The Khalidi Gambit, Part II: The IRI Confirms, Tries to Distance Self, from Khalidi

Thanks for having the guts to cover this. I don’t think it’s going to make your readers happy.
And Steven – I’m sorry – but I’ve talked directly to the reporter who did the original piece for the Times. He was a decent guy, but his sources were the dregs of the earth. I think there’s a good reason why the Times hasn’t released anything. They are not pro-Obama.
Even if you look at this issue from a cold political view – what does Obama have to gain from harming Israel? And you’re worried about anti-Semites? Do you knw anything about Andy Martin or Rev Hagee, McCain’s spiritual advisor?

When is it too much?

stephengianelli:
Just go vote for who your going to vote for and shut up. I’m an independent voter and I’m sick and tired of Republicans deciding at their whim what is a good association or bad association. Is Keating a good or bad association…or is it ok to be his fried today because he “paid” his debt. This double talk is nonsense. Just go vote and SHUT UP.

I can’t believe we are about to elect this guy president. Have you people lost your collective minds?

Obama – Khalidi – 1 degree of separation (family dinners, personal and professional praise)
Obama – Khalidi – 2 degree of separation thrice (children in same school, teach same college, etc and $$ Woods Funds to Mrs Khalidi)
Obama – Ayers – Khalidi
VERSUS
McCain – IRI – CPRI – Khalidi
3 degrees ONLY – no personal contact. I bet you anything noone associated to McCain or the Republican Institute went to any parties celebrating ALL that Khalidi was up to. What do you think McCain would do if he was there and the ANTI SEMITIC sickness started!!!!!!!???
Give me a break!!

Thank you for reporting both sides of this silly issue. If it had to be raised by the Republicans/McCain campaign, the full facts should at least be reported. CNN has a headline piece on their website with NO MENTION of McCain’s ties to this man.

“And you’re worried about anti-Semites? Do you know anything about Andy Martin or Rev Hagee, McCain’s spiritual advisor?

Good point. We don’t need to know who our future President associates with or what he believes…it’s not important?? He’s not Bush. That’s all that seems to matter to you. I think we need to know who’s gonna be running the country and what militant groups he may support.

Let’s see the video being supressed by the LA Times. Will the video be released before we make our voting decision?

REPUBLICANS,
“When they came for the gypsies, I did not speak, for I am not
a gypsy. When they came for the Jews, I did not speak, because I
wasn’t a Jew. When they came for the Catholics, I did not speak, for I
am not a Catholic. And when they came for me, there was no one left to
speak.” —On the Wall at the Holocaust Museum in Washington
* * * * *
Is it acceptable that we demonize Rashid Khalidi or any other Arab who Barack Obama happens to be friends with?
Khalidi is a MODERATE Palestinian, one who favors a negotiated settlement with Israel and CONDEMNS suicide bombs as war crimes!
ALSO, John McCain has an important relationship with Khalidi. He chaired a board that funneled about a million dollars to Khalidi’s moderate organization.
DO THE REPUBLICANS HAVE NO SHAME?????

Third story on this!!!!!!!!!???
It seems to me that timing on the CPRS grant by IRI and other and the vetting /involvement of “moderates” like Khalidi may be critical. Mid 90s was a time that Clinton and mainstream foundations were working on a Palestinian Israel settlement.
Other organizations that reportedly gave funding to CPRS include the National Endowment for Democracy, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Center for International Private Enterprise, the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, the Japanese Embassy, and Germany’s Friedrich Naumann Stiftung. IRI’s relationship with CPRS ended in 2000, and we understand that it no longer exists.”
ENDED IN 2000 is key. That’s when the Clinton Peace Plan fell apart, Thats the Second Intifada. Thats Yassir last stand until he handed over Mahmoud Abbas. All Fatah hands on deck – and “moderates” suddenly changed their tunes to fit in and well, that they and their family would keep their heads and limbs all together…….
NOW 2003 (not old news and 1 year before Obama entering US Senate!!), we have a “farewell” party of a radical professor going to another university to spread his nonsense and anti semitism was in the air. I ask again, would McCain have sat there and ate his mashed potatoes. I dont think so!!!

Is Khalidi is a great guy, as some of you are posting, why not celebrate Obama’s relationship with him, and show the video?

THERE IS NOTHING radical about Rashid Khalid.
Khalidi is a MODERATE Palestinian, one who favors a negotiated settlement with Israel and CONDEMNS suicide bombs as war crimes!
The Republicans commenting here remind me of members of the KKK, ready to drag off Khalid to an unknown fate BECAUSE OF HIS ETHNICITY.
They should hide their faces in shame.
* * * * * *
“When they came for the gypsies, I did not speak, for I am not a gypsy. When they came for the Jews, I did not speak, because I wasn’t a Jew. When they came for the Catholics, I did not speak, for I am not a Catholic. And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak.” -On the Wall at the Holocaust Museum in Washington

Obama should be ashamed of associating with an organization with such ties. First Ayers, now the Republicans! This is sick!

