CNBC host stunned from a panel of Michigan voters

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, that's fine, but don't expect us to protest the muslim ban this time

Arab-Americans don't need any further evidence that those like you don't have values but rather act purely transactionally just as Trump does.

No. I am just tired of it. Clearly my rights as a woman do not matter to them. It's self-preservation at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite.

Biden-Harris are actively looking for a cease fire and a two-state solution. They are also trying to get aid into Gaza.

Trump supports Netanyahu's push to simply eradicate the Palestinians in Gaza all together (finish the job) and we also know Jared owns the rights to develop new beachfront property in Gaza.

If Biden and Harris have not been able to arrange a ceasefire in a year, they are either incompetent or they are not really trying. As a result, either by design or incompetence, they are allowing Netanyahu to simply eradicate the Palestinians (have you been paying attention to the current expulsion of all Palestinians from northern Gaza?) and, if not Jared, someone else will soon be developing Gaza's beach front property.

Jeff, have you missed all of the admission that Trump has been interfering in this?

The fact that Netanyahu was willing to sink Biden's, and by extension Harris', political future has been obvious from day one. The fact that Biden and Harris have not acted accordingly is sheer incompetence and suggests that they may not be all that upset about what is happening.

If you have read any of my blog posts about the Middle East situation, you will know that I firmly believe that Netanyahu has personal motivations to continue the war infinitely. If I am correct, Netanyahu doesn't need Trump's encouragement. He would be acting the same regardless. The failure is by Biden and Harris is agreeing to pursue Netanyahu's interests instead of their own.

We agree on everything but....what exactly could Biden do differently to bring a cease fire if Netanyahu was never going to agree to one? and particularly when Trump is providing promises and a ballast to the global pressure Netanyahu was/is otherwise facing?

Biden leads the government of the most powerful country in the world. I refuse to believe that he is powerless against the leader of a country that is completely beholden to us. Ask yourself what Trump would do if he wanted a ceasefire? Would he also be powerless? Biden could have just stopped weapons shipments until Netanyahu agreed with his demands. Biden would have to be prepared to withstand the domestic backlash, but once he became a lame duck that shouldn't have been hard. What does he have to lose?

an election to Trump

Biden is not the candidate. Harris can scream at him all she wants about restarting the arms.

You know she cannot do that before November 6th.

Seriously. Come on, Jeff, you know better than that.

[Anonymous]

Jeff, thank you for using your platform to advocate for Palestinians and our integrity as Americans.

[Anonymous]

Republicans hate Catholics
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/10/23/pennsylvania-republican-voting-nuns-erie/

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite.

Biden-Harris are actively looking for a cease fire and a two-state solution. They are also trying to get aid into Gaza.

Trump supports Netanyahu's push to simply eradicate the Palestinians in Gaza all together (finish the job) and we also know Jared owns the rights to develop new beachfront property in Gaza.

If Biden and Harris have not been able to arrange a ceasefire in a year, they are either incompetent or they are not really trying. As a result, either by design or incompetence, they are allowing Netanyahu to simply eradicate the Palestinians (have you been paying attention to the current expulsion of all Palestinians from northern Gaza?) and, if not Jared, someone else will soon be developing Gaza's beach front property.

Jeff, have you missed all of the admission that Trump has been interfering in this?

The fact that Netanyahu was willing to sink Biden's, and by extension Harris', political future has been obvious from day one. The fact that Biden and Harris have not acted accordingly is sheer incompetence and suggests that they may not be all that upset about what is happening.

If you have read any of my blog posts about the Middle East situation, you will know that I firmly believe that Netanyahu has personal motivations to continue the war infinitely. If I am correct, Netanyahu doesn't need Trump's encouragement. He would be acting the same regardless. The failure is by Biden and Harris is agreeing to pursue Netanyahu's interests instead of their own.

We agree on everything but....what exactly could Biden do differently to bring a cease fire if Netanyahu was never going to agree to one? and particularly when Trump is providing promises and a ballast to the global pressure Netanyahu was/is otherwise facing?

Biden leads the government of the most powerful country in the world. I refuse to believe that he is powerless against the leader of a country that is completely beholden to us. Ask yourself what Trump would do if he wanted a ceasefire? Would he also be powerless? Biden could have just stopped weapons shipments until Netanyahu agreed with his demands. Biden would have to be prepared to withstand the domestic backlash, but once he became a lame duck that shouldn't have been hard. What does he have to lose?

