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WHY THIS LOYAL JEWISH DFLER CAN’T SUPPORT KEITH ELLISON
By Michael B. Brodkorb | September 29, 2006
State Rep. Keith Ellison, candidate for Congress in Minnesota's Fifth Congressional District, has a history. Some argue that attacks on Ellison's history are mean-spirited, racist or right-wing trash. And yet, I believe that one's life choices speak to character and, perhaps, predict future choices.
My own history demonstrates why these words are difficult to write and why, despite being a loyal Democrat, I cannot support Ellison.
First, I need to build some credibility as a Democrat. I've been a DFL loyalist since the late 1950s. I've chaired congressional district conventions and served as co-chair of a Minnesota state convention. I've been a member of the DFL State Central Committee, served as a delegate to a national Democratic convention (1968) and voted for Mondale and Ferraro in the Electoral College.
I've dedicated some sweat and tears to the party, and I regularly supported endorsed candidates, but not this time.
My hyperactivity in Minnesota and national politics is motivated, at least in part, by the fact that I am a naturalized U.S. citizen, a Jew born in Nazi Germany, with a memory of government gone wrong. I really care about good politics and good public policy.
And I have a difficult time forgiving anti-Semites.
Keith Ellison was endorsed by the Fifth District DFL convention to be the party's candidate for Congress. He won a primary election — albeit by only 41 percent of the vote. He'll almost surely win in the November election and serve in Washington for a very long time. Yet I do not plan to vote for Keith Ellison.
Ellison has not denied that he was allied with the anti-Semitic Louis Farrakhan and the racist Nation of Islam. He wants to let bygones be bygones.
In a Munich bar I met a man who chose to become a Nazi because the party offered him a motorcycle. He didn't mind harming Jews because the Nazis offered something he dearly wanted. This criminal and hatemonger claims he meant no harm. It was, he said, a youthful indiscretion.
My Munich bar mate wanted to let bygones be bygones. Shall I forgive and forget?
Shall I forget my cousin who died in a gas chamber at age three? Shall I forget my grandmother? My aunts and uncles? Shall I let bygones be bygones? Never.
Ellison, as an adult, without coercion, chose to join a group of hatemongers. And now he wants me to forgive and forget. As a congressman he might serve for decades making decisions about themes that we cannot yet anticipate. If he demonstrates poor judgment in the recent past, can I trust his judgment in the future?
I could forgive some indiscretions. I could forgive his numerous unpaid parking tickets, for which he briefly lost his driving privileges, if that were his only indiscretion. I could forgive his problems with the state campaign finance board for not filing financial reports, so egregious that he received a rare fine, if that were his only indiscretion. I could forgive his "forgetting" to pay taxes.
I could forgive much of Ellison's history, if there were fewer indiscretions. Under no circumstances can I forgive anti-Semitism.
Jews around the world are now in a holy period. The days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur are a time when we forgive and seek forgiveness. To forgive Keith Ellison and to accept his apologies would be appropriate for a Jew at this time. And yet this Jewish Refugee from Nazi Germany, traditionally a loyal DFLer, cannot find it in his heart to forgive.
Mel Gibson also apologized and told us that he meant no harm. I wouldn't vote for Gibson either–even if he were an endorsed, loyal member of the Democratic Party.
I've been asked why many Jews in the Fifth District support Ellison? Perhaps it is that some Jews, born in the U.S., are more forgiving. Perhaps they forget more easily than those of us who were witnesses.
Fred M.B. Amram is the Morse Alumni Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Creativity and Communication at the University of Minnesota. Source: American Jewish World
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17 Responses to “WHY THIS LOYAL JEWISH DFLER CAN’T SUPPORT KEITH ELLISON”
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September 29th, 2006 at 11:15 AM
Powerful.
September 29th, 2006 at 11:36 AM
If he has reservations about Ellison, I am sure he will LOVE Alan Fine. I mean, Ellison has apologized for his association with an anti-semite while never making any anti-semetic statements himself.
Alan Fine has found that a campaign based on hatred and avoiding the issues is not a campaign that will get you anywhere in Minnesota. So, while his co-worker at the U may support him, I bet even the few republicans in that district go to Ellison to avoid wasting their vote on a guy with no track record who is simply campaigning as a puppet for the republican hate machine.
September 29th, 2006 at 11:49 AM
Roving, you need to go back to Spin 101. I’m sure Melendez will be re-offering that course on November 8th to help you all explain how you failed to take control of either house of Congress or any state constitutional offices.
September 29th, 2006 at 11:57 AM
Roving Reporter, are you Nick Coleman?
The GOP runs a moderate in the 5th, and race baiters like you try to make this about race/religion. It is shameful.
The only demographic associated with hate in this whole discussion is you, Roving, and your ilk.
Please quit playing the race game, it is 2006 and it has become tired.
September 29th, 2006 at 11:58 AM
“republican hate machine”
Have to laugh out loud at that one. RR Spews more hate here in two threads than the RNC does in a year.
