AIPAC Throws Millions at Possible Insurgent Campaigns to Unseat Progressive Democrats

[TeamProg]

I repeat, ' TO UNSEAT PROGESSIVE DEMOCRATS!! I had no idea until I just came across this info!
It is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee! They used to only lobby, now they're funding elections!

In a mounting offensive by AIPAC, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, to unseat progressives who speak up for Palestinian rights, Westchester County Executive George Latimer, who has been courted by AIPAC, announced earlier today he is launching a primary challenge against New York Congressmember Jamaal Bowman.

Last month, two Michigan Democrats running for the U.S. Senate revealed AIPAC offered them $20 million to instead primary Congressmember Rashida Tlaib for her House seat. Nasser Beydoun, a Lebanese American businessman, and Hill Harper, a Hollywood actor-turned-politician, both turned AIPAC down.

Meanwhile, a new book by journalist Ryan Grim reports an AIPAC representative approached Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez with an offer to raise $100,000 after her stunning 2018 win. The fundraising was presented as an opening salvo to “start the conversation” about AOC’s position on Israel.

https://www.democracynow.org/2023/12/6/headlines/aipac_throws_millions_at_possible_insurgent_campaigns_to_unseat_progressive_democrats

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This kind of activity will come closer to the forefront as people start asking questions.
WISE UP!

[tritsofme]

1. Great news! Wesley Bell has a real shot at taking down Cori Bush!

And Latimer has a real chance to beat Bowman in New York!

Good luck to them both, it would be wonderful to have more real Democrats in Congress! They will be great allies to our soon-to-be Speaker Jeffries!

[Polybius]

8. Except for Cori Bush

Her primary opponent is way better than her on the issues.

[Polybius]

19. ...

1) No
2) She's my least favorite Democrat. Her "defund the police" scam not only cost us elections, but she still uses the term to this day. Why won't she admit that the slogan was wrong? She's also way too far to the left in general. No more Bush's in politics.

I do like fellow Justice Democrat AOC however. She may be to my left, but she presents her views with a smile, not a snarl.

[Polybius]

34. The term is confusing

It costs us elections. Extremism isn't any better when it's coming from our side. No more Bush's in politics.

[Polybius]

37. It cost us a ton of elections

I wouldn't vote for anyone who says that garbage term.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

69. So you are saying you won't vote for the Dem?

I don't think that's in the terms of service here.

But, who, specifically do you have evidence for that lost because of the "defund the police" movement?

[Cha]

128. We can Vote Against Dems in the Primary that we

Don't like.. and we can Support Dems in the Primary that we Think would be better For America.

[Cuthbert Allgood]

133. Yeah, I mean, that's cool, but that's not what they said.

They said,

"I wouldn't vote for anyone who says that garbage term."

So, you know, that's not cool.

[Polybius]

148. No, I'm not saying that

I was talking about in a primary, where I can choose any Democrat that I wish. As for who lost, Max Rose. He didn't say the term, but it cost him during the anti-police brutality march that he attended, where it was chanted and seen on signs.

[malaise]

92. Defend RW Bibi while

fighting against progressive Democrats. What a thing! I don't know whether to laugh or cry.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

101. Comparing a bunch of fucking terrorists to Mandela

I don’t know whether to laugh or cry…

[Cha]

130. REAlly!! What's UP with that Kinda

BS?

[Think. Again.]

103. That's true...

....people try to hide the fact that Israel, specifically because it is under the control of netanyahu, is an ultra-rightwing state right now.

(And no, I am not speaking about the Jewish people, the Jewish religion, or the Jewish culture.)

[Zeitghost]

150. Israel

Has a coalition government. Bibi is not a dictator.

[Cha]

129. Who's "Defending" Fucking Bibi?

[PTL_Mancuso]

67. Agreed! It's a horrible term. It can only conjure up visions of complete anarchy.

We need law enforcement. Educated. Decently paid. Sensitive. Brave. Less-killer-weapon-centric. Non-militaristic. Responsible to the Citizens. (like the Adam-12 guys) What we don't need is steroid-hopped goon squads who get taught how to kneel on necks and imagine guns in hands when they're not there, blowing holes in 12-year-old kids.

Maybe not everything needs to be a damn 2-or-3-word slogan!

[Cha]

109. You're right... TY! And Rep Spanberger VA said ...

it almost lost her election.

‘That was a terrible idea': Spanberger wants a policing reboot for House Dems

https://www.politico.com/news/2022/04/20/abigail-spanberger-virginia-policing-message-00026211

[LetMyPeopleVote]

40. You are wrong. Defund the Police cost Democrats seats in the real world

I personally support reforms to the police. I worked hard and we got a good Democrat elected as District Attorney in my county two years ago and this cycle we got a good man elected as sheriff of my county. Our new DA has made a tremendous amount of difference in my county and I believe that the new Sheriff will also help. However, it is clear that we lost races that we should not have lost Defund the police was used very effectively by the GOP in down ballot races. A good number of races that Democrats should have won were lost due to this issue.

Link to tweet

Link to tweet

The GOP ran a ton of ads using this issue

Sure enough, Republicans saw an opportunity. Painting Democrats as supporters of “defunding” the police became the focus of campaign literature, TV and digital ads, and live televised debates. That forced Democratic candidates to divert resources that might otherwise be used discussing COVID-19 relief, health care or education to be used disavowing themselves from the slogan and otherwise defending themselves.

Out of 31 broadcast TV ads that Trump and other allied campaign groups used to attack Biden and other Democrats for being soft on law and order, 11 spots ― that aired a total of 77,647 times ― explicitly mentioned “defund the police,” according to an analysis Kantar Media/CMAG conducted for HuffPost. And out of 216 Republican broadcast TV ads in congressional races blasting Democrats, 157 spots that aired 103,000 times used the phrase.

I was disappointed to seen Susan Collins re-elected. It seems that Collins was able to use the "defund the police" issue very effectively

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) and the GOP’s Senate campaign arm hit her Democratic opponent, Sara Gideon, in a TV ad for links to a “defund the police” billionaire. The basis for the ad was Gideon’s attendance at a fundraiser hosted by an environmental coalition that includes NextGen America. NextGen, funded by liberal billionaire Tom Steyer, supports defunding the police.

[OilemFirchen]

52. Speaking of "evidence"...

you claimed "Defund the Police injected much-need energy in many races that allowed the Democrats to win where they did".

Name one.

[OilemFirchen]

64. Doubtful. More likely that she didn't lose despite that.

But you get a prop anyway.

Let's try it again. You said "many races".

Name another.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

89. I am curious also to see these names

I am amused that this poster asked for exit polls and then ran away when I posted exit polls. The polling is clear that defund the police cost Democrats a good number of seats

[OilemFirchen]

93. Yeah, this one's a hoot.

Even gave 'em a gimme, no matter how ill-deserved.

