With his “progressive” pedigree and huge support from the Nutroots blogosphere, these statements from Barack Obama to AIPAC are surprising, if not jaw-dropping: Obama supports Israel. Period. (Hat tip: Killgore Trout.)

On American aid to Israel: “We must preserve our total commitment to our unique defense relationship with Israel by fully funding military assistance and continuing work on the Arrow and related missile defense programs.”

On diplomacy: “Our job is to do more than lay out another road map.”

On Israel’s security: “Our job is to rebuild the road to real peace and lasting security throughout the region. That effort begins with a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel: Our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy. That will always be my starting point.”

On the Palestinian leadership: “We should all be concerned about the agreement negotiated among Palestinians in Mecca last month.”

On U.S. mediation: “We should never seek to dictate what is best for the Israelis and their security interests. No Israeli prime minister should ever feel dragged to or blocked from the negotiating table by the United States.”

This is not going to go over well at Daily Kos.

UPDATE at 3/2/07 3:14:56 pm:

Here’s the complete speech at the “progressive” site TPM Cafe, where the commenters pretty much agree that Obama was just pandering to AIPAC. For money. Text of the Obama Speech at AIPAC today.