Jewish Dems Defend Muslim Candidate (Ellison in MN)

The Jewish Daily Forward ^ | Sep 29, 2006 | Jennifer Siegel

[Clintonfatigued]

As Republicans press their campaign to discredit Minnesota lawmaker Keith Ellison over his past ties to the Nation of Islam, some Jewish Democrats are emerging as leading backers of his bid to become the first Muslim member of Congress.

“Keith has recognized his past mistakes and renounced his brief association with the Nation of Islam,” wrote Ira Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, in a press statement released September 21. “It is only the GOP attack machine who seems intent on not moving on.”

The release — issued in response to recent criticism from Ellison’s opponent, Republican Alan Fine, as well as from state GOP party leaders — puts the national Jewish group at the forefront of Ellison’s defense.

Ellison and Fine are competing for the seat of Democratic Rep. Martin Sabo, who is retiring after 28 years in office.

While the legislator has been viewed as a virtual shoo-in for election from the state’s overwhelmingly liberal fifth district since his September 12 primary win, local Jewish Democrats remain divided over his candidacy, while other key Democrats appear to be ducking a fight.

[sheik yerbouty]

They're idiots..

[madison10]

What you said...

[Clintonfatigued]

This is disturbing.

[Clintonfatigued]

Bad news ping

[Screamname]

These guys need to take lessons from this guy....

http://13gb.com/media.php?media_id=923

[doc1019]

Stupid is as stupid does.

[Eagles6]

So he changes his religion from one that psycohpathically hates Jews to one that actively kills Jews and works for their total destruction and they see this as a good thing?

[bpjam]

Ellison refuses to distance himself from groups like CAIR and the Holy Land Foundation. Both raise funds and defend terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah routinely and point the finger of blame at the U.S. for all of the terrorism problems. Running Ellison is a sign that the Dems are tough on terrorism or supporting of Jews?? NOT!!!!

The highest profile Democrat Jew in the entire United State of America is Joe Lieberman. They used him to get votes in Florida from all those old alter kakers (old people) in Palm Beach and Boca Raton. And after they lost the White House, the kicked ol' Joe to the curb. They ran out of their party the only Jew to have been on the national ticket. Its time for all Jews to start looking at their Democratic Party upbringing and decide if the party still represents them.

[Torie]

I guess Jews, as do Christians, believe in redemption too. I don't much, absent the perp jumping a lot of high hurdles, but then I fashion my own moral compass, for better or worse.

[M-cubed]

Its time for all Jews to start looking at their Democratic Party upbringing and decide if the party still represents them.<<<

LOL...No conflict here folks....move along.... before u get flamed...

[fieldmarshaldj]

It is becoming more and more clear that you can either be a good Jew/good Christian or a good Democrat. You cannot be both.

[outdriving]

This is more than disturbing. It is insane that Jews of all people would be supporting this garbage.

I don't even have words... There is the old "self hating" stereotype, and the leftist bent. But given today's reality, the Jews I know would see this Islamist clown as the threat he is.

This just blows me away.

[Clintonfatigued]

The only hopeful note in that article is where it points out that the Jewish community as a whole is not necessarily rallying around Ellison.

Still, I can't imagine Jewish Republicans rallying around a Muslim Republican with a background like Ellison's.

[Vision]

Ellison refuses to distance himself from groups like CAIR

"Islam isn't in America to be equal to any other faith, but to become dominant. The Qur'an should be the highest authority in America, and Islam the only accepted religion on earth"

--Omar Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of CAIR (Council of American Islamic Relations), San Ramon Valley Herald, July 1998

[lndrvr1972]

Do what? I am sure the people who were slaughtered by Muslims are turinging in their graves. This is sick.

[Torie]

I don't think there are many Jewish Republicans in the subject district. There may be a few in Hopkins, and around that lake in Minneapolis that is next to Edina, where the gentry of the town used to live.

[gotribe]

“Keith has recognized his past mistakes and renounced his brief association with the Nation of Islam Nazi Party,” wrote Ira Forman,

There. How's that sound dems? Same difference.

[acapesket]

this is my huge issue, what is it regarding Islamofacism that "THEY" don't get". I love the Jewish traditions, my best friend in 6th grade was the only Jew in my new suburban neighborhood. I am Roman Catholic, we spent many years being the best of friends, I was the only Christian (can't think of the word for the opposite of Yenta at the Mo-- getting old and tired) that went to Atlantic City and spent my teen summers on "the Board walk" down by the shore, had a ball!!
My sis works for some lovely Jewish people, my favorite neighbor is a devout Jew. Why do the American Jews keep voting Democrat?
It is such self destructive behavior.

I just don't get it !

Christians offer sanctity, strength, freedom and support.
It matters not what our "denominations" are..
We are Americans first and Always!

How are the Democrats supporting Israel?
Think about that..

[zbigreddogz]

I'd be careful about attacking him too much. The fact of the matter is that it was a long time ago, and his behavior most recently is reasonable (well, for a D anyway).

I suggest we just let the facts speak for themselves. It says enough without us calling attention to it. To do more could easily cause a backlash, even justifiably.