Republican Jewish Coalition Official Spends Day Lying To Reporters About Obama

Suzanne Kurtz, communications director for the Republican Jewish Coalition, spent her afternoon knowingly misleading -- if not downright lying -- to reporters.

On Monday, the RJC blasted out a press release calling on Barack Obama to "disinvite" Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) from his upcoming trip to Israel.

"If Barack Obama is getting advice from Chuck Hagel about Israel, then the American Jewish community has a lot to worry about," the organization's press release read, citing five examples of Hagel's "abysmal record on Israel."

The problem: Hagel isn't going to Israel with Obama. He and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) are flying with the Illinois Senator to Iraq and Afghanistan, but not to Israel or Europe. The RJC should have known this, as it was already public knowledge. The UK Telegraph (among other outlets) reported:

"The senators [including Hagel] will be part of a 'congressional delegation' to Afghanistan and Iraq likely to travel to the war zones as early as the end of this week. Afterwards, Mr Obama will break off for a separate trip on his campaign plane to Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and Britain."

And yet, throughout the afternoon, the RJC continued to propagate what was, at best, something they couldn't confirm and, at worst, a lie. Contacted by the Huffington Post at 2PM ET, Kurtz stumbled and nervously laughed away questions about whether or not she knew her organization's statement to be false. She would not answer whether the RJC would retract it, saying only, "if we retract it, it will be evident."

Story continues below

advertisement

This, of course, was evasive. And four hours later -- with no retraction evident -- the Huffington Post contacted Kurtz once more. What followed was a foray into the surreal.

Why are you listing Hagel as a companion on Obama's Israel trip if the Telegraph and other news outlets say he won't be there?

"I think what is really interesting is that Chuck Hagel seems to be the latest in the long line of advisers and associates that Sen. Obama surrounds himself with that really have anti-Israel statements and biases," said Kurtz.

Um... The question had nothing to do with Hagel's record.

"I think it is absolutely about Chuck Hagel's record and the votes."

Ok, let's try a different tact. Yes or no, did the RJC believe Obama was going to Israel with Chuck Hagel?

"I can tell you that it is very interesting that Sen. Obama continues to seek the counsel and companionship of those that have..."

That's not what I'm asking.

"We are going around in a circle you understand."

Yes, I do. Is it easy or difficult to have to repeat the same exact answer, no matter what?

"Is it tough to keep asking the same question again and again?"

Do you think it is the least bit misleading that your website says Obama is going to Israel with Hagel, even though he's not.

"I don't think it is misleading. I think if he is or isn't is a question to be directed to the Obama campaign."

The result: A senior aide to the Obama campaign said that Hagel would not be going with him to Israel.

And as of 7:30 PM ET, the press release remains on RJC's website.

Comments

[olgraydawg]

Why don't they take that up with Hagel?

[foreplay]

We have to learn the truth about AIPAC from the BBC.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y8pnWCNEPA

[eden4barack08]

It's bizarre that the far right, in the past was known as the neo-fascist, anti-semite group. The evangelicals went as far as citing the bible as justification to hate jews because of Jesus. Now, the right acts like it had always been the best friend of jews, making Israel top priority, no matter what.
IMO the neo-cons have a hidden agenda behind this self-professed obsessive love of jews and Israel, and it's beyond "protecting" the region.

[fionamacknz]

For some reason--probably because every jewish person I knew in college was the exact opposite--it is only lately that I have understood there is a relatively small but wealthy and powerful group of jewish neocons, farther right than the right wing that tried to destroy the jews in America for two generations. And that they will, if it is convenient, walk on your lifeless body to get to the ugly goals they want.

A historian told me recently that Israel as a nation does not share the plans of these extremists, and is quite afraid of what they might do to the country and the people. With justification; this group intends, in effect, to take over Israel and make it into something totally different, a tool to serve their own wealth and power.

[stepintothelight]

It's not a hidden agenda. That's what makes it so sad. These people in Israel think they can play these Christian fundies just long enough to gain dominance in the region. I wonder what will happen when the Christian right decides to call in the chips? Convert or die? Sometimes watching these people make the same mistakes over and over through history is just well ... I would say amusing but I don't like when the ignorance of a few cause the deaths of millions ... In this case it was 6 or 7 million the last time I think??? Playing both sides only makes twice as many opponents!!!

[stillfresh]

The phrase Republican Jew is an oxymoron. At least in my family.

[MrJoyboy]

A large proportion of American Jews have an emotional attachment to Israel that goes beyond all logic and reason. Obama scares them because he gives off a vibe that doesn't conform to the Israel-right-or wrong orthodoxy. American Jews should realize they're Americans first and supporters of Israel second.

[dsbsh]

And what proportion would that be? Where are you getting your information about "them?" I can't find the polling data I reviewed last week, but Obama is on target to get well over 70% of the Jewish vote, and quite possibly higher than Kerry received.

I'm not doubting the emotional attachment you refer to, but given Jewish voting patterns it's hardly "beyond all logic and reason," and doesn't square with your claims at all.

[earthwealth]

One thing for sure. Unconditional full support of Israel has not been truly good to Israel as well. Spoiling your kid does not necessarily guarantee your kid's future prosperity.

[eden4barack08]

I agree. 30 billion a year in aide to a country that in itself is rich, is definitely spoiling.

[mommamia526]

These *responses* on this thread are just pathetic. Hey, it is election time. The target is the presumed nominee of the Democratic Party. Twisting reality and logic is what was done against Kerry, and nothing Israeli was involved. American Politics is a very dirty business. Bush is NOT a jew, and Bush, Murdoch and Sharon do not all practice the same religion. Sharon is not practicing much of anything at this time, dear. The people involved in the GOP, or elsewhere, may use religion, but their objectives have nothing to do with religion. It is power, capital, dominance and the dollar, which is not that mighty any longer. Religion of any kind, jews, Israel, has nothing to do with it. The roadmap, obviously, also has nothing to do with furthering Israeli or jewish interests. Jewish interests in this country, and their vote, is important, not because the number of votes, or the religion, but because of monetary power and global connection. Not one Republican will convert from Christianity to judaism, or vice versa, on behalf of Israeli, or jewish interests. Get a grip.

[stepintothelight]

But who is benefiting most by the ignorance and loudest in their silence during the process???

[Amennyc]

Leads one to wonder who approved the New Yorker cover.... Israel does not want Barack to be POTUS. The New Yorker cover is all a part of the subtle message they want their media outlets to put out there.

[stepintothelight]

Israel is becoming a bigger and bigger problem everyday!!!

[earthwealth]

It is not Israel that is becoming a bigger problem. It is us who follow and maintain such problem.

[stepintothelight]

Touche'!!!!

[Mattjoe]

The RJC is a wonderful organization.

[DMSmith]

NO wonderful organization persists in lying. Period.

[Mattjoe]

I just sent Suzanne Kurtz an email, I"m doing some fact checking and wanted to confirm whether Lewis M. Eisenberg is an RJC member.

I anticipate she will be more angry at the fact the New Yorker stole her artwork idea for the latest RJC Policy Platform Booklet than she will be at my question.

No response as of yet.

[Mattjoe]

By chance does anyone actually remember what the Republican Jewish Coalition did to Howard Dean and other Democrats, even Jewish Democrats?

The connections to the Whitehouse are at criminal proportions if not the fact the RJC members list and the PNAC membership practically overlap.

Go ahead, block this message too " it appears Israel can disapprove of me all day long however I cannot do the same of them.

[loax]

How the Republicans love to lie to people! My God, America, wake the Hell up!

[Mattjoe]

In response to the Republican Jewish Coalition"s