Daily Kickoff
Good Thursday morning.
In today’s Daily Kickoff, we look at how the Jewish and political worlds are reacting to the death of Sen. Joseph Lieberman on Wednesday, and report on the Jewish Democratic Council of America’s endorsements of George Latimer and Wesley Bell. Also in today’s Daily Kickoff: Rep. Jahana Hayes, David Rubenstein and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott.
The Jewish community, in the United States and in Israel, spoke with one voice last night in collective mourning of Joe Lieberman, a former longtime Connecticut senator who made history as the first Jewish candidate on a major presidential ticket. He died Wednesday at 82, writes Jewish Insider’s Gabby Deutch.
Tributes poured in from Jewish leaders, friends and elected officials on the left and the right to honor Lieberman, who won the adoration of the Jewish community during his 2000 vice-presidential campaign as the running mate of Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore. A foreign policy hawk known for working across the aisle, Lieberman served three terms in the Senate as a Democrat and a fourth as an Independent after beating back a challenge from a more liberal Democrat.
“Joe was as fine an American as they come and one of the most decent people I met during my time in Washington,” former President George W. Bush said in a statement. Former President Barack Obama highlighted Lieberman’s role in repealing “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” and passing the Affordable Care Act. “In both cases the politics were difficult, but he stuck to his principles because he knew it was the right thing to do,” Obama wrote on X.
Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), who was elected to Lieberman’s Senate seat after he retired in 2012, wrote that Connecticut is “shocked” by the news of Lieberman’s death. “In an era of political carbon copies, Joe Lieberman was a singularity. One of one. He fought and won for what he believed was right and for the state he adored,” Murphy wrote on X.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Lieberman an “exemplary public servant, an American patriot and a matchless champion of the Jewish people and the Jewish state.” Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-NY) described the “honor” of serving as Lieberman’s congressman after he moved to Riverdale.
“Joe was a man of deep integrity who dedicated his life to serving his country,” Gore wrote in a tribute. “It was an honor to stand side-by-side with him on the campaign trail. I’ll remain forever grateful for his tireless efforts to build a better future for America.”
After Gore picked Lieberman as his running mate in 2000, Lieberman delivered a speech highlighting the moment’s historic nature — and what it says about the American people.
“It shows Al’s faith in the tolerance of this diverse nation, in the basic fairness of the American people,” said Lieberman. “I cannot express with words the gratitude that I feel in my heart today as the first Jewish-American to be honored to be a major party candidate for the vice presidency of this blessed United States of America.”
no ordinary joe
Joe Lieberman, Conn. senator and first Jewish VP nominee, dead at 82
Joe Lieberman, who represented Connecticut in the Senate for 24 years and in 2000 ignited a surge of pride in the Jewish community as the first Jewish candidate on a major presidential ticket, died Wednesday. He was 82. He died of complications from a fall, according to his family, Jewish Insider’s Gabby Deutch reports.
Deep Jewish roots: An Orthodox Jew who observed stringent rules around kashrut and Shabbat, Lieberman didn’t compromise his religious observance during his political career. For rare Senate votes that occurred on Saturdays, Lieberman walked to the U.S. Capitol to cast a vote. He won the adoration and pride of the U.S. Jewish community in 2000 as the running mate to Democratic presidential candidate Al Gore, an election lost by several hundred votes in Florida. Many Jews backed his unsuccessful Democratic presidential primary campaign in 2004.
Political evolution: As the Democratic Party ticked leftward in the post-9/11 era, Lieberman began to find himself alienated from the party that fueled his political career. He served three terms in the Senate as a Democrat after first being elected in 1988. In 2006, he faced a Democratic primary opponent who challenged Lieberman — a foreign policy hawk — over his support for the Iraq war. Lieberman lost the primary but stayed in the race as an Independent, ultimately beating the Democrat to win his fourth and final term in office. Two years later, Lieberman endorsed his Republican colleague John McCain for president in 2008.
Faith foundation: Throughout his career, Lieberman often drew upon his Jewish faith in his public remarks. He published a 2011 book, The Gift of Rest, making the case for the importance of the Sabbath. “My Jewish faith is central to my life. I was raised in a religiously observant family. Given to me by my parents and formed by my rabbis, my faith has provided me with a foundation, an order, and a sense of purpose in my life,” Lieberman said in a 2011 speech at Brigham Young University. “It has much to do with the way I strive to navigate in a constructive way through every day, both personally and professionally, in ways that are large and small.”