This strikes me as remarkably similar to Trump's pitch on foreign policy-- hey the US is rich andighty and if we just have a strongman with a willingness to "do what it takes" [something never clearly articulated] we can fix foreign issues through bullying and negotiation. I think it's a dangerous argument that also happens to be naive.

Basically the only way Biden gets a ceasefire without Bibi's cooperation (which he won't give) is via international cooperation including with regional actors. How does Biden do that in an election year where there is zero guarantee that any deal Biden brokers will be followed through by Trump?

Meanwhile Trump is committed to bring keeping a deal WITH Bibi and I have zero faith that will result in a positive result for Palestinians or Lebanon.

You appear to be arguing that if Harris loses it will be Biden's fault for failing to broker a peace deal in Mideast. I'm sorry, I oppose the pro-Israel position as well but I can't cosign that logic. Harris isn't great or even good on this issue but she's better than Trump and that's enough for me and I think it should be enough for others. Tanking Harris gets us nowhere.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite.

Biden-Harris are actively looking for a cease fire and a two-state solution. They are also trying to get aid into Gaza.

Trump supports Netanyahu's push to simply eradicate the Palestinians in Gaza all together (finish the job) and we also know Jared owns the rights to develop new beachfront property in Gaza.

If Biden and Harris have not been able to arrange a ceasefire in a year, they are either incompetent or they are not really trying. As a result, either by design or incompetence, they are allowing Netanyahu to simply eradicate the Palestinians (have you been paying attention to the current expulsion of all Palestinians from northern Gaza?) and, if not Jared, someone else will soon be developing Gaza's beach front property.

Jeff, have you missed all of the admission that Trump has been interfering in this?

The fact that Netanyahu was willing to sink Biden's, and by extension Harris', political future has been obvious from day one. The fact that Biden and Harris have not acted accordingly is sheer incompetence and suggests that they may not be all that upset about what is happening.

If you have read any of my blog posts about the Middle East situation, you will know that I firmly believe that Netanyahu has personal motivations to continue the war infinitely. If I am correct, Netanyahu doesn't need Trump's encouragement. He would be acting the same regardless. The failure is by Biden and Harris is agreeing to pursue Netanyahu's interests instead of their own.

We agree on everything but....what exactly could Biden do differently to bring a cease fire if Netanyahu was never going to agree to one? and particularly when Trump is providing promises and a ballast to the global pressure Netanyahu was/is otherwise facing?

Biden leads the government of the most powerful country in the world. I refuse to believe that he is powerless against the leader of a country that is completely beholden to us. Ask yourself what Trump would do if he wanted a ceasefire? Would he also be powerless? Biden could have just stopped weapons shipments until Netanyahu agreed with his demands. Biden would have to be prepared to withstand the domestic backlash, but once he became a lame duck that shouldn't have been hard. What does he have to lose?

an election to Trump

Biden is not the candidate. Harris can scream at him all she wants about restarting the arms.

Yeah I don't think that would go well for Harris

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NBC host Yasmin Vossoughian asked a group of Michigan voter if any will vote for Kamala, none raised their hands.

The genocide in Gaza and Lebanon was their key issue. They felt marganlized and demunized by Biden adminstration.

Many of the panelists said they will vote for Jill Stein. Her support is bigger than polls indicate.

Jill Stein is going to get 5M votes nationwide this cycle and close to 80K in Michigan.

[Anonymous]

I question the motives of any person trying to persuade others that voting third party is the answer.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite.

Biden-Harris are actively looking for a cease fire and a two-state solution. They are also trying to get aid into Gaza.

Trump supports Netanyahu's push to simply eradicate the Palestinians in Gaza all together (finish the job) and we also know Jared owns the rights to develop new beachfront property in Gaza.

If Biden and Harris have not been able to arrange a ceasefire in a year, they are either incompetent or they are not really trying. As a result, either by design or incompetence, they are allowing Netanyahu to simply eradicate the Palestinians (have you been paying attention to the current expulsion of all Palestinians from northern Gaza?) and, if not Jared, someone else will soon be developing Gaza's beach front property.

