Alan Dershowitz: I'll Resign From the Democratic Party if Keith Ellison Named DNC Chair

[DonViejo]

While appearing on Fox Business today to express criticism of Secretary of State John Kerry’s speech on Israel, famed law professor Alan Dershowitz insisted that if the Democratic National Committee went with a certain choice for its leadership, he’d no longer call himself a Democrat.

Speaking to host Sandra Smith, Dershowitz slammed the possibility of Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN) being named the new DNC Chairman, pointing to Ellison’s association with the Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan, who is well-known for his anti-Semitic views.

“If they now appoint Keith Ellison, who worked with Farrakhan, to be chairman of the DNC, you’re going to see a lot of people leave,” Dershowitz noted.

He continued, “I’m going to tell you right here on this show, and this is news – if they appoint Keith Ellison to be chairman of the Democratic Party, I will resign my membership to the Democratic Party after 50 years of being a loyal Democrat.”

more
http://www.mediaite.com/tv/alan-dershowitz-ill-resign-from-the-democratic-party-if-keith-ellison-named-dnc-chair/

[octoberlib]

1. I didn't know Dershowitz was a Democrat.

Isn't he on FoxNews a lot?

[Gothmog]

38. What does that have to do with anything?

Dershowitz is very effective in taking apart Fox News talking points.

[bettyellen]

51. I'm surprised because I only know the self promoting asshole side of him! Interesting....

Thanks. I met him once at a wedding and he actually brought along all the copies of his newest book that he and his trophy wife could carry! Great klezmer band though.

[Gothmog]

60. I am actually not surprised by this

Dershowitz does a great deal of self promotion. He is also an effective advocate and is good at taking apart right wing talking points. As a Jewish lawyer and former college debater, i admit that I enjoy arguing and attacking right wing talking points.

[bettyellen]

66. my jaw dropped when I saw them get off the elevator in their formal dress struggling to carry all

Those books! Hilarious.
I have to admit I haven't seen him in a long time because something he said really bothered me. I'm going to guess it was a rape case. I thought he was more of an opportunist than having any political alliance.

[Gothmog]

99. I have been at events where Jim Hightower (a Sanders supporter) has a dolly for his books

I got a couple copies of John Lewis' book March 2 signed at an event. In the real world this happens a great deal.

[bettyellen]

104. I think there's some etiquette books that would advise against doing this at a wedding though, LOL.

I know weddings have to many rules but... heck, the bride thought it was funny too.

[Gothmog]

117. I agree that weddings should be off limits but politics and real life mix at times

I had a Congressman insist that he had the power to marry my middle child at a fundraiser. He claimed that he had this power and tried to convince my daughter to go through with this wedding. We waited and let her grandfather do the service later.

[JI7]

127. Oprah played some clip of him on her show once

this might have been in the 90s and maybe over the oj trial or clinton lewinsky thing. but during the interivew he just kept plugging his book .

[yurbud]

58. He's a disgrace. He advocated torture after 9/11

Which could be understood as ignorance from most people, but from a lawyer, he was knowingly inciting war crimes.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

130. Calling that douchebag a disgrace is being KIND... i say good riddance!!

[Dustlawyer]

152. Me too! Bye Alan!

[Hortensis]

178. Such passion up and down this thread.

An expert's explanation of how to tell the difference between right and left wing radicals: "The right hate everyone else, and the left hate themselves."

Now, me, I don't like the controversy-chasing man, I usually haven't agreed with him, sometimes strongly disagree, I don't bother thinking about him, and when I read his statement it was a big "whatever" to me, but he still gets credit for where credit is due for his fights for civil liberties.

[spanone]

2. how will we ever get along without alan in our party?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

131. Alan can go fuck himself... we either turn to progressive populism or we will continue down the "losing road" we got sidetracked on when we took the Clinton "off-ramp."

[Hortensis]

177. You're being offensive and divisive. We not only

need all the civil rights activists we can muster, but we also need to fight together -- not each other. We'd truly be better off if all those who'd rather embrace hate than hold a solid line joined the trumpsters.

[LanternWaste]

182. His own statement was, by its very nature divisive.

His own statement was, by its very nature divisive.

It would be great to see you apply those criticisms of others posters' sentiments to the lawyers own statements in question... but no doubt, holding him to that same standard would certainly reduce the efficiency of a creative narrative.

Such passion, indeed.

[Gothmog]

180. Should the ADL also go and do the same act?

[Uponthegears]

3. Not a loss

[lsewpershad]

28. Good riddance

Derky.

[HassleCat]

4. Sorry to see you go, Alan,

Don't let the door hit you in the butt. We can't be blackmailed.

[MurrayDelph]

37. Actually

Please do let the door hit you in the butt. It might hit hard-enough to give bloody nose.

[hatrack]

5. Who cares?

.

[TonyPDX]

18. He thinks "this is news." I couldn't care less.

[randome]

22. It's cute he feels compelled to point that out, isn't it?

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Stop looking for heroes. BE one.[/center][/font][hr]

[LanternWaste]

183. Everyone commenting on the post.

Everyone commenting on the post; though I'm certain that doesn't apply to you for some odd reason you'll rationalize at a later date when more convenient.

[hatrack]

186. Ooh, you sure called out my blatant hypocrisy, didn't you!

Trot along now, and treat yourself to a cookie, why doncha?

[rgbecker]

6. Good riddance Alan.

I'm sure you can find some work with Netanyahu maybe building some Jewish housing in the West Bank.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

132. It's precisely because of jerks like Dersh that we're in this fucking mess! Beggin him, please get the fuck out, regardless of whether Keith Ellison is rightfully installed as DNC chairman.

