All But Kucinich and Paul Get Jewish Stamp Of Approval

Pre-Iowa Israel Factor: Knowing Clinton, wanting Clinton Asked which presidential candidates became more relevant as the year progressed, three panelists mentioned McCain and three mentioned Obama. Giuliani and Biden were the other two candidates mentioned.

Republican Rudy Giuliani The former New York mayor returned a $10 million donation from a Saudi prince after 9/11 following his comments on Israel. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 8.75	Democrat Hillary Clinton The Senator for New York and former First Lady supports moving the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 7.375	Independent Michael Bloomberg Backed Israel in the war; said it 'continues to defend itself from unprovoked attacks on innocent civilians.' LAST MONTH' S SCORE: 7.625
Republican John McCain The Arizona Senator believes America must give Israel whatever equipment and technology it needs for defense. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 7.5	Democrat Bill Richardson The Governor of New Mexico maintains that U.S. commitment to the security of Israel is not a negotiable issue. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 6.875	Republican Fred Thompson Condemned Hamas for children's website of 'hateful fanaticism', favors aiding Iranians overthrow their government. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 6.875
Republican Mitt Romney Opposed Khatami's recent U.S. trip, saying taxpayers shouldn't fund a man 'who supports the destruction of Israel.' LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 6.5	Republican Mike Huckabee The Governor of Arkansas has made nine visits to Israel, including a trip to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 6.75	Democrat John Edwards The former senator for North Carolina has said that Iran poses an enormous threat to Israel and to the Israeli people. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 6
Democrat Joseph Biden The Delaware Senator says cannot expect Israel to negotiate with Hamas, which calls for its destruction. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 6	Democrat Christopher Dodd The Senator for Connecticut addressed AIPAC in March 2006 on a nuclear Iran and the Hamas government. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 5.75	Democrat Barack Obama The Senator for Illinois made his first visit to Israel in January 2006, where he visited the north and toured the fence. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 5.25
Republican Sam Brownback The Kansas Senator believes Israel has the right to self-defense and to 'aggressively seek' Shalit's release. FINAL SCORE: 6.625	Democrat Al Gore The former vice president and senator attended the celebrations in Jerusalem to mark the State of Israel's 50th anniversary. FINAL SCORE: 6.875	Republican Newt Gingrich The former Speaker of the House says Syria, Iran, Hezbollah and Hamas form an alliance that cannot be dealt with in isolation. FINAL SCORE: 8
Republican Chuck Hagel The Senator for Nebraska believes that resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is central to bringing about Middle East peace. FINAL SCORE: 3.5	Democrat Wesley Clark The retired four-star U.S. army general has called Hezbollah 'the reach of Iran toward a Mediterranean beach head.' FINAL SCORE: 5	Republican George Pataki The Governor of New York State says there has been a clear pattern of Israeli concession followed by Palestinian terror. LAST MONTH'S SCORE: 6.38
Democrat Tom Vilsack In May 2006, the Governor for Iowa took part in a week-long visit to Israel, organized by AIPAC, to meet with Israeli leaders. FINAL SCORE: 4.86	Republican Condoleezza Rice The Secretary of State urged Israel to help create conditions for a Palestinian state to emerge and has acted as mediator in talks. FINAL SCORE: 5.38	Democrat John Kerry The Democrat's 2004 presidential candidate has called Hamas a 'brutal organization' that refuses to take part in a peaceful process. FINAL SCORE: 4.88
Democrat Evan Bayh The Senator for Indiana called for economic sanctions to deter Iran from plans to develop its nuclear weapons program. FINAL SCORE: 6.25	Republican Bill Frist Tennessee's Senator says Israel clearly has the right to defend itself and calls for continued American support for Israel. LAST SCORE: 5.38	Democrat Russ Feingold The Jewish Senator for Wisconsin sponsored an act calling for the American embassy to be moved from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. LAST SCORE: 5
Republican George Allen Senator for Virginia made a bipartisan call with Senator Joseph Lieberman for the EU to add Hezbollah to its terror group list. LAST SCORE: 6.38	Democrat Mark Warner The former Virginia Governor backs unilateral Israeli moves, on the grounds that Hamas is not currently a suitable partner. LAST SCORE: 6.25

Haaretz