Jeff, have you missed all of the admission that Trump has been interfering in this?

The fact that Netanyahu was willing to sink Biden's, and by extension Harris', political future has been obvious from day one. The fact that Biden and Harris have not acted accordingly is sheer incompetence and suggests that they may not be all that upset about what is happening.

If you have read any of my blog posts about the Middle East situation, you will know that I firmly believe that Netanyahu has personal motivations to continue the war infinitely. If I am correct, Netanyahu doesn't need Trump's encouragement. He would be acting the same regardless. The failure is by Biden and Harris is agreeing to pursue Netanyahu's interests instead of their own.

We agree on everything but....what exactly could Biden do differently to bring a cease fire if Netanyahu was never going to agree to one? and particularly when Trump is providing promises and a ballast to the global pressure Netanyahu was/is otherwise facing?

Biden leads the government of the most powerful country in the world. I refuse to believe that he is powerless against the leader of a country that is completely beholden to us. Ask yourself what Trump would do if he wanted a ceasefire? Would he also be powerless? Biden could have just stopped weapons shipments until Netanyahu agreed with his demands. Biden would have to be prepared to withstand the domestic backlash, but once he became a lame duck that shouldn't have been hard. What does he have to lose?

This strikes me as remarkably similar to Trump's pitch on foreign policy-- hey the US is rich andighty and if we just have a strongman with a willingness to "do what it takes" [something never clearly articulated] we can fix foreign issues through bullying and negotiation. I think it's a dangerous argument that also happens to be naive.

Basically the only way Biden gets a ceasefire without Bibi's cooperation (which he won't give) is via international cooperation including with regional actors. How does Biden do that in an election year where there is zero guarantee that any deal Biden brokers will be followed through by Trump?

Meanwhile Trump is committed to bring keeping a deal WITH Bibi and I have zero faith that will result in a positive result for Palestinians or Lebanon.

You appear to be arguing that if Harris loses it will be Biden's fault for failing to broker a peace deal in Mideast. I'm sorry, I oppose the pro-Israel position as well but I can't cosign that logic. Harris isn't great or even good on this issue but she's better than Trump and that's enough for me and I think it should be enough for others. Tanking Harris gets us nowhere.

I hope Harris wins. I hope she wins Michigan. But the suggestion that the world's most powerful politician is helpless against Netanyahu is just not believable. I don't think it takes a dictator or even a "strongman". The U.S. holds all the cards. We have diplomats who should be capable of giving Netanyahu a message that is not misunderstood. If we don't have such diplomats, we need to get some. Not everything has to be publicly announced. There must be a million ways that Biden can put pressure on Netanyahu and still have plausible deniability. For that matter, U.S. law clearly says that we cannot provide arms to countries that are interfering with the delivery of humanitarian aid. Recently Biden sent a letter to Israel warning that in 30 days he may have to follow that law. That conveniently puts things past the election. Biden really doesn't have to wait 30 days. He should give a three day deadline.

Biden's alleged helplessness is not believable and it should be humiliating to him. It should be humiliating to all of us and we shouldn't stand for it.

[Anonymous]

It is humiliating, but it isn't happening in a vacuum.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite.

Biden-Harris are actively looking for a cease fire and a two-state solution. They are also trying to get aid into Gaza.

Trump supports Netanyahu's push to simply eradicate the Palestinians in Gaza all together (finish the job) and we also know Jared owns the rights to develop new beachfront property in Gaza.

If Biden and Harris have not been able to arrange a ceasefire in a year, they are either incompetent or they are not really trying. As a result, either by design or incompetence, they are allowing Netanyahu to simply eradicate the Palestinians (have you been paying attention to the current expulsion of all Palestinians from northern Gaza?) and, if not Jared, someone else will soon be developing Gaza's beach front property.

Jeff, have you missed all of the admission that Trump has been interfering in this?

The fact that Netanyahu was willing to sink Biden's, and by extension Harris', political future has been obvious from day one. The fact that Biden and Harris have not acted accordingly is sheer incompetence and suggests that they may not be all that upset about what is happening.

If you have read any of my blog posts about the Middle East situation, you will know that I firmly believe that Netanyahu has personal motivations to continue the war infinitely. If I am correct, Netanyahu doesn't need Trump's encouragement. He would be acting the same regardless. The failure is by Biden and Harris is agreeing to pursue Netanyahu's interests instead of their own.

