US: 'Election results will not affect Mideast policy'
PJ Crowley says peace process is a "significant national interest" reports AFP; in last-ditch effort, Obama urges Americans to vote.
By JPOST.COM STAFF, ASSOCIATED PRESSpj crowley 311(photo credit: AP)Regardless of who wins the US legislative elections, American-led peace efforts in the Middle East will continue, US State Department spokesperson Philip Crowley said Tuesday, as Democrats prepared to face Republican challengers, reported AFP."Democratic and Republican administrations supported by Congress under Democratic or Republican leadership have all supported our pursuit for comprehensive Middle East peace," Crowley said.RELATED:Photo Gallery: Americans head to the voting boothsJewish Democrats fight for survival amid elections"So this is a significant national interest and I would not expect any electoral results to have an impact on that."The spokesperson added that "foreign policy in the United States is bipartisan most of the time.""It is in pursuit of our national interests which don't change administration by administration or election by election."
Crowley nevertheless admitted that after Tuesday's midterm elections, some "key players" may change if the House of Representatives and the Senate get Republican majorities.Also Tuesday, US President Barack Obama gave a series of radio interviews pleading with Democratic supporters not to sit on the sidelines. "I know things are still tough out there, but we finally have job growth again," he said in one. "It is all at risk if people don't turn out and vote today."While Obama's name was not on the ballot, his record and policies were. After nearly two years in power, he and congressional Democrats were saddled politically with ownership of an economy that was barely growing, 9.6 percent unemployment, a high rate of home foreclosures and personal bankruptcies, the residue of the worst recession since the 1930s.Republicans needed to pick up 40 seats to regain a House majority they lost in 2006. That seemed all but assured Tuesday.Less likely, a pickup of 10 would given them control of the Senate.
