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Kucinich Withdraws as Palm Beach County Democratic Keynoter Amid Uproar over His Israel Stance
U.S. Rep. Dennis Kucinich lasted less than 24 hours as headliner for the Palm Beach County Democratic Party's annual fundraising dinner after some of the party's elected officials blasted the Ohio Democrat's stance on Israel and threatened to skip the event.
Dennis Kucinich Kucinich, who has a history of criticizing the actions of the Israeli government and opposing congressional resolutions in support of Israel, withdrew Friday as the keynote speaker for next week's dinner after being announced Thursday.
The liberal former presidential candidate had been called in as a last-minute replacement for moderate Louisiana Sen. Mary Landrieu. Landrieu was dropped as keynoter this week because party activists were upset by her refusal to commit to blocking a Republican filibuster of health care overhaul legislation.
While Landrieu was the target of behind-the-scenes grumbling, Kucinich sparked public revolt.
State Rep. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach, said Friday he was withdrawing his pledge to buy a $1,500 table for the dinner and would encourage other Democrats to boycott the event because of Kucinich's record on Israel.
State Sen. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, who's running for the seat that U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler is vacating, called Kucinich "someone whose position on Israel stands in total opposition to the conscience of this community."
County Commissioner Burt Aaronson called the selection of Kucinich "an absolute horror" and said he would refuse to share the podium with him.
Kucinich has opposed sanctions against the anti-Israel government of Iran. In January, he was one of only five House members to vote against a resolution condemning Hamas rocket attacks on Israel and reaffirming Israel's "right to act in self-defense to protect its citizens against Hamas's unceasing aggression."
Kucinich said Friday in an e-mail to county Democratic Chairman Mark Alan Siegel that he supports the Jewish state and its right to defend itself and said his critics are "falsely characterizing me as 'anti-Israel.' "
But Kucinich said he did not want the controversy surrounding him to hinder the party's ability to raise money, so he would "humbly withdraw."
Siegel said the decision to invite Kucinich was made by a "leadership circle" of about 20 people and no one raised concerns about Kucinich's record on Israel.
Siegel heard those concerns Friday.
"People feel he's anti-Israel. I don't read it that way, but the leadership of AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and other elements of the Jewish community do and I don't want to get into an argument with them," said Siegel, who is Jewish.
Siegel said he doesn't know who the party will get as a keynote speaker for the dinner, which is scheduled for Nov. 14 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.
The event has traditionally been called the Jefferson-Jackson dinner, but the name was changed this year to the Truman-Kennedy-Johnson dinner because of qualms among party activists about Thomas Jefferson's slave ownership and Andrew Jackson's Indian-removal policies.
Siegel said the nixing of two keynote speakers this week shows party leaders are listening to the concerns of Democrats.
"In both cases, the same thing happened," Siegel said. "We responded to complaints from important elements of our constituency and neither one of them is speaking."
144 Comments so far
Show AllIf only Kucinich had the courage and integrity to send these American-Israeli loyalists a copy of The Israel Lobby and U.S. Foreign Policy by John J. Mearsheimer and Stephen M. Walt. But then if Kucinich actually had a moral backbone he would separate himself from the Democrats, as he should recognize the fact that the Democratic party is totally anathema to the positions that he takes, and align himself with a third party.
Erroll - why continue to condemn those who have spoken most forcefully to peace and justice. I do not understand why the Left continues to villify those that have thus far carried the baggage of justice. No one is perfect, but Kucinich has done more for the progressives than nearly anyone else. To question him morality is obtuse.
Odoco
"To question him morality [sic] is obtuse." I am questioning and criticizing Kucinich's desire to be a pinata for the Democratic party. You say he is speaking out for peace and justice. But my point is that he is one of the very few Democrats who is willing to do this. Why is he allowing himself to continually get kicked in the teeth by his party? Is he that much of a masochist to not realize that his desire for peace and justice, as you say, is continually thwarted by his Democratic colleagues?
Kucinich is an intelligent man and it is way past the point that he finally acknowledge that the Democrats have no intention of implementing, much less listening, regarding what he has to say, both domestically and in respect to foreign policy.
Would they listen to him any more if he were an independant or third party candidate? I would rather have him in congress bitching than outside looking in and bitching - like the rest of us.
elainem,
thanks for making a very good point.