We agree on everything but....what exactly could Biden do differently to bring a cease fire if Netanyahu was never going to agree to one? and particularly when Trump is providing promises and a ballast to the global pressure Netanyahu was/is otherwise facing?

Biden leads the government of the most powerful country in the world. I refuse to believe that he is powerless against the leader of a country that is completely beholden to us. Ask yourself what Trump would do if he wanted a ceasefire? Would he also be powerless? Biden could have just stopped weapons shipments until Netanyahu agreed with his demands. Biden would have to be prepared to withstand the domestic backlash, but once he became a lame duck that shouldn't have been hard. What does he have to lose?

This strikes me as remarkably similar to Trump's pitch on foreign policy-- hey the US is rich andighty and if we just have a strongman with a willingness to "do what it takes" [something never clearly articulated] we can fix foreign issues through bullying and negotiation. I think it's a dangerous argument that also happens to be naive.

Basically the only way Biden gets a ceasefire without Bibi's cooperation (which he won't give) is via international cooperation including with regional actors. How does Biden do that in an election year where there is zero guarantee that any deal Biden brokers will be followed through by Trump?

Meanwhile Trump is committed to bring keeping a deal WITH Bibi and I have zero faith that will result in a positive result for Palestinians or Lebanon.

You appear to be arguing that if Harris loses it will be Biden's fault for failing to broker a peace deal in Mideast. I'm sorry, I oppose the pro-Israel position as well but I can't cosign that logic. Harris isn't great or even good on this issue but she's better than Trump and that's enough for me and I think it should be enough for others. Tanking Harris gets us nowhere.

I hope Harris wins. I hope she wins Michigan. But the suggestion that the world's most powerful politician is helpless against Netanyahu is just not believable. I don't think it takes a dictator or even a "strongman". The U.S. holds all the cards. We have diplomats who should be capable of giving Netanyahu a message that is not misunderstood. If we don't have such diplomats, we need to get some. Not everything has to be publicly announced. There must be a million ways that Biden can put pressure on Netanyahu and still have plausible deniability. For that matter, U.S. law clearly says that we cannot provide arms to countries that are interfering with the delivery of humanitarian aid. Recently Biden sent a letter to Israel warning that in 30 days he may have to follow that law. That conveniently puts things past the election. Biden really doesn't have to wait 30 days. He should give a three day deadline.

Biden's alleged helplessness is not believable and it should be humiliating to him. It should be humiliating to all of us and we shouldn't stand for it.

DP. Biden isn’t helpless against Netanyahu. No American President is going to side with Iran/Hamas. Iran is an enemy. Hamas is a terrorist organization. Hamas attack Israel and they have the right to defend themselves.

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite.

Biden-Harris are actively looking for a cease fire and a two-state solution. They are also trying to get aid into Gaza.

Trump supports Netanyahu's push to simply eradicate the Palestinians in Gaza all together (finish the job) and we also know Jared owns the rights to develop new beachfront property in Gaza.

If Biden and Harris have not been able to arrange a ceasefire in a year, they are either incompetent or they are not really trying. As a result, either by design or incompetence, they are allowing Netanyahu to simply eradicate the Palestinians (have you been paying attention to the current expulsion of all Palestinians from northern Gaza?) and, if not Jared, someone else will soon be developing Gaza's beach front property.

Jeff, have you missed all of the admission that Trump has been interfering in this?

The fact that Netanyahu was willing to sink Biden's, and by extension Harris', political future has been obvious from day one. The fact that Biden and Harris have not acted accordingly is sheer incompetence and suggests that they may not be all that upset about what is happening.

If you have read any of my blog posts about the Middle East situation, you will know that I firmly believe that Netanyahu has personal motivations to continue the war infinitely. If I am correct, Netanyahu doesn't need Trump's encouragement. He would be acting the same regardless. The failure is by Biden and Harris is agreeing to pursue Netanyahu's interests instead of their own.

We agree on everything but....what exactly could Biden do differently to bring a cease fire if Netanyahu was never going to agree to one? and particularly when Trump is providing promises and a ballast to the global pressure Netanyahu was/is otherwise facing?

