Disappointed

One reason I supported Barack Obama over Hillary Clinton* was their different approach to Iran. But last week Obama gave a speech to AIPAC, and judging by it, he's almost as hawkish as she is - or knows how to pander excellently well.

Whichever, I've sent this to the Obama campaign.

I was extraordinarily disappointed to hear the senator so hawkish in front of AIPAC last week. Such saber-rattling is not what I expected of him, nor was the conflation of Israel's defense with America's interests.

I would hope the senator would take some time to reflect on whether such arrogance and militarism has served the US well in the past, and also whether Israel is without blame for the Gaza situation; they are essentially running a prison camp there. Students cannot even get out to attend college on Fulbright grants.

But the main substance of my disappointment is that the senator sounds as though there is no difference between him and Senator McCain on this topic - and I cannot in good conscience continue donating money to the Senator Obama's campaign if he is going to begin supporting such militaristic, interventionist policies.

I look forward to some clarification in the next few days; if not, my monthly donation will cease. There are plenty of Democratic venues it can go to.

Respectfully,

I have no idea what - if - his campaign will answer. But sometimes you gotta make your opinion heard.

* Even so, of course, he was hardly my first choice. But I did think this point was one where their differences weren't simply nuanced...