NEW
YORK — One declared and one likely Republican presidential contender
criticized the administration's nuclear negotiations with Iran and
reaffirmed their support for Israel as they courted wealthy Jewish
donors Thursday at a gala in New York.
Texas
Sen. Ted Cruz, a declared presidential candidate, and New Jersey Gov.
Chris Christie, who is widely expected to jump into the race next month,
criticized President Barack Obama's handling of the Middle East as they
worked to impress donors at the third annual Champions of Jewish Values
International Awards Gala.
"Our
friends in Israel deserve better than what they've gotten in the last
seven years from this White House," said Christie, who also spoke at the
dinner last year.
The
co-hosts of the gala included politically active millionaires and
billionaires the candidates are wooing as they work to win financial
support in a crowded Republican field that is expanding daily.
Among
those in attendance: Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who is known for
his dedication to Israel and is likely to spend millions backing his
favored candidate. Both Christie and Cruz, along with their wives, were
seated at Adelson's table.
Adelson
has yet to publicly endorse anyone. Andy Abboud, Adelson's top
political aide, has said his boss might not choose until next year.
Adelson
and his wife were among the 2012 presidential election's top donors,
contributing more than $90 million to candidates and causes. That
included money for the super PAC supporting former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, which helped extend his run.
In his remarks, Christie tried to translate his brash persona into a foreign policy that projected toughness.
"We
must meet tragedy with strength. We must meet evil with strength," he
said, making the case that weak leadership from the White House was to
blame for unrest across the Middle East.
"All
throughout the history of the world, it has been clear, direct, honest,
unadulterated strength which those who are evil respond to," he said.
Cruz took a more alarmist tone.
"The
nation of Israel has never been more in jeopardy," he said, declaring
that, come January 2017, the new president should immediately work to
prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities.
"If Iran is on the verge of acquiring nuclear weapons,
that president in 2017 should stand up to the world and explain very
simply: Either Iran will stop, or the United of America will stop it,"
he said.
Neither Cruz nor Christie offered specifics.
Christie
has drawn some unwanted attention at past Adelson events. Last year, he
stumbled in a speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas
when he made a reference to the "occupied territories." He also raised
eyebrows at the gala last year when he made no mention of Israel in his
speech.
No comments:
Post a Comment