Daily Kickoff: Eric Cantor’s Loss Stuns – ‘Jewish Insiders’ React; J Street Donors to Host President Obama Today; Rising Jewish Star Raises Millions

By Jacob Kornbluh & JI Staff

SHOCKED! – The One Word To Describe How Everyone Felt Last Night When They Heard That House Majority Leader & Sole Jewish GOP Congressman, Eric Cantor, Lost His Primary Election – The First House Majority Leader to Lose Renomination Since The Office Was Created in 1899. Tea Party Challenger Dave Brat, an economics professor for the past 18 years at Randolph Macon College in Ashland, Va., defeated Cantor 55.5% to 44.5%.

Several Prominent ‘Jewish Insiders’ Sent Us Their Reactions… (more…)

Debating Israel: David Suissa vs. Peter Beinart

Jewish Journal Publisher David Suissa debates political author Peter Beinart about Israel. Moderated by Rabbi David Wolpe

Backlash to Laura Rozen’s Jewish Senators Tweet

Four Jewish #Senate committee chairs–Levin, Feinstein, Boxer, Wyden–write against @SenatorMenendez #Iran bill http://t.co/Yu20EeMal6

— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) December 20, 2013

. @lrozen You are burying the lead: Nearly 25 percent of Senate Dems, incl perhaps the Leader, are willing to publicly buck POTUS.

— William Daroff (@Daroff) December 20, 2013

. @lrozen The leader of their party. That’s expected. This is a big deal – even if it runs counter to the narrative you’d prefer.

— William Daroff (@Daroff) December 20, 2013

No, but that it’s not irrelevant to the domestic politics of it. Deep misgivings about Iran bill with pro Israel Dems @eottolenghi

— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) December 20, 2013

This bill is not a juggernaut, significant opposition and significant who is opposing. Resistance not futile @eottolenghi

— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) December 20, 2013

Same as your point. You can be sure that Senate offices paying attention to four Jewish Senators against the Menendez bill @Daroff

— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) December 20, 2013

Otherwise, why would Jewish Federation bother to put out a statement in favor of the bill, if they thought doesn’t matter? @Daroff

— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) December 20, 2013

But you are putting out position on a bill that is before lawmakers. So how is it not relevant that 4 Jewish Senators oppose bill? @Daroff

— Laura Rozen (@lrozen) December 20, 2013

@lrozen Because it implies interests that are different than their non-Jewish peers.

— William Daroff (@Daroff) December 20, 2013

@lrozen We speak for the Jews. The Senators speak for their constituents. Again, their religion is immaterial to their view of US nat sec.

— William Daroff (@Daroff) December 20, 2013

. @PeterBeinart My point, Peter, is the danger of ascribing different motivations to Jewish Senators than to their non-J peers @lrozen

— William Daroff (@Daroff) December 20, 2013

Tweeps: My point was that Jewish Senators represent their constituents, whereas JFNA, among others, represents the Jewish community.

— William Daroff (@Daroff) December 20, 2013

Tweeps @lrozen is a friend. She is a good person, I didn't intend to imply otherwise; I merely disagree w/a syllogism she used. I'm sorry.

— William Daroff (@Daroff) December 20, 2013