Hey Erroll
I think your statement about Dennis K not having a moral backbone is what people find to be rather harsh and misguided. I do however think that you are right in the fact that he would do more good being a third party candidate. he knows how to work the system as he has been part of it. in fact on counterpunch.org today their is an article on healthcare http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2009/11/09-2
that the author ponders the same question, is it time that Dennis leave's the dem party as he seems to be the only individual that truly does seem to have a "moral backbone" and thus somehow legitimizes the democratic party for certain members of the left.
food for thought. thanks for sharing.
Getoffyourbutt
I think that you misconstrued my meaning. The implication is that if Kucinich was to display a moral backbone then he would not remain in the Democratic party since the Democrats have absolutely no regard at all for what Kucinich has to say. As I had attempted to explain in other comments, the hope is that K will finally come to the realization that the Democratic party is anathema to his beliefs and that he might be able to attract a strong third party base if he were to ultimately break away from, as title of a book has called them, the Savage Mules.
WELL SAID!
What will it take for a person of integrity like Dennis Kucinich to get any traction in the AIPAC infested swamp of DC? This guy must carry his balls around in a wheel barrow.
Keith Olbermann is the only talking head with balls nearly equal to that of Special
K and he, Keith, was spot on when he said, "...there is no difference in the two parties, there's just one party, the Money Party....and their sign is a vulture!"
Off subject! This article was "disappeared" for half the day! I was trying to comment but it just disappeared from the CD sight. Someone said "bad stuff" about the Jewish people and was "flagged." Then ... Poof! Now it's back! Hmmmm.
Uh huh....makes you suspect a lot of what is posted here since the gumshoes can delete or alter what they damn well please. But looking at some of the posts makes me wonder just what would have to be said to get their goat.
I know! The flagged comment is still there....not deleted? Would love an explanation of why this article disappeared for half the day!!!
A very effective way to silence Israel's critics. The other side of this coin is the perception it gives to gentiles. Namely, the unquestioning support of Israel, regardless of the war crimes they commit, makes American Jews look like an Israeli fifth column to many Americans.
"The event has traditionally been called the Jefferson-Jackson dinner, but the name was changed this year. . .because of qualms among party activists about Thomas Jefferson's slave ownership and Andrew Jackson's Indian-removal policies."
What percentage of the paper's local readership do you suppose will miss the irony of this?
About 99%, maybe 99.44
"The event has traditionally been called the Jefferson-Jackson dinner, but the name was changed this year to the Truman-Kennedy-Johnson dinner because of qualms among party activists about Thomas Jefferson's slave ownership and Andrew Jackson's Indian-removal policies."
Apparently they have no qualms about Hiroshima/Nagasaki, the Bay of Pigs, or Vietnam.
If you'd like to give State Rep. Kevin Rader, D-Delray Beach a piece of your mind here's his contact info:
Rep. Kevin Rader (D)
7593 Boynton Beach Blvd., Ste. 100, Boynton Beach, FL - 33437-6161
Phone: 561-279-1633
Is Kucinich changing parties?
This statement he made on Oct. 28 regarding the House health care legislation leaves the question open:
“If this is the best we can do, then it is time to ask ourselves whether the two-party system is truly capable of representing the American people or whether the system has been so compromised by special interests that we can’t even protect the health of our own people,"
http://rawstory.com/2009/10/feingold-health-reform/
If Kucinich is actually thinking of doing this, then perhaps he is finally waking up to the fact that the Democrats are not progressive and are just as militaristic as the Republicans. But I will be surprised if he will actually employ common sense by rejecting the Democrats and joining with a party that is more aligned with his progressive view points.
In January Dennis refused to screech about "the rockets, the rocket attacks."
Which, like israel's shrill supporters, have no guidance systems. Much less morality; only 'more for me'.
Ohhhh, gnashing of teeth, "the rockets," Gaza. And what an excuse for picnics, song & joy, Dance! Watch Arabs Mass Murdered LIVE! Free Admission!
Go DK.
"Whay are Gaza's schools empty today?"
"Because we blew all the children away!"
"Yeeeeaaaaahhhhh!!!!!!!!"*
*Sung in spontaneous joy by crowd of ISRAELI-Jews* as Arab bodies smoldered in adjacent Gaza last January '09. Now part of the culture, sung in Tel-Aviv bars, prisons for Arabs, checkpoints, Palm Beach County.
PS: Righteous, beautiful, non-rabid-zionist *Jewish people help, with their hearts and minds, to make this world turn the way it should; millions of souls. thankyouall.
