Bibi at the Bat

It’s a good thing for American politicians that Benjamin (Bibi) Netanyahu isn’t a player in U.S. politics. Don’t, for now, consider his views on the Iran nuclear threat. Instead, marvel at his performance before the joint session of Congress.

Talk about being a master of the moment. From the very start, he seized the day. He walked down the center and worked both sides of the aisle – shaking hands, touching shoulders, smiling with good cheer. And when he got to the podium, he looked up to the packed gallery and, to thunderous applause, raised his right hand and waved. There was not a trace of nervousness or hesitation. Bibi grasped the lectern and was immediately in charge, and seemingly at home.

Without teleprompter, he thanked all the right people. And with a natural politician’s touch, he singled out Minority Leader Reid, who had suffered a serious eye injury, and said with warmth, “Harry, good to see you back on your feet. Just shows you can’t keep a good man down.”

After that opener, he told the rapt audience that he was “deeply humbled” to be addressing “the most important legislative body in the world.” A little praise has been known to sway and charm a crowd. The prime minister hit exactly the right note with that line.

Midway through the speech, he pointed out that “with us today is Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel.” Wiesel stood up in the front row of the gallery and acknowledged the mention. The ovation was overwhelming. Everyone rose to show respect. When the premier said that the Jewish people would no longer “remain passive in the face of genocidal horror,” and when he proclaimed, “Those days are over,” the House shook.

He closed perfectly by saying, “May God bless the State of Israel and may God bless the United States of America.”

Politics and persuasion require theater and style. Netanyahu knows this, and practices it with ardor and audacity. He went to high school in suburban Philadelphia and college at MIT. The American idiom is putty in his hands. He came up to the plate and hit the ball out of the park.

Netanyahu’s strong words and powerful oratory have altered the negotiations. That was his primary purpose, and I believe that he has succeeded.

Political analyst Mark Plotkin is a contributor to the BBC on American politics and a contributor to TheHill.com.