JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

RJC asks if you’re “concerned about Barack Obama”

By Eric Fingerhut · September 9, 2008

"Concerned about Barack Obama? You should be." That's the tagline for a new ad campaign just unveiled by the Republican Jewish Coalition.

The word "naive" is a common theme of the two ads, which started running in Jewish newspapers last week. One calls the Democrat's foreign policy "weak and naive," while the other calls his position on Iran "naive and dangerous."

Both ads mention Obama's opposition to legislation that would have declared Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization, saying in the Iran ad that the "no" vote raises "real questions about his judgement and experience."

McCain is also not invulnerable when it comes to Senate votes; he has yet to endorse Obama's Iran Sanctions Enabling Act, which would protect organizations divesting from the Islamic Republic from lawsuits and would facilitate such divestment. Pro-Israel insiders attribute Republican lethargy on the bill in part to not wanting to give Obama a legislative victory during an election in which Republicans are trying to Obama as thin in accomplishments.

Speaking at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee policy conference in May, Obama slammed McCain for not joining the bill. RJC director Matt Brooks, speaking at a press conference in Minneapolis during the Republican Party convention last week, dismissed concerns about McCain's failure to back the sanctions legislation. "In order for it to work, it's got to be credible," he said. "I don't think they can credibly make that argument about John. McCain." (Of course, the same could be said about Biden, who has led major pro-Israel initiatives, including the Palestinian Anti-Terrorism Act in 2006).

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Now it’s the Republicans’ turn to fight smears

By Eric Fingerhut · September 9, 2008

After months of Jewish Democrats fighting rumors and other untrue charges about Barack Obama's record, it's now the Jewish Republicans' turn to fight "smears."

The Republican Jewish Coalition has put out a lengthy "fact sheet" debunking some of the stories that have been circulating about GOP vice presidential nominee Sarah Palin, from Pat Buchanan to Jews for Jesus to her alleged support for creationism.

The creationism story was a popular talking point for Democrats on the weekend political talk shows, but the RJC points to an Associated Press story that reported she took no action to add creationism to the state curriculum. Here's the RJC's full release:

Smears Debunked: The Truth About Gov. Sarah Palin

Smear: Democrats lie about Governor Palin supporting Pat Buchanan for President Facts: Gov. Sarah Palin endorsed Steve Forbes in 1996 and 2000, not George W. Bush or Pat Buchanan.

While Mayor of Wasilla, AK, Gov. Palin had a policy that if a candidate came to her city, she would wear that button on the day they were there. Pat Buchanan came to Wasilla so the day he came, she wore a button. On July 26, 1999, then-Mayor Palin wrote the Anchorage Daily News to clarify the record because a wire service story the paper had published nine days before "may have left your readers with the perception that I am endorsing" Buchanan because she had welcomed his visit to her town. "As mayor," she explained, "I will welcome all the candidates in Wasilla." (Anchorage Daily News, 7/26/99)

Smear: Democrats lie about Governor Palin endorsing the views of a Jews for Jesus speaker that spoke once in her church. Facts: Gov. Palin did not know this speaker would be at her church and emphatically rejects his views.

This is based on concerns about a sermon presented last month at the church she usually attends. The Jewish news agency JTA investigated and reported that 1) Palin would have had no way of knowing that this person would be speaking at church that day, 2) Palin rejects the Christian speaker's offensive views, and 3) Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, has seen "no evidence" that she shares those views. (JTA, 9/3/08)

Also, this speaker spoke once at Palin's church. Democrats should be cautious when their candidate, Barack Obama, embraced an anti-American, anti-Semitic pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright who was both a personal friend and mentor for 20 years. Democrats are absolutely attempting to smear Gov. Palin with distorted facts. Democrats are doing a disservice to themselves if they think with one or two distorted facts that they can fool the Jewish community.

Smear: Democrats lie about Governor Palin censoring library books. Facts: The Anchorage Daily News found that then-Mayor Palin never proposed to ban a single book. (Anchorage Daily News, 9/4/08) All other rumors and innuendo on this topic are outright smears.

Smear: Democrats lie about Governor Palin seeking to have creationism taught in public schools. Facts: Gov. Palin took no action to add creationism to the state's curriculum throughout her term in office.