Bonus: Commentary’s John Podhoretz reflects on Lieberman’s career and legacy, and laments that the U.S. has “spent the last quarter century doing what we can to rid Washington of exactly the kind of civility and respect Joe Lieberman extended across ideological and partisan boundaries.”
squad struggles
Jewish Dems endorse challengers to Squad members Jamaal Bowman, Cori Bush
The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) on Thursday announced its endorsement of primary challengers to two far-left lawmakers, the first time the group — which is closely aligned with the Democratic Party — has backed candidates who are challenging Democratic incumbents, Jewish Insider’s Gabby Deutch reports.
Vulnerable incumbents: JDCA offered its support to George Latimer, the Westchester County executive who is taking on Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Wesley Bell, a St. Louis prosecutor looking to unseat Rep. Cori Bush (D-MO). Both Bowman and Bush have held strongly anti-Israel views since first elected — and have only amplified their animus since the Oct. 7 Hamas terror attacks. But they are also vulnerable because of scandals that are unrelated to Israel. Bush is under criminal investigation over alleged misspending of federal security money. Bowman pled guilty to a misdemeanor for pulling a fire alarm in a House office building.
Jewish American issues: “We understand that Wesley Bell and George Latimer are supporting the priorities that Jewish Americans are prioritizing when they go to the polls,” said JDCA’s communications director, Sam Crystal. “We know that they are fighting for abortion rights and for defending our democracy, and for safer communities and combating gun violence, and health care for all, and in support of Israel and combating antisemitism.”
Focus on winning: Bush and Bowman are not the only members of the far-left Squad who are facing primary challengers. But JDCA chose to throw its support behind them because it views their races as very winnable. Left off the endorsement list is Democrat Bhavini Patel, who is running against Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) in next month’s Pennsylvania primary. Lee has faced similar controversies over her strident criticisms of Israel and associations with antisemitic groups. Crystal declined to comment on the Pennsylvania race but, when asked about it, said JDCA is opting to focus on “competitive” races.
connecticut connection
Jahana Hayes defends meeting with CAIR chapter, praise for anti-Israel group
Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT) doubled down this week on her decision to meet with the Connecticut chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, as well as other past praise of CAIR, amid a renewed wave of criticism, Jewish Insider’s Marc Rod reports.
The latest: Hayes has been facing criticism this week from a Republican state senator and an adviser to her Republican opponent, George Logan, over a December meeting with CAIR’s Connecticut chapter and a 2019 letter praising CAIR.
Defense: In response, Hayes acknowledged on a local radio show on Monday that CAIR’s “national leader made some inflammatory comments and showed some support of Hamas,” but argued that it’s “crazy” to accuse her of supporting terrorism because she met with CAIR’s Connecticut chapter. “To associate me with a terrorist group is outrageous. It is completely outrageous, and they just create these narratives, so I am going to create a contrast, every chance I get,” Hayes said.
Taking meetings: “Just like I said and have been saying all along, it is literally my job as the congresswoman to talk to people who have differing viewpoints, who have different opinions [than] me and these members of the Muslim community have family members in Palestine, that they were concerned about and they requested a meeting with their congresswoman that I took,” she continued. She said that the letter was “thanking [CAIR] for their work to combat Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate.”
nashville noise
Four Vanderbilt students arrested, charged with assault, vandalism over anti-Israel activity
Four Vanderbilt University students were arrested on Wednesday morning after staging a “sit-in” at the university’s main administration building for nearly 24 hours, demanding that the Tennessee school divest from companies that operate in Israel. Local Nashville police charged three students with Class A misdemeanor assault after pushing a community service officer and a Vanderbilt faculty member who offered to meet with them as they rushed Kirkland Hall on Tuesday, a Vanderbilt spokesperson told eJewishPhilanthropy’s Haley Cohen, reporting for Jewish Insider. A fourth student has been charged with vandalism after breaking a window on the building’s exterior on Tuesday night.
Suspended students: Some two dozen students who participated in the protest inside Kirkland Hall — nearly all of them donning masks — took over Chancellor Daniel Diermeier’s office, located in Kirkland. They eventually were removed early Wednesday morning after forcibly entering the building shortly after 9 a.m. the previous day. All of the protest participants who breached the building will be placed on interim suspension, the Vanderbilt spokesperson said.