Here’s a hint to political newcomers: when a party (or, in this case, DFL hack) can’t find any ACTUAL racism or bigotry in someone’s record, they’ll generically say he `hates’.
September 29th, 2006 at 12:27 PM
Bobby Kennedy had it right when he said: “Nobody hates like a liberal.”
September 29th, 2006 at 12:30 PM
I look forward to voting for Tammy Lee. I know several other Republican or Republican-leaning voters in the 5th who are doing the same.
Mr. Fine bungled a great opportunity for the Republicans to build some credibility in the 5th District. Instead he used his media exposure to launch shrill, hysterical tirades. The left-leaning local media did their job and made him look like a fool. What other outcome would you expect?
A moderate or conservative candidate will always face a tough, uphill battle in the liberal enclaves of Hennepin county. Instead of taking the high road and drawing attention by presenting himself as a positive-talking, serious alternative, he jumped into the muck. And now he’s frustrated that nobody will listen to him? Huh. Imagine that.
He showed his lack of suitability for office during the ‘Almanac’ debate a few weeks ago. When the candidates were asked whether they supported impeachment proceedings against the president, Mr. Fine couldn’t even come up with a definitive ‘No, that’s a bad idea’.
Tammy Lee had the best answer to that question.
September 29th, 2006 at 12:36 PM
You guys are doing wonders for my and my firend’s campaign doanting. Just put more money for Amy Klobuchar , Keith Ellison, Tim Walz, and others. Keep it up. More will be donating to stop these attacks by Karl Rove and his ilk before it is too late.
September 29th, 2006 at 12:38 PM
Fine is a liberal (traditional definition) Jewish-American. I wish the people of Mineapolis could put away their prejudices long enough to consider him. He would represent the 5 CD well. He also would not be an inefective polarizer.
September 29th, 2006 at 12:57 PM
I wonder how Ellison’s status will play in Plymouth/Minnetonka.
Good luck former Senator Bonoff.
September 29th, 2006 at 1:06 PM
It is hard to see Fine as a legitimate candidate when his entire platform appears to be hating Keith Ellison. I know plenty of people who would vote for a guy who had that as a plank, but for Fine, it is the only thing he is willing to talk about.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:00 PM
RR, good point. Look at how well the Democrats have done when their entire platform is “we hate Bush”.
September 29th, 2006 at 2:02 PM
“I bet even the few republicans in that district go to Ellison to avoid wasting their vote on a guy with no track record who is simply campaigning as a puppet for the republican hate machine.”
I live in the 5th and both my husband and I are voting for Fine. As are a few of our neighbors. I will never ever vote for another Democrat (DFL) as long as I live. My husband has permission to shoot me if I ever think about it ever again, (voted for Clinton 2x) We’ve got it in writing.
September 29th, 2006 at 3:03 PM
Fine is a proven lightweight. He may be good at getting the focus on Ellison accusations in the media but, anyone who watched or listened to any debate would have a hard time convincing themselves that Fine is ready Congress. He does have the balls to say he doesn’t know, he just says it too much. The only time he seemed confortably knowledgable is when he was outlining why Ellison is not fit.
That makes for a good columnist, not Congressman.
Ellison devisive? What has he done that was devisive? All of the dirt has been thrown at him, he has one nothing in return but try to get people to stay on the issues. He passed more bills than any other Democratic in the House (excpet the Leader), all with bi-partisan support since his entire legislative career he was in the minority. He got more done than the Republican candidate in the 6th CD, and she had a House and Governor of the same party.
Re-read what ‘awesome’ wrote. It’s how the GOP plan on winning in the burbs. They have no appeal and no ideas so they practice character assault and guilt by association. That’s what it comes down to when you have no ideas or plans except stay the course.
September 29th, 2006 at 4:09 PM
Michael,
http://www.mnpublius.com/2006/09/rosa_parks_louis_farrakhan_jes.php
Happy Friday!
Hugs,
Jon-David
September 29th, 2006 at 6:06 PM
I went to law school with Keith, I’m Jewish, and a life-long Democrat. Fred Amram’s column expresses exactly how many of us feel about voting for Keith as our Congressman. I personally never believed that Keith was anti-Semitic, but I do know that he associated with known anti-Semites (he now admits to this) in order to advance his political career. The basic problem is I cannot accurately guage where he is now. Although he says he supports Israel’s right to defend itself, will he still do that after the next war break out, and Israel’s military causes civilian deaths? Or will he change his mind then, and use his seat in Congress as a platform for the “cut aid to Israel” groups? I just don’t know, so I won’t vote for Keith, and I’m liking Tammy Lee a lot more and more.
I would hope any future contributors to this comment section respond to what Fred Amram says, and not engage in childish personal attacks on eachother.
September 29th, 2006 at 6:21 PM
Fine is wise to not say much…he is wise to make the issue Ellison . All he needs to do is give people a reason to NOT vote for the little creepy liar and he might have a chance. If Fine ran on a anti Bush and anti Ellison platform, I think he could win. That’s the reality of the 5th district.