How long must we wait? I'm in agony here!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

121. We did not have to wait too long

[LetMyPeopleVote]

55. Here are some exit polls and material from President Obama that show that you are WRONG

Here is an exit poll that showed that we lost a number of seats due to the moronic slogan "defend the police"
https://www.realclearpolitics.com/2020/11/09/defund_the_police_backfired_on_democrats_528914.html

Instead of a blue wave for the Democrats, there was a red Republican wave in the 2020 elections. Many analysts are explaining this unexpected outcome in ways that confirm their prior assumptions. Anti-woke centrist liberals: The Democratic Party was too woke. Bernie Sanders-type social democrats: The Democrats blew it by not running on Medicare for All. Professional conservative pundits: Trump and Trumpism are more popular with Americans than we thought.

I beg to differ. I think this was a law and order election.

According to early exit polls, here were the reasons that voters voted for Trump and presumably other Republicans: The economy (82%), crime and safety (71%), health care policy (36%), the coronavirus pandemic (14%) and racial inequality (8%).....

Maybe the slogan “defund the police” backfired.

Democrats might reply: But Biden and Harris rejected the phrase “defund the police.” Indeed, they did. And Donald Trump has repeatedly denounced and rejected white supremacy and white nationalism. Nevertheless, the mainstream media and Democratic propagandists (but I repeat myself again) have told us for four years that by denouncing white supremacy in public, Trump is secretly approving of white supremacy, dog-whistle-style.

Turnabout is fair play. Having tried to persuade voters that all Republicans are closet Nazis whose public statements cannot be taken at face value, Democratic spinmeisters in the media cannot be surprised if it turns out that some swing voters have concluded that apparently mainstream Democrats are closet antifa sympathizers. Possibly many swing voters thought that actions—or, in the case of the summer riots, inaction—spoke louder than words about the Democratic Party’s attitude to law enforcement, particularly when many Democratic urban governments from Minneapolis to Austin proceeded relentlessly to cut police budgets in the name of racial justice, even as the violence was going on.

When you put together two facts—the fact that the Republican Party as a whole picked up voters, and the fact that 71% of voters for the Republican presidential candidate said they were motivated by “crime and safety”—it all adds up. The voter backlash following the urban riots of 1967 helped to produce the Nixon victory of 1968. And the voter backlash following the urban riots of 2020 helped to produce the Republican electoral wave in November 2020.

I have a ton more material on this issue including examples of candidates who lost due to this stupid slogan. I had two friends who ran in state house races in my county who lost after the GOP ran another of ads using socialism and defund the police. These ads quoted or featured members of the squad (who are not popular outside their deep blue districts) and were effective. Both of my friends are actual members of the Democratic party and ran campaigns that should have won but the negative ads used.

These ads were effective. For example these attacks were used in the Maine Senate race which Susan Collins won

Link to tweet

This line of attack was used in South Carolina against Jaime Harrison

Link to tweet

President Obama is clear that this line of attack cost Democrats down ballot races

Link to tweet

Former President Barack Obama drew criticism from progressive Democrats this week for suggesting that “snappy” slogans like “defund the police” are alienating voters and making it harder from a political standpoint to enact “changes you want done.”

In an interview with Peter Hamby, who hosts the Snapchat political show “Good Luck America,” Obama said “you [lose] a big audience the minute” a slogan like “defund the police” is used, making “it a lot less likely that you’re actually going to get the changes you want done.”

“Defund the police” refers to the reallocation or redirection of government funding from police departments to social services for minority communities. As Rashawn Ray of the Brookings Institution noted, defunding does not mean the abolishment of police departments but instead “highlights fiscal responsibility” and “advocates for a market-driven approach to taxpayer money.”....

Obama ― echoing other centrist Democrats who’ve similarly taken issue with “defund the police” and what they’ve decried as radical messaging ― told Hamby that Democrats could benefit from adopting softer rhetoric when talking about police reform.

“If you instead say, ‘Hey, you know what? Let’s reform the police department so that everybody’s being treated fairly. And not just in policing, but in sentencing, how can we divert young people from getting into crime?’” he said.

Joe Biden is clear on this also That is how the real worls works Here is a good explanation https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2020-election/huge-catastrophe-democrats-grapple-congressional-state-election-losses-n1248529

The Biden campaign's goal was to make 2020 a referendum on Trump's chaotic term, and it succeeded, but the results were far worse down the ballot.

In leaked recording, Biden says GOP used 'defund the police' to 'beat the living hell' out of Democrats
Republicans barraged swing districts with ads linking moderates to the most far-left voices in the party, which has led to bitter recriminations between the factions.

"When you're Joe Biden and you have 47 years in public life and you have a billion dollars behind you, you can build your own brand," said Matt Bennett, executive vice president of the centrist think tank Third Way. "But when you're down-ballot, it's hard to outrun that brand in red and purple districts."

I saw this in two down ballot races in my county where the GOP ran a ton of defund the police and soclialsim ads

Again, I trust the polling posted and I trust Presidents Obama and Biden on this issue. Your claims are false and offensive

[Abolishinist]

60. Beyond that, the Defund sentiment, according to many,

not only resulted in many officers leaving to join other forces, but quitting the profession altogether. It has also made hiring new officers much more difficult, leaving many forces understaffed.

In Seattle, the department is experiencing “unprecedented” losses of staff, the department told CNN. The department is short more than 225 officers or 17% of its workforce.

“Our losses over the last two years have been unprecedented,” police department spokesperson Sgt. Randy Hyserik told CNN. “Many of our newer officers separated from our department and moved to smaller agencies in the area, and some left law enforcement altogether. In their exit interviews, many cited the ‘defund’ movement and a lack of support from local elected officials as their reason for leaving our department, or for leaving law enforcement completely.”

Seattle’s attrition rate has over doubled in the last two years. Prior to 2020, the annual attrition rate was 70 to 75 officers a year. The department has had 356 officers leave over the last two years, according to data provided to CNN by the department.

A national survey from June of 2021 found that departments around the country on average were filling 93% of budgeted positions available, according to the Police Executive Research Forum.

“You’ve got a workforce that’s being compressed on the front end, you’ve got a drop in people who want to be cops. And on the other end, you have a significant increase in people who are resigning and retiring. And we have a survey that we did (that found a) 44% increase in retirements, 18% increase in resignations (in police departments),” according to Police Executive Research Forum President Chuck Wexler.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/us/police-departments-struggle-recruit-retain-officers/index.html

[Cuthbert Allgood]

70. Well, that's a good start then.

We have way more police than we need doing jobs they are nowhere trained for or good at. In now world should police be dealing with drug addiction and domestic violence, to name a few. Stop paying people that are trained to bring in criminals to do de-escalation.

[TwilightZone]

73. Plenty of evidence has been provided.

You're just seeing what you choose to see. Intentional ignorance isn't a compelling argument.

