Gingrich and company share their Middle East delusions- by James Zogby
On Wednesday, six Republican candidates for president appeared before the Republican Jewish Coalition​ to campaign for Christian votes. There are Jewish Republicans, to be sure, but not enough to make a difference in this primary contest. No, the real prize that drew the candidates to the event were the 40 per cent of GOP primary voters who identify themselves as "born-again" Christians. Many of them fervently believe that Israel can do no wrong and that it is their religious duty to support any and all Israeli policies as a prerequisite to hasten the "Day of Judgment".
The speeches were mostly filled with hysterical criticism of President Barack Obama's "appeasement" of Israel's enemies and hyperbolic praise for Israel (with the exception of John Huntsman, who, after a few pandering platitudes, spoke mostly about the economy and was greeted with stony silence)... All of this went beyond the normal platitudes offered up in an election year. It was dangerous, shameful and crass pandering, making it clear how far today's Republicans have moved from the reality-based foreign policy of the Bush-Baker era. And while it's hard to imagine the alternate universe inhabited by these candidates for president, it's frightening to think of where they would take US-Middle East policy should any of them be elected. http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/comment/gingrich-and-company-share-their-middle-east-delusions?pageCount=2