The Associated Press investigated and found that Gov. Palin "kept her campaign pledge not to "push the State Board of Education to add creation-based alternatives to the state's required curriculum or look for creationism activists when she appointed members." The AP also quoted a political observer in the state who observed, "She has basically ignored social issues period." (Associated Press, 9/3/08)

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Palin energizes Jewish Dems too?

By Eric Fingerhut · September 9, 2008

John McCain's selection of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate has ignited enthusiasm among Republicans. The National Jewish Democratic Council believes it has also energized Jewish Democrats – to work even harder to ensure she doesn't become vice president. The organization is using the Palin pick to raise money, callling the selection "bizarre" and emphasizing her "zero foreign policy experience." Here's the full fundraising e-mail:

Dear NJDC Activist:

"Kissing the Jewish vote goodbye," that was the headline in The Guardian this week about the McCain campaign that noted, "candidates like Palin are the Jews' worst nightmare."

The Politico noted in an article entitled, "Jewish voters may be wary of Palin," that, "John McCain may have helped Obama with his Jewish problem by choosing Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his running mate."

In McCain's first critical presidential decision, his judgment appears to be lacking with the selection of his Vice Presidential running mate. In Governor Sarah Palin, McCain selected a running mate with zero foreign policy experience and a brewing scandal which is being investigated by the Alaska state legislature.

The Palin selection seems bizarre, as the McCain campaign has spent the better part of the past year loudly exclaiming that it was reaching out to Jewish voters and made much to do about considering two Jewish legislators – Senator Joe Lieberman and Representative Eric Cantor – as vice presidential possibilities.

When asked what qualification he was looking for in selecting a Vice President, McCain, who turned 72 last week, has said, "The fundamental principle behind any selection of a running mate would be whether that person is fully prepared to take over." So why select Palin?

On domestic issues, Palin is totally out of step with public opinion in the Jewish community. Palin is against reproductive freedom – even in the cases of rape and incest; one of the first organizations to support her nomination was the Christian Coalition.

As the voice for Jewish Democrats in this crucial election season, the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) must have a strong and visible presence within the Jewish community to educate voters about the facts and Palin's stands on the issues at stake in November.

Make a contribution now to NJDC.

Your help and support will enable us to strategically focus our resources and further expand our work throughout the country where the Jewish voters can make a difference.

The election is less than 60 days away, and in order to launch our outreach plans we must raise significant funds by September 10th.

Make a contribution today, and help NJDC get the facts out!

Sincerely,

Ira N. Forman

Executive Director National Jewish Democratic Council

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Lieberman won’t be lunching with Dems for a while

By Eric Fingerhut · September 9, 2008

The fallout from Sen. Joe Lieberman's (I-Conn.) speech at the Republican National Convention continues back in Washington. Not only is there talk that the former Democratic vice presidential nominee might lose his chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee, but now Lieberman has decided that he shouldnt be attending the weekly Democratic caucues or the biweekly chairman's lunches used to formulate policy.

"It was not fair for me, since I'm not supporting Sen. Obama, to be there," Lieberman told The Hill newspaper. "I think I'll stay away for a while, with respect."

Earlier reports had Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) excluding Lieberman, but Reid put out a statement denying that story. Here's that press release:

Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, made the following statement today regarding false reports that Senator Joe Lieberman is excluded from Democrats' future weekly caucus lunches:

"While it is no secret that the Democratic caucus is disappointed in Senator Lieberman's attacks on Senator Obama, the irresponsible report that Senator Lieberman has been excluded from caucus meetings is completely untrue. Senator Lieberman has chosen to not attend Democratic caucus lunches, and that is his choice."

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Obama campaign gets serious in Fla. (UPDATED)

By Eric Fingerhut · September 9, 2008

Two weeks ago in Denver, Jewish congressional Democrats refused to acknowledge at a press conference that some South Florida Jewish Democrats were wary of voting for Barack Obama – even though a number of Florida state legislators had told reporters that they saw significant resistance to the Democrat when they campaigned for him at condos in the region. But the Obama campaign is taking those reports about Florida seriously.

