New Jersey Rep. Steve Rothman, one of the staunchest pro-Israel Democrats in Congress, lost his seat Tuesday night in a primary race against Democratic Rep. Bill Pascrell (the two members of Congress were pitted against each other due to redistricting):
Rep. Bill Pascrell (D) crushed Rep. Steve Rothman (D) in a member-vs.-member primary in New Jersey on Tuesday, ending his longtime friend’s 8-term run in the House.
The race between the two Democrats and close allies was expected to go down to the wire, but Pascrell delivered a stinging rebuke to Rothman, who took 30 percent to Pascrell’s 70, with 78 percent of precincts reporting. The Associated Press called the race for Pascrell. …
Although Pascrell and Rothman had almost identical voting records, the two scuffled bitterly during the primary over campaign tactics and liberal bona fides.
There’s likely to be some debate about what the race means in the bigger picture. President Obama publicly backed Rothman (which makes the president 0-2 Tuesday night), while Bill Clinton sided with Pascrell, suggesting that Obama’s support may not carry as much weight as it once did in the heavily-Democratic district. Beyond that, both members tried to run as the true liberal in the race, and their policy positions are very similar.
Still, Rothman has been one of the key Democratic Israel supporters in Congress, using his position on the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee to back defense cooperation programs like Iron Dome and consistently speaking out in support of the Jewish state. He will no doubt be missed by pro-Israel Democrats.
While Pascrell came under fire during the election for some of his anti-Israel associations and his prior support for the Gaza 54 letter, his congressional voting record on Israel has been very similar to Rothman’s.
“Pascrell’s voting record was with AIPAC basically all the time,” a Democratic strategist told me after the race, but added that “Rothman was a standout leader on these issues.”
May we have some deeper analysis on the results of this very important primary please? Did the huge Arab community in Passaic turn out in mass for Pascrell who failed denounce those calling Rothman an "Israel-Firster"? Did Pascrell receive financial backing from Arab/Muslim groups and individuals? There appear to be signs that a pro-Arab mostly Democratic block is growing within Congress – from the historically anti-Israel Black caucus to new Muslim types like Keith Ellison from Minneapolis to long-time anti-Israel white Democrats like Jim Moran and John Dingell from Muslim strongholds in Northern VA and Dearbornstan. AIPAC, which foolishly and arrogantly boasts about its power and importance inside the beltway, has been pushing against an open door for decades. But now they had better pay more attention to the exploding Muslim population in America. Isn't it time for them to get involved in reforming the immigration laws before America starts looking and voting like France?
which makes Jewish liberal laments from Goldberg et al. that the Jewish soul must find itself in the bosom of Democratic party activism pretty lame.
n"“Pascrell’s voting record was with AIPAC basically all the time,” a Democratic strategist told me after the race, but added that “Rothman was a standout leader on these issues.”" n nI am missing something here, what exactly is it? n n n
You might not realize that Bill Pascrell hails from Paterson, NJ, which is home to a very large Arab -but not exclusively Muslim( Arab Christians have lived here for over 100 years) population, and he enjoys widespread financial support from their active business community. Still, as was pointed out by his support of AIPAC, the crafty Pascrell is still enough of an old-style Democrat to be a sincere supporter of Israel. He is also a legend in Passaic County politics, and also well-respected even by Republicans, and his victory was seen by most as a foregone conclusion.
Arabic campaign posters for Pascrell crowned him an Arab friendly politician and reports say he refused to disavow "Israel-firster" taunts against Rothman by his supporters. Plus he pandered at a mosque with J-Street Rep. Keith Ellison (D., Minn). Signing on the Gaza 54 letter does not point to his being a sincere supporter of Israel. On other hand Clinton is and Obama, who backed Rothman, isn't.
Yes, it's confusing. I'm from that district and I hadn't heard about those Arabic campaign posters, but it doesn't surprise me, as they are very hostile when it comes to Israel. It also doesn't surprise me that no one called on Pascrell to disavow such support, as only Republicans are held to that standard. Still, Pascrell is a supporter of Israel, and he enjoys support among many Jews, especially the non-Orthodox.
My biggest problem with Pascrell's win is that he refused to denounce the bigots who supported him. If they were anti black instead of anti Semitic the denunciations would have been universal and if the candidate didn't join in he wouldn't have a chance in the general election.
Sternberg, please, Rothman's crew did far more slandering of Pascrell – and still is. The truth is Rothman was not representing the majority of his constituents – they knew it and voted the rascall out – you can't fool all the people all the time Sternberg.
Democracy worked. Bravo to the voters who used our wonderful system. Lots of name calling sour grapers here. Smearing slurs and calling names, but the fact it our system worked wonderfully.
If you're an elected official who can be seen as a friend of Israel, then in all likelihood you will be viewed very unfavorably by MJ Rosenberg and his ilk.