[Cha]

32. NO.. GOTV Missouri 1 For Wesley Bell!!

Wesley Bell (born November 5, 1974) is an American attorney, former public defender, former municipal prosecutor and judge, and former city council member. Currently, Bell holds the office of prosecuting attorney for St. Louis County, Missouri.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Bell

Link to tweet

[Cha]

41. Laugh all you want.. Wesley Bell FOR MO 1!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

42. We will see what happen but here is some interesting polling

Link to tweet

[OilemFirchen]

43. WOODSHED!

[LetMyPeopleVote]

48. I have been following the Justice Democrats for a long time

I have been following the Justice Democrats and its predecessor for a while including the "brand new congress group" and other groups created by Cenk, Kyle Kulinksi and their ilk. I am on the Justice Democrat email list and I have even listened once or twice to the Justice Democrat podcast which is amusingly called "Just Us" democrats. The Justice Democrats emails are fun to laugh at and I love the hatred this group shows to the Democratic Party, establishment Democrats and best of all corporate democrats.

The Justice Democrat group want to take over the Democratic party and remake into their image. I also do not want the Democratic Party to be taken over by the Justice Democrat group.

Link to tweet

I am not the only person who has issues with the concept that the Justice Democrats want to take over the Democratic Party

Link to tweet

Again, the above posts are consistent with the hatred of the Democratic Party that I see on the almost daily emails that I get from the Justice Democrats. I admit that I enjoy the Just Us Democrat whines about AIPAC and Jews being mean.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

51. I like real democrats who support the Democratic Party

I and most Democrats would love to overturn Citizens United but that will probably take a constitutional amendment. To do this we need to win a ton of elections and using moronic slogans such as Defund the Police will doom such results.

The Just Us people such as Bush want to destroy and rebuild the Democratic Party. I think that this is a horrible idea.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

68. Manchin was one of the few Democrats who could win in West Virginia

I will be sorry to lose this seat which is why I am supporting Collin Allred vs. Carnival Cruz.

[TwilightZone]

72. Beto isn't running.

Allred, perhaps?

[LetMyPeopleVote]

74. Sorry -yes Allred

Beto has been active promoting Democratic candidates this cycle

[TwilightZone]

78. And he's still one of the most prominent Dems in Texas.

Easy to have him on the brain when thinking of others.

[TwilightZone]

71. He voted with Biden's agenda 88% of the time.

In a state Biden lost by 39%.

His replacement will vote with Biden 0% of the time.

His seat could be the difference between keeping and losing the Senate.

But, hey, people got what they wanted, amirite?

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/joe-manchin/

[TwilightZone]

87. Support is relative.

She votes 91% of the time in a district that's about as Democratic-safe as it gets. Manchin voted 88% of the time in a state that might be the most Democratic-hostile in the country.

Perhaps the real question should be -- why is she voting against Biden's agenda 9% of the time? Many of them are protest votes, of course, on bills that are going to pass anyway.

Protest votes don't really impress me, particularly in a political environment where unity is pretty important. I tend to see them as attention-seeking devices.

[OilemFirchen]

91. Indeed.

Plus, "I'm slightly more supportive than Joe Manchin" isn't exactly an inspiring boast.

[lapucelle]

115. ...

[betsuni]

116. I enjoy the hysteria that the evil Democratic Establishment, Illuminati-like AIPAC, the endless list of enemies --

oligarchs, billionaires, corporations, Wall Street -- are TERRIFIED of the movement/revolution and will STOP AT NOTHING, NOTHING! to defeat them. All very dramatic old-fashioned propaganda style.

Pretty embarrassing The Big Plan failed so spectacularly. Last thing I heard about them is that JD is going bankrupt.

[Polybius]

149. That's great news!

How far away is the primary?

[Cha]

131. YES Dem Wesley Bell is Exponentially Better than Bush.

[LetMyPeopleVote]

136. This makes me smile

Link to tweet

[sarisataka]

22. Revealing...

Welcome to DU

[OilemFirchen]

110. Oh hell.

Looks like our new friend took one for the team.

Such a pity.

[revmclaren]

113. I'm PositivelyClear you are right about that.

[Cha]

132. For their Team.

[OilemFirchen]

3. I fail to see the problem.

To what should I wise up?

[tritsofme]

5. Something something JOOOOOOOOOOOZ!!!!1!

[OilemFirchen]

11. I think they're jealous of the cuisine. (n/t)

[Mossfern]

157. heh

[JohnSJ]

27. No surprise coming from the left wing rag Democracy Now.

It ignores other PACs and only goes after certain ones

How convenient

[tritsofme]

14. Um...people aren't foreigners just because they are Jews.

[sarisataka]

20. The "Wandering Jew" is alive and well... nt

[OilemFirchen]

15. Quick! No googling allowed.

What does the "A" in AIPAC stand for?

[tritsofme]

16. They do quite love their dual loyalty canard, I suppose.

[OilemFirchen]

21. Seems so.

OTOH, I wonder if this poster likewise knows what the "A" in CAIR stands for.

On edit: The post disappeared? Very curious.

[tritsofme]

25. It was a demonstrable lie, bordering on hate content. Probably was a good idea to take it down.

[Cha]

39. There is No problem.. Wesley Bell for MO 1

Please see my post #32

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=18701099

And, TY.. you're Very Wise!

[JanMichael]

65. Hmmm.

[lapucelle]

138. Folks should wise up to the fact that Democracy Now! distorts facts

in the service of a narrative and relies on unreliable sources like Ryan Grim.

Democracy Now! also shills the talking point that Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis are "resistance fighters" rather than far-right theocratic terrorists and enslavers.

[OilemFirchen]

140. All of that. But it's mostly multi-millionaire Amy Goodman's cash cow.

It's remarkable how lucrative Fighting The Man ™ can be.

[lapucelle]

144. Amy Goodman was a guest at Neville Roy Singham and Jodie Evan's wedding.

Who hangs out with folks like this?

A Global Web of Chinese Propaganda Leads to a U.S. Tech Mogul

The Times unraveled a financial network that stretches from Chicago to Shanghai and uses American nonprofits to push Chinese talking points worldwide.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/05/world/europe/neville-roy-singham-china-propaganda.html

--------------------------------------------------

The American Multimillionaire Marxists Funding Pro-Palestinian Rage

Neville Roy Singham and his wife Jodie Evans are China propagandists—and a primary source of the fury exploding on our streets

https://www.thefp.com/p/american-marxists-funding-pro-palestinian-rage

--------------------------------------------------

Businessman Neville Roy Singham quietly sponsors an initiative opposing US assistance to Kyiv

https://www.intelligenceonline.com/corporate-intelligence/2022/11/11/businessman-neville-roy-singham-quietly-sponsors-an-initiative-opposing-us-assistance-to-kyiv,109863896-art

---------------------------------------------------

The Big Business of Uyghur Genocide Denial

A New Lines investigation reveals a network of charities funneling millions into left-wing platforms that take Beijing’s side on the genocide allegations — and they’re all connected to an American tech magnate

https://newlinesmag.com/reportage/the-big-business-of-uyghur-genocide-denial/

-----------------------------------------------------

Singham launders his funding of pro-Hamas, anti-Israel, anti-Biden "protests" through the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund which distributes "charitable donations" at the direct request of donors.