[unc70]

7. Please proceed

[RandiFan1290]

8. Another whiner like Lieberman

If they don't get their way they are taking their ball and going home.

losers

[TexasProgresive]

9. Don't let the door slap you in the arse, Alan.

[TDale313]

10. My thoughts exactly. n/t

[brutus smith]

11. Why wait

do it now alan. You have been a right winger for how long now.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

133. Precisely... that asshat should take his ball and go home (and NEVER come back!)

[guillaumeb]

12. We must simply endure the "loss" of this celebrity. eom

[snpsmom]

13. Who gives a shit

what he does? The man advocates issuing warrants for the use of torture.

[ck4829]

14. Bye.

[Buns_of_Fire]

15. Bye, Alan. Don't steal any silverware on your way out.

Oh, by the way -- it's only "news" if someone, somewhere, gives a rat's behind. I'm sorry to have to be the one to tell you this, but...

[WhiteTara]

16. Unfortunately, I see this as a response

all over the south. And we sure need some wins in the south.

[Bettie]

159. Why do you think that is?

Is it because Ellison is a black man or because he's a practicing Muslim?

[WhiteTara]

164. That he is a practicing Muslim

The fear of other is strong among the rural population.

[TonyPDX]

17. Dershowitz was on OJ's defense team. Let him resign.

[Zambero]

19. He of the O.J. Simpson defense team

The news of no longer being a member of the same political party as this opportunist blowhard would actually make my day.

[BeyondGeography]

20. I don't give a fuck what Alan Dershowitz does

[killbotfactory]

21. All the devout democrats who watch fox news exclusively will follow suit...

[milestogo]

23. Oh we didn't know you were a Democrat.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

134. Calls himself a Democrat... the kind we can do without!

That dersh-bag's not qualified to shine Keith Ellison's shoes... seeeeeyaaaa!

[baldguy]

24. And we'll all be better for it.

Buh-bye!

(Expect him to be best buds the Pig in Chief by the end of March.)

[heaven05]

25. bye

[Paladin]

26. Happy landings, Dershowitz.

I have some problems with Ellison's being in charge of the DNC---but seeing Alan D. in the rearview mirror sure as hell isn't one of them......

[geomon666]

27. Ok

[Crunchy Frog]

29. Good.

Don't let the door hit you where the Good Lord split you.

Edit: Loyal, my ass.

[otohara]

30. Yeah And Take All Those Dem Jewish Voters With You

He's speaking to the 71% of Jews who voted for Clinton not us.

[Crunchy Frog]

32. Really? He represents the entire Jewish electorate?

Color me skeptical.

[otohara]

36. Jewish Voters Won't Be Happy

with Ellison at the helm - will they?

Dershowitz is not alone

http://www.usnews.com/opinion/world-report/articles/2016-11-29/dnc-chair-hopeful-keith-ellison-should-trouble-democratic-jews

http://www.jns.org/latest-articles/2016/11/17/jewish-opposition-grows-to-keith-ellisons-bid-to-head-democratic-national-committee-1#.WGfmJ1UrKpo=

[Jake Stern]

44. I'm Jewish and have no problem with Ellison

Then again I refuse to subscribe to the siege mentality that has overtaken American Jewry in recent decades and the absurd idea that anybody who dares veer left of the mythical center has no place in Dem leadership.

[ck4829]

47. +1

[otohara]

49. There Are Many Like You

but there are many Jewish American's who won't like Ellison as head of DNC.

The ADL originally defended Ellison, now not so much.

[Jake Stern]

52. Not everybody is going to be satisfied

Didn't support Clinton in the primary but still backed her in the general.

[otohara]

55. I'm Not Jewish

but if Ellison becomes DNC chair - I won't be happy - not one bit.

[Jake Stern]

57. Will you be unhappy enough to leave the party?

I stayed even though I thought DWS was a horrible DNC chair.

[otohara]

65. Not Sure

Maybe I'll pull a #DemExit like so many Sanders supporters did costing us the election.

[Jake Stern]

70. As you wish but that is totally on you

Those of us Sanders supporters who stayed and stood by the party will continue to do so no matter the person leading the DNC. May not like them and may not give as much cash as before to but will still vote for the Dem candidate at the end of the day which is the most important thing.

[Crunchy Frog]

72. So you're thinking of voting Trump, or at least not voting for the nominee

Based on who the DNC head is?

I hope you haven't been accusing anyone else of being disloyal in this past election.

[otohara]

74. #DemExit Wasn't My Idea

figure I'll just follow the trends of the new base and be one of the cool kids, screw loyalty and compare both parties as being the same.

I won't be happy if Ellison becomes chair - period.

[Jake Stern]

78. If you wish to leave, that is your right. However own your action

Don't blame some Bernie supporters for it. This is your choice and yours alone.

[otohara]

81. But They Cost Us The Election

you know that right?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

137. Yup yup... had nothing to do with turning our backs on progressive populism, noooo

[otohara]

160. In Case You Didn't Notice

Last edited Sun Jan 1, 2017, 03:48 PM - Edit history (1)

Progressive populism was rejected on November 8th in local elections...especially where I live. Sanders picks Morgan Carroll, Amend 69 were soundly defeated and with the party so splintered because the Senator from Vermont and his rabid supporters have made it their goal to destroy the only party that was progressive.

The Sanders crowd hammered the "there's no difference between the two parties" garbage to death.

[progressoid]

190. Ha! You're blaming Bernie supporters while threatening to join them!

I'm torn between this and this

[otohara]

191. Forgot The Sarcasm Emoji

I would never join the folks who demonized Hillary, harassed her supporters, the super delegates in such a vile manner and cost us the election.