According to a press release, the campaign has launched six Obama Jewish Community Ledership Committees in Florida, "which include nearly 1000 Jewish leaders across the state in Miami, Broward County, Palm Beach County, Tampa Bay, Orlando, and Sarasota."

Other details of the campaign's Florida Jewish strategy were contained in the press release, excerpted below:

Top national surrogates, like Senators Biden, Schumer and Ben Cardin of Maryland have traveled to Florida to meet with the Jewish community, and others like special Middle East coordinator Dennis Ross will continue to do so on behalf of the campaign.

JCLC members make-up a critical component of the campaign's field operation in predominantly-Jewish neighborhoods and communities, and participate in phone banks and canvasses.

The campaign and JCLC members are hosting Jewish outreach house parties.

The campaign is providing resources for JCLC members and other Jewish supporters to talk about Senators Obama and Biden's strong records on issues of importance to the Jewish community in Florida, including standing by Israel, strengthening public education, defending the division between church and state, making sure Social Security remains viable and solvent, ensuring healthcare for all, appointing moderate justices to the Supreme Court and protecting a woman's right to choose.

The Obama campaign has also been bolstered by widespread support of rabbis nationwide, including a number of rabbis in Florida like Rabbi Joel Levine of Palm Beach Gardens.

JCLCs will also be launched in Jacksonville, Tallahassee and other Florida cities between now and November.

A top Florida Jewish Republican has responded. According to Politico, Florida House Majority Leader Adam Hasner said Sarah Palin will help attract votes among Jews:

Don't underestimate Gov. Palin's support in the Jewish community. The Obama campaign's recent move acknowledges that they have ongoing problem in the Jewish community, and just going around Florida to scare voters about Gov. Palin won't work. Jewish voters are more thoughtful than just being one issue voters and they wont react well to attacks against her because of her religion - as a religious minority that would be insulting to many Jews.

21 Comments | Share This | Barack Obama, Florida, Presidential Race |

Political tidbits: Exodus from Lieberman’s Senate office is underway

By Eric Fingerhut · September 9, 2008

• Sen. Joe Lieberman's legislative director Joe Goffman quit yesterday, and Politico says it was a protest against his boss' endosement of John McCain – and notes a half-dozen other recent defections. Here's Goffman's farewell e-mail.
• Bradley Burston in Haaretz compares the language in the Democratic and Republican platforms on Israel-related issues.
• In another piece, Burston writes that Israel has "disappeared" as a campaign issue, but offers seven ways it could return to "haunt" the campaign.
• Mark Silk at the blog Spiritual Politics predicts Palin's nomination will help Obama among Jews and predicts a 70-28 breakdown in the Jewish vote for the Democrat.
• Jewish comedienne and performance artist Sandra Bernhard starts a month-long run at the Washington DCJCC's Theater J tonight and tells a D.C. gay weekly that John McCain is "hypocritical and stupid" for pointing fingers at celebrities.

6 Comments | Share This | Uncategorized |

GOP and Dem platforms, side by side

By Uriel Heilman · September 9, 2008

Ha'aretz has a helpful side-by-side comparison of the Israel-related items in the Republican and Democratic party platforms: Jerusalem, Israel's future borders, Palestinian refugees, Iran, Hamas, Palestinian statehood and Israeli security. You may need a lawyer's eye to see the differences.

Here's how Bradley Burston introduces the piece:

On first reading, the language of both the Republican and Democratic and Party platform planks on Israel may seem curiously similar.

But there are significant differences in tone and, to an extent, in substance over such issues as the fate of Jerusalem, future borders, and Iran policy, modalities that may become important as the major parties wrangle over the Jewish vote in battleground states.

You can read the JTA pieces on the Republican and Democratic party platforms here.

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Koch: Obama is my guy—Palin is scary

By Ami Eden · September 9, 2008

Back in June, as the New York Observer reported, Ed Koch was holding out on whether to endorse Barack Obama. Well, now the former Big Apple mayor – a Democrat who has endorsed Republicans, including President Bush in 2004 – is on board (see full endorsement below). What changed? Apparently, according to Politico, Koch is not a big fan of Sarah Palin:

"The designation of Palin to be vice president," he said. "She's scary."

