Smoke and Mirrors: Why Gates rolled out the red carpet for Ehud Barak

The Obama Administration (have you noticed no one calls it the "White House" anymore?) has welcomed The Other Barak for some photo ops and "understandings." This isn't damage control, because that would imply that something happened in the, you know, past. This is the New Improved Obama, now with Less Vitriol:

But another reason may be that the Obama administration seems to be making a concerted effort to put to rest in particular any impression that the top U.S. military brass was in any way questioning the value of the U.S.-Israeli military and strategic relationship.

Or maybe it's that Barak shares the ideals of Obama, namely socialism and an abhorrence of settlers.

Or maybe it's to further humiliate Netanyahu, by showering love and affection on his political rival.

Or maybe...

The White House is engaged in an aggressive public relations and outreach effort to the Hill and Jewish groups to assure them of its commitment to Israel's security and to explain its policy in support of the peace process. Meantime, both Clinton and Barak are scheduled to address the American Jewish Committee annual meeting in Washington on Thursday.

...it's because Obama's advisers have finally looked at the polls and said, "Oh, shit!"

Source: Politico