It's their country now - they own. I do think they are incapable of devising constructive solutions - they just like to bitch a lot. The GOP lock on power is so strong they are laughing at us. Liberal tear coffee cups are all the rage.

I knew their hatred towards Democrats would damage the party and our country. I just don't care anymore - I will not torture myself like I did during the Bush years. No more attending demonstrations, marching against Trump wars to come, SCOTUS appointments will be confirmed no matter how many calls I make. ACA is in trouble - we knew all of this and still they sat it out or voted 3rd party.

We're fucked and Bernie Sanders is in charge now - I will never follow him.

[progressoid]

192. No sarcasm emoji needed.

Your posts are exactly like those few percent of Bernie supporters that threw a fit.

"I'm taking my ball and going home"!

[bravenak]

125. I might join you.

[Jake Stern]

76. Dems have looked beyond their skeletons in the closet and voted for:

Ted Kennedy (Caused death of someone through careless driving)

Bill Clinton (Serial philandering, possible sexual assault)

John Kerry (Made statements that can be considered anti-military and anti-American)

Michael Dukakis (Vetoed bill that would have denied furlough to convicted murderers. cf. Willie Horton case)

John Edwards (Cheated on cancer stricken wife with campaign staffer)

Barack Obama (Only disavowed controversial pastor after media shitstorm)

Each of these men were hammered hard in the press and by Republicans and yet the Democratic Party "stood by their man" so why are they suddenly squeamish about Keith Ellison?

[otohara]

82. There Are Other Choices

I like Tom Perez - he doesn't have the baggage that comes with Ellison.

I prefer Tom - is that okay with you?

[Jake Stern]

83. Fully respect your choice of DNC candidate

I ask that you give equal respect to my choice of Ellison even though we disagree.

[Warren DeMontague]

144. is he gonna have the back of west coast Democrats like Gavin Newsom who support legal cannabis?

Or is Perez gonna be like Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who thinks filling prisons with pot smokers is just peachy?

[otohara]

147. Medical Marijuana Is Now Legal in Florida

is it not?

Won by a landslide - gotta wonder if Florida went red because DWS was hammered consistently on this
claim but yet she voted yes for Veterans MM in May..http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics-government/article79856367.html
You'd think dummies would say, hmmmm....is she going to throw veterans in jail now? I guess you thought so.

I live in Denver, my son is very connected to the industry - the entire industry was a breeding ground for Hillary hate. The kids
at the dispensary where I sometimes go were all BorB'sters...bought into every conspiracy bullshit theory
out there about Hillary and DWS like you.

You want legal weed, start a petition get it on the ballot - that's how it works...

[Warren DeMontague]

171. Hammered consistently? She CHOSE to go to the Times in the middle of the election season and do

"reefer madness". She worked directly with Sheldon Adelson to kill Measure 2 in 2014, when it failed the first time. Her problems on Marijuana were ENTIRELY self-created, and she had plenty of opportunity to rectify them- and she didn't.

The one veterans vote doesn't fix that. Not even close. She could have come out before the election and said "I was wrong". Come out for Measure 2. Did she? Nooooooooooo.

That Times interview was the same one where she insulted Millennial women. Totally unnecessary, and fuck yes I think it hurt us in Florida.

Yes, a ballot proposal that DWS made a big stink about opposing - for years - passed by over 70%, and somehow she is the victim. Did she actually vote for the fucking thing? Dont bet on it.

http://theslot.jezebel.com/debbie-wasserman-schultzs-opinions-about-weed-are-baffl-1751420822

I already live where it's legal. That's one reason I consider it such an important issue- I see how well it works and the revenue my state is generating. And I also have competent Democrats around me, statewide and regionally, who consistently win elections by supporting things like personal freedom, the 1st Amendment, etc... which is why it infuriates me to see our party run by East Coast authoritarian types with their heads up their asses as to what the electorate actually wants.

And I voted for Hillary, thanks, but I sure as shit think DWS was a craptastic DNC chair and made us all look bad. The reason I asked about Perez is, I haven't seen any position from the guy on the question.

[Jim Beard]

184. No weed with a republican Attorney General

[dionysus]

115. Cause, muslin...

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

136. Ohhh okay... Bernie supporters "exited" in far lower #s than Hillary's PUMA protesters. Yet, there she was, representing our Party again... go figure!

[otohara]

148. Yup She Was The One

I was a delegate for Howard Dean, kinda the Sanders of 08 - boy was I heartbroken but I did not take a shit
on John Kerry.

[Crunchy Frog]

69. It's mainly an administrative position, isn't it?

I don't know, because I haven't been a TV watcher for some time, but is the DNC head the public face of the party, putting forward his own political views as party policy, or does s/he mainly work behind the scenes?

I honestly think that anyone who would quit the party over that, was never a real Dem in the first place.

I rarely even know who the head of the DNC is, most of the time, and it has no influence on my voting. What matters to me is how successful they are in getting Dems into office.

People whose main interest is in turning either party into a tool for getting Israel whatever it wants, are of no interest to me.

[otohara]

80. Guess You Missed All The Shitty

things said about DWS.

Oh I'm a real Democrat - was a Dean delegate in 04 - heartbroken when he lost, but it never dawned on me to take a public dump
on John Kerry or the DNC chair.

I'm thoroughly disgusted with the conspiracy theories and demonizing of my party Sanders/Ellison supporters.

You know who's not a Democrat, never was, never will be?
Bernard Sanders.

