This is too funny. Do you think David Makovsky realizes what a f(&$*n’ sycophant he is?
So now Dennis B. Ross, the Obama administration’s senior Iran policy maker…is moving to the White House, administration officials say.
…The big question, though, is why?
David Makovsky, Mr. Ross’s co-author in the just-published book Myths, Illusions & Peace: Finding a New Direction for America in the Middle East (Viking), offered a different possible reason: “Dennis Ross is the Lebron James of Middle East diplomacy…
That’s got to be it. Except for the color of his skin, his 3 point shot and the few inches that James has on him in height, they’re dead ringers. And what’s the diplomatic equivalent of a slam dunk?
Helene Cooper gets in her own 3 point shot characterizing Makovsky’s comment:
While the comparison is somewhat strained…
Only somewhat?
Do you really think that Barack Obama is that enamored of Dennis Ross that he said: “I just love this guy so much. His thinking is crystal clear. He’s gonna be my main Iran man!”
Thank you, David Makovsky for taking sycophancy in ever-new directions.
Here’s some more puffery from the Ross PR machine:
Transfering [sic] to the White House with an expanded portfolio moves Mr. Ross from the periphery to the center of the Obama administration’s foreign policy operation…
That’s one way of looking at it. Or maybe Hillary just couldn’t stand the sight of him. Or maybe the Iranians said: “Not over our dead body.” Or maybe, there was an empty office in the White House lying vacant.
The truth of the matter is that Dennis Ross’ ideas about Iran and the I-P conflict are dead weight. He brings nothing new or useful to the table. He could be in the White House to protect Obama’s right (pro-Israel) flank. If he serves that purpose but doesn’t muck around in devising policy prescriptions then he could be tremendously useful. If not, then he could really stir the pot in ways that are very dangerous. I trust Obama to keep a handle on Ross’ worst instincts.
Richard, when I sent you this piece last night, my comment was that it was a success for the Lobby. We now know who’s running our Middle East policies. Obama is not in charge. You seem to think it is a ploy by Obama to control Ross. I think your confidence in Obama’s intelligence is misplaced. He is not in control, rather it is the Lobby. I think all this just goes to prove the Walt & Meersheimer thesis in their book.
Start judging Obama by his deeds and actions, not his smooth rhetoric.
You have the exact same interpretation that I have Richard. Remember, the first story that Haaretz wrote on this and then changed in the middles of the night was, “Dennis Ross ousted as Iran envoy: Is it because he was a Jew?” The source for the Haaretz story was Ross himself. Ross was kicked over to the White House to appease the Lobby and it serves Obama’s purposes to let Ross go around bragging on himself to save face. That is all.
ah! how do you know he was the source?!?!?! that is horrifying!
Ross Belongs in Jail, Not Government
oh god i hope Obama keeps him away from anything important. my fingers are crossed that this is a nominal position to keep the “anti-semitism” yellers at bay.
and i can’t believe all that bogus speculation about him being moved from his old position because he’s a religious jew!!! as if his close ties to AIPAC couldn’t be a factor!!! i hate those smear campaigns – like Iran is full of rabid anti-semites.