB) -- AIPAC had a big gathering in New York this weekend where Sen. Hillary Clinton strongly denounced Iran. Although she did not mention going to war -- as many have suggested President George W. Bush is planning -- Clinton used undiplomatic language and described the nation's leaders as contemptuous.

A brief item appeared on AIPAC's Web site under the headline, Sen. Clinton Calls Iran Threat to United States and Israel.

"Senator and presidential candidate Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY) told a crowd of more than 1,700 AIPAC supporters that Iran is a danger to the United States and one of Israel's greatest threats.

"The senator's remarks took place during AIPAC's Annual New York Dinner, which included an address by Sen. Charles Schumer (D-NY). Other guests included presidential candidate John Edwards, former Gov. George Pataki, several House members and at least two dozen state and local officials.

"Sen. Clinton called the Iranian administration "pro-terrorist," and said Iran's Holocaust denial places its leadership in company with the most despicable bigots and historical revisionists.

"Karnit Goldwasser, wife of kidnapped Israeli soldier Ehud Goldwasser, also addressed the dinner guests, thanking America's pro-Israel community for standing by Israel. Her husband is one of two Israeli soldiers being held captive by Hizballah."

[Ed Note: Of interest and no important note is that AIPAC called her Hillary Rodham Clinton. Who else uses "Rodham" these days? Hasn't she dropped her maiden name.]