[Crunchy Frog]

86. No, I caught some of it.

It seems like she was mainly criticized for lack of impartiality in the primaries, and for problems with the performance of her job. I don't recall her being criticized on ideological grounds.

[PassingFair]

95. And before that, for supporting Republican candidates in Florida...

... over democratic ones.

[Crunchy Frog]

108. Oh lovely. Just what we need in a DNC head.

That's what I get for not following the primaries closely.

Does the Dem party have a suicide impulse?

[lapucelle]

110. Maybe we'll get more insight into why President Obama did not push to replace DWS

back in 2013-2014 after members of the administration write their memoirs.

I loved Howard Dean, but it was forward thinking of him to withdraw his name. We need new blood. Hopefully he'll be helping the new chair as an advisor.

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/09/democrats-debbie-wasserman-schultz-111077

http://www.businessinsider.com/report-tensions-between-obama-and-debbie-wasserman-schultz-2014-9

[Warren DeMontague]

143. ... she worked with sheldon adelson to send medical marijuana users to prison, too

Little "trivialities" like that.

[Warren DeMontague]

142. "Shitty things said about DWS"? like, that she thinks medical marijuana users belong in prison?

Oh, wait, that's true.

[George II]

189. He can't even vote for HIS choice for DNC Chairman!

[Gothmog]

93. I am Jewish and I do have issues with the Nation of Islam

[Jake Stern]

98. What you and the others who oppose this on NOI grounds are in effect saying is

there is no accepting someone even after they reject their past beliefs.

That is not the Democratic way.

[Gothmog]

100. The Nation of Islam comments are not the only reason why I oppose Ellison

I am more afraid that it will be easy for Trump and others to use these comments in future races to run against Ellison. Islamaphobia helped elect Trump and Trump will use NOI against the party if he can.

I also do not want any Sanders supporters to be DNC chair. I am not alone in this opinion

[Jake Stern]

103. As with another poster thank you for telling the truth

It;s not really about Ellison at all it's about Bernie Sanders.

[Gothmog]

118. Not entirely

The Nation of Islam comments and the campaign violations listed below are baggage that the party does not need. http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8417961 The Nation of Islam people can be scary. Right now in my neck of the woods, we have a local public figure running away from NOI and its leadership.

I also do not want a Sanders supporter to be DNC chair and I am not alone in this view.

[Mc Mike]

145. dRump has dozens of ties to anti-semites and nazis, even just looking at Bannon and Flynn.

His rabid fans' echoes attacks against Jewish reporters like Julia Ioffe, the anti-semite who targeted Kurt Eichenwald with strobe tweets, the attacks on Linda Lingle during her repug convention speech.

What exactly are the repugs going to say about Ellison? That he's an anti-semitic moslem?

And Farrakhan's NOI has made statements attacking Ellison and backing dRumpf, on anti-semite bircher Jones' fake news site.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

135. +1000

[Gothmog]

181. What is your reaction to the ADL's letter on Ellison?

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=8427243

[pnwmom]

89. A significant number are already opposed to Ellison

because of his anti-Semitic associations.

Not just Alan.

[Gothmog]

97. Ellison has tried to walk back the Nation of Islam comments but have not been that successful

[Mc Mike]

139. Sam Kestenbaum's article in the Forward, note the headline:

" ...

Ellison was a NOI supporter 25 years ago as a young civil rights lawyer and organized a group attending the 1995 Million Man March on Washington — a nationwide protest organized by Farrakhan.

But Ellison has repeatedly denounced Farrakhan since then, as both anti-Semitic and homophobic — and has been forced again to restate his position on Farrakhan as he vies for the DNC seat.

“These men organize by sowing hatred and division, including anti-Semitism, homophobia and a chauvinistic model of manhood,” Ellison wrote again in a December 6 Star Tribune op-ed, referring to NOI. “I disavowed them long ago, condemned their views and apologized.”

...

But Farrakhan did speak highly of Trump in multiple interviews, notably with Infowars, the pro-Trump website run by conspiracist shock-jock Alex Jones.

In those interviews, Farrakhan praised Donald Trump, saying he appreciated the Republican’s brash style and the fact that he did not appear beholden to political lobbyists. “Not that I’m for Mr. Trump,” Farrakhan said, “but I like what I’m looking at.” "

http://forward.com/news/356573/nation-of-islam-keith-ellison-a-coward/

The NOI and Farrakhan have been in bed with the birchers since the '50's, under Elijah Muhammed. Not surprising that they're in bed with bircher Alex Jones as he backs dRumpf, now.

As a catholic, it's not for me to forgive anti-semitism, but a large number of progressive American Jews forgave Jackson for his '84 associations and hymietown statement, when he apologized and denounced NOI. He won NYC overwhelmingly in '88. A lot of times, with Jackson, Conyers, or Ellison, I think that proximity to the NOI's chicago power base makes these good Black politicians say and do things they shouldn't, not to grab power, but to cope with being in the sphere of influence of that powerfully bad group.

If the NAACP forgave Byrd, accepted his apology and judged him by his post-'65 political performance, the same could hold true for Ellison.

My opinion is that this is a proxy fight between Obama retaining some influence and Sanders wanting some recognition. Sanders is not in favor of anti-semitism, the birchers, or dRumpf, any more than Prez O. is.

And as I said, I find you a very respectable post-er, any disagreement is meant respectfully.

[Jake Stern]

154. Exactly

Ted Kennedy killed someone and we still see him as an icon.

[Gothmog]

40. Sanders did poorly with Jewish voters in the primary

Sanders did poorly with Jewish, African American and Latino voters which is why he was not the nominee. I agree with Dershowitz on this.

