JTA: The Global News Service of the Jewish People

Vote of confidence for Shulman

By Eric Fingerhut · October 16, 2008

The Democratic Party likes the blind rabbi’s chances in New Jersey.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee this week upgraded Dennis Shulman from one of its “emerging races” to “Red to Blue,” meaning that the Democratic candidate in New Jersey’s Fifth District will get additional financial, communications and strategic support from the party in his race against three-term incumbent Rep. Scott Garrett (R-N.J.). The change in designation also serves as an important signal to potential donors that the race is competitive and that their dollars could make a difference.

“Dennis Shulman is running a solid campaign and is committed to making things easier for middle class families in their districts,” said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), chair of the DCCC, in a statement. “With less than 21 days to make his case for change to voters, the Red to Blue program will give Shulman the financial and structural edge to be even more competitive in November.”

“Our grassroots campaign for change has been growing so rapidly in Northern New Jersey, and we welcome the additional support,” said Shulman in a statement released by his campaign.

In response, Garrett told the Newark Star-Ledger that Shulman is an “empty suit” and a “tax and spend pawn for Washington elites.”

Another Jewish Democratic challenger for U.S. Congress received a similar upgrade. Josh Segall, who is taking on three-term incumbent Rep. Mike Rogers (R) in Alabama’s Third District, also was moved from “emerging races” to “Red to Blue.”

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Biden will headline NJDC event

By Eric Fingerhut · September 11, 2008

Democratic vice presidential nominee Joe Biden will be the keynote speaker at this month’s National Jewish Democratic Council conference in Washington.

The exact time of Biden’s appearance is not yet set, said an NJDC spokesperson, but the conference begins on the afternoon of Sept. 23 and continues all day Sept. 24. The speech will be the first time Biden has spoken in front of a meeting of a national Jewish organization since his selection last month as Barack Obama’s running mate.

Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean will also speak at the parley.

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The intermarriage party

By Ami Eden · September 4, 2008

You know you’ve been in this business (Jewish journalism) too long when ... the rest of the country is taking in Joe Biden’s tragic/inspiring story of losing his first wife and a baby daughter in a car crash, then managing to press ahead with his political career and raise his other children – but the only family detail you care about is that one of his sons married into a Jewish family.

And if you think that’s bad, here’s what flashed through my head next:

• Bill Clinton and Hillary Clinton’s only child is seriously involved with a Jewish guy.


• One of Al Gore’s daughters is married to a Schiff


• One of Nancy Pelosi’s daughters is married to a Jewish guy.


• Harry Reid married a Jewish woman (they both eventually converted to Mormonism – read more here).


• Howard Dean is married to a Jewish woman – and lights the menorah.

For those keeping score, that’s the top Democrat in the House of Representatives, the top Democrat in the Senate, the chair of the Democratic National Committee, the most recent Democratic president and first lady, the most recent Democratic vice president, and the current vice presidential candidate. All we’re missing is the One, but to be fair the Obama children haven’t even reached Bat Mitzvah age – give ‘em time (until then, be happy with the news that Michelle Obama has a cousin who’s a rabbi).

Back to Biden… he played up his Jewish connection Tuesday, during a town hall in South Florida packed with Jewish seniors:

“Look, my son married – and matter of fact, her, uh – my son married into the Berger family,” he said, referring to his son Beau Biden’s marriage to the former Hallie Berger. “We’re going to be mishpokhe before this all is over, I promise you.”

In general, I’m not sure whether that’s the best crowd for boasting about the whole intermarriage thing (though I have a hunch that many in the audience would be more comfortable with a Biden marrying in than, say, an Obama). I’d be especially reticent during this campaign, given the Internet track record of the anti-Obama forces.

Forget the Muslim stuff, I can see the new conspiratorial e-mail: Stop the Democratic plot to destroy the Jews with intermarriage. Every time a Democrat wins, another Jewish family loses. And with those two precious Obama girls, this year it’s likely to cost us two good Jewish boys.

Of course, for Jewish paranoids – I’m sure there are only a few of them out there, but they all seem to have my e-mail address – it’s a tough choice: Do you prefer a party whose goyim want to marry us or convert us?

2 Comments | Share This | barack obama, Bill Clinton, DNC, hillary clinton, Howard Dean, Joe Biden