The Influence Watch page on Singham's anti-Israel, pro-Hamas organization, The People's Forum.

Funding

In 2019, The People’s Forum received $12 million through the Goldman Sachs Philanthropy Fund, a donor-advised fund provider. This was not the first time the Forum received a hefty sum in this manner: it was given $4,400,000 in 2018 and $2,500,000 in 2017 through the Philanthropy Fund.

https://www.influencewatch.org/non-profit/the-peoples-forum/

----------------------------------------------------------------

Personal life

Singham lives in Shanghai, China. He is married to Code Pink's Jodie Evans. Their wedding was attended by Amy Goodman, host of 'Democracy Now!.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neville_Roy_Singham

[2naSalit]

4. I'm glad that many are...

Telling them to take a hike. They've caused so much trouble in this country.

[TeamProg]

13. Huh???

Please define, so much trouble. Um, you mean speaking truth to power?

[Sky Jewels]

6. Fuck AIPAC

[LexVegas]

7. A jewish group working to unseat Tlaib seems logical.

[Arazi]

18. +1 She's actively encouraging Michiganders to vote against Biden

Adios!

[LexVegas]

47. She also uses blatantly antisemitic language. nt

[sarisataka]

17. Have you heard of #Abandonbiden

The campaign primarily will focus on social media for now, organizer Jaylani Hussein of Minneapolis tells Axios.

Hussein said Muslim leaders acknowledge that not supporting Biden could result in the re-election of former President Trump, who is disliked by many Muslim Americans because of his racist retweets about them and his efforts to ban Muslims from migrating to the U.S.
"We recognize that, in the next four years, our decision may cause us to have an even more difficult time. But we believe that this will give us a chance to recalibrate, and the Democrats will have to consider whether they want our votes or not."

[lapucelle]

82. "CAIR-MN Welcomes Jaylani Hussein as Executive Director"

https://www.cair.com/american_muslim_news/cair-mn-welcomes-jaylani-hussein-as-executive-director/

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

White House Disavows U.S. Islamic Group After Leader’s Oct. 7 Remarks

The director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a speech that he was “was happy to see” Palestinians break out of Gaza on the day Hamas attacked Israel.

The White House disavowed an American-Islamic advocacy organization on Thursday after the group’s director declared that he “was happy to see” Palestinians break out of Gaza on Oct. 7, the day of the Hamas terrorist attack on Israel that killed an estimated 1,200 people and led to the seizure of 240 others as hostages.

A spokesman for President Biden condemned the remarks by Nihad Awad, the national executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, who declared in a speech that Palestinians in Gaza “have the right to self-defense” but that Israel “as an occupying power” does not. Mr. Awad said his comments were being misconstrued.

“We condemn these shocking, antisemitic statements in the strongest terms,” said Mr. Biden’s spokesman, Andrew Bates. “The horrific, brutal terrorist attacks committed by Hamas on Oct. 7 were, as President Biden said, ‘abhorrent’ and represent ‘unadulterated evil.’” Mr. Bates added that the atrocities of that day “shock the conscience” and said that “every leader has a responsibility to call out antisemitism wherever it rears its ugly head.

The White House did not have an extensive relationship with the council, which goes by the acronym CAIR, but included an officer of the group in a “listening session on Islamophobia” in May with Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris. Later that month, the White House listed the council among several independent organizations in a document discussing commitments to fight antisemitism. The White House removed CAIR’s name from that online document on Thursday after Mr. Awad’s remarks to make clear it was distancing itself from the organization.

[JustAnotherGen]

98. Why do they think

They will be alive in 2028?

I'm a black female local elected Democratic Party official. Sworn in January 3rd - and I'm up to four hate mail/threats.

Trump has said what will be done to the "other" - including them. They can't possibly be this naive and politically ignorant.

Who is paying them?

[2naSalit]

23. Ah yes, AIPAC...

The original poster child for why money in politics is a big problem in a democracy.

[OilemFirchen]

24. Oh my.

Keep them tropes a-rollin'...

[Mountainguy]

26. Beat me to it

Only one left out was something about eating babies.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

53. That's ongoing

What other war has had the number of children killed reported so breathlessly?

[Celerity]

80. In 2022 AIPAC endorsed 109 Rethug traitors who refused to certify Biden, almost of whom still push the Big Lie

Including the christofash Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Gym Jordan, ultra MAGAt Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, the crazed gunhumper Greg Steube, Ronny 'Trump's drunk Dr Feelgood' Jackson, Joe 'you lie!' Wilson, John 'I am a racist, climate change denying MAGAt, but look!, Henry Cuellar campaigns and fundraises for me so it's all good' Carter, Troy Nehls, etc etc)

Why pro-Israel lobby group Aipac is backing election deniers and extremist Republicans

Among those candidates endorsed by Aipac is the New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a Trump loyalist whose home town newspaper criticised her for “despicable” advertising and “hateful rhetoric” that promoted the racist and antisemitic “great replacement theory”, claiming the US is being flooded with immigrants to outvote white people. The Times Union accused Stefanik of “fear-based political tactics”.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/18/pro-israel-lobby-group-aipac-midterms-election-deniers-and-extremist-republicans



The US’s largest pro-Israel lobby group is backing dozens of racists, homophobes and election deniers running for Congress next month because they have pledged to defend Israel against stiffening criticism of its oppression of the Palestinians. The powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) has justified endorsing Republicans with extremist views, including members of Congress with ties to white supremacist groups and representatives who attempted to block Joe Biden’s election victory, on the grounds that the singular issue of support for Israel trumps other considerations.

But Aipac’s support for rightwing politicians has privately embarrassed some Democrats also endorsed by the powerful group and drawn accusations from more moderate pro-Israel organisations that it is attempting to stifle legitimate criticism of hardline Israeli policies. Logan Bayroff, a spokesman for J Street, a group campaigning for Washington to take a stronger stand to end the occupation of Palestinian territories, accused Aipac of attempting to impose a narrow definition of what it is to be pro-Israel amid shifting views in Democratic ranks.

“Their actions have made clear that they view pro-Israel, pro-peace progressive Democrats as threats – and Trumpist Republicans as allies. That worldview could not be more out of touch with the vast majority of American Jews,” he said. “Aipac may hope to silence and intimidate political leaders who believe that settlement expansion, endless conflict and permanent occupation are harmful to Israel, the Palestinian people and US interests. Ultimately, however, these common-sense views are too popular, widespread and important to be suppressed, and will continue to gain strength within American politics and among the American Jewish community.”