[BlueCaliDem]

153. Wow. 71%? Well, I guess Ellison is not going to be DNC chair after all. eom

[otohara]

156. Works For Me emo

[BlueCaliDem]

158. Me, too. When a candidate has 71% of the American Jewish community against him/her, the bid is dead.

[Jake Stern]

31. Buh-bye Alan

Your Cheeto Messiah awaits

[coco22]

33. Bye!!!

[Chasstev365]

34. Please.... Don't .... Stop..... Come Back.

[backscatter712]

169. Stop, don't, come back...

[Chasstev365]

170. You Are Correct!

[Sunlei]

35. Republicans- fox lies TV still fucks with D elections and Americas democracy. Dershowitz-Rs use you!

You're being used to divide DNC by Republicans propaganda arm- FOX LIES TV.

[Gothmog]

39. At least one member of the DNC agrees with Alan Dershowitz

Here is a member of the DNC who gets to vote on this http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/keith-ellison-democratic-dnc-232613

One reason is that the shadow of the contentious presidential primary continues to hang over the party, and some DNC members view the Minnesota congressman as part of the faction that delivered a mortal wound to Clinton, despite his best efforts to convince them otherwise.

“Ellison is not the front-runner, Ellison has no chance at all,” said Tennessee committeeman William Owen, giving voice to that view. “I’m a Hillary person. Bill Clinton said, 'I’ll be with you till the last dog dies,' and I’m the last dog. I will not vote for Keith Ellison, I will not vote for a Bernie person. I think they cost Hillary the election, and now they’re going to live with Donald Trump. Donald Trump asks, 'What do you have to lose?’ Nothing, except life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

I also do not support Ellison as DNC chair.

[Mc Mike]

45. You have my respect, for many of your posts, G. But I find Dershowitz repulsive since the Mary Joe

Frug assassination and his response to the "parody" that laughed about it.

[ck4829]

48. God, what a ghoul.

[Mc Mike]

50. I never trusted him since then. A fake progressive, on the nazis' team.

[Jake Stern]

61. Folks like Dershowitz and Lieberman will leave the party at some point

even if we elected Moses as DNC chair. I say good riddance to Republicans in Dem drag.

[Mc Mike]

71. My patience for Joe Manchin is wearing a bit thin. nt.

[Jake Stern]

73. Manchin and his ilk provide us with numbers but numbers don't mean shit

when they play footise with the GOP. I predict Ol' Joey will eventually drop the pretense and switch parties within 5 years or he'll end up an embittered, liberal hating Dixiecrat like Zell Miller.

[Mc Mike]

75. He may. I wouldn't purge him, or some other conservative members.

But I wouldn't put up with any Lieberman level of hostage taking and repug supporting, either.

If he betrays the Dems on any important issues and backs the drumpf repugs, I'd drum him right out of the party.

[Jake Stern]

79. Won't purge but sure as hell won't make any attempt to stop them nt

[Mc Mike]

87. Right on, NT.

[otohara]

172. This Is Spot On

At least those in the Dem congress know who's responsible for all the Hillary hate.

Whew this makes me feel a whole lot better about who won't be the DNC head.

I can avoid these threads for good -
Thanks for posting.

[Mc Mike]

41. Oh noes!

What a crippling blow. He's done so much for the party.

[Gothmog]

42. New questions complicate Ellison's bid for DNC chair

These allegations may hurt Ellison http://thehill.com/business-a-lobbying/311270-old-finance-woes-haunt-ellisons-dnc-bid

Opponents of Rep. Keith Ellison’s bid to be the next Democratic National Committee chairman are raising new questions about the Minnesota Democrat’s past to make the case that he’s unfit to be the party’s next leader.

Ellison's critics in the DNC and some supporters of Labor secretary Tom Perez, the other top candidate, are pointing to the Minnesota Democrat’s past tax troubles, campaign finance violations and minor legal issues that once led to his driver’s license being suspended as evidence that he’s ill-equipped to lead the DNC.

Some of those instances date back to the 1990s. All of the issues have been rectified and were previously used in attacks against Ellison during his first run for House in 2006.

Why elect a DNC chair who has baggage?

[muriel_volestrangler]

54. Why would 'baggage' be a problem for a DNC chair?

We've just seen that 'baggage' of several orders larger magnitude didn't stop Trump getting elected. The DNC chair doesn't even have to get elected by voters. They just have to organise the party well, and get donations rolling in.

[Gothmog]

56. The DNC Chair will be the leader of the party

The GOP will use Ellison's national of Islam and other baggage to distract during the mid terms

[muriel_volestrangler]

59. They'll make up any old shit about anyone

No one cares about politicians' pasts any more. Trump got elected. People are not going to say "I won't vote for the Democrat running for my district because someone else wrote 20 years ago that Farrakhan wasn't anti-semitic, but has since said "yes, he is anti-semitic".

That wouldn't have mattered at any time for the DNC chair. To pretend it matters now when Trump can actively campaign with race hatred and people say "meh, what can you do?" is ridiculous. To think you'll find someone who always judged everyone accurately through their whole career is unrealistic.

[Gothmog]

62. Tom Perez is just as progressive and does not have the baggage

I am strongly supporting Tom Perez as DNC chair

There are a great many Jewish Democrats who will have problems with Ellison's Nation of Islam comments despite his later retraction of these comments. I strongly condemn Islamaphobia but this condition does exist and the GOP will use it against Ellison

[otohara]

90. This Isn't About Ellison, It's About Sanders

and bending over backwards as to not to alienate his angry, demanding base of new comers who want to stage a DNC coup.

