Six House Democrats Say Virginia Lawmaker Should Not Seek Re-Election (Moran)

TBO.com ^

[Sub-Driver]

Six House Democrats Say Virginia Lawmaker Should Not Seek Re-Election The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - Six Democratic House members called on Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va., not to seek re-election in 2004 in the wake of controversial comments about Jews and the possibility of war with Iraq. Moran's comments are "not merely wrong, offensive and ignorant," the six, all Jewish lawmakers, wrote in a letter Wednesday, "They are grossly irresponsible, and were given at a sensitive time when inflammatory comments - regardless of outrageous factual flaws - can unleash unintended and dangerous consequences."

Moran's office had no immediate comment.

The Virginia lawmaker sparked a controversy several days ago when he said, "If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq we would not be doing this. ... The leaders of the Jewish community are influential enough that they could change the direction of where this is going and I think they should."

Moran apologized for his comments on Tuesday. He said he framed his comments as he did because he was responding to a questioner who said she was Jewish. "I regret doing that," he said.

In a letter to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California, the six House Democrats said that Moran's comments "violate the basic standards we hold ourselves to as Democrats."

"We hope that as Jim reflects on his actions, he will decide not to seek re-election to the House of Representatives. Should he seek re-election in 2004, however, we cannot and will not support his candidacy."

The letter was signed by Reps. Henry Waxman and Tom Lantos of California, Martin Frost of Texas, Sander M. Levin of Michigan, Benjamin Cardin of Maryland and Nita M. Lowey of New York.

[Terry Mross]

Martin Frost is a Jew?

[LADY J]

Where is Joey LIEberman - the "Conscience" of the senate?

[Political Junkie Too]

Dems cleaning house?

Their polling must have told them to act like Republicans over this.

-PJ

[Theodore R.]

Those same six Democrats would, I believe, donate to the Moran reelection in 2004. It's just for 2003 that they think he should not run, but there is no election in 2003. I predict that the people of VA will never tire of Jim Moran. A wonderful Republican woman opposed him several years ago, Mrs. James Miller, and she was creamed in this heavily Democrat stronghold.

[Sub-Driver]

Funny being being PC is a one way street. What bunk from the Dems, two different rules to abide by (as usual).

[Right_in_Virginia]

Should he seek re-election in 2004, however, we cannot and will not support his candidacy." The letter was signed by Reps. Henry Waxman and Tom Lantos of California, Martin Frost of Texas, Sander M. Levin of Michigan, Benjamin Cardin of Maryland and Nita M. Lowey of New York.

Hey, guys...if you can't support his campaign for office...how the heck can you support his holding the office?!

Now nearly good enough, dimms; not nearly good enough.

[X-FID]

Where is Joey LIEberman - the "Conscience" of the senate?

They have a new "Conscience" now, but the name escapes me.

[Timesink]

Dems cleaning house?

I find it VERY fascinating that the only Dems with the courage to really speak out on this are themselves Jewish. Why are the other 200-plus RATS so strangely quiet on this antisemitism in their midst?

[thoughtomator]

'Baalzebub'

[Maeve]

The jerk needs to RESIGN NOW! These Democrats can't get anything right.

[ScholarWarrior]

Wow. When these yinyangs say you gotta go, he musta touched a noive.

[doug from upland]

the six House Democrats said that Moran's comments "violate the basic standards we hold ourselves to as Democrats."

===========================

That is hillarious. What am I missing here? To what standards do the RATS hold themselves? Not allowing a rapist to squat in our White House? Proving that perjury by the chief law enforcement officer is punishable?

[Almondjoy]

First off.. it depends what these folks said to Lott. If they didn't say anything at all.. well that's fine too. The point is they for once are acting like professionals. We have too many idiots mouthing off on emotions. It's good to see these 6 people bat down one of their own in a calm professional manner.

[Skittles]

Rats turning on rats. Just doesn't get any better.

[RecallMoran]

Moran is really from Conn. He slithered down to Alexandria and started on his long and miserable political career. He was forced to resign even as Vice-mayor. He has a very long and sordid history in this town and the only reasons that he continues to be elected are that the republican house redraws the districts to heap all the loony liberals into one pot and give them one pathetic district--the 8th, and no one ever fights dirty with him--no one mentions the wife beating, all the arab money and links to hamas, the pushing around 8 year olds, the yelling at women in grocery stores, the 100% ratings by NARAL and then running off to Mass, the chicks getting into hair pulling contests in his front yard, etc. etc., not to mention the funny loans....

[OldFriend]

Nah, just going on the record. The media will protect them and Moran!

[Coop]

A wonderful Republican woman opposed him several years ago, Mrs. James Miller, and she was creamed in this heavily Democrat stronghold.

Demaris Miller went up against him twice that I know of ('98 and '00 - I volunteered for her campaign in 2000). She even had Alan Keyes come in for a fundraiser that year and lost by about a 2:1 margin. I have no doubt in my mind that the Dems would not be calling for him to step down if this district were even remotely competitive.

[Coop]

Well, to be fair, they did mention the funny loans back in 2000. But not too much.