Israel is desperate as it is exposing its minions in the US govt. This will only last so long because middle america (the stupid rednecks) will catch on that their country is run by a foreign entity and then the fun begins....Right now middle america is too busy with NFL, baseball, and other distractions while these traitorous lawmakers do the bidding of Israel.
Horrified, you hit the nail on the head...thanks!
People feel he's anti-Israel. I don't read it that way, but the leadership of AIPAC and other elements of the Jewish community do and I don't want to get into an argument with them," said Siegel, who is Jewish.
God Forbid! They may bulldoze your house if you piss them off.
"Kucinich has opposed sanctions against the anti-Israel government of Iran."
Even the author of this article, George Bennett, is biased.
If Bennett is going to call Iran anti-Israel, why not call Israel anti-Iran? Iran is against Israel's aggressive foreign policy against Palestinians and other neighbors. Iran has publicly stated that it will use its military only to defend itself against Israel. Based on Bennett's logic I am anti-American because I also oppose US foreign policy.
They ring their hands. And Wonder Why?
Fort Hood Massacre Direct Blowback from the Zionist Puppet House of Gangsters Rejection of Goldstone Report.
Power to the People !!!!!!!
First this,
//"People feel he's anti-Israel. I don't read it that way, but the leadership of AIPAC (the American Israel Public Affairs Committee) and other elements of the Jewish community do and I don't want to get into an argument with them," said Siegel, who is Jewish.//
Then this,
//Siegel said. "We responded to complaints from important elements of our constituency//
Sounds like AIPAC is an important element of "our constituency"!!!
===
Not to worry Seigel --- those who buy your partners in the Congress will still pay for them; but, they probably will give more money to those know how to suck up appropriately. Bought and paid for must stay bought and paid for, puppets are hard to keep.
This is the best thing that could have happened to Mr. Kucinich.
Yes, this action clearly shows who's in charge of the Democratic party, and not just in Florida either.
This is a serious problem that is becoming worse with each passing day.
America prides itself on Free Speech, and the ability to express one's self in any manner they wish; even if it may be offensive to one of more of the listeners.
When politicians express disagreement with the KKK for its stance on White Supremacy, they are applauded.
When they express disagreement with the Jews and Israel over essentially the same argument that the KKK uses, they are labeled 'anti semitic' and silenced; which is what Native Son expressed in his often offensive postings and he was 'silenced'. (Whether any of us agreed with him, or even liked him, is irrelevant; when his 'free speech' was silenced then all of ours was silenced. The real shame is that he is a decorated veteran of the Vietnam war who did not have to serve since as a Native American he was exempt from the draft. He truly earned his right to free speech how many of us can claim the same?)
If the Jews and Israel make the claim based on the Bible's references that they are the 'chosen ones' this is one matter. When they 'treat others' like they 'think they are the chosen ones' even to the point of establishing their own nation, based solely on their 'chosen ones status'; then the rest of us are in serious trouble. The fact that American tax payers 'give' Israel more than 30 billions annually in aid; yet they do not do the same for the KKK or other 'groups' who claim superiority * the message is very clear.
We are all in serious trouble if this is allowed to continue.
*'Superiority' in this respect that it is expressed with the deeply rooted belief that the Jews are the 'Chosen Ones' and to express the opposite is considered to be 'antisemitic'. I am a 'Unitarian Universalist' and do not believe in the 'divinity of Jesus'; nor do we be believe that any 'one group' are the 'chosen ones'. With that consideration then the Universalists who are older than modern 'Israel' are considered 'antisemitic'.
If that is the case; then I am proud to be 'antisemitic'.
Thank you for your time
And thank you for your important point well put. The ability of American Zionists via AIPAC to strangle free speech by attacking legislators who dare to criticize Israel and by use of the "anti-Semite" epithet, has been instrumental in placing Zionists in the most powerful positions in government (Wolfowitz, Perle, Chertoff, Feith, etc.)
"Israel controls the (U.S.) Senate." Senator J. William Fulbright, 1973
"He truly earned his right to free speech how many of us can claim the same?"
Excuse me, but according to the constitution free speech is a god-given right.
I do not have to "serve" in the military to exercise my God given rights.
You are not "better" than me because you may have "served" in the military.
Cute analogy " The fact that American tax payers 'give' Israel more than 30 billion annually in aid,yet they do not do the same for the KKK or other 'groups' who claim superiority" The banksters claim superiority,the pharmaceuticals and the insurers too.We are back to the tried and true lobbying system, sustained by brilliant scamsters.It's all about marketing your cause! America is so good at that. The MONEY MONEY MONEY cause and the WAR WAR WAR cause.
