Obama seeks to reassure Jewish Americans, supporters of Clinton

Speaking today to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, Obama won applause with a promise to "do everything in my power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon." He also assailed his Republican opponent, John McCain, for "willful mischaracterization" of his call for diplomatic outreach to the Iranian regime and said he "has no interest in sitting down with our adversaries just for the sake of talking."

But as president, Obama said, "I would be willing to lead tough and principled diplomacy with the appropriate Iranian leader at a time and place and my choosing -- if and only if it can advance the interests of the United States."

Calling the threat posed by Iran "grave," Obama said that "as president I will never compromise when it comes to Israel's security." He pledged $30 billion in assistance to Israel over the next decade to "ensure that Israel can defend itself from any threat -- from Gaza to Tehran." To a standing ovation, he said, "I will do everything in my power to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon -- everything."

The presumed Democratic nominee took a shot at President Bush for delaying peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians. "I won't wait until the waning days of my presidency," he said. "I will take an active role and make a personal commitment to do all I can to advance the cause of peace from the start of my administration."

Saying that Palestinians "need a state that is contiguous and cohesive," Obama said any agreement "must preserve Israel's identity as a Jewish state, with secure, recognized and defensible borders" and with Jerusalem the capital of an undivided country.

The Illinois senator sought to dispel concerns in the Jewish community, circulating on the Internet, that he is a Muslim and is allied with critics of Israel. Obama is a Christian. "If anyone has been confused by these e-mails," he said, "I want you to know that today I'll be speaking from my heart, and as a true friend of Israel."