Biden leads the government of the most powerful country in the world. I refuse to believe that he is powerless against the leader of a country that is completely beholden to us. Ask yourself what Trump would do if he wanted a ceasefire? Would he also be powerless? Biden could have just stopped weapons shipments until Netanyahu agreed with his demands. Biden would have to be prepared to withstand the domestic backlash, but once he became a lame duck that shouldn't have been hard. What does he have to lose?

This strikes me as remarkably similar to Trump's pitch on foreign policy-- hey the US is rich andighty and if we just have a strongman with a willingness to "do what it takes" [something never clearly articulated] we can fix foreign issues through bullying and negotiation. I think it's a dangerous argument that also happens to be naive.

Basically the only way Biden gets a ceasefire without Bibi's cooperation (which he won't give) is via international cooperation including with regional actors. How does Biden do that in an election year where there is zero guarantee that any deal Biden brokers will be followed through by Trump?

Meanwhile Trump is committed to bring keeping a deal WITH Bibi and I have zero faith that will result in a positive result for Palestinians or Lebanon.

You appear to be arguing that if Harris loses it will be Biden's fault for failing to broker a peace deal in Mideast. I'm sorry, I oppose the pro-Israel position as well but I can't cosign that logic. Harris isn't great or even good on this issue but she's better than Trump and that's enough for me and I think it should be enough for others. Tanking Harris gets us nowhere.

I hope Harris wins. I hope she wins Michigan. But the suggestion that the world's most powerful politician is helpless against Netanyahu is just not believable. I don't think it takes a dictator or even a "strongman". The U.S. holds all the cards. We have diplomats who should be capable of giving Netanyahu a message that is not misunderstood. If we don't have such diplomats, we need to get some. Not everything has to be publicly announced. There must be a million ways that Biden can put pressure on Netanyahu and still have plausible deniability. For that matter, U.S. law clearly says that we cannot provide arms to countries that are interfering with the delivery of humanitarian aid. Recently Biden sent a letter to Israel warning that in 30 days he may have to follow that law. That conveniently puts things past the election. Biden really doesn't have to wait 30 days. He should give a three day deadline.

Biden's alleged helplessness is not believable and it should be humiliating to him. It should be humiliating to all of us and we shouldn't stand for it.

DP. Biden isn’t helpless against Netanyahu. No American President is going to side with Iran/Hamas. Iran is an enemy. Hamas is a terrorist organization. Hamas attack Israel and they have the right to defend themselves.

If you are correct and the only possibilities in this conflict are allowing genocide or siding with Iran, then Biden and Harris have clearly chosen to support genocide. Therefore, there is no need for threads such as this because everyone should understand that Arab-Americans will not vote for a candidate that supports genocide.

However, I suspect that you are wrong and that there are many positions between those two extremes. Unfortunately, Biden has not chose to take any of them.

[Anonymous]

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite.

Biden-Harris are actively looking for a cease fire and a two-state solution. They are also trying to get aid into Gaza.

Trump supports Netanyahu's push to simply eradicate the Palestinians in Gaza all together (finish the job) and we also know Jared owns the rights to develop new beachfront property in Gaza.

If Biden and Harris have not been able to arrange a ceasefire in a year, they are either incompetent or they are not really trying. As a result, either by design or incompetence, they are allowing Netanyahu to simply eradicate the Palestinians (have you been paying attention to the current expulsion of all Palestinians from northern Gaza?) and, if not Jared, someone else will soon be developing Gaza's beach front property.

Jeff, have you missed all of the admission that Trump has been interfering in this?

The fact that Netanyahu was willing to sink Biden's, and by extension Harris', political future has been obvious from day one. The fact that Biden and Harris have not acted accordingly is sheer incompetence and suggests that they may not be all that upset about what is happening.

If you have read any of my blog posts about the Middle East situation, you will know that I firmly believe that Netanyahu has personal motivations to continue the war infinitely. If I am correct, Netanyahu doesn't need Trump's encouragement. He would be acting the same regardless. The failure is by Biden and Harris is agreeing to pursue Netanyahu's interests instead of their own.

We agree on everything but....what exactly could Biden do differently to bring a cease fire if Netanyahu was never going to agree to one? and particularly when Trump is providing promises and a ballast to the global pressure Netanyahu was/is otherwise facing?