“The Obama’s dined with Mr. and Mrs. Khalidi every week before they left ChicagO”
As reported by Scaife’s paper….which means it likely is not true.

and more……..
In 1995 Rashid and Mona Khalidi co-founded the The Arab-American Action Network, a virulently anti-Israel organization that strongly supports the Palestinian Arab terrorist movement. It regards the creation of the state of Israel as a “naqba” (“catastrophe” in Arabic). Mona Khalidi served as the group’s President from its inception until some time this year, although she is now listed only as a member of its board of directors.
Obama’s assistance to the Khalidis, however, went beyond mere kind words at a farewell party. In 2001 and again in 2002, Obama, in his capacity as a member of the board of directors of the Leftist non-profit organization the Woods Fund, voted to give the Arab-American Action Network co-founded by Rashid and Mona, and directed by Mona Khalidi, $75,000 in grants.

Besides Osama, is there a thug that he’s not friendly with?

pefros
“He did however state Palestinians have the right to resist Israeli occupation and he was critical of U.S. policy as biased toward Israel.”
Are you suggesting there is something wrong with those statements? They sound right on to me.

Zeke:
No zeke, you see this isn’t a tape. these are sealed documents held by the US Navy requested in August under the freedom of information act but denied by a Navy judge. So, if you can get us the sealed documents about Mccain driving over someone while drunk, we can give you the LA Times tapes. This is a fair deal.

TJ,
The only radicals I see are the bomb throwing McCain/Palin team.
I AM STILL WAITING for one McCain supporter to have the balls to answer this question:
Is John McCain today willing to call for the end of all redistributionist government programs, including:
A) Social security
B) Medicare
C) Unemployment insurance
D) Federal pork to the NUMBER ONE federal pork state of Alaska.

It’s not the crime, it’s the seriousness of the charges.
It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up.

Common tactics from McCain and Company:
Falling behind in her reelection race, Sen. Elizabeth Dole has uncorked one hell of a charge: The Democrat running against me is godless.
The end of the ad features a picture of candidate Kay Hagan with a female voice yelling “there is no God!” — the clear implication is that the voice is Hagan’s. In fact, the Democratic candidate is a Sunday School teacher and an elder at her Presbyterian church.

Why doesn’t Obama ask for the tape or a transcript to be released? Then people can see that he did nothing to offend those on either side of the Middle East issues–or at least judge for themselves. All this speculation about who is hiding what–now even the media people are starting to eat their own.

michelle,
I agree totally. There may well be nothing to this..but why not let us see?

DO YOU KNOW what gives away the weakness of John McCain’s ‘protect the wealthy’ economic policy?
If McCain thought his arguments (tax cuts for the wealthy, trickle down economics, etc) were any good, he would stick with them the way Obama keeps turning the conversation back to the need to give the middle class a break.
Instead we see him (or Sarah “can’t name a supreme court decision” Palin) throwing character assassination bombs every day.
Not the actions of a confident man.

They’re not releasing it because they’re still editing it.

Hey fellow Americans, aren’t you concerned about AMERICAN interest? You know, this unwavering, unconditional support of Israel is not particularly always good for this country! When did Israel’s interests become interchangeable with America’s? I bet this is what Obama realized–and by the way I’m Jewish–and I think Jewish leaders should be encouraging Israel to get serious about peace before we all blow up. There are plenty of Israelis who feel the same.

Mack,
WHY HASN’T Sarah Palin released her medical records?
Maybe she had a relationship with a Palestinian that shows up there.

Where did it say Obama hosted the dinner? I read he attended the dinner. I have hosted dinners and I have attended dinners. In my world there is a difference.
Your precious McCain may not have attended the dinner but he helped to fund the organization this guys was a member of. Does that not count for anything?
Everyone has been associated with someone or some organization that have since cut ties with, why is it that the only ones that continue to draw fire are Sen. Obama’s?

“This is truly scary — we will never know the true story of who financed his campaign. ”
I have a feeling that the name begins with an O and ends with a prah.

Doesn’t Obama have any normal friends?

Jeanie,
I know for a fact that John McCain chose his relationship with anti-Catholic, anti-semitic John Hagee!
He spend months and many, many contacts trying to get Hagee’s endorsement.
THIS IS THE GAME OF ASSOCIATIONS?
Do you like it?
Then you should look up John McCain’s relationship with terrorist G. Gorden Liddy.
In fact there is a list of dozens of John McCain’s and Sarah Palin’s associations.
You don’t here about them because Obama is more interested in concentrating on the welfare of the middle class than character assassination.
You don’t hear about McCain and Palin’s associations because Obama has honor and character. John McCain, not any more.

