Where's the Process?

President Obama spoke at the United Nations yesterday trying to shore up his bona fides as a peacemaker and as strong ally of Israel.  He expressed his support for a Palestinian state but advocated against United Nations recognition of an independent Palestine, explaining that peace cannot be forced, and that it can only be negotiated.  Theoretically, Obama shored up his support from Jewish voters for 2012 in electorally important states such as New York and Florida.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy - who is also up for re-election in 2012, seemed to take a more focused and sharpened approach.  He advocated admitting the Palestinian Authority in a lesser form of U.N. membership - observer state status, to be precise - but suggested that the Israelis and the Palestinians give themselves a year to work something out.  That plan may suggest a forced peace, but it also encourages both sides to work toward a solution that has been elusive for far too long.  By contrast, Obama seemed to be abdicating any serious role in pursuing an agreement.   

So did President Obama at least placate the world body? Maybe, but only temporarily under the best circumstances.  Did he help shore up his voter base in, say, Florida? Given today's 391-point drop in the stock market that wiped out a lot of investments from retirees, he's going to have to do a lot more than just provide assurances to Israel to win the Sunshine State next year. 

And no matter what happens to the American economy, the Palestinians aren't likely to get their state soon.