Probably was that Khalid, from the wikipedia article, lower down:
2008 U.S. presidential campaign
Consequent to publication by the Los Angeles Times of an article about Obama’s attendance at a 2003 farewell dinner for Khalidi, their relationship became an issue in the campaign.[43] Some opponents of Barack Obama claimed that the relationship between Obama and Khalidi was evidence that Obama would not maintain a pro-Israel foreign policy if elected.[43] When asked, Obama called his own commitment to Israel “unshakeable” and said he does not consult with Khalidi on foreign policy.[44] Opponents of Republican candidate John McCain pointed out that he had served as chairman of the International Republican Institute (IRI) during the 1990s which provided grants worth $500,000 to the Center for Palestine Research and Studies, which was co-founded by Khalidi, for the purpose of polling the views of the Palestinian people.[45]