[Gothmog]

92. I agree which is why I am supporting Perez and would not support Ellison

[Jake Stern]

101. Thank you for admitting the truth.

This has zip to do with NOI or any other "baggage" instead it's your intense dislike of Bernie Sanders which is what those of us who support Ellison figured was the case all along.

[otohara]

175. About The Dem Coup?

Last edited Mon Jan 2, 2017, 02:06 PM - Edit history (1)

You're welcome - I thought it was obvious.

Who's been trashing the Democratic party and smearing our president and nominee?
The guy who dislikes my party and has for decades...what's not to dislike?

[hollowdweller]

150. True. Hillary's baggage sunk us so we should get a DNC head as free of controversy as poss

People thought her emails would blow over but they never did. Plus past statements about gun control and coal miners.

Surely there has to be somebody as liberal and pro worker but w/o any divisive stuff in the background.

We totally ignored Clintons baggage and look what happened. I think Perez would be better also.

[LWolf]

43. Don't let the door hit you on the ass

on your way out, Alan.

[Botany]

46. Can I help you pack Al?

Need a ride to the airport?

[onecaliberal]

53. Bye Felicia

[47of74]

84. yep

[whathehell]

63. Who the fuck cares?

Self-important schmuck.

[LenaBaby61]

64. Alan Dershowitz: I'll Resign From the Democratic Party if Keith Ellison Named DNC Chair.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

138. Add that to the growing list of reasons to name Keith Ellison DNC Chair!!

[mulsh]

67. This is shocking and persuasive news. A game changer if you will. I had no idea

that any one gave a good goddam about anything this Dershowitz character has to say out side of a class room. How wrong I've been. I'll have to re-examine my life and political view thoroughly... Done.

Nope, I still don't give a shit about anything this bozo has to say. Well, that's a relief. On with my life.

[ms liberty]

162. Thread winner! n/t

[CentralMass]

68. Bonus

[gulliver]

77. What's so great about Ellison again?

I keep asking. I've looked, and I can't find anything on-line that impresses me about him. In action on talk shows, in speeches, in writing...he seems like a mediocrity. I like Granholm. She's funny, fiery, and outranks Ellison by a mile in terms of political office achieved.

[Gothmog]

96. I have met and like Keith Ellison but I do not support him for DNC chair.

I met Ellison and the national convention and have a great picture of him standing next to John Lewis and Kareem Abdul Jabbar at an event honoring Congressman John Lewis. I also was a major donor to a fundraiser where he spoke. Ellison is a nice man but I do not support him as DNC chair. I do not want any Sanders supporters to be DNC chair and I am supporting Tom Perez

[Vinca]

85. Okaaaaaaaaaaay. I thought he was a Republican anyway.

Buh-bye.

[DonCoquixote]

88. this is the same guy

who advocated Torturing Muslims

http://www.counterpunch.org/2008/08/27/the-only-good-muslim-is-the-anti-muslim/
http://edition.cnn.com/2003/LAW/03/03/cnna.Dershowitz/

Guess what Alan, the means to torture a Muslim today will be used by the Christian Right to torture little Jewish children into accepting "jesus" once a few years pass, and you know it.

[LittleBlue]

91. Nobody associated with the NOI should have any leadership position in our party

Maybe someone can enlighten me how much involvement Ellison has with NOI. Regardless, we don't need that kind of exposure.

Surely we have someone progressive who isn't associated with racist extremists.

[Gothmog]

94. The Nation of Islam comments are going to hurt Ellison

[killbotfactory]

163. So anyone who went to the million man march shouldn't have a leadership role?

You're sure about that?

[LittleBlue]

165. Explain

It appears he was supportive of Louis Farrakhan, a virulent antisemite, in the past. So... what's the defense of this???

[killbotfactory]

166. That's his only connection to the nation of islam

Farrakhan organized the rally.

[LittleBlue]

167. Here is a rundown, we don't need anyone like Ellison running the party

Keith Ellison and I were then both 31 years old. He was on record as defending Farrakhan’s anti-Semitism since at least 1989, under the alias of Keith Hakim. But unlike the CBC, which immediately suspended its ties with the Nation of Islam after the vote, Ellison apparently saw no reason to rethink his position. In fact, he continued to identify with Farrakhan and work actively for the Nation of Islam for years after Muhammad’s speech.

In 1995, Ellison himself organized a rally featuring Muhammad—still an outspoken racist and anti-Semite—at the University of Minnesota. Muhammad apparently brought his A-game to the rally, promising that “if words were swords, the chests of Jews, gays and whites would be pierced.”

In 1997, Ellison defended a member of the Minneapolis Initiative Against Racism who said that Jews are “the most racist white people.” In his remarks, Ellison also defended America’s most notorious anti-Semite. “She is correct about Minister Farrakhan,” Ellison insisted. “He is not a racist. He is also not an anti-Semite. Minister Farrakhan is a tireless public servant of Black people…”

http://www.tabletmag.com/jewish-news-and-politics/218385/keith-ellison-bds-farrakhan-dnc

No thanks. A lot of lifelong Democrats will rethink their membership in this party.

[grossproffit]

168. Yep.

[killbotfactory]

173. Comments he made nearly a quarter century ago, and has apologized and disavowed them

For over a decade.

And his "continued to work actively for the Nation of Islam" was him helping to organize and get people to the million man march.

[LittleBlue]

174. I don't believe anyone who bought Farrakhan's rhetoric has the judgment to run the party

If we learned anything in the last election, it's that we need people who make good decisions. He isn't right for this position.

