In a recent discussion on the Democratic Party's vice-presidential selection process, CNN's John King made a contentious remark.
When asked about the potential benefits and drawbacks of nominating Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, King suggested that his nomination could be risky due to his status as a first-term governor and his Jewish faith.
King's comments sparked a backlash, but it seems the criticism was misplaced. As reported by Mediaite, King was not expressing his personal opinion that nominating a Jewish candidate would be detrimental. Instead, he was highlighting a reality: the tragic events of October 7 and the subsequent war have fueled anti-Israel and anti-Semitic sentiments among the far-left. Consequently, choosing a pro-Israel Jewish candidate like Shapiro could potentially alienate some of these voters.
David Klion, in his piece, echoed this sentiment. He criticized Shapiro for his stance on Palestine, stating, "Shapiro stands out among the current field of potential running mates as being egregiously bad on Palestine," and noted that Shapiro is "an observant Jew with personal ties to Israel." Klion expressed concern that Shapiro's nomination could dampen the enthusiasm among young progressive voters that Harris has recently generated.
Matthew Sitman, a progressive podcaster, shared Klion's apprehension. He expressed his hope that Shapiro would not be the choice, arguing that such a decision would undermine the goodwill that many on the left are extending to Harris. He urged the avoidance of a candidate with a more conservative stance on Israel-Palestine than Harris herself.
Nina Turner, a Bernie Sanders alum and unsuccessful candidate, also voiced her opposition to Shapiro's potential nomination. She argued that Shapiro's comparison of pro-peace protesters to the KKK is unacceptable and would hinder the momentum that Vice President Harris has built. Turner expressed hope that Harris is aiming to form a broad coalition to defeat Trump.
Eric Michael Garcia of The Independent and MSNBC, however, took issue not only with Shapiro's support for Israel but also his refusal to capitulate to teachers' unions, unlike many of his Democratic peers. Garcia noted, "Everybody's focused on Shapiro's stance on Israel-Palestine. But his stance on school choice and vouchers would probably make him a tough sell for Democrats."
Indeed, Shapiro's unwavering support for the Middle East's only liberal democracy and his refusal to adopt the far-left's dogmas, as Harris has, could upset some within the Democratic Party. However, what they fail to consider is that their adherence to these dogmas has led them to their current predicament.
The incumbent Democratic President, despite being widely unpopular and praised by the left for his progressive achievements, has been ousted from the ticket. Now, Democrats are celebrating the nomination of his equally unpopular vice president, who previously failed in her left-leaning campaign. Despite her impending loss to the unpopular Donald Trump, according to polls, she has taken his place.
Login