Aipac’s backing of extreme rightwing Republicans follows its $27m advertising campaign during the Democratic primaries to defeat candidates who spoke up for Palestinian rights, mostly with attacks over issues that had nothing to do with Israel. The campaign is part of push by more hawkish pro-Israel groups to shore up support in Congress in the face of rising advocacy for the Palestinian cause within the Democratic party and erosion of approval for Israeli actions among American Jews, particularly younger people.

snip

Pretty inclusive, updated list:

https://jstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AIPAC-Endorsee-List-042022.pdf

AIPAC endorsees that voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results

Robert Aderholt (AL-04)
Jerry Carl (AL-01)
Barry Moore (AL-02)
Gary Palmer (AL-06)
Mike Rogers (AL-03)
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)
David Schweikert (AZ-01)
Rick Crawford (AK-01)
Ken Calvert (CA-41)
Mike Garcia (CA-27)
Darrell Issa (CA-48)
Doug LaMalfa (CA-01)
Kevin McCarthy (CA-20)
Jay Obernolte (CA-23)
Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
Kat Cammack (FL-03)
Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
Byron Donalds (FL-19)
Neal Dunn (FL-02)
Scott Franklin (FL-15)
Carlos Gimenez (FL-26)
Brian Mast (FL-18)
Bill Posey (FL-08)
John Rutherford (FL-04)
Greg Steube (FL-17)
Daniel Webster (FL-11)
Rick Allen (GA-12)
Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Ross Fulcher (ID-01)
Mike Bost (IL-12)
Jim Baird (IN-04)
Jim Banks (IN-03)
Greg Pence (IN-06)
Ron Estes (KS-04)
Jake LaTurner (KS-02)
Tracey Mann (KS-01)
Hal Rogers (KY-05)
John Kennedy (LA-Sen)
Garret Graves (LA-06)
Clay Higgins (LA-03)
Mike Johnson (LA-04)
Steve Scalise (LA-01)
Andy Harris (MD-01)
Jack Bergman (MI-01)
Lisa McClain (MI-09)
Tim Walberg (MI-05)
Michelle Fischbach (MN-07)
Michael Guest (MS-03)
Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Steven Palazzo (MS-04)
Sam Graves (MO-06)
Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03)
Jason Smith (MO-08)
Matt Rosendale (MT-02)
Adrian Smith (NE-03)
Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02)
Yvette Herrell (NM-02)
Chris Jacobs (NY-24)
Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Dan Bishop (NC-08)
Virginia Foxx (NC-05)
Richard Hudson (NC-09)
Greg Murphy (NC-03)
David Rouzer (NC-07)
Steve Chabot (OH-01)
Bill Johnson (OH-06)
Jim Jordan (OH-04)
Stephanie Bice (OK-05)
Tom Cole (OK-04)
Kevin Hern (OK-01)
Mike Kelly (PA-16)
Dan Meuser (PA-09)
Scott Perry (PA-10)
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)
Lloyd Smucker (PA-11)
G.T. Thompson (PA-15)
Jeff Duncan (SC-03)
Ralph Norman (SC-05)
Tom Rice (SC-07)
William Timmons (SC-04)
Joe Wilson (SC-02)
Tim Burchett (TN-02)
Scott DesJarlais (TN-04)
Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03)
Mark Green (TN-07)
Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)
David Kustoff (TN-08)
John Rose (TN-06)
Jodey Arrington (TX-19)
Brian Babin (TX-36)
Michael Burgess (TX-26)
John Carter (TX-31)
Michael Cloud (TX-27)
Lance Gooden (TX-05)
Ronny Jackson (TX-13)
Troy Nehls (TX-22)
August Pfluger (TX-11)
Pete Sessions (TX-17)
Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)
Randy Weber (TX-14)
Roger Williams (TX-25)
Chris Stewart (UT-02)
Ben Cline (VA-06)
Morgan Griffith (VA-09)
Rob Wittman (VA-01)
Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)
Carol Miller (WV-01)

[malaise]

94. Great post sis

Rec

[Duncan Grant]

108. Important context, great post.

This is the kind of post that elevates a discussion, thank you.

[Celerity]

141. thank you

[TeamProg]

112. Excellent example of AIPAC's harm to our government. nt

[qwlauren35]

146. Finally...

A post in this string that actually addresses my concerns with AIPAC. They have contributed to the loss of the Senate Democratic majority in the House. I am not suggesting that it is something that they singlehandedly accomplished, but when you look at the list, it smells.

AIPAC is not a friend to the Democratic party.

People who are defending them should acknowledge this. Right now, they are supporting some Democrats in some races, but that doesn't change this list.

I was a single issue voter for a lot of years, throwing my money to pro choice candidates. They were all Democrats.

I understand the single issue concept. But I think it's very important for people to know that AIPAC exists and they will fund an extremist right wing Republican if s/he agrees to support Israel.

On the other hand, I think that AIPACs methods would probably fuel antisemitism if they were widely known. I applaud the pacifist Jews who are willing to offer alternatives to AIPAC. I would love to see them get more press.

[JohnSJ]

28. It is more than AIPAC among some, they use it as a proxy against

you know who

[2naSalit]

30. Notice how they are...

Beyond reproach, though?

[Fiendish Thingy]

29. And, they are backing Adam Schiff over Katie Porter. Nt

[Cha]

44. Good.. Rep Adam Schiff For Senate CA!!

[redqueen]

50. Yep. Lots of progressive Dems in CA.

Well be interesting to see how it plays out

AIPAC donated to over 100 election-denying Republicans in Congress. No idea how anyone who considers themselves left wing could support anything that organization does

[TwilightZone]

76. The mistake many make is assuming that they're a partisan organization.

Their agenda is to support Israel. They are going to support anyone who supports that agenda. It shouldn't really surprise anyone that they support Republicans, as well as Democrats.

Lots of lobbying organizations support both sides of the aisle because their agendas aren't explicitly partisan.

[Zeitghost]

153. You mean people

Like President Biden and Nancy Pelosi?

[Kid Berwyn]

38. What Two-State Solution?

Which is their point.

[no_hypocrisy]

54. Obviously our democracy threatens their democracy.

[RocRizzo55]

56. This should be illegal.

It's like AIPAC thinks that they own Congress, and can just buy anyone they like. Aren't members of Congress allowed to have opposing views, without some PAC who legally bribes members of Congress, getting into an uproar about their issue?
Are other PACs doing this? Shouldn't this be illegal, it certainly is immoral.

[brooklynite]

97. So, do you think its unfair for Planned Parenthood Action Fund to only support pro-choice candidates?

Or to provide support to pro-choice candidates in the first place?

PACs of any strip are allow to contribute only $5,000 directly to a particular candidate. Hardly an influence-buyer.

What they primarily do is 1) encourage members to support their endorsed candidates (as does "J Street", a liberal Jewish group) and advocate for their policies.

[RocRizzo55]

135. Afaic, it's ALL legalized bribery.

Campaigns do not have to be so dependent on money. It’s supposed to be a democracy, not an oligarchy (though it might be today).

[brooklynite]

139. When you're able to change the Constitution to require public financing of campaigns, let me know...

...in the meantime, I won't expect Democratic candidates to unilaterally disarm.

As for "bribery", one thing people tend to ignore is that PACs aren't changing candidate's minds on policy; if they were, another PAC could change it back with a higher contribution. They're supporting candidates who already agree with them.

