lifestyle leader

Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich defied everyone today in announcing his intention to appoint Roland Burris to the Senate seat vacated by the President-elect. Obama quickly released a statement condemning the Governor's move, and reiterated his position that the US Senate leadership should not seat the appointee. The drama over Blagojevich is good television, and his Senate appointment may have very real constitutional questions, but in the end the episode matters little beyond the Land of Lincoln.

Thus, the real significance lies in what Obama did not say today. The fourth day of Israel's bombing of Gaza passed without a single statement by the future US president. The quartet, UN, EU and much of the rest of the world have called for a ceasefire, truce or general humanitarian consideration. As Jonathan Wright reports for Reuters, Obama's silence is disheartening for many, especially in the Arab world, who thought his presidency would bring a renewed American commitment to the peace process. His foreign policy team is stacked with strong supporters of Israel (Rahm Emanuel, Hillary Clinton), and it is unlikely that he will expend the political capital that a serious push towards a Palestinian state would require in his first term. Remember, it's the economy stupid, now more than ever.

I have heard a cynical viewpoint that I find quite interesting. It goes like this: Obama has placed people like Hillary Clinton in key foreign policy positions as cover for a peace settlement, one that would inevitably require large Israeli concessions (1967 borders, Palestinian state capital in East Jerusalem). With big Israel boosters leading the negotiations, Obama would be partially shielded from the Israeli lobby backlash.

Whatever his intentions, Obama should say something. Bush has checked out, and the world can't wait another month for American leadership, especially on Gaza.