3 prominent House Democrats vow to skip Netanyahu speech
Source: Politicususa.com
By: MATTHEW DALY (AP)
Thursday, February, 5th, 2015, 7:30 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) Three prominent House Democrats are vowing to skip Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus speech to Congress next month, saying they disapprove of House Speaker John Boehners decision to invite the Israeli leader without consulting President Barack Obama.
Reps. John Lewis of Georgia, G.K. Butterfield of North Carolina and Earl Blumenauer of Oregon said they wont attend Netanyahus March 3 speech.
The White House also hinted Thursday that Vice President Joe Biden may not attend Netanyahus speech, which is expected to focus on Iran. Spokesman Josh Earnest said Biden takes very seriously his responsibilities as Senate president, including his ceremonial duty to attend joint sessions of Congress. However, Earnest noted that Biden missed a joint session in 2011 because he was traveling abroad.
Earnest said the vice presidents travel schedule for early March has not been finalized.
Read more: http://www.politicususa.com/2015/02/05/3-prominent-house-democrats-vow-skip-netanyahu-speech.html
This is only the beginning. How many more will jump on the bandwagon and humiliate Speaker Boehner and Netanyahu?
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)George II
(67,782 posts)Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)During the Gaza conflict, AIPAC has made a priority of sending a message of bipartisan congressional support for all of Israels actions. Pro-Israel resolutions passed by unanimous consent carry weight, but not nearly so much as military funding. During the fighting, Israel has relied on the Iron Dome system, a U.S.-funded missile defense that has largely neutralized Hamass rockets. Although the U.S. was scheduled to deliver $351 million for the system starting in October, AIPAC wanted more money right away. On July 22nd, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel had sent a letter to Harry Reid, the Senate Majority Leader, seeking an immediate payment of $225 million.
In the conference room, the senators sat on one side of a long table, the Jewish leaders on the other. Robert Cohen, the president of AIPAC, justified Israels assault, agreeing with Netanyahu that Hamas was ultimately responsible for the deaths of its own citizens. At one point, Tim Kaine, a Democrat from Virginia, asked about conservative trends in Israel, a participant recalled. He said that he supports Israel, but hes concerned that Israel is headed toward a one-state solutionand that would be so damaging and dangerous for everyone involved.
Charles Schumer, the senior Democrat from New York, interrupted. Turning to address the room, he said, It troubles me when I hear people equate Israel and Hamas. Thats wrong, thats terrible! Kaine protested, Thats not what I meant! Cohen simply repeated that Hamas was to blame for everything that was happening.
The Senate, preparing for its August recess, hastened to vote on the Iron Dome funding. At first, the appropriation was bundled into an emergency bill that also included money to address the underage refugees flooding across the Mexican border. But, with only a few days left before the break began, that bill got mired in a partisan fight. Reid tried to package Iron Dome with money for fighting wildfires, and then offered it by itself; both efforts failed, stopped largely by budget hawks. If you cant get it done the night before recess, you bemoan the fact that you couldnt get it done, and everybody goes home, a congressional staffer said. Instead, Mitch McConnell, of Kentucky, the Republican leader, decided to stay over, even if it meant missing an event at home. The next morning, with the halls of the Senate all but empty, an unusual session was convened so that McConnell and Reid could try again to pass the bill; Tim Kaine was also there, along with the Republicans John McCain and Lindsey Graham. There were five senators present and literally no one else! the staffer said. They reintroduced it and passed it. This was one of the more amazing feats, for AIPAC.
http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/09/01/friends-israel
Hulk
(6,699 posts)I'm going to request MY congress reps to not attend.
I am going to write mine as well.
oldandhappy
(6,719 posts)litouch
(3 posts)I'd like to think that this is an opportunity for democrats to stay engaged. Please attend. Do not boycott the speech. The leader of a foreign land may utter just one brief sentence that can give us an edge. Don't be childish. Be adult. Be better than the republicans and show up with an open mind to listen. Get something out of the speech no matter how small to stay better, bigger and badder than the party of "No". Re-create a different way, no matter how painful, that is. Democrats need hammer our message that we are full fledged, bonifide, representatives of ALL the people in our districts who remain better informed by remaining engaged at all points of possible contact.