[The Magistrate]

142. That Is A Point Often Missed, Sir

Government isn't full to the brim of people champing at the bit to do things liberals would love to see, only they get lots of money not to, or are bent by blackmail or threat and cannot for fear.

People get gifts to keep them at what they're doing already the donor likes, and you don't have to bribe or blackmail an asshole to do what comes natural....

[brooklynite]

145. As I've said before: blackmail can compel behavior, it can't compel enthusiasm.....

[betsuni]

163. Ideology based on the conviction that everybody's bribed and corrupted: annoying.

Wave a few thousand dollars in a politician's face and they have to do whatever you want forever and be corrupted. Simply get money out of politics (buzzword "status quo" means money in politics) and *poof* Congress will turn into socialists and we'll all live happily ever after.

[The Magistrate]

143. Delete, Double Post

[qwlauren35]

147. Find out more about PACs.

I did some reading about PACs a few months ago. They are, by and large, designed to protect a single industry, and sometimes a single issue for that industry. The pharmaceutical companies have several lobbies. The health insurance companies have several lobbies. The oil companies have several lobbies. I think, I don't remember exactly who, but one of the big tech companies like Google or Amazon has a lobby.

These lobbies are bigger than AIPAC. I looked it up. Biden is having to deal with them as he tries to negotiate drug prices. Obama had to deal with them to pass Obamacare. Biden is probably also dealing with them when he pushes for electric cars. I have no doubt that these lobbies buy candidates, and probably across the aisle. They can't afford to be aligned with one party, only to see that party lose power. They are playing for the long game.

So, I say again. AIPAC is no friend to the Democratic party. But they are not the biggest.

[Martin Eden]

58. WHY does AIPAC want to unseat progressive Democrats?

If they hope to garner more support in Congress for Netanyahu's hard right policies including opposition to any two state solution, then I have a negative view of this effort by AIPAC.

[TeamProg]

59. Well, that is exactly it. nt

[lapucelle]

134. No it isn't. Unlike Netanyahu (and Rep. Tlaib), AIPAC is in favor of a two-state solution.

It is misinformed (at best) to allege that AIPAC is in lockstep with Netanyahu, his government, or his policies.



-------------------------------------------------------------

AIPAC denounces Netanyahu's pre-election deal with ultranationalist party

https://www.axios.com/2019/02/22/aipac-netanyahu-election-deal-far-right-jewish-pawer-party

-------------------------------------------------------------

AIPAC to boycott ‘racist and reprehensible’ Kahanist party wooed by Netanyahu

https://www.timesofisrael.com/major-us-jewish-groups-slam-racist-and-reprehensible-extremist-israeli-party/

-------------------------------------------------------------

American Israel lobby condemns Netanyahu deal with far-right party

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/american-jewish-lobby-issues-rare-condemnation-of-netanyahu-deal-with-far-right-israeli-party/2019/02/25/c90d3bd8-38ec-11e9-a2cd-307b06d0257b_story.html

-------------------------------------------------------------

AIPAC-affiliated Rabbis Come Out Against Netanyahu's Government

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/haaretz-today/2023-03-08/ty-article/.highlight/aipac-affiliated-rabbis-come-out-against-netanyahus-government/00000186-c1e5-d739-a9cf-d5ff75020000

-------------------------------------------------------------

AIPAC splits with Trump and Netanyahu, backs visit by Omar and Tlaib to Israel

https://www.cnn.com/2019/08/15/politics/aipac-ilhan-omar-rashida-tlaib-israel/index.html

-------------------------------------------------------------

AIPAC-led US delegation raises concerns about deadly Israeli settler violence

https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20230808-aipac-led-us-delegation-raises-concerns-about-deadly-israeli-settler-violence/

-------------------------------------------------------------

Settler leader to AIPAC: Your support for two-states has ‘no basis in fact’

https://www.timesofisrael.com/settler-leader-to-aipac-your-support-for-two-states-has-no-basis-in-fact/

-------------------------------------------------------------

In an unusual twist, AIPAC praises Bernie Sanders over Israel-Hamas ceasefire stance

https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-an-unusual-twist-aipac-praises-bernie-sanders-over-israel-hamas-ceasefire-stance/

-------------------------------------------------------------

Heads of Jewish organizations tell economy minister that government’s extremist members and judicial overhaul are making defending Israel a tall task

https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-shooting-itself-in-the-foot-jewish-leaders-warn-barkat-in-boston/

[Mossfern]

164. Is that true?

Is that a mission of AIPAC?
To support Likud?
I wasn't aware of that. I won't ask you to research it if you don't have documentation at hand.
I'll do a bit of research myself.

[Mossfern]

165. What I found

There are many articles assuming a support for Likud and Netanyahu, but here is a statement from AIPAC refuting that.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/american-jewish-lobby-issues-rare-condemnation-of-netanyahu-deal-with-far-right-israeli-party/2019/02/25/c90d3bd8-38ec-11e9-a2cd-307b06d0257b_story.html

JERUSALEM — Criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his right-wing government has been heard from American Jews for a while now, but a simple 20-word tweet from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), the largest American Israel lobby, has sent shock waves through the political establishment here.

The tweet, which came late Friday, was a show of support for an earlier statement by another powerful group, the American Jewish Committee (AJC).

The AJC expressed concern about an agreement reached last week — encouraged by Netanyahu to strengthen his right-wing base for the April 9 general election — uniting three small parties, including a faction made up of followers of Meir Kahane, an ultranationalist American Israeli rabbi banned from Israeli politics for his racist opinions. He was assassinated in 1990.

[lapucelle]

75. Opposition to a two-state solution is a "hard right" position? Rep. Tlaib is against a two-state solution.

Michigan candidate backs 1-state solution, slashing military aid to Israel

https://www.timesofisrael.com/michigan-candidate-of-palestinian-heritage-rejects-2-state-solution/

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

J Street Will Not Endorse Candidates Who Do Not Endorse a Two-State Solution
August 17, 2018

After closely consulting with Rashida Tlaib’s campaign to clarify her most current views on various aspects of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, we have come to the unfortunate conclusion that a significant divergence in perspectives requires JStreetPAC to withdraw our endorsement of her candidacy.

JStreetPAC was created to demonstrate the wellspring of political support that exists for candidates who take pro-Israel, pro-peace positions, including support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. While we have long championed the value of a wide range of voices in discussion of the conflict and related issues, we cannot endorse candidates who conclude that they can no longer publicly express unequivocal support for a two-state solution and other core principles to which our organization is dedicated.

https://jstreet.org/press-releases/j-street-will-not-endorse-candidates-who-do-not-endorse-a-two-state-solution/

[Martin Eden]

85. Netanyahu's One State solution is most definitely a hard right position

Netanyahu's One State solution is a Greater Israel. Long term viability of Israel as the Jewish state involves displacing and/or marginalizing the Palestinian population.

One State is also the position of hardline Palestinians who seek the destruction of the Jewish state, displacing the Jewish population.

