Pray for a Republican Victory on Tuesday

Usually, I'm impressed with Gil Hoffman's reporting and analysis. His articles are characterized by a clear and logical line of reasoning, linking observations with qualitative insights. As such, I was surprised by his analysis and conclusions in his article today, which stated that a Democratic loss in the midterms would translate into greater problems for Israel.

The 2010 U.S. midterm elections for Congress (, for both House and Senate,) are widely viewed as a referendum mainly on domestic policy, but also, to some degree, on foreign policy.

When Democrats lose control of the House, and moreso if they lose the Senate majority as well, President Obama, his facilitators, and handlers, will face a sobering reality. They can either defy the great majority of Americans and continue to push unpopular, economically disastrous policies, or they can concentrate on bolstering enough support from the mainstream and struggle to secure a second term in the White House. Clinton faced this choice in 1994 and drastically changed his policies to win a second term.

Given the priority of the economy, especially jobs, on the U.S. public's agenda, the executive branch of the U.S. will not be concentrating on foreign policy. They will certainly not be squandering any resources on any "peace process" unless a clear breakthrough is on the horizon.

While the economy is foremost on Americans' minds, polls indicate that the majority is very unhappy with Obama's foreign policy direction. His aggressively antagonistic posture towards Israel angers a majority of Americans, who are pro-Israel. They are by and large opposed to gestures which appear to appease imperialist and extremist elements in the Muslim world. Obama's kowtowing to the Saudi Prince and his support for the building of the Mosque at 9/11's Ground Zero have demonstrated to most Americans, including those who voted him into office and now suffer "Obama Remorse," that he is out of touch with his public. The pragmatic leaders in the Democratic party know this and it scares them.

The revitalized elements in the Republican party, which are successfully and effectively promoting many candidates for the Congress, are also staunchly and characteristically pro-Israel. With a Republican Speaker of the House, and perhaps a Republican Senate Majority Leader, Obama is going to find funding difficult for even the most miniscule expenditures if he tries to pressure Israel. The President may set foreign policy, but the Congress controls the government's purse strings for implementing those policies.

A Democratic defeat will go a long way in neutralizing the motivation for the Obama Administration to pressure Israel. To the contrary, a Republican victory will revitalize the spirit of kindred alliance that links Israel and the U.S. and defang the far left's open hostility towards the Jewish State.