GOOD FOR YOU DENNIS!
this is america not isra-hell!
whats good for israel IS NOT GOOD FOR AMERICA!
why doesnt any other nation on earth get the same treatment as that rogue nation?
its preposterous! im sick and tired of all the pandering to zionist entities!!
Good for one of my heroes, Dennis Kucinich!!
And.....
What is this crap?
Who the heck does Israel think it is?
Are they a "hothouse plant"?
Israelis need to get off of their "high horse" and realize that they are no better than citizens of a hundred other countries.
Sheeesh!
LOL--they changed the name of the dinner to avoid symbolic association with slave-owner Jefferson, but don't mind being publicly linked to one of the most barbaric, criminal states of the 21st century! Kucinich should have been the one to reject an invitation to speak at a zionist dinner. And just for the record, Kucinich does not criticize the "actions of the Israeli government"--he criticizes the war crimes of the Israeli government, something more Democrats should do instead of passing sycophantic resolutions encouraging those monsters.
Just to set the record straight: Florida Rep. Grayson, that so-called Democrat with guts, voted to condemn the Goldstone report that accused Israel of war crimes. Guess he's just another Israel-first hack after all.
Donna
Thanks for that information about Grayson. One would not have thought that Grayson, of all people, would have rejected the Goldstone report. It would be nice if Olbermann would point that out on his program. But since Grayson has appeared as a guest on Countdown before, that prospect appears highly unlikely.
It is instructive to apply what Howard Zinn said of Obama and apply it to Grayson when Zinn noted that it is should not be surprising to see Obama act the way he is because, after all, he is a Democrat. Likewise for how Grayson has behaved.
"Florida Rep. Grayson, that so-called Democrat with guts, voted to condemn the Goldstone report that accused Israel of war crimes." –(donna)
–All the 'up and coming' Progressive darlings of the scabrous Democratic Party fall in ignominy, as one knew they would.
"Guess he's just another...hack after all." –(donna)
–That he is, that he is. But no hope should have been put in him to begin with. Like Dennis Kucinich–all the designated progressive icons piss hopelessly into the wind within a party where they are little more than decorative accouterments or curious display toys.
Certain litmus tests are 'deep' litmus tests becoming all telling and indelible revelations. The Grayson vote condemning the Goldstone report is indeed one of these deeper 'soundings.' It relegates any and all subsequent 'good' that Grayson may annunciate in the future to the scrap heap of irrelevance. In fact his vote here is little more than a crime.
The lesson to be learned here is there is no hope to be had within the Democratic party where 'mavericks' such as Kucinich and Grayson are stalked by a terminal incoherence conferred on them by their party of association.
And in the case of Representative Grayson's unconscionable vote to condemn the Goldstone Report, an incoherence of the blackest, most repellent morbidity.
For those who will be trumpeting Grayson's virtues in the future, this dark little moment should serve as a singular testimony to his moral abnegation.
–(Jill Bains)
If you are only willing to talk to people who agree with you 100%, who are destined to remain ignorant.
"The only means of strengthening one's intellect is to make up one's mind about nothing, to let the mind be a thoroughfare for all thoughts." - John Keats
OK. And when a thought enters that thoroughfare, judgment is made as to whether the thought it valid or not. It does not mean every thought entering and being considered has be judged acceptable.
It seems you're criticizing earlier commentators. If not, what exactly is your point?
Kucinich did the right thing. This is exactly the problem with this version of the Democratic party.
AIPAC and the apologists for the Zionist entity in Israel are a problem of sorts.
I detest many of the criminal actions taken by the Israeli government.
At the same time, let's make sure that we do not like some posters have already done in here---justify the actions of Hitler and the Nazis against the Jewish people because of what is going on now.
The evil done against the Jews by Hitler is real. What the Zionists do against the Palestinians is real and criminal as well. Let's not justify what Hitler did because of the crimes by the Zionists, either. When one does this, it cheapens the argument and acts as a very good decoy away from the issue at hand.
AIPAC gets away with what it does because of the Congress. The same Congress which is bought off by so many various lobbies mind you all....AIPAC is just a big symptom of the problems with lobbyists run amok in Washington.
Just like the Catholic Church which should lose it's tax exempt status, the AIPAC Lobby should be made to register as foreign agents.
