Washington Abuzz With Lobby Story

Washington is abuzz this morning with all kinds of speculation about why the AIPAC/Harman story broke now.

It is huge.  The story has been kicking around for four years but has never made page one of the Times.  But now it's there and every major blog (including the rightwing DRUDGE report) is running with it.

Most observers think the timing is suspicious but the author of the original CQ piece, Jeff Stein, told MSNBC that he's been working on the story for some time.  He published it when he had the corroboration he needed.

Others say that the timing (when President Obama apparently wants to show Prime Minister Netanyahu who is in charge) is tricky.

Who knows?  But the story is there and it has to be dealt with. 

It should be noted that only one organization is cited in the story but the "lobby" is more than just one organization.  Israel Policy Forum, J Street, American Jewish Committee, etc are all part of the lobby.  Obviously, not all of us are supporters of Israeli policies but we are all part of that apparatus called the lobby.

Let's hope the media doesn't paint with too broad a brush.  This is about one Member of Congress and one organization.  That is a distinction that makes a difference.