I'm not saying that's what Talib wants, but I'm sure she's aware of the long term demographics which would eventually render Jews a minority in that single state. Assuming equal rights and democracy, Israel would cease to be the Jewish state.

Do you think Talib and AIPAC share the same goal?

The success of a Single State at peace with itself with equal rights and democracy is a laudable goal. After all, why can't we all just get along? Unfortunately, the bitterly hostile bloody conflict spanning generations is not easily brushed aside. Nor can we expect the hardliners with violent proclivities on either side will disappear or change their stripes.

Doesn't really seem like a viable solution.

To tell you the truth, two states within the confines of the current borders doesn’t seem viable either. I don't forsee ANY Israeli government forcibly evicting Jewish settlers from the West Bank. Some of these communities have been lived in for generations. They will not leave voluntarily, and forcing them out subsequent to the Oct 7 Hamas invasion will be viewed by many as rewarding that atrocity.

Bottom line, I see no peaceful solution to this conflict.

I also think AIPAC is much more aligned with Netanyahu than with Talib.

[lapucelle]

95. I think Representative Tlaib is well aware of the long term demographics,

given that she is also in favor of a right of return.

AIPAC is aligned with neither Netanyahu nor Tlaib on this issue.

AIPAC supports a two-state solution.

[Martin Eden]

96. I know that much remains to be worked out on a two state solution

Do the major proponents of the Two State solution have any solid idea of where the Palestinian state would be?

The West Bank is riddled with Jewish settlements, so that doesn't seem viable at all. Would Gaza be enough?

If AIPAC wants a Two State solution, aren't Democrats, even progressives (Talib excepted) likely to support Two States?

[lapucelle]

99. I think that the last US president to speak on possible details was Bill Clinton,

but that was so long ago.

Clinton Proposal on Israeli-Palestinian Peace

https://www.usip.org/sites/default/files/Peace%20Puzzle/10_Clinton%20Parameters.pdf

The Clinton Parameters

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Clinton_Parameters

[Martin Eden]

111. Much has happened since then

Including decades of expanding West Bank settlements.

[lapucelle]

114. Exactly. And it's an entirely different world. N/T

[TeamProg]

117. I'm not sure why you are alarmed at this, after all, Netanyahu is also for a ONE-STATE solution, correct? nt

[lapucelle]

119. I'm not sure why anyone would conclude that asking a question and stating a fact indicates "alarm".

[DBoon]

81. because they must have unanimous support in congress

not a single individual who opposes their positions should be allowed in congress.

[Martin Eden]

88. Support for what, in terms of resolving the I/P conflict

And, of course, unanimous support will never happen.

[Happy Hoosier]

62. Not a fan of AIPAC, but some of these "preogressives" have thrown their lot in with some distasteful people.

Won't break my heart to see some of them go, TBRFH.

[marti]

63. Talib

is hurting Biden in Mi- hoping for a write in- He's doing all he can to help Palestinians

Dearborn Mayor when asked what will they do if Trump is elected said they survived the first four years-UGH

[Cha]

83. Exaclty.. Mayor of Dearborn MI does NOT Give a SHIT

about Our Democracy.

Dearborn Mayor when asked what will they do if Trump is elected said they survived the first four years-UGH

Not too smart, either.

[lapucelle]

66. The website that platforms "Axis of Resistance" talking points is touting a new book by Ryan Grim?

Democracy Now! has gone from merely being third party trolls to hosting apologists for extreme right-wing theocratic movements that engage in butchery, ethnic cleansing, and slavery. They should change their name to Theocracy Now!

And why are they shilling a new book by Ryan Grim as if he is somehow a source of reliable information?

Ryan Grim helped push the Tara Reade story into the mainstream. What does he think of it now?

https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/media/reporter-who-played-up-tara-reades-allegations-against-joe-biden-becomes-a-lightning-rod-in-debate-over-her-claims/2020/05/30/a676cf08-9e03-11ea-b5c9-570a91917d8d_story.html

[Autumn]

84. Fuck that. I hope that if they lose Democratic seats those bastards are held to account.

They should spend money to influence Israel's elections. Do the world and ,mankind a favor and get rid of Netanyahu.

[redqueen]

100. I worry they'll get us more corporate Dems

More 'oh no we can't have Medicare for all!' type shit

[Autumn]

105. Exactly. That's just what they want. Conservative politicians.

Fuck that.

[brooklynite]

86. Is your objection that they're supporting pro-israel policies or running Primaries against "progressives"?

How do you think the progressives got elected in the first place?

[TeamProg]

104. We have plenty of good Dems in office now, not spending the $ to elect Dems over Repugs is not helping in the

slightest.

See how that works?

[brooklynite]

106. I absolutely agree, BUT.....

I felt the same way when people were throwing money at progressives running against mainstream Democrats in safe districts.

Plenty of people here felt otherwise. How about you?

[TeamProg]

124. Yes, "people "who are interested in getting rid of corporate Dems to be replaced by progressive Dems, who

Want what’s best for the American people.

Your post was rather vague as to who the “ people” are.

It’s easy to recall how many times everyone here was congratulating all the progressives, and the squad for bringing corporate corruption to light.

Now you’re asking AIPAC TO REVERSE ALL THAT.

[brooklynite]

125. Well I don't believe in in the "corporate Democrat" rant...

...and I'm not convinced that members of THE SQUAD have actually accomplished something not achievable by mainstream Democrats.

Maybe you should express your concerns to Leader Hakeem Jeffries...an AIPAC endorsed candidate.

[TeamProg]

126. I do think that Rashida is out of line in her prompt to vote uncommitted in the primary with Biden, but she

Is also representing her constituents.

[brooklynite]

127. I was under the impression she represented her constituents in Congress, not in the Democratic Primary.

[OilemFirchen]

107. Incumbent Rep. Tlaib received the max $5K from CAIR-CA PAC in 2022.

Super-safe Dem district. Why did they throw that money away?

[brooklynite]

90. AIPAC has supported candidates for years....

...including Democrats (125 House and Senate candidates at present).

Including Hakeem Jeffries, Amy Klobuchar, Jim Clyburn.....

[pfitz59]

102. AIPAC has always sucked

Blocking any reasonable debate re: Aid to Israel and Palestinian solution

[wyldwolf]

120. Is it the primarying or the amount of money being spent that bothers some?

In the mid-2000s, DU was full of stories about "progressives" primarying Democrats or threatening to.

[TeamProg]

122. Absolutely, but those progressive Democrats were fighting for working people and taking an anti-corporation platform.

That’s a lot different than taking donations so to vote to increase arm sales.

[meow2u3]

123. It doesn't help the far left that some of them come across as terrorist sympathizers...

...who take sides with Hamas and Hezbollah against our country and our allies.

It's one thing to vouch for Palestinian civilians, but when support for a free Palestine crosses the line and makes the pols sound like they promote international terrorism by seeking revenge against innocent Israeli civilians, it's time for them to be primaried.

