Jewish Democrat channels Nixon

Capital J

By Eric Fingerhut · February 27, 2009

Ira Forman is confident that the Obama administration will make the "right decision" on the Durban II conference. And if he's wrong, "hold my feet to the fire," said the National Jewish Democratic Council executive director.

Forman, speaking to reporters on Thursday, pulled out Spiro Agnew's old line (written by William Safire) -- "nattering nabobs of negativism" -- to describe those who claim Obama is unfriendly to Israel.

"I'm confident they'll look at what they've seen in the last week and make the right decision," he said. "I am confident the administration will stand up against anti-Semitism."

Also on Thursday, the Presidents' Conference also said it was confident Obama would make the "right conclusion," although it didn't issue any challenges like Foman did.