Andrea Peyser, NY Post Questions Obama Too

The New York Post endorsed Obama a few weeks ago. I was shocked when the famed NY Post columnist Andrea Peyser called to ask me why I was sending out a flurry of emails asking friends and family to give me specific reasons why they were voting for Obama. I had already received a few nasty emails back because along with my question was an article from a very radical Right Wing Internet newsletter that made some very drastic claims. I thought for sure I was doomed and was going to get clobbered by The New York Post. Yes, The following is proof that writers and columnists have the freedom to express their own opinions.



http://www.nypost.com/seven/02182008/news/columnists/uh__o___an_israel_problem_98223.htm


UH, 'O' - AN 'ISRAEL PROBLEM'

By Andrea Peyser

February 18, 2008 -- DOES Barack Obama have an Israel problem? The golden-throated senator has pledged unflagging loyalty to the Jewish state on his campaign Web site, and unequivocal support for Israel's right to defend itself. As far as his staff is concerned, end of story.
But an e-mail has lately flown through the in-boxes of hundreds of influential New Yorkers, mainly Democrats, that poses a simple question: Would a President Obama be good for the Jews?
That depends on whom you ask. And the one asking is not, as Obama staffers suspect, Hillary Clinton, but Lois Whitman, a public-relations executive and die-hard Dem, who's been blown away by the response - pro and con.
Issue No. 1: Obama can't shake his affiliation with the Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago, the spiritual leader from whose sermon Obama took the title of his book "Audacity of Hope."
Last year, Wright bestowed an award on the Rev. Louis Farrakhan - the man who called Judaism a "gutter religion" and Jews "bloodsuckers." He declared Farrakhan one who "epitomized greatness."
But Obama has lately distanced himself from his longtime minister. He called Wright the night before his campaign launch last year to disinvite him from the event. Wright told The New York Times Obama feared "his Jewish support will dry up quicker than a snowball in hell."
Just last month, Obama declared, "Like a member of my own family, there are things he says at times with which I deeply disagree," a statement carefully applauded by the Anti-Defamation League.
Issue No. 2: Obama's had trouble distancing himself from Zbigniew Brzezinski, Jimmy Carter's national security adviser, who claims the United States' special relationship with Israel is the result of Jewish pressure, not mutual good.
While the campaign admits Brzezinski has advised Obama, staffers insist his influence begins and ends on the situation in Iraq.
Is Obama good for Israel? Let's hope he leaves no doubt about the answer.
andrea.peyser@nypost.com