Biden leads the government of the most powerful country in the world. I refuse to believe that he is powerless against the leader of a country that is completely beholden to us. Ask yourself what Trump would do if he wanted a ceasefire? Would he also be powerless? Biden could have just stopped weapons shipments until Netanyahu agreed with his demands. Biden would have to be prepared to withstand the domestic backlash, but once he became a lame duck that shouldn't have been hard. What does he have to lose?

This strikes me as remarkably similar to Trump's pitch on foreign policy-- hey the US is rich andighty and if we just have a strongman with a willingness to "do what it takes" [something never clearly articulated] we can fix foreign issues through bullying and negotiation. I think it's a dangerous argument that also happens to be naive.

Basically the only way Biden gets a ceasefire without Bibi's cooperation (which he won't give) is via international cooperation including with regional actors. How does Biden do that in an election year where there is zero guarantee that any deal Biden brokers will be followed through by Trump?

Meanwhile Trump is committed to bring keeping a deal WITH Bibi and I have zero faith that will result in a positive result for Palestinians or Lebanon.

You appear to be arguing that if Harris loses it will be Biden's fault for failing to broker a peace deal in Mideast. I'm sorry, I oppose the pro-Israel position as well but I can't cosign that logic. Harris isn't great or even good on this issue but she's better than Trump and that's enough for me and I think it should be enough for others. Tanking Harris gets us nowhere.

I hope Harris wins. I hope she wins Michigan. But the suggestion that the world's most powerful politician is helpless against Netanyahu is just not believable. I don't think it takes a dictator or even a "strongman". The U.S. holds all the cards. We have diplomats who should be capable of giving Netanyahu a message that is not misunderstood. If we don't have such diplomats, we need to get some. Not everything has to be publicly announced. There must be a million ways that Biden can put pressure on Netanyahu and still have plausible deniability. For that matter, U.S. law clearly says that we cannot provide arms to countries that are interfering with the delivery of humanitarian aid. Recently Biden sent a letter to Israel warning that in 30 days he may have to follow that law. That conveniently puts things past the election. Biden really doesn't have to wait 30 days. He should give a three day deadline.

Biden's alleged helplessness is not believable and it should be humiliating to him. It should be humiliating to all of us and we shouldn't stand for it.

What is his leverage? If it's withholding air to Israel, then that would be illegal if those funds have been appropriated by Congress. That's the thing that got Trump in trouble and impeached the first time with Ukraine. I guess you could argue Biden could've vetoed the funding bill unless there is a ceasefire. Sure, I guess. But the last funding bill I believe was only passed because it got the GOP to fund Ukraine at the same time. So he vetoes it and takes on a firestorm of criticism. What then? How long does the ceasefire have to last? What permanent conditions have to be in place to get the funding?

I agree that Netanyahu is not negotiating in good faith and using the election as a pretense to settle scores while he can. I also don't think Biden or Harris has alot of good options even though it seems like it must be clear as day to you about what they should do. Just remember, any negotiation requires two parties to come to the table and the party with that cares the least has the most leverage.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite.

Biden-Harris are actively looking for a cease fire and a two-state solution. They are also trying to get aid into Gaza.

Trump supports Netanyahu's push to simply eradicate the Palestinians in Gaza all together (finish the job) and we also know Jared owns the rights to develop new beachfront property in Gaza.

If Biden and Harris have not been able to arrange a ceasefire in a year, they are either incompetent or they are not really trying. As a result, either by design or incompetence, they are allowing Netanyahu to simply eradicate the Palestinians (have you been paying attention to the current expulsion of all Palestinians from northern Gaza?) and, if not Jared, someone else will soon be developing Gaza's beach front property.

Jeff, have you missed all of the admission that Trump has been interfering in this?

The fact that Netanyahu was willing to sink Biden's, and by extension Harris', political future has been obvious from day one. The fact that Biden and Harris have not acted accordingly is sheer incompetence and suggests that they may not be all that upset about what is happening.

If you have read any of my blog posts about the Middle East situation, you will know that I firmly believe that Netanyahu has personal motivations to continue the war infinitely. If I am correct, Netanyahu doesn't need Trump's encouragement. He would be acting the same regardless. The failure is by Biden and Harris is agreeing to pursue Netanyahu's interests instead of their own.

