Daniel Lubetzky

A poignant reminder of the fact that we take liberties for granted came when in her speech tonight, Hilary Clinton thanked her Mom, who she said, "was born before women had a right to vote, and now she is seeing her Daughter run for President." 

Think about it.  There are women still living today, who in their own lives were denied the right to vote! It was only in 1920 that women gained the right to vote, with the passage of the 19th Amendment.

Black citizens technically were emancipated in 1875 but prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965, they effectively were denied the right in many Southern States – like in Alabama, where less than 2% of African-Americans were registered to vote prior to 1964.

If anyone has doubts about Obama’s vision for America and the world, and the potential to rally in the disenfranchised and involve the apathetic, check this out: (inspiring, with the exception of the overused and empty "we want change" line)

Seems like Obama and Clinton learned the lesson about the public’s displeasure with so much acrimony and negative attacks, and their debate tonight was remarkable in positive energy, congeniality and professionalism.

With all their differences, Obama and Clinton lifted each other, which was inspiring and energizing.  When Wolf Blitzer asked his last question, whether they would consider a joint ticket, he was tapping into the dream ticket many Democrats cherish.

That said, when I speak to my friends and family in Texas, I realize that prejudice is still deep and we have a long way to go before middle Americans will be ok with a President whose middle name is Hussein.  The rumors that he is a "Muslim" have gone deeper than anyone would imagine – they have really permeated into Americans’ assumptions.  To me it is sad and embarrassing that this would be an issue anyway, and it shows how far we have to go.  But it may very well kill Obama’s candidacy.

On the Republican side, the vitriol between Romney and McCain was painful to witness.  I am biased against Romney, but McCain did not handle this well and allowed him to get the better of him.  I have heard from many Republican strategists for different candidates that Romney just gets under every of the other candidates’ skin, so McCain is not alone in disliking him.  But that is not an excuse.  If McCain is going to inspire Presidential confidence, he has to rise above recriminations and petty hatreds.

If McCain gets the nomination and goes against Clinton or Obama, it will be a hard-fought fight where all candidates have a lot to contribute to America and to the world.

One of the best ideas to come to our world in a long time comes courtesy of Shai Agassi and his American-Israeli company, Better Place.  He realized that instead of worrying about the manufacturing of electric cars, he could accelerate their acceptance if he focused on the infrastructure network.  And he created a model for leasing the batteries that will enable people to exchange their batteries at a ton of spots.  Israel has embraced the project wholeheartedly, and I am told Palestine and Jordan will also be on board. 

This is a great example of how good business can have so many additional bottomlines, helping the environment and fighting climate change, increasing economic cooperation among neighbors in a conflict region, and decreasing the need for scarce oil.

Read the article here: Israel Is Set to Promote the Use of Electric Cars

1) That he seems to change his positions constantly to pander to the audience asking the question

2) That one of his advisors is Pat Buchanan’s Sister

3) That when I just listened to him be interviewed by Anderson Cooper he carries on for 5 minutes attacking John McCain in very personal ways but then has the gull to end his diatribe with a line like "I am not going to personally attack Senator McCain."

4) That he mocks the McCain-Feingold bill that attempted to reign in campaign contributions and so many other great pieces of legislation just because they are bi-partisan!

5) That his main basis for attacking McCain seems to be that he knows how to work with the other aisle and to be independent and principled when need be.

A Mitt Romney Presidential election does not bode well for our nation and our world!

"The time has come when a democratic Israel and a democratic Palestine live side by side in peace."

- President George W. Bush in his State of the Union Address, where he received standing applause across both aisles for committing to achieve a two-stage agreement defining a Palestinian State before the end of 2008.

I know it is not within the realm of possibilities but McCain and Obama would complement each other so well, would unite this nation, would transcend partisan politics, would place the people above special interests and principle above polls.

Barack Obama’s South Carolina Victory speech is one of the most inspirational and powerful – and sincere – I have heard in a long time.  It is also the right message that our nation and our world desperately need. 

After months of researching all candidates, and after seeing the way they have conducted their campaigns, I have decided to help the Obama campaign.

On the Republican side, McCain’s principled public service is also admirable and worthy of support.

And on the Democratic side, I thought hard about Hilary’s experience, and the accomplishments of the Clintons during their administration, which I don’t think you can dismiss.  After the dust settles, Senator Clinton would also work hard to bring America back to a position of positive global leadership.  But the way the Clinton team handled the fight against Obama is a warning about what we’d encounter in a needless partisan "Clinton vs. Republicans" tenure, one which would not serve us well.  Obama, by contrast, can possibly unite the nation.

