menu_open Columnists
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

Conversation with a Candidate

29 0
yesterday

I had a very nice, interesting and friendly conversation with a Democratic candidate for a congressional position.  She was articulate, committed and clearly motivated.

I brought up the subject of Israel and antisemitism.  She gave me the usual Democratic line which was something to the effect that: “Well, we have to be able to talk about policy of Israel, without it being antisemitic.”

I explained to her that focus on Israel, above and beyond all other democracies, is a reflection of antisemitism., I asked her why we do not discuss the politics of Spain and its relationship with separatist provinces.  Why do we not talk about China and India’s assault on Muslim communities.  Why do we never talk about what is happening in Africa, where 800,000 black Christians have been murdered and two million displaced?  The list goes on of course.  Her answer was that these other matters were of concern when she worked in the State Department.

My pitch to her is that the Democratic party is not going to survive the socialist wing, unless candidates return to core Democratic principles.  We need to stand with our allies, all of them, including Israel.  The very fact that Israel is a “special child” because it is fighting for its existence is something that Democratic candidates need to embrace.

My view to the candidate was that people like her are terrified and intimidated by the hard left of their party, just as Republicans were apoplectic about what they considered to be a threat from the tea party movement.  Republicans now deny that, but it was unquestionably an issue for moderate, mainstream Republican candidates.

I asked the candidate how she would vote on a Bill limiting the........

© The Times of Israel (Blogs)