[Peptobismol]

John McCain visited Israel today, demonstrating his commitment to America’s only ally in the Middle East.

[Check out this photo. It says it all!]

During his visit, McCain declined to meet with Mahmoud Abbas, although he spoke with him by phone.

McCain visited the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site, and placed a prayer note into a crack, as the crowd of onlookers cheered.

Mccain also specifically travelled to Sderot to show solidarity with the town that has become a glaring example of the ongoing Palestinian terrorism.

During his visit there, he encountered a bombardment, as the Palestinians in Gaza shot missiles into the Israeli town, specifically targeting Israeli citizens and, apparently McCain, too.

McCain made several note-worthy statements, which I collected from various sources:

"That is not a way for people to live,'' McCain said. “No nation in the world can be attacked incessantly and have its population killed and intimidated without responding. That's one of the first obligations of government, to provide security for its citizens.''

"If Hamas/Hezbollah succeeds here, they are going to succeed everywhere, not only in the Middle East but everywhere. Israel isn't the only enemy. They are dedicated to the extinction of everything that the U.S., Israel and the West believe and stand for. So America does have an interest in what happens here far above and beyond our alliance with the State of Israel."

“The Palestinian authority in Gaza is committed to the extermination of the state of Israel. It is very difficult to negotiate with an organization that is dedicated to your extermination.''

* * *

To be fair, the Democratic candidates have also made pro-Israel statements, but in contrast to McCain’s positions, here’s Barack Obama’s story just 2 days ago (March 15, 2008):

From news article:
Obama under fire for comment on Palestinians
Iowa Democrat calls presidential hopeful’s remark ‘deeply troubling’
DES MOINES, Iowa - A prominent Iowa Democrat says he is troubled by Sen. Barack Obama’s comment about the Palestinians and pressed the Democratic presidential candidate to clarify his remarks.

Obama, speaking to a small group of Democratic activists in Muscatine on Sunday, was quoted in the Des Moines Register as saying, “Nobody is suffering more than the Palestinian people.”

David Adelman wrote a letter Tuesday to Obama calling the comment "deeply troubling." Adelman is a member of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee…

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17631015/

[Lillie_Steins]

is he electable? I have my doubts.

Why not? If people check off his name on election day, he's electable.

In general, though, I'm surprised that the Republican party can't manage to produce candidates with more mass-appeal. McCain has substance and character, but he could use more charisma. Anyway, his choice of Veep might change people's perception of the ticket.

[MannoFr]

“For the first time, some Republicans are rethinking Hillary as their first choice,”

That's an interesting point.

But both Hilary and Obama are weakened by the voters getting to know them better, while McCain gets stronger as he becomes better known.

[MannoFr]

Republicans are way more scared of Hilary. She is seen as much more moderate than Obama and appeals to a broader crowd.

Obama knows that if somebody puts him in church on some day that Wright said some crazy [stuff], like white people injected blacks with AIDS, he’s in a world of hurt He is FINISHED if this comes out. You never know, somebody might already have this information but is saving it for the general.