[TeamProg]

155. Hmmm, what you say can only be true if you define ALL Palestinians as "terrorists", right? To label far left Dems

as terrorist sympathizers is really beyond the pale fence, out of line, a stretch of truth and basically wrong.

[lapucelle]

137. I wonder why Democracy Now! thinks it is entitled to distort facts in the service of a narrative.

What Democracy Now! says happened:

Last month, two Michigan Democrats running for the U.S. Senate revealed AIPAC offered them $20 million to instead primary Congressmember Rashida Tlaib for her House seat. Nasser Beydoun, a Lebanese American businessman, and Hill Harper, a Hollywood actor-turned-politician, both turned AIPAC down.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

How the allegations were reported elsewhere:

Candidate Hill Harper was allegedly approached by a deep pocket donor (Linden Nelson) who he assumed was working as some kind of agent for AIPAC.

Senate Candidate in Michigan Says He Was Offered $20 Million to Challenge Tlaib

Mr. Harper, an author and actor known for his roles on “CSI: NY” and “The Good Doctor,” said on X that he was approached by “one of AIPAC’s biggest donors,” referring to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, soon after Politico published an article first reporting Mr. Nelson’s offer. He said he declined the offer, adding, “I won’t be bossed, bullied, or bought.”

Marshall Wittmann, a spokesman for AIPAC, said the group “was absolutely not involved in any way in this matter,” adding that “our records indicate that this individual has not contributed to AIPAC in over a decade.”

snip ----------------------------------

Similarly, pro-Palestinian businessman Nasser Beydoun alleges that he was approached by an individual (Lon Johnson) who he claims was an agent of AIPAC. Both the individual and AIPAC deny the claims.

Second Democrat says he was offered $20M to run against Tlaib

A second U.S. Senate candidate in Michigan has come forward saying he was offered $20 million by the pro-Israel lobby to switch races and instead mount a primary challenge against Democratic U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib of Detroit.

Nasser Beydoun, a Dearborn businessman and Democrat, turned down the offer, which he said was made Nov. 10 and conveyed by Lon Johnson, a political consultant and former chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party.

Johnson vehemently denied the claim by Beydoun: "That's just crazy. I didn't offer him $20 million, or any other amount of money, to run against Rashida," Johnson told The Detroit News. "That's insane."

snip=======================

The pro-Israel American Israeli Public Affairs Committee reportedly visited Detroit this month to recruit primary challengers to run against her. AIPAC "had absolutely no involvement in any way with this matter," spokesman Marshall Wittmann said Monday night of Beydoun's claim.

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2023/11/27/second-democrat-says-he-was-offered-20m-to-run-against-tlaib/71724491007/

[JohnSJ]

151. +++

[TeamProg]

154. You believe AIPAC? Lol! Their spokes people have no accontability. It's a huge organization.

[lapucelle]

156. It's Democracy Now! that lied about "AIPAC" allegedly having made the offers.

It's disgusting the way that Democracy Now! take advantage of gullible viewers who don't know its history.

[TeamProg]

158. AIPAC and other lobbying groups are taking advantage of the gullible, sorry, they lie.

[lapucelle]

159. By disinforming readers in the very link you posted, Democracy Now! demonstrates both its capacity to lie

and it's disrespect for those who consume its product.

It does the same by uncritically amplifying another one of Ryan Grim's tales, this one a tale about AIPAC. And who is the unfortunate Grim's source for his tale about AIPAC? Well the dubious Corbin Trent, of course.

Self-Dealing Ex-AOC Aide Wants Your Cash to Push Out Biden

The Daily Beast caught a Justice Democrats co-founder pocketing tens of thousands of dollars from an anti-filibuster PAC. Now he’s raising money to show Joe Biden the door.

When Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez’s former communications director started a political action committee to kill the Senate filibuster, he mostly pocketed the six figures he raised. Now he wants more dough to compel President Joe Biden to step aside from the 2024 election.

Last year, The Daily Beast exposed how Corbin Trent, co-founder of the Squad-adjacent Justice Democrats organization—and Ocasio-Cortez’s first communications director when she joined Congress—had soaked up most of the money that his No Excuses PAC raised for the stated purpose of pressuring Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ) to eliminate the 60-vote threshold in the Senate. The PAC ultimately spent a paltry $14,831.88 of the $197,239.61 it raised on ads pestering the centrist lawmakers.

Meanwhile, No Excuses PAC’s latest filings with the Federal Election Commission, which date to the end of September, show it has paid Trent nearly 10 times as much—roughly $140,000, accounting for more than 70 percent of all the funds the committee ever amassed. Almost the entire remaining balance has gone toward credit card processing fees, hotels, and accounting firms associated with Amy Vilela, a failed Justice Democrats-backed House candidate from Nevada.

snip -------------------------------------------

If 70 percent of all the money a group raises ends up in your pockets, then the group’s primary purpose is enriching you,” Jordan Libowitz, communications director for CREW, told The Daily Beast. “Looking at the PAC’s filings, it’s hard to see how its focus is anything other than redirecting donor funds into Trent’s bank account.”

https://www.thedailybeast.com/self-dealing-ex-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-aide-corbin-trent-wants-your-cash-to-push-out-joe-biden

------------------------------------------------

See also
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/ocasio-cortez-aipac-offer-conversation-ryan-grim-book_n_656ee39ae4b07b937ff5eab0

https://www.thedailybeast.com/corbin-trent-former-aide-of-alexandria-ocasio-cortez-cashes-in-on-anti-filibuster-crusade

-----------------------------------------------

Neither the New York Times nor The Detroit News felt the need to disinform the public, but Democracy Now! did.

Caveat Lector

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/22/us/politics/hill-harper-rashida-tlaib.html

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2023/11/27/second-democrat-says-he-was-offered-20m-to-run-against-tlaib/71724491007/

[Cha]

162. Democracy Now Lies and Distorts? Shocking.. NOT!

Thank You for all your Invaluable Research, Lapucelle.

[Cha]

160. Because that's what DN does.. They DISTORT &

Push Propaganda about our Dems.

I have an acquaintance. who soaks their Propaganda up everyday.. she tries to lay it on me and I've told her Absolutely Not .

She says she'll Never vote for another Dem and she loves Cornell fucking West.

in 2016 she was Trying to sing the virtues of Jill Stine's Lies on us. She Disgusts me with her slobbering affection for Gaslit Lies about our Dems.

[betsuni]

161. Thank you. DN is completely unreliable.

[lapfog_1]

152. not at all surprising

Putin / Iran plan to divide the democrats is working like a charm.

1. Send Hamas to murder a 1000 Israelis.
2. Wait for inevitable over reaction by IDF under Bibi.
3. get the sympathy of the left in the USA for the poor Palestinians
4. Wait for the Democrats ( Arab Americans and Jewish Americans to take up sides).
5. Watch Trump be elected... great for Putin, good for Iran.

Is anyone surprised that AIPAC would try to primary the squad... and if either side wins... the other side might just sit on their hands come election. Lose the House, and Senate, and Presidency.