[Gothmog]

193. The ADL has some real concerns about Ellison from a 2010 speech

I am amused that no one wants to talk about the ADL's concern

[Raine]

102. How devastating for the party to lose you Alan , how will it survive, OMG

[Rex]

122. It will be a mortal blow to the party, for sure.

Way for him to make his own news, such an all star. I hear Hannity is looking for a new whipping boy at Foxnews and people would think he is the original Alan. They don't care.

[elleng]

105. Bye Bye.

[BainsBane]

106. Interesting how some are eager to throw away Jewish votes

while simultaneously insisting we need to placate Trump voting Christian white men.

Could it be the concern is not winning elections but ensuring Bernie gets who he wants as DNC chair AND that people accept his interpretation of the election and longer-term focus on what he calls working class white voters? Or might the explanation be more troubling?

[Jake Stern]

111. Cut the shit. SOME Dems are mad because Keith Ellison had the chutzpah to back Bernie.

Have the feeling that if Ellison had paid proper obeisance to Clinton during the primary DU would be all abuzz about how wonderful it is to have our first Muslim DNC chair. And how unfair it was that the GOP would use his words about the Nation of Islam against him.

[BainsBane]

113. That doesn't address my point

Other than by implication. Clearly the singular concern is Bernie. That you responded about nothing else suggests as much.

It's a bit late to pretend to care about GOP propaganda, not after it was made the centerpiece of attacks on Clinton in the primary and since.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

140. Just another reason Keith Ellison has demonstrated he is highly qualified to head the DNC.

[hollowdweller]

151. I supported Bernie but I'm not sure Ellison is the man

Like I said he's like Hillary. Too many soft spots for the GOP to aim at.

If Clinton taught us anything it is to pick somebody more like Obama w/o significant scandal for leadership positions or even history that could be spun into scandal.

I think somebody like Perez would be better at outreach.

Can you imagine him going to Ohio and convincing blue collar voters the dems were a better choice?

It would be like Hillary trying to go into coal country after saying she wanted to put miners out of jobs.

Or going to Wisconsin or Michigan and asking for their vote after saying she wanted strict gun control.

[Gothmog]

185. Keith Ellison Would Be A Disaster As DNC Head, Haim Saban Says

One of the major jobs of the DNC chair is to fund raise and Saban is one of the top Democratic fundraisers.
http://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/keith-ellison-would-be-a-disaster-as-dnc-head-haim-saban-says/

Haim Saban, a major Democratic Party funder, said Rep. Keith Ellison’s election as chairman of the Democratic National Committee would be a “disaster” for the relationship between Jews and the party, signaling a looming crisis between the party’s progressives and the centrist pro-Israel community.

The scathing broadside delivered Friday by the Israeli-American entertainment mogul from the floor of the annual Saban Forum, an event he funds bringing together U.S. and Israeli leaders and influencers, underscores the degree to which the Minnesota congressman’s campaign for DNC chief could erode relations between establishment Jewish groups and the party.....

Saban’s broadside – farther reaching, in calling him an “anti-Semite,” than even some of Ellison’s conservative critics – is significant because of the mogul’s relationship to the DNC.

Saban is better known as a leading backer of Hillary Clinton, the Democratic presidential nominee defeated last month by Donald Trump, but he has also been a major donor to the party. In 2002, he paid $7 million toward the building of the then-new DNC headquarters here.

Jewish voters are an imporant part of the Democratic base and alienating a major funding source such as Saban does not make sense.

[Crunchy Frog]

187. Gotta placate the moguls.

[Gothmog]

188. Fund raising is one of the main jobs of the DNC chair

In addition, the premise of this thread is that we can afford to lose Alan Dershowitz. The ADL has come out against Ellison and one of the DNC's top fundraisers is against Ellison. The lost of the Jewish base would not help the Democratic party Dershowitz is not alone here

[panader0]

107. From RCP--Ellison on the Farrakhan smear:

He called reports of his connection to controversial black minister Louis Farrakhan "bad reporting," and a distraction. Ellison is being accused of anti-semitism because he praised Farrakhan for organizing the Million Man March in a 1995 op-ed.

"I have a ten year record in Congress," he said. "It is just that kind of reporting that is not quality and doesn't help people understand the real issues."

"What does he have to do with anything going on in this race?" Ellison asked about Farrakhan. "Absolutely nothing."

"We're talking about something that happened in 1995. This is a year when the Million Man March took off -- people were attacking it. I was very proud to be a part of it. But here I am having to answer questions about this, and I'm not talking about what our country needs to do and what the Democratic Party needs to do, because of this smear campaign from 20 years ago."

[BainsBane]

114. The smears against Clinton were false too.

Yet we were told then all that mattered is public perception, that is when they weren't being uncritically dally pushed for partisan advantage.

All I see are double standards. Anyone associated with Bernie must be championed; anyone who isn't must be slammed.

[dionysus]

116. You got bernie on the brain...

[DinahMoeHum]

109. Let him go, folks, that meathead ain't making anything happen.

While I'm not Keith Ellison's biggest fan as potential DNC chair, I still say he belongs in Congress. He's too valuable to replace where he now stands.

If Dershowitz leaves, fuck him: his loss, not ours.

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

141. Why is EVERY promoter of progressive populism too valuable to replace in Congress, but we can happily let go any supporter of the Clintons' Third Way disaster plan?

[DinahMoeHum]

146. We do NOT have a majority in Congress right now. . .

. . .and we need all the progressive hell-raisers we can get out there right now to
put obstructions in the GOP works. Taking Ellison out will mean one less progressive voice in Congress, and there's no guarantee his replacement will be as progressive.

And, as seen, we did it the "Third Way" and it has been a disaster.