McCain should also ask the Navy to release the reocords about him being involed in a car accident that may have killed another American in 1964 but the navy will not release the file to news severice or vainty fair both who have sued under freedom of information act. John tell the people did you kill somebody drunk driving? what are the details? Tell the people John we wanna know

Yes Obama has normal friends. Havn’t you ever met Sweet AlmondVerdena one of his best friends?

“John McCain has more explanation to give. Why did his organization donate more than $450,000 to Khalidi.’
That certainly is troubling. What’s even more troubling is that the LA Times refuses to release this tape.

Zeke:
See don’t say I didn’t warn you. Open a can of worms and they all get out.
See the “Whole Truth” Post. Same as mine.

Dee,
Let’s see the unedited tape. Obama’s own words will tell the story. How can you defend what you haven’t seen?

McCain is a hypocrite. He gave $450,000 to this same Khalid when he was the chairman of an organization. McCain has no honour.

The Republican party has always had a weakness for the sweet seduction of McCarthyism.

To the ABC All Barrack Company, the spin you put on everything to favor Barrack is disgusting. He, who allows his own brother to live in poverty without helping him at all, promises handouts and prosperity to ‘millions of Americans’. He who relies only on pointing the finger at Bush, will make our world safe and secure: He, who couldn’t even see that Rev. Jeremiah Wright, preached a hate doctrine, will himself bring peace to the world. Well, I for one am able to see through the smokescreen. As a Michigander, I know how the Democrats operate, Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is guilty of felony and in prison: Governor Jennifer Granholm has been ineffectual and our state suffers one of highest unemployment rates, GM may go under, and folks blame all this on Bush and the Republicans. Wake up, America, we need a leader we can trust and whose word matches his actions. Not Barrack Obama./

michelle wrote,
Why doesn’t Obama ask for the tape or a transcript to be released? Then people can see that he did nothing to offend those on either side of the Middle East issues–or at least judge for themselves. All this speculation about who is hiding what–now even the media people are starting to eat their own.
Here Here..Release the tape!!

McCain is a fraud. He gave $450,000 an organization that was co-founded by this same Khalidi.
Hyprocrisy!

If you were at a farewell dinner for a co-worker…and the “theme” of many of the speeches were talking trash about abortion doctors and abortion clinics…would you stay for the entire dinner? Or pick any other topic that you find fundamentally disagreeable.
The LA Times article clearly states that there was strong anti-Israeli sentiment expressed. There was another similar dinner in 2005.
The conflict in the Middle East is one of the most pressing foreign affairs issues we face at present–it affects not only national security, but our current energy crisis as well. It is important to know that Obama can maintain some sense of impartiality on these matters.
This tape is out there. If it has negative information on it–get it out now–before the election. Don’t let it become something that weakens his hand at the negotiating table later. The stakes are too high.
Besides, all of you Obama supporters think this thing is already in the bag. What’s the big deal? :)

McCain’s Last Ditch Effort:
“During the 1990s, while he served as chairman of the International Republican Institute (IRI), McCain distributed several grants to the Palestinian research center co-founded by Khalidi, including one worth half a million dollars.”

My grandmother used to say: “If you dig one ditch, better dig two. The trap you set may be for yourself.”

seems senility has taken over – accusing the opposition of something you are WAAAAAYYYY more guilty of to the tune of half a million. LOL! can you say HYPOCRITES!

Why is it that the Republicans choose to tar Obama with associations that are shared by members of their own party? In 2006, Condoleezza Rice was keynote speaker for Khalidi’s organization, the American Task Force on Palestine. She compared Palestinians to our founding fathers and likened their movement to that of the civil rights movement. Joseph Farah of World Net Daily wrote of Rice, “She has deliberately chosen to side with evil – the kind of people with whom we are supposed to be at war. It means that her boss, President Bush, is committed to this evil path as well.”

It is going to be fascinating to see what “cause” all haters of intelligence, respect for your fellow man, research, intellectual curiosity and political and social discourse will rush to after McCain loses.

McCain’s dubious associations.
- Gordon Liddy
- Dictator Pinochet
- U.S. Council For World Freedom
- Nazi collaborators and ultra-right-wing death squads in Central America
- Keating five

Michelle, The LA Times article is based on an ultra right wing blog – a bottom-feeder blog. I spoke with the author when it was written. The individual who wrote the blog is so twisted that they claimed that Jill Carroll – a neutral American journalist who was held as a hostage in Iraq for months – hated America and loved Arabs. The individual who runs this blog made this statement with virtually no collaborating evidence (stories, quotes, actions). SHe just thought it might be provocative. The statement on the blog was made on the day this terrified woman was released – after she had been thought to be dead.
I’d like to think a real journalist wouldn’t do that. Unfortunately, it’s the way some journalists get their stories today. From botttom feeders. With virtually no evidence.

