John Edwards totally disappointed me on the Palestinian/Israel issue.

[Dehumanizer]

All he said was Israel had a right to defend themselves and recounted a story about how the terrorists blew up a Sbarros when he was there. That's totally legitimate by itself, but there was NOTHING about an actual solution to the conflict and NOTHING about the Palestinians' right to statehood or anything remotely sympathizing with the innocents on the other side.

At least Cheney, lying as he may, said that the solution is eventually a two-state solution.

Huge huge thumbs down, and has kind of killed the momentum for me.

[dzoner]

1. reply

Also gives fuel to Nader.

[Dehumanizer]

6. I don't mean to deflate from support for the campaign..

don't get me wrong.

But on one specific issue, I had to call it down the line. I'm fine with a stance that supports the right of Israel, but at the same time, mediation is the key. It's not that hard.

[blm]

2. Wow. You're easy.

Fortunately enough of us are NOT.

[dzoner]

4. reply

Every Vote Needed!

[ibegurpard]

5. No shit

If I can support Kerry/Edwards after the primaries then anyone can.

[The Backlash Cometh]

8. Really. The Palestine and Israel solution in a 30 second rebuttal.

There is no proper answer to this one that can be covered in this debate. Frankly, I'd like to see some pressure put on Israel to compromise. But, it can't be covered in 90 seconds.

[soothsayer]

3. they need to kiss up to Israel if they dont' want the pretzel treatment. I

suspect Kerry will name Clinton ME envoy, and the world will rejoice!

[Doosh]

7. Cheney didn't say ANYTHING!

[MichiganVote]

9. Yeah well Bush has had 4 frickin' years to work on the 2-state

solution but instead he invades Iraq for the sake of his oil buddies, the Saudi's. Edwards is weak? Bush is non-existence in itself

[comradebillyboy]

10. any pol who is not pro-israel is doomed

[Name removed]

11. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Fatima]

15. Do you know how many Palestinians have died in this latest Gaza incursion?

Many of them women and children? I like JE too, but this is a complex issue and certainly not one-sided...Israel is very heavy handed...and the whole world is watching how we handle this. Educate yourself about the situation better please before telling people to "shut up!"

[michaelzef]

17. Education

Did you hear what JE said ? Were you listening? You people need to wake up and smell the coffee.

Forget Nader he is a loser you got it!!!! Go Edwards

[Cocoa]

12. how can you NOT know that's his position?

if you care about this issue, how can you possibly have expected Edwards to say anything else?

[southlandshari]

24. Exactly

No surprise for me, though I still cringed at the one-sidedness of his comments. In fact, it was the only segment of the entire debate I was uncomfortable with a position expressed by Edwards (regardless of the fact that I expected it).

I am married to a Palestinian, raising a Palestinian child, and have myself lived in Jerusalem and the Occupied Territories. I believe that a just and peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict is indeed possible; though it will never be within reach as long as the U.S. continues its role of absolutely dishonest broker in the region.

I also know what's what. No way in hell Kerry-Edwards can win by telling the truth about the U.S. relationship with Israel. No one can. Not even in seemingly unimportant local elections in states like mine (Alabama), where AIPAC-related money was the deciding factor in a key STATE congressional race a couple of years ago.

I don't like it. Not at all. But the only thing I like less is the thought of four more years of the Bush administration (which will without a doubt make the past four years seem like a high school sock hop by comparison).

[MsMagnificent]

13. That alone would take days to even BEGIN to discuss!

[high density]

23. No kidding

How many books have been written on this subject? I thought it was a no-win question because obviously there is no way to offer a solution to this amazingly complex problem in two minutes.

[indie_voter]

14. You gotta pick your battles, this ain't one of them. n/t

[greendeerslayer]

16. I hear ya

Apparently Edwards doesn't know how many Palestinian kids have been killed by the IDF.

[michaelzef]

19. Who cares?

Lets worry about winning!!! Not whining.

[Zhade]

20. WHO CARES? Yeah, who cares how many innocent Palestinians die!

Jesus. Are you for real?

[southlandshari]

27. ................

trying to think of a response that won't get me banned....

jeez, how callous can you be?

[alexisfree]

18. yes he disappointed to me to, but....

still will vote for kerry...hate israel...kerry's brother was in israel ...

[Big Blue Marble]

21. Did Edwards forget Ohio?

His response in the middle of Ohio will not win any votes from
the Arabs in Detroit. If they vote for Nader, how will we win the state? Israelis and Palestinians have the right to live without violence. Why didn't he say that?

[bloom]

22. I didn't like his response to that, either....n/t

[dennis4868]

25. Kerry....

needs to solidify the jewish vote in key states like Florida and Pennsylvania.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

26. No candidate could address that issue in 2 minutes

and both sides in the conflict have been completely dishonest brokers. Have your huge thumbs down but I am glad Edwards did not adress that issue haphazardly.