I applaud Dennis Kucinich's Middle East positions and his approach with the Zionist entity.
nyvisitor
Glad to read the praise of Kucinich as a man of integrity, one who works and fights for citizens' rights and the country's good.
Do not believe he would be so effective outside the D party. Nader, also a man of integrity, working for citizens' rights and the country's good, pulls no weight with government and too little with voters. Nor would Kucinich if he left the party; at least in the party he has a little leverage when the party wants something. Throughout history many great people have been kept out of power despite their obvious ability, experience, and concern.
A good course of action now would be a campaign for a Constitutional amendment banning all private money in election campaigns and banning all gifts to officeholders.
An excellent case can be made by showing the incredible amounts of money poured into defeating the healthcare reform this year and defeating the Clintons' proposed healthcare changes fifteen years ago. The many lobbying campaigns we have seen during the past several Congresses and the resulting legislation show that our government must NOT continue to be bought.
Another useful Constitutional amendment would declare the vectors of communication to the public to be the property of the citizens with use to be licensed by an FCC conditional on local usefulness, competition, and fairness/truth.
We need an amendment declaring corporations nonpersons. One "justification" for corporate personhood is that corporations seem to have other rights (owning property is one). A corporation is a mechanism for avoiding liability. It cannot read, write, think, speak or vote. Persons act for it, it does not act.
When the time comes, contribute to Kucinich's (and Nader's) campaigns for office. Their voices are too valuable to lose.
Israel's government and its supporters are drunk on power and see no reason why they cannot do what they want (like the Bush government and its supporters). The white phosphorus, the ravages, the killing, the destruction of schools, homes, businesses, public services, the walls, the arrogance are vile offences. Human offences. Evil. When a thing has a name, that name should be used.
"A good course of action now would be a campaign for a Constitutional amendment banning all private money in election campaigns ..."
It should be easy, and cheap too, to publicly fund presidential and congressional campaigns. About the cost of two cappuccinos per citizen.
http://dissidentvoice.org/Mar06/Willers24.htm
The super power Israel knows how to smooze and play up the chosen people lie. Israel gave Jerry Fallwell ,a private jet.Preacher Fallwell in turn,in the name of the Lord, hyped up the poor Israel victim myth and all the half brain idolators,carried on worshipping the sadist war criminals.(80 million christians more or less believe in Israel and their chosen people, can do no wrong fable) Israel launders all the Afghan Heroin Money (annually over a trillion) Israel does the west's dirty work whenever they can.Flaunts it's three hundred nukes and poor me posture.Netanyahoo on Charlie Rose was given a platform to reiterate in diatribe form, the usual lies"thousands of missiles rained down on us from Hamas" The jargon went over without a single correction by the bilderberger boy Rose.
I am soooo embarrassed as a Floridian and an American! I will say in my defense that 70 percent of the people in Florida are from up north and in Palm Beach County there is a MASS of New York Jews who are the knuckleheads who are berating ANY Congress-member who DARES to point the light onto the RACIST actions their people are taking against another group of people!!! I mean...how COULD a race of people do to others what was done to them???? Hmmmm!! I can't imagine it either (SARCASM...OVERLOAD).
Disgusting that ANY member of Congress could DENOUNCE the Goldstone Report!!!! I am ASHAMED of being an American on MANY FRONTS!!! healthcare....foreign policy, class-warefare... I am sick to my stomach!!! To those New York jews...GO BACK TO New York and do us Floridians a favor!!! Get in your gas-guzzling Towncar and get on northbound I-95 and don't stop....get the hell out!!! Mayor Bloomberg is waiting for you!!
Too bad nobody remembers the USS Liberty - an Israeli war crime attack --- or if they do, not do anything.
But I could be wrong !
Don't bring up the Israeli attack on the USS Liberty.
Only an anti-semite would bring up the attack on the USS Liberty.
carmudgeon most of us on this site sure remember the USS Liberty
Oh no..the heavily Jewish Palm beach Dems are helping Israel head toward oblivion with its anti-Kucinich jihad. Israel's insistence on destroying the Palestinian population (see Goldstone UN report, Golda Meier's saying the Palestinians don't exist, numerous Israeli's call Palestinians cockroaches, etc.) cause it so much ill will.
Alas, Israel has worn out its victimhood license and much of the world is hostile to it. Not good for Israel. Better for it to accept a viable Palestinian state and end the 24 hour open-air prison that is now Gaza.