I am concerned about Obama s
experience and his plans. When you
add up all he has promised, you find
it is not possible without at least
increasing taxes at least 1/2 more than
you are presently paying 25% plan on
37.%.if you are paying 40 plan on paying
60%.
I would love to have health insurance
like congress as Obama said, but anyone
that knows how to add, knows that
is an impossible dream…I am concerned
that most of the people backing
Obama and his plans are young and
college educated…but have accepted
all his plans as fact without checking
on the facts. Obama is not GOD…
even though there are a few million
people that are acting like it.
He is a well spoken person, able to
deliver a message and move a crowd..
check on history…who were some
of the people in the past that moved to
fame quickly like Obama.?
This is not about Republicans or
Democrats…this is about being free
next year…about having enought extra
money to buy a soda..or let the kids
go to a movie…
This is serious stuff…not just about
political parties….
If Obama is as great as he is trying
to make you all believe, then he will
stay on the political scence and
be elected president in 2012. This
man is unproven, no background, has
never run a company, or a state. He has
been running for president for 20 months
So his time in the Senate is only about
1 1/2 years….Why care about his
church, or Ayers, His friend that is
still not cleared of taking millions
from Fannie (or Freddie..not sure
which)..The person that helped him
get his house..that is on his way to
prision, BECAUSE..THERE ARE SO MANY.BAD PEOPLE…and now he has said
he wants to help people that have
less money to have more..HELP THE
MIDDLE CLASS.
If you make 40,000 a year, is it o k
with you to have your taxes go up 4000
to donate to someone else that only
makes 18 thousand….that would
be more fair….then you would have
36000 and he would have 22000…thats
a lot better…(never mind the fact.
that he gets 18000 a year, because
he chooses to work part of the time)
now you are helping to spread the
wealth.)OBAMA will TAKE FROM YOU NOT
JUST from the people making 3 or 4
Hundred Thousand a year….
…There are not enough people
making big $$ to even our society out.
so YOU will have to pay your fair share.
If you are an American making 300,000
plus a year, you have the means to
leave America…and thats what a lot
of rich or richer people will do…
There are places in the world, that
you do not have to SHARE THE WEALTH..
An Obama America is one where every
one is more equal..the drug user will
not be screened to see if he is still
on drugs..he will get a check…provided
for him with YOUR MONEY….
Forget NEW CARS,,,,A NICER HOME….IF
THIS IS THE AMERICA YOU WANT TO LIVE IN
VOTE FOR OBAMA.
YOU ALL WANT CORPORATIONS TO PAY MORE
TAXES. CORPORATIONS ARE MOVING TO
IRELAND NOW…BECAUSE THEY HAVE A LOW
TAX RATE…in this global economy,
they can do that…IF YOU HAVE THE
CHOICE OF WORKING AT TWO DIFFERENT
PLACES AND ONE PLACE YOU WILL BENEFIT
A LOT MORE…WHICH ONE WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
THINK ABOUT IT…ITS NOT WHICH ONE
CAN CALL THE OTHER ONE THE MOST
CUTE NAMES…BETWEEN THE DEM S & REP S
THIS IS YOUR FUTURE…WHERE WILL YOU
BE IN 2010? PLEASE DO NOT TRUST YOUR
FUTURE TO AN UNKNOWN..

Wow, secret tapes not being released but reported all over Fox News. Reminds me of the “Michelle Obama Whitey Tape” that got so much Fox press a few months ago. No one has been able to find that one, either.
If there was such a tape, there would be more than one copy and someone would be releasing it. I’ve never heard anyone from the Times say that there even is a tape, so let’s start there.
And, yes I do know the issues and exactly what Barack is going to do for my country. Yes, I will pay slightly higher taxes under his administration, but 95% of the country won’t. Since I love my country and put country first, going back to the tax rates that existed the last time that this country was in decent shape doesn’t bother me. I just want the country to be a decent place to live again, and that is why I support Barack Obama for President.

From the Jewish Telegraph:
“The attacks from McCain and Palin came as a relationship between Khalidi and the Republican presidential nominee was revealed. The International Republican Institute, an organization McCain has chaired since 1993, provided funds to the Center for Palestine Research and Studies, an organziation co-founded by Khalidi, during the 1990s — including $448,873 in 1998 for the organization to conduct surveys of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.”
McCain’s own relationship with Khalidi goes back to 1993 and involves McCain’s own organization funding him to the tune of nearly half a million dollars!
Any news organization that does not mention this, first and foremost, as the lead in to this allegation should not be in the business.