The real difference between McCain and Obama

Much has been made of the differences between McCain and Obama, differences in rhetorical style, personal history, professional qualifications. But the real difference between them only becomes obvious in their AIPAC speeches.

Both politicians tried last week to forge a personal connection with one of Washington's strongest lobbies. Each brought up what he believed to be the strongest moment in America's relationship with the Jewish world.

McCain said, "When President Truman recognized the new State of Israel sixty years ago, he acted on the highest ideals and best instincts of our country." He also referred to the Holocaust, saying "And today, when we join in saying "never again," that is not a wish, a request, or a plea to the enemies of Israel." He played on the most critical and obvious fear of Jews in America: that the Holocaust will be repeated, and that the ugliness of the past doesn't go away.

Obama, on the other hand, chose a very different historical moment to analyze: " In the great social movements in our country’s history, Jewish and African Americans have stood shoulder to shoulder. " Of the future, he said, "Their legacy is our inheritance. "

Both men toed the party line, saying that they would never discount military force as an option when dealing with Israel's enemies. Obama also said, "I also believe that the United States has a responsibility to support Israel’s efforts to renew peace talks with the Syrians." And he spoke to one of my (pet) concerns when he said "Israel can also advance the cause of peace by taking appropriate steps - consistent with its security - to ease the freedom of movement for Palestinians, improve economic conditions in the West Bank, and to refrain from building new settlements - as it agreed to with the Bush Administration at Annapolis."

But ultimately, the difference between the two men came down to this. McCain said, "The threats to Israel's security are large and growing, and America's commitment must grow as well." Obama said, "I deeply understood the Zionist idea - that there is always a homeland at the center of our story."

And if McCain did well to capitalize on fear, Obama may have done better to talk about home. The truth is, Jews in America are just that: Jews in America. My many Jewish friends can criticize and commend Israel in equal measure. They are the recipients of a dual legacy: that of the Holocaust, yes, but also that of the people who realized that "never again" meant standing up against bigotry in all its forms, across nations and cultures.

This legacy is something that McCain, the torture survivor, could also have cited. Because McCain knows, just as Obama does, that fear can inspire strength. What is telling is that McCain chose not to talk about that. Instead, he talked about the foundation of Israel, which was, in many ways, not America's strongest moment. After treating the Jews of the world abominably, the US joined Europe in creating a nation where none existed, without consulting the people there or considering the consequences. Instead of offering refuge to Jews fleeing the European death camps, America preferred to send them far, far away.

That, in McCain's opinion, was one of our moments of greatest national strength.