It is time for progressives to take over the party and be competitive in every state, every district, every county, etc. Need to train people from scratch at every level to take local offices, then state, etc.

[Demonaut]

112. buh bye Alan

no loss there

[Yavin4]

119. Black leaders cannot have ANY association with the NOI, but Trump can have a White nationalist on..

the WH payroll. Ladies and Gentlemen, may I present White privilege.

[NobodyHere]

121. And Trump gets highly criticized for that here

I'm not sure where white privilege comes into play.

[Yavin4]

123. Trump gets some criticism, but in the end, his White Supremacist is on the payroll whereas

Keith Ellison is facing increased pressure to withdraw just because a tangential association with the Nation of Islam. IOW, White people can be as overtly racist as they want to be and still attain power, but Black people have to be completely devoid of any suspicion or they will be denied power.

[HoneyBadger]

128. SPLC calls Nation of Islam a hate group

Obviously it should be disavowed by any mainstream politician.....




Since its founding in 1930, the Nation of Islam (NOI) has grown into one of the wealthiest and best-known organizations in black America. Its theology of innate black superiority over whites and the deeply racist, anti-Semitic and anti-gay rhetoric of its leaders have earned the NOI a prominent position in the ranks of organized hate.

Black separatists typically oppose integration and racial intermarriage, and they want separate institutions — or even a separate nation — for black people in America. Most contemporary forms of black separatism are strongly anti-white and anti-Semitic, and a number of religious versions assert that blacks — not Jews — are the Biblical "chosen people" of God.

Although the Southern Poverty Law Center recognizes that much black racism in America is, at least in part, a response to centuries of white racism, it believes racism must be exposed in all its forms. White groups espousing beliefs similar to black separatists would be considered clearly racist. The same criterion should be applied to all groups regardless of their color.

As Martin Luther King Jr. once said: "Violence begets violence; hate begets hate; and toughness begets a greater toughness. It is all a descending spiral, and the end is destruction — for everybody. Along the way of life, someone must have enough sense and morality to cut off the chain of hate."

A leading example of a black separatist group is the Nation of Islam led by Louis Farrakhan. In 1997, and in less explicit ways since then, Farrakhan made clear that he had renounced none of the anti-white, anti-Semitic, anti-Catholic and anti-gay views of the previous Nation leader, Elijah Mohammed. Those beliefs include the view that Yacub, a renegade black "scientist," created whites 6,600 years ago as an inherently evil and ungodly people — "blue-eyed devils." Farrakhan has described Catholics and Jews, who he said practice a "gutter religion," as preying on blacks. He regrets the "tone" of a former principal subordinate who called for slaughtering white South Africans, but agreed with the message. He called for racial separatism and inveighed against interracial relationships.

If a white group espoused similar beliefs with the colors reversed, few would have trouble describing it as racist and anti-Semitic. Although the racism of a group like the Nation may be relatively easy to understand, if we seek to expose white hate groups, we cannot be in the business of explaining away the black ones.

[guillaumeb]

155. Ellison has disavowed his connection to the NOI.

This is a red herring issue.

[SharonClark]

120. Such nonsense and self-impotance

What impact, besides thrilling Fox-talkers, does he think his leaving the party would have? Wouldn't impact anyone I know.

[truebluegreen]

126. Good.

[Feeling the Bern]

149. Time to quote Mom from "Mom's Friendly Robot Company" in Futurama

"Don't let your door hit your ass on the way you. I don't want ass prints on my new door."

[Blue_Tires]

157. So it's win-win then??

Sadly, Ellison will *never* be accepted as DNC chair since the purity left has already found something to hate him for (same with Perez)....

[Historic NY]

161. Alan you've been more Republican than Democrat for years....

but I think a sitting congressman shouldn't be the head of the DNC also, it doesn't work out.

[vi5]

176. Good, one less "even Democrats" out there.

He's o.k. with Trump and Bannon and all the anti-semitism that was rampant on that side of things, but has a problem with Farrakhan who has......oh I don't know.....zero power over anything.

[Gothmog]

179. ADL has 'serious concerns' whether Ellison can lead DNC

It is not just Dershowitz. As a Jewish voter, I place a great deal of trust in the ADL http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/anti-defamation-league-keith-ellison-concerns-dnc-232071

The Anti-Defamation League is questioning whether Rep. Keith Ellison should be chairman of the Democratic National Committee in light of resurfaced comments the Minnesota congressman and candidate for the top DNC job said years ago.

In particular, the ADL, in a statement from CEO Jonathan Greenblatt, points to Ellison saying in a 2010 speech in reference to Israel that "The United States foreign policy in the Middle East is governed by what is good or bad through a country of 7 million people. A region of 350 million all turns on a country of 7 million. Does that make sense? Is that logic? Right? When the Americans who trace their roots back to those 350 million get involved, everything changes."

"New information recently has come to light that raises serious concerns about whether Rep. Ellison faithfully could represent the Democratic Party’s traditional support for a strong and secure Israel," Greenblatt said in a statement.

Greenblatt went on to say that "Rep. Ellison’s remarks are both deeply disturbing and disqualifying."

"His words imply that U.S. foreign policy is based on religiously or national origin-based special interests rather than simply on America’s best interests," Greenblatt said. "Additionally, whether intentional or not, his words raise the specter of age-old stereotypes about Jewish control of our government, a poisonous myth that may persist in parts of the world where intolerance thrives, but that has no place in open societies like the U.S. These comments sharply contrast with the Democratic National Committee platform position, which states: “A strong and secure Israel is vital to the United States because we share overarching strategic interests and the common values of democracy, equality, tolerance, and pluralism.”