ENOUGH

As I have often written on my website, I love political campaigns and, of course, I have been paying very close attention to the current Presidential race. So, I was eagerly awaiting Vice President Harris’ decision on a running mate. 

         I was a bit surprised yesterday that she picked Governor Tim Walz. He was a late entrant into what is now referred to as the “veepstakes” and I really didn’t know too much about him. I had my own “favorite”- Senator Mark Kelly- but watching Governor Walz speaking yesterday and reading several accounts of the selection process, it certainly seems like more than a reasonable choice. Apparently, he and Vice President Harris “clicked” in ways that the other candidates did not, and his values and experience made him a logical choice. 

         Whether or not one supports Vice President Harris’ candidacy (full disclosure: I do), I think she deserves the respect to assume she made the decision because she thinks Tim Walz was best qualified to be her running mate. 

         I am furious at those who claim that her decision not to select Governor Shapiro of Pennsylvania was because he is Jewish. Those who are making this claim are merely attempting to use an accusation of anti-Semitism to harm her candidacy. 

         To be blunt, I am tired of hearing President Trump alert Jews to anti-Semitism when it benefits him and tired of him telling Jews that we must vote in a particular way. This “act” was horrendous when he started to use it in his first campaign, and it is no less horrendous now. It is manipulative, disingenuous and mean spirited and is, in its own patronizing way, anti-Semitic in that it assumes Jews aren’t smart enough to make our own decisions about for whom to vote.

         There is enough anti-Semitism in this country without worsening the situation by claiming that what was a pragmatic political decision was proof of a candidate (or party’s) hatred of Jews. 

         And it’s time for non-Jewish public figures to stop telling Jews how to act as Jews.  

6 thoughts on “ENOUGH

  1. Marilyn Friedman

    Hopefully, we will see Passover in the Whitehouse for the New president’s husband and family. I look forward.

    We need Kelly to hold his Senate seat.

    Keep watching Walz and you will find him kind and sensible.

    1. Rob Dobrusin

      I have been impressed with Gov. Walz. He certainly seems to be sincere and will be a good partner for VP Harris. I simply didn’t know much about him before he was chosen.

  2. Sandor Slomovits

    Very well put, Rabbi! Your righteous anger — completely warranted — comes through loud and clear. I couldn’t agree more. Thank you

  3. Reva Bornstein

    I agree with you Rabbi and I look forward to VP Harris leading our country and da pleased with the entire ticket.

    Reva Bornstein

Leave a Reply