We agree on everything but....what exactly could Biden do differently to bring a cease fire if Netanyahu was never going to agree to one? and particularly when Trump is providing promises and a ballast to the global pressure Netanyahu was/is otherwise facing?

Biden leads the government of the most powerful country in the world. I refuse to believe that he is powerless against the leader of a country that is completely beholden to us. Ask yourself what Trump would do if he wanted a ceasefire? Would he also be powerless? Biden could have just stopped weapons shipments until Netanyahu agreed with his demands. Biden would have to be prepared to withstand the domestic backlash, but once he became a lame duck that shouldn't have been hard. What does he have to lose?

This strikes me as remarkably similar to Trump's pitch on foreign policy-- hey the US is rich andighty and if we just have a strongman with a willingness to "do what it takes" [something never clearly articulated] we can fix foreign issues through bullying and negotiation. I think it's a dangerous argument that also happens to be naive.

Basically the only way Biden gets a ceasefire without Bibi's cooperation (which he won't give) is via international cooperation including with regional actors. How does Biden do that in an election year where there is zero guarantee that any deal Biden brokers will be followed through by Trump?

Meanwhile Trump is committed to bring keeping a deal WITH Bibi and I have zero faith that will result in a positive result for Palestinians or Lebanon.

You appear to be arguing that if Harris loses it will be Biden's fault for failing to broker a peace deal in Mideast. I'm sorry, I oppose the pro-Israel position as well but I can't cosign that logic. Harris isn't great or even good on this issue but she's better than Trump and that's enough for me and I think it should be enough for others. Tanking Harris gets us nowhere.

I hope Harris wins. I hope she wins Michigan. But the suggestion that the world's most powerful politician is helpless against Netanyahu is just not believable. I don't think it takes a dictator or even a "strongman". The U.S. holds all the cards. We have diplomats who should be capable of giving Netanyahu a message that is not misunderstood. If we don't have such diplomats, we need to get some. Not everything has to be publicly announced. There must be a million ways that Biden can put pressure on Netanyahu and still have plausible deniability. For that matter, U.S. law clearly says that we cannot provide arms to countries that are interfering with the delivery of humanitarian aid. Recently Biden sent a letter to Israel warning that in 30 days he may have to follow that law. That conveniently puts things past the election. Biden really doesn't have to wait 30 days. He should give a three day deadline.

Biden's alleged helplessness is not believable and it should be humiliating to him. It should be humiliating to all of us and we shouldn't stand for it.

What is his leverage? If it's withholding air to Israel, then that would be illegal if those funds have been appropriated by Congress. That's the thing that got Trump in trouble and impeached the first time with Ukraine. I guess you could argue Biden could've vetoed the funding bill unless there is a ceasefire. Sure, I guess. But the last funding bill I believe was only passed because it got the GOP to fund Ukraine at the same time. So he vetoes it and takes on a firestorm of criticism. What then? How long does the ceasefire have to last? What permanent conditions have to be in place to get the funding?

I agree that Netanyahu is not negotiating in good faith and using the election as a pretense to settle scores while he can. I also don't think Biden or Harris has alot of good options even though it seems like it must be clear as day to you about what they should do. Just remember, any negotiation requires two parties to come to the table and the party with that cares the least has the most leverage.

PP, that's "withholding aid".

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

jsteele wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'll bite.

Biden-Harris are actively looking for a cease fire and a two-state solution. They are also trying to get aid into Gaza.

Trump supports Netanyahu's push to simply eradicate the Palestinians in Gaza all together (finish the job) and we also know Jared owns the rights to develop new beachfront property in Gaza.

If Biden and Harris have not been able to arrange a ceasefire in a year, they are either incompetent or they are not really trying. As a result, either by design or incompetence, they are allowing Netanyahu to simply eradicate the Palestinians (have you been paying attention to the current expulsion of all Palestinians from northern Gaza?) and, if not Jared, someone else will soon be developing Gaza's beach front property.

Jeff, have you missed all of the admission that Trump has been interfering in this?

The fact that Netanyahu was willing to sink Biden's, and by extension Harris', political future has been obvious from day one. The fact that Biden and Harris have not acted accordingly is sheer incompetence and suggests that they may not be all that upset about what is happening.