Background: The demonstration, organized by the Vanderbilt Divest Coalition, was a response to the administration’s move to quash a first-time BDS referendum, scheduled to take place on Monday; administrators said that a boycott of Israel would violate Tennessee state law and jeopardize the state and federal funding the school receives.
Read the full story here.
Growing List: The House Education and Workforce Committee on Wednesday requested documents from Rutgers University on its handling of antisemitism on its campuses, the sixth school and the second public college targeted under the committee’s growing antisemitism probe, Jewish Insider’s Marc Rod reports.
speaking out
The lonely Democrats opposing Biden’s U.N. vote abstention
Few Democratic lawmakers, even staunch supporters of Israel, have thus far publicly criticized the Biden administration’s decision to abstain from a United Nations Security Council vote earlier this week calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, Jewish Insider’s Marc Rod reports. So far, there have been just a few notable exceptions — some of whom have blasted the administration in strident terms.
Appalling: “It’s appalling the U.S. allowed passage of a resolution that fails to condemn Hamas,” Sen. John Fetterman (D-PA) said on X after Monday’s vote. “The UN has always been unwilling to condemn this group of terrorists, cowards and rapists. We must stand with Israel and stop pandering to the political fringe or Hamas apologists.”
Emboldening Hamas: “I fear that yesterday’s abstention will only embolden Hamas and delay the safe return of the hostages — including the Americans,” Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) said in a statement a day after the vote. “I’m shocked that the Administration allowed the biased-UN to pass a resolution that failed to criticize Hamas, a designated foreign terrorist organization, that five months ago, brutally killed, raped, burned alive, and kidnapped more than 1,200 civilians. The resolution also called for an unconditional ceasefire without requiring the release of the hostages.” Gottheimer linked the U.N. vote to Hamas’ decision to walk away from hostage talks.
Distancing: Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), who criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to cancel a delegation of Israeli officials to the U.S. in response to the abstention, told JI on Wednesday that he also had concerns about the abstention. “Instead of holding Hamas accountable, this resolution has — foreseeably — been read as an indictment of Israel, so I would have preferred a veto as this is clearly an unfair indictment,” Sherman said, noting that the resolution “does not make the ceasefire conditional on the hostages’ release, thus undermining the U.S.’s own bargaining position.”
Travel plans: It’s a busy week so far for lawmakers visiting Israel: Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Rick Scott (R-FL) and Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA), Juan Vargas (D-CA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Norma Torres (D-CA), Brad Schneider (D-IL), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Kathy Manning (D-NC) and Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) have all met with Netanyahu in recent days.
security alert
Jewish communal groups reiterate concerns about security grant funding cut
In a new joint statement on Wednesday, Jewish communal groups again expressed concerns about Congress’ decision last week to cut funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program by more than $30 million in 2024 — about 10% from the previous fiscal year, Jewish Insider’s Marc Rod reports.
Significant challenge: “The cut in NSGP funding presents a significant challenge to the safety of our communities at a time when threats to religious and nonprofit organizations are at a record high,” the Secure Community Network, Anti-Defamation League, American Jewish Committee, Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, Jewish Federations of North America and Orthodox Union said in the statement.
Next steps: They urged Congress to “prioritize additional funding to make the NSGP program whole,” urging that any national security supplemental bill “must include funding for the NSGP and there must be increased funding for NSGP in the FY2025 appropriations bill.” They also urged organizations, including potential NSGP applicants, to prioritize “preparedness, high-quality application submissions, and the continued advocacy for the protection of all communities against hate and violence.”
Worthy Reads
The ‘Wonkocracy’ is Dead: In Tablet, Walter Russell Mead considers the end of the century-long “wonk” era amid a societal evolution away from the idea of merit- and rules-based advancement. “This has all gotten more bitter in recent decades because positions in the wonkocracy have become, with the sad exceptions of journalism and the academy, much more lucrative. As our economy evolves and society becomes more complex, the services provided by the learned professions are in greater demand. The upper middle class is more affluent, larger and more visible than it used to be — and naturally enough it is more widely and more bitterly resented. In detail, both the populist diagnoses and prescriptions coming from the left and right are often mistaken. But the populist resentment of the sleek, self-interested reign of rule-following meme processors for whom blue chip academic credentials are the modern equivalent of patents of nobility, conferring a legitimate right to rule over the unwashed masses, is too deeply grounded in human nature to fade away. The peasants have added smartphones to their traditional weapons of pitchforks and torches, and they are in no mood to peacefully disperse to their hovels.” [Tablet]
Heeding Hamas: In The Wall Street Journal, Bernard-Henri Lévy mulls what could happen if Israel bends to international pressure to end the war before Hamas has been defeated. “Hamas would declare victory — on the verge of defeat, then the next minute revived. These criminals against humanity would emerge from their tunnels triumphant after playing with the lives not only of the 250 Israelis captured on Oct. 7, but also of their own citizens, whom they transformed into human shields. The Arab street would view Hamas terrorists as resistance fighters. In Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates — nations that signed the Abraham Accords or were leaning toward doing so — Hamas’s prestige would be enhanced. In the West Bank as in Gaza, Hamas would quickly eclipse the corrupt and ineffective Palestinian Authority, whose image would pale next to the twin aura of martyrdom and endurance in which Hamas would cloak itself. After that, no diplomatic or military strategy would prevail against the iron law of people converted into mobs and mobs into packs. None of the experts’ extravagant plans for an international stabilization force, an interim Arab authority, or a technocratic government presiding over the reconstruction of Gaza would stand long against the blast effect created by the last-minute return of this group of criminals adorned with the most heroic of virtues.” [WSJ]
Politico’s Playbook: Vanity Fair’s Charlotte Klein looks at the tensions inside Politico following staff shuffles and management changes that have recentered the newsroom. “While the media business has been in a state of tumult — with industry-watchers even talking about ‘extinction-level’ conditions — Politico’s business model looks comparatively solid. The challenge Politico faces today is one of identity, amid stepped-up competition in Washington and shifting editorial priorities. In its fifth election cycle, Politico is battling onetime colleagues turned rivals for scoops on its traditional turf while trying to fulfill a more global mandate. ‘When we were in Iowa for the Iowa caucus, they were sending out emails about how they were in Davos,’ a former Politico editor, now at another major news outlet, notes. Out of concerns that Politico is losing its edge, the untested leadership team is pushing staffers harder. Some journalists see it as the sharpening and discipline Politico has been lacking; others, as micromanagement bogging down a newsroom built on speed. “We’re having an incredible DNA change with no guarantee that it’ll work,’ says one staffer. ‘There’s no clear vision for what they want from us, and it sort of changes day to day,’ says another. ‘People feel really demoralized and frustrated.’” [VanityFair]
A Tarnished Legacy: In The Atlantic, Haaretz’s Anshel Pfeffer weighs the legacy being forged by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “No matter how the war in Gaza ends, what happens in its aftermath, or when Netanyahu’s term finally ends, the prime minister will forever be associated above all with that day and the disastrous war that followed. He will go down as the worst prime minister because he has been catastrophic for Israeli security. … One man’s pursuit of power has diverted Israel from confronting its most urgent priorities: the threat from Iran, the conflict with the Palestinians, the desire to nurture a Westernized society and economy in the most contested corner of the Middle East, the internal contradictions between democracy and religion, the clash between tribal phobias and high-tech hopes. Netanyahu’s obsession with his own destiny as Israel’s protector has caused his country grievous damage.” [TheAtlantic]
Around the Web
D.C. Trip, Take Two: U.S. and Israeli officials are working to reschedule a delegation that included Israel’s strategic affairs minister, Ron Dermer, and national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled the group’s planned trip to Washington earlier this week following the U.S.’ abstention on the U.N. Security Council vote calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
War’s Toll: A new Gallup poll found declining support for Israel’s war against Hamas, dropping from 50% in November to 36% this month.
Confirmation Battle: Sen. Jacky Rosen (D-NV) announced she plans to vote against Adeel Mangi, a circuit court nominee, citing concerns about his record on law enforcement. Mangi, whom Republicans accused of antisemitism, likely lacks the votes to be confirmed.
Unwelcome Surprise: Anti-Israel protesters dumped manure outside the homes of Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan; both officials met with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant earlier this week.
Palo Alto Meets Politics: Silicon Valley executives are pushing legislators in Washington on what they say are the benefits of artificial intelligence, amid escalating tensions with China over tech.
Trump’s Man Abroad: The Washington Postspotlights the relationship between former President Donald Trump and former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell as the latter, rumored to be under consideration for a role in a potential future Trump administration, holds meetings with right-wing foreign officials.
Bird’s the Word: Axiostalked to Baltimore native David Rubenstein after Major League Baseball owners approved the sale of the Orioles to the Carlyle Group co-founder.
Evan’s Ordeal: The Free Pressspoke to friends of Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich as the journalist approaches one year in Russian detention.
Texas Hold ‘Em (Accountable): Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued an executive order to combat antisemitism in the state’s college campuses, targeting what he described as “[s]ome radical organizations on our campuses” that have “engaged in acts that have no place in Texas.”
Berkeley Brouhaha: A Berkeley, Calif., City Council meeting during which legislators discussed marking Holocaust Remembrance Day and associated educational programming devolved into a chaotic scene during which attendees hurled antisemitic insults and intimidated a Holocaust survivor.
In the Courts: A man accused of vandalizing a Chabad center in Kalamazoo, Mich., in November was arrested and is facing federal charges for damaging religious property.
Canadian Confusion: Canadian defense firms are seeking clarification from Ottawa amid confusion over last week’s vote in the country’s House of Commons to stop arms exports to Israel.
Turtle Bay Moves: After the U.N. Security Council condemned a terror attack in Pakistan that killed six people, The Jerusalem Post’s Herb Keinon pointed out that the body has still not condemned the Hamas terror attack that killed 1,200.
Dueling War Goals:The Wall Street Journal looks at the challenges facing Israel as it seeks to accomplish both of its war aims: the freeing of the remaining hostages, and the destruction of Hamas.
Mazal Tov: Yair Lapid, the head of Israel’s opposition, announced the birth of his first grandchild, Naomi.
Remembering: Nobel Prize-winning psychologist Daniel Kahneman, whose blueprint for evaluating army recruits for the Israeli Defense Forces was used by the army for decades, died at 90.
Pic of the Day
Belgian Foreign Minister Hadja Lahbib lays a wreath on Wednesday during a commemoration ceremony at Yad Vashem’s Hall of Remembrance in Jerusalem.
Birthdays
Journalist, crime writer and blogger who has spent most of his career in Japan, Jake Adelstein turns 55…
Professor emeritus of physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, winner of the 1990 Nobel Prize in physics, Jerome Isaac Friedman turns 94… Film and television producer, he is a winner of two Academy Awards for Best Picture, Albert Stotland Ruddy turns 94… Chairman and CEO of the Hartz Group and Hartz Mountain Corporation, a leading seller of pet supplies, Leonard Norman Stern turns 86… The founder and first general manager of Intel Israel and the inventor of the EPROM chip, Dov Frohman turns 85… Expert on the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries, and wife of the late U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, Hadassah Lieberman turns 76… Glenview, Ill., resident, Genie Kutchins… CEO of Los Angeles-based toy company MGA Entertainment, maker of Little Tikes and Bratz and Lalaloopsy dolls, Isaac Larian turns 70… Former member of the Knesset for 13 years, she served as the leader of the Israeli Labor Party, Shelly Yachimovich turns 64… Special envoy and coordinator for the U.S. Department of State’s Global Engagement Center, James Phillip Rubin turns 64… One of four hostages held at gunpoint for 11 hours at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, Jeffrey R. Cohen… Former rhythmic gymnast, now teaching yoga in Connecticut, she represented the U.S. at the 1984 Summer Olympics, Valerie Le Zimring-Schneiderman turns 59… Senior editor for The Economist, James Douglas Bennet turns 58… Presidential historian and author, Jewish liaison and then deputy HHS secretary in the Bush 43 administration, Tevi Troy turns 57… President and CEO of Hillel: The Foundation for Jewish Campus Life, Adam Lehman turns 57… Film producer, Brett Ratner turns 55… Israeli journalist and radio presenter for Reshet Bet, Keren Neubach turns 54… Novelist, television producer and journalist, Jennifer Weiner turns 54… Author of eight best-selling novels including in 2003 The Devil Wears Prada, Lauren Weisberger turns 47… Member of the Knesset since 2015 for the Likud party, now serving as the Minister of Culture and Sports, Makhlouf “Miki” Zohar turns 44… Los Angeles-based, Israeli-born fashion designer, Yotam Solomon turns 37… Retired MLB outfielder for the Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs, now a real estate agent in Bali, Indonesia, Ryan Kalish turns 36… VP at Tradepoint Atlantic, Michael Hurwitz… SVP of asset management at Hackman Capital Partners, Zachary David Sokoloff… Campus recruiting manager for Walmart, Benjy Spiro…
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