OH, PLEASE SAVE US FROM THIS – AT 10:57 A.M. ET:  Mr. Obama wants to travel again.  Will someone please drain the fuel from Air Force One?  According to a leaked report, Obama is going to travel to the Mideast.  Just what they need:

Mr Obama, who set Middle East peace as one of his top foreign policy goals when he assumed office in 2009, will make his first visit as president to Israel and the West Bank to persuade both sides to agree to concessions for the sake of peace.

Mr Obama will oversee the relaunch of direct talks between the two sides next week in Washington.

Although Washington is pushing for a comprehensive peace deal within 12 months, implementation will be spread out over a 10-year period, according to a report in Yediot Aharonot, the Israeli newspaper.

Washington wants the intensive talks to cover core issues, including borders, refugees and the future status of Jerusalem, according to the leaked White House protocols of a conference call held this week between senior administration officials and American Jewish leaders.

If the sides fail to reach an agreement on a particular issue, US officials will intervene and offer a compromise, the report said.

COMMENT:  I think we all sense the excitement in the Middle East over the president's impending visit.  After all, the man has built up such credibility, and such a record of accomplishment, in his first 17 months in office.  Why, he was even given the Nobel Peace Prize during his first week in office.  We await his magic touch.

Oh, notice the last line we quote – that the U.S. will offer compromises if the parties can't reach agreement.  No doubt the Israelis can't wait for Obama's ideas.

August 29, 2010