Some of Obama’s positions concern me, and it is possible he will make some mistakes early in his Administration.  But he more than makes up for it with his character, intellect, and his sincerity about healing our nation with a message of unity that will be heard across (and also impact) the world.  The greatness that could come from his Administration is exactly what we need.

Odds today are that Senator Clinton’s strong network will beat him.  But that is more reason to lend him a hand if his message appeals to you.

Read his speech here.

Listen to his South Carolina Victory Speech here.

Listen and watch his earlier Iowa victory speech here.

My friend Martin Varsavsky wrote an insightful note on the dangers of credit abuse, on America’s over-reliance on credit to shore up the global economy, and the lessons that we can draw from Argentina’s experience.

For years I have been anxious about the excesses of consumerism in America, for both their economic and social implications.  Credit abuse has created phantom prosperity which is now just beginning to catch up with us.

People should not allow their resentment against President Bush for other reasons to prevent their support of long overdue but positive and courageous steps towards ending the conflict.  The statement below is evidence that we are on the right track.  And it is no coincidence that much of the below, even if not detailed enough, does show some bold substance in the right direction and conforms with the Clinton Parameters, or the OneVoice Citizen Negotiations, or the Moratinos Non-Treaty, or all the other efforts where Israelis and Palestinians (and international supporters) have sat together to come up with an agreement.  For only along these lines, requiring historical compromise and recognition of both sides, can the conflict be resolved.

THE WHITE HOUSE

Office of the Press Secretary

(Jerusalem)

________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release                         January 10, 2008

STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT

ON THE ISRAELI-PALESTINIAN PEACE PROCESS

King David Hotel

Jerusalem

5:27 P.M. (LOCAL)

     THE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon.  I’d like to, first, thank Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas for their hospitality during my trip here to the Holy Land.  We had very good meetings, and now is the time to make difficult choices.

     I underscored to both Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas that progress needs to be made on four parallel tracks.  First, both sides need to fulfill their commitments under the road map.  Second, the Palestinians need to build their economy and their political and security institutions.  And to do that, they need the help of Israel, the region, and the international community.  Third, I reiterate my appreciation for the Arab League peace initiative, and I call upon the Arab countries to reach out to Israel, a step that is long overdue. 

     In addition to these three tracks, both sides are getting down to the business of negotiating.  I called upon both leaders to make sure their teams negotiate seriously, starting right now.  I strongly supported the decision of the two leaders to continue their regular summit meetings, because they are the ones who can, and must, and — I am convinced — will lead.

     I share with these two leaders the vision of two democratic states, Israel and Palestine, living side by side in peace and security.  Both of these leaders believe that the outcome is in the interest of their peoples and are determined to arrive at a negotiated solution to achieve it. 

     The point of departure for permanent status negotiations to realize this vision seems clear:  There should be an end to the occupation that began in 1967.  The agreement must establish Palestine as a homeland for the Palestinian people, just as Israel is a homeland for the Jewish people.  These negotiations must ensure that Israel has secure, recognized, and defensible borders.  And they must ensure that the state of Palestine is viable, contiguous, sovereign, and independent. 

     It is vital that each side understands that satisfying the other’s fundamental objectives is key to a successful agreement.  Security for Israel and viability for the Palestinian state are in the mutual interests of both parties.      

     Achieving an agreement will require painful political concessions by both sides.  While territory is an issue for both parties to decide, I believe that any peace agreement between them will require mutually agreed adjustments to the armistice lines of 1949 to reflect current realities and to ensure that the Palestinian state is viable and contiguous.  I believe we need to look to the establishment of a Palestinian state and new international mechanisms, including compensation, to resolve the refugee issue. 

     I reaffirm to each leader that implementation of any agreement is subject to implementation of the road map.  Neither party should undertake any activity that contravenes road map obligations or prejudices the final status negotiations.  On the Israeli side that includes ending settlement expansion and removing unauthorized outposts.  On the Palestinian side that includes confronting terrorists and dismantling terrorist infrastructure. 

     I know Jerusalem is a tough issue.  Both sides have deeply felt political and religious concerns.  I fully understand that finding a solution to this issue will be one of the most difficult challenges on the road to peace, but that is the road we have chosen to walk. 

     Security is fundamental.  No agreement and no Palestinian state will be born of terror.  I reaffirm America’s steadfast commitment to Israel’s security. 

     The establishment of the state of Palestinian is long overdue.  The Palestinian people deserve it.  And it will enhance the stability of the region, and it will contribute to the security of the people of Israel.  The peace agreement should happen, and can happen, by the end of this year.  I know each leaders shares that important goal, and I am committed to doing all I can to achieve it.