James Baker vs. Jeb Bush

Secretary of State James Baker in Kuwait (1991).

James Baker appeared before J Street (Washington anti-AIPAC lobby) Monday evening, as Jacob Heilbrunn writes here, to chide Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for opposing Iran talks and disdaining a two-state solution with the Palestinians. For his efforts, Baker, Mr. Heilbrunn notes, has been repudiated by Jeb Bush in an effort to “shore up his support among the GOP’s pro-Israel base.”

Heilbrunn continues, “It’s an unfortunate but unsurprising turn of events. Baker, after all, served not only George H.W. Bush but also George W. Bush, at least of playing a key roll in securing the presidency for him.”

Mr. Heilbrunn concludes that Baker is a consummate diplomat who helped win the cold war without firing a shot.