To Obama, solving the Palestinian/Israeli conflict would be proof-positive of both his personal greatness as well as a affirmation of his worldview. But his method - Chicago-style thug politics - were not going to work on the Israelis, who face death every time they pay bus fare.
Remember the tactics?
Obama Fails To Force Netanyahu To Crawl...
....Obama's policy vis-a-vis Israel is the greatest Audacity yet. Barack Hussein Obama, a Muslim/not Muslim, is hoping to succeed where mullahs, Middle East dictators, terrorist Chairman, and Kings, Princes, and madman have failed.
He believes he can bring Israel to her knees before him.
He tried, earlier this week:
But Mr Obama was less inclined to be so conciliatory. He immediately presented Mr Netanyahu with a list of 13 demands designed both to the end the feud with his administration and to build Palestinian confidence ahead of the resumption of peace talks. Key among those demands was a previously-made call to halt all new settlement construction in east Jerusalem.
When the Israeli prime minister stalled, Mr Obama rose from his seat declaring: "I'm going to the residential wing to have dinner with Michelle and the girls."
As he left, Mr Netanyahu was told to consider the error of his ways. "I'm still around," Mr Obama is quoted by Israel's Yediot Ahronot newspaper as having said. "Let me know if there is anything new"
There wasn't. So Obama refused to pose for photos with Bibi. Big man, our president.
So what has happened since? Settlements have continued, the Palestinians - having felt that they were thrown under a bus by Obama, having made demands he couldn't enforce - have now gone all-in on terrorism, and Obama has rewarded them. Is it all just spittle in the face of Benjamin Netanyahu? Just more of Obama "punishing his enemies"? A childish act of frustration by a president who can't get his way?
Barack Obama
Funny, I wrote last month about the Barack v. Bibi brawl, calling it a "mismatch" a la Mike Tyson vs. Glass Joe. Seems like Obama is still itching for payback any way he can get it, even if it means threatening the national security of the entire nation of Israel.
One might call it an "audacious gamble" by Obama, especially with Netanyahu coming to town next week to address Congress and Jewish supporters. To me, it smells like more of the same amateur, peevish behavior from the most immature president since either Clinton or JKF.
Does Obama believe this time, unlike last time, he can force Bibi to crawl? Unlikely. Expect Netanyahu to coolly reject Obama's demands, again, and take his case to a supportive Congress and American people. And once again, he will emerge victorious, further enraging the bitch-in-Chief, and perhaps leading him to contemplate a first-strike on behalf of the poor, oppressed, Palestinian people.
But what about that fat Jewish cash? Ah, that's a subject for another post...