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 presidentโs team, which is micromanaging the convention, does not after 3 ยฝ years โget it.โ
Matt Brooks of the Republican Jewish Coalition e-mailed me: โThe 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 itโs time for a change in 2012.โ
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:โHe is flawed, heโs got an obsession with Israel, a biased obsession that borders on anti-Semitism,โ said [the ADLโs Abe] Foxman. โSo thatโs not somebody I think should grace the podium of a national convention.โ
Foxman added that Carter probably lobbied organizers for the speaking role, putting the DNC in an awkward position. โI donโt think he deserves to be there, except itโs hard to refuse a platform to a former living president especially when he asks for it,โ said Foxman.
NJDC President and CEO David Harris also unloaded on Carter in an e-mailed statement.
โWhen it comes to Israel and the Middle East, President Carter has unfortunately embarrassed himself โ as his analysis and commentary has been stubbornly wrong, harmful to the peace process, and getting worse all the time,โ said Harris. โIโm confident that he wonโt be speaking to the Party about Middle East policy.โ
Harris added: โIโd like to know if Senator Rand Paul will be spreading his views of the Middle East and foreign aid in Tampa.โ
I wouldnโt bet on it.