He said he was alarmed by the report that she'd triggered a conflict with the local librarian in Wasilla, Alaska by inquiring about the possibility of banning books.

"Any time someone goes to the library and says, 'I want to ban books,' and the librarian says 'no,' and she threatens to fire them – that's scary," he said.

(Palin at the time said she was just inquiring about the library's policy on banning books, with no aim of actually banning any. "It was a rhetorical quesiton – nothing more," the McCain-Palin campaign said in a memo yesterday. And no books were banned, the town says.)

Here's the full endorsement:

Ed Koch

Presidential Endorsement

September 9, 2008

The time has come to declare whom I will be voting for.

When I made my decision four years ago and supported the reelection of George W. Bush, I said at the time the overwhelming issue for me was international Islamic terrorism, including al-Qaeda. The goal of Islamic terrorists was and still is to reestablish the Caliphate encompassing most of the Muslims living in a host of nations from Spain to Indonesia and placing them under a single religious leader with full authority over the civil affairs of the countries, in the style of Iran. That goal includes the deaths or forced conversions of Christians and Jews as infidels or the payment by them of tribute, and the elimination of the State of Israel.

In 2004, I concluded that the one person running for president who understood that danger best and was prepared to fight it and defend America and its allies was George W. Bush. Even though he is now at a low ebb in popularity, I have no regrets for having campaigned and voted for him. I said at the time I didn't agree with him on a single domestic issue and so far as I can currently see that is still true with the exception of drilling for oil off our coasts and building nuclear energy plants.

I believe that Bush and Tony Blair, Bush's main international ally with regard to the war in Iraq and against Islamic terrorism, will be redeemed by history. President Harry Truman was reviled when he left office, but is now honored for his courage and vision.

Now, once again, I have to make a decision to either endorse the Democratic ticket of Obama and Biden or support the Republican ticket of McCain and Palin. I am 83 years old. If I am lucky, I may yet vote not only in this election, but in the presidential election of 2012 and perhaps, if luckier, even in that of 2016. I believe I must vote my conscience, and that means for the presidential candidate who in my estimation will best protect the U.S. over the next four years.

I personally know two of those running: Joe Biden and John McCain. I like and admire them both. John McCain is a genuine war hero and patriot. Joe Biden is a friend well versed in foreign and domestic affairs, who had made judgment calls on domestic and foreign policy and legislation that I agree with. I do not personally really know the Democratic presidential candidate, Barack Obama, having spoken to him only once and briefly, or the Republican vice presidential candidate, Sarah Palin.

One foreign policy issue that particularly concerned me in 2004 was the security of Israel. I thought in 2004 that issue was better left to President George W. Bush, and I believe I was right. President Bush understood the need to support the security of Israel and did so. I did not feel that way about Senator John Kerry.

That is not an issue in this election. Both parties and their candidates have made clear, before and during this election campaign their understanding of the need to support Israel and oppose acts of terrorism waged against it by Hamas and other Muslim supporters of terrorism.

So the issue for me is who will best protect and defend America.

I have concluded that the country is safer in the hands of Barack Obama, leader of the Democratic Party and protector of the philosophy of that party. Protecting and defending the U.S. means more than defending us from foreign attacks. It includes defending the public with respect to their civil rights, civil liberties and other needs, e.g., national health insurance, the right of abortion, the continuation of Social Security, gay rights, other rights of privacy, fair progressive taxation and a host of other needs and rights.

If the vice president were ever called on to lead the country, there is no question in my mind that the experience and demonstrated judgment of Joe Biden is superior to that of Sarah Palin. Sarah Palin is a plucky, exciting candidate, but when her record is examined, she fails miserably with respect to her views on the domestic issues that are so important to the people of the U.S., and to me. Frankly, it would scare me if she were to succeed John McCain in the presidency.

I reiterate the question each of us must answer in making our choice, who will best protect and defend America, domestically and with respect to the literal defense of the country? I hope I've made the right decision but only time will tell.

Whoever wins should and, I hope, will, following the election, receive the support of all Americans, no matter how they voted, especially in these perilous times. God Bless America and the next president and vice president of the U.S.

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