Jennifer Rubin writes that President Obama is daring American Jews to vote against him by giving former President Jimmy Carter, the anti-Semite from Plains, a prime time speaking spot at the Democratic National Convention.
It is mind boggling that no one stopped this and that the president’s team, which is micromanaging the convention, does not after 3 ½ years “get it.”
Matt Brooks of the Republican Jewish Coalition e-mailed me: “The fact that the DNC would offer a prime time speaking slot to Jimmy Carter highlights just how out of touch and tone deaf they are. Giving a platform to someone who has been openly hostile to Israel and equated the country to the South African apartheid regime is offensive. At a time when the Obama campaign is launching a charm offensive to the American Jewish community this message will resonate loud and clear with American Jews as to why it’s time for a change in 2012.”
The offense is so obvious that usually staunch Democrats are speaking out. The National Democratic Jewish Council (NJDC) issued a stern rebuke. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) did as well:“He is flawed, he’s got an obsession with Israel, a biased obsession that borders on anti-Semitism,” said [the ADL’s Abe] Foxman. “So that’s not somebody I think should grace the podium of a national convention.”
Foxman added that Carter probably lobbied organizers for the speaking role, putting the DNC in an awkward position. “I don’t think he deserves to be there, except it’s hard to refuse a platform to a former living president especially when he asks for it,” said Foxman.
NJDC President and CEO David Harris also unloaded on Carter in an e-mailed statement.
“When it comes to Israel and the Middle East, President Carter has unfortunately embarrassed himself — as his analysis and commentary has been stubbornly wrong, harmful to the peace process, and getting worse all the time,” said Harris. “I’m confident that he won’t be speaking to the Party about Middle East policy.”
Harris added: “I’d like to know if Senator Rand Paul will be spreading his views of the Middle East and foreign aid in Tampa.”
I wouldn’t bet on it.