If you have read any of my blog posts about the Middle East situation, you will know that I firmly believe that Netanyahu has personal motivations to continue the war infinitely. If I am correct, Netanyahu doesn't need Trump's encouragement. He would be acting the same regardless. The failure is by Biden and Harris is agreeing to pursue Netanyahu's interests instead of their own.

We agree on everything but....what exactly could Biden do differently to bring a cease fire if Netanyahu was never going to agree to one? and particularly when Trump is providing promises and a ballast to the global pressure Netanyahu was/is otherwise facing?

Biden leads the government of the most powerful country in the world. I refuse to believe that he is powerless against the leader of a country that is completely beholden to us. Ask yourself what Trump would do if he wanted a ceasefire? Would he also be powerless? Biden could have just stopped weapons shipments until Netanyahu agreed with his demands. Biden would have to be prepared to withstand the domestic backlash, but once he became a lame duck that shouldn't have been hard. What does he have to lose?

This strikes me as remarkably similar to Trump's pitch on foreign policy-- hey the US is rich andighty and if we just have a strongman with a willingness to "do what it takes" [something never clearly articulated] we can fix foreign issues through bullying and negotiation. I think it's a dangerous argument that also happens to be naive.

Basically the only way Biden gets a ceasefire without Bibi's cooperation (which he won't give) is via international cooperation including with regional actors. How does Biden do that in an election year where there is zero guarantee that any deal Biden brokers will be followed through by Trump?

Meanwhile Trump is committed to bring keeping a deal WITH Bibi and I have zero faith that will result in a positive result for Palestinians or Lebanon.

You appear to be arguing that if Harris loses it will be Biden's fault for failing to broker a peace deal in Mideast. I'm sorry, I oppose the pro-Israel position as well but I can't cosign that logic. Harris isn't great or even good on this issue but she's better than Trump and that's enough for me and I think it should be enough for others. Tanking Harris gets us nowhere.

I hope Harris wins. I hope she wins Michigan. But the suggestion that the world's most powerful politician is helpless against Netanyahu is just not believable. I don't think it takes a dictator or even a "strongman". The U.S. holds all the cards. We have diplomats who should be capable of giving Netanyahu a message that is not misunderstood. If we don't have such diplomats, we need to get some. Not everything has to be publicly announced. There must be a million ways that Biden can put pressure on Netanyahu and still have plausible deniability. For that matter, U.S. law clearly says that we cannot provide arms to countries that are interfering with the delivery of humanitarian aid. Recently Biden sent a letter to Israel warning that in 30 days he may have to follow that law. That conveniently puts things past the election. Biden really doesn't have to wait 30 days. He should give a three day deadline.

Biden's alleged helplessness is not believable and it should be humiliating to him. It should be humiliating to all of us and we shouldn't stand for it.

What is his leverage? If it's withholding air to Israel, then that would be illegal if those funds have been appropriated by Congress. That's the thing that got Trump in trouble and impeached the first time with Ukraine. I guess you could argue Biden could've vetoed the funding bill unless there is a ceasefire. Sure, I guess. But the last funding bill I believe was only passed because it got the GOP to fund Ukraine at the same time. So he vetoes it and takes on a firestorm of criticism. What then? How long does the ceasefire have to last? What permanent conditions have to be in place to get the funding?

I agree that Netanyahu is not negotiating in good faith and using the election as a pretense to settle scores while he can. I also don't think Biden or Harris has alot of good options even though it seems like it must be clear as day to you about what they should do. Just remember, any negotiation requires two parties to come to the table and the party with that cares the least has the most leverage.

You must not have read my post carefully enough. U.S. law prohibits providing weapons to countries that are interfering with the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Blinken lied to Congress and said that Israel is not doing that, despite U.S. agencies informing Blinken that Israel was interfering. Moreover, Israel's interference is obvious to anyone with eyes. Now Biden has informed Israel that in 30 days that law may require the U.S to halt weapons shipments:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2024/10/15/us-weapons-israel-gaza-aid/

This just pushes things past the election. But Biden had this arrow in his quiver the entire time.

Given that Israel is fully dependent the U.S., I am not sure that negotiations are necessary. Rather, Biden is in a position to tell Netanyahu to jump and expect him to either ask "how high" or to find another benefactor. This is especially true when U.S. law supports it.