ike/Response to What Obama Lost in the Middle East

By and large, I agree with the sentiments expressed in my friend's post. His post, written before Obama's crowded address to 200,000 in Berlin, neatly identifies the myriad challenges our nation faces in the international arena. It's easy to forget how far we've fallen in international standing until we see thousands of Germans waving American flags as they are addressed by a man who has become an international phenomenon.

But in order to have a president with the potential to catalyze real change in the world--in Iraq, in Israel, in Iran--we first have to elect a president with the potential to catalyze real change in the world.

With the exception of a few dozen ex pats, it is likely not one of the 200,000 who attended today's Berlin speech will cast a vote. The importance of this international trip for Obama is to convince voters back home that has foreign policy credentials. He wanted Americans to see him greeted with optimism and love, and the speech he gave served to remind Americans of the strong relationships we once enjoyed and the ones we may yet build.

In American politics, there is no issue, foreign or domestic, more popular and bi partisan than support of Israel. Our nation's politicians are united on this issue more than any other. The Guardian editorial was correct: to deliver a two-state solution will require the acknowledgement of atrocities perpetrated by both groups and major land concessions by Israel.

But Barack Obama needs to win an election. And he faces a major challenge from not only Jewish Americans but voters of all stripes that he is soft on Israel or a secret Muslim or both.

Obama's dark skin, dialogue-based foreign policy, family heritage and re-focused Iraq strategy should be enough to show the Muslim world that his election would mean a significant change in America's policy and intentions. He need not maneuver in ways, eventually necessary as they may be, that jeopardize his standing among the only people who matter to his, and our nation's, immediate political future.