Every person you meet, every word you hear muttered, every possibility of understanding another person's strife or accomplishements, no matter whether you agree with them or not, will make us rounded and wiser in leadership.
Please attend. Listen. And get something that will help us improve our relations with another country........or the people of this land.
BumRushDaShow
(129,016 posts)who went to school 4 miles from where I live here in PA.
He should have followed the lead of his mentor Ariel Sharon but like Putin, the ego got in the way.
shawn703
(2,702 posts)Democrats should boycott it, and let Netanyahu's speech be seen for what it is. The optics of him speaking to just one of the political parties, and showing how this speech is all about interfering in American politics, I think would be embarrassing enough to teach a few people a lesson.
Divernan
(15,480 posts)Curious about tone of voice or facial expressions? Watch the video.
It's not like Bibi will be whispering sweet nothings in any Dems' ears while walking to or from the podium.
The urgency of your message smacks of desperation on the part of Boehner, AIPAC and or Bibi's handlers who are well aware that by boycotting Bibi's speech, the Democrats are sending a powerful message to the Israeli govt. and voters that it's time to vote in new leadership. It is also very threatening to AIPAC's self-promoted image that it orders members of the U.S. Congress on how to behave when it comes to anything to do with Israel.
Boycotting also sends a message to the rest of the world that when it comes to foreign policy, the United States Congress defers to and stands united behind the United States President.
That will definitely do more to "help us to improve our relations with another country . . . .or the people of this land" (to quote your own words) that letting Boehner/Bibi get by with this treacherous stunt.
You say, "Don't be childish. Be adult." What insultingly condescending two-bit, reverse psychology. I note this is your very first post on DU. We are not such political naifs as to find your comment persuasive.
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)Midnight Writer
(21,767 posts)Intentionally baiting and offending the Democrats, when his nation survives on the support of USA.
It is not a stretch to believe that Democrats may well win the 2016 Presidential election, and also the Senate.
So why poke Democrats in the eye, especially when the Jewish vote in USA, including the most ardent Israeli supporters, leans Democratic. Does he actually believe that American conservative billionaires will fund his country's economy and military? Or does he take our support for granted to such an extent that he knows he can get away with anything? I'd bet on the latter.
Maybe it's time for us to offend him, and let him know American support is not unconditional.
I'm not an expert in these matters, so maybe someone here can explain to me what the USA gets in return for spending billions of dollars a year supporting Israel. I am not trying to be an asshole, I would sincerely like to know.
leftynyc
(26,060 posts)That's why he felt safe campaigning for Romney in Florida in 2012 - he thought Mitt was going to take the White House (obviously ignorant of Nate Silver) and now he thinks the cons have a chance in 2016. Bibi is an asshole who I hope gets clobbered in his election but I don't think he has anything to worry about concerning US support. Congress votes on the aid and weapons packages and with (so far) only 3 people (out of 535 - I'm including the senate although I don't know that's he's speaking to the whole congress) are merely not showing up at a speech. That doesn't mean they'll ever vote the way you want them to on Israel.
George II
(67,782 posts)leftynyc
(26,060 posts)that will lead to voting against Israeli aid packages? You think the US Congress is so petty they would let Israeli security get tampered with because they don't like Bibi? And you're seriously kidding yourself if you think there will more than 10 Dems who don't show up.
George II
(67,782 posts)....hopefully the humiliation of Boehner, Netanyahu, and the rest of the republicans.
mother earth
(6,002 posts)for this showy slap in the face not only to the president, but our gov't, our nation. How dare they show us our own gov't is beholding to a warmongering and defiant Netanyahu over Obama, when they can't even work together or work at all for the people of our own nation.
The GOP is in need of a huge wake up call and our own party needs to find the backbone to deliver it.
George II
(67,782 posts)mother earth
(6,002 posts)for this provocation. The GOP should be calling him out, this is inexcusable and speaks volumes.
libdem4life
(13,877 posts)save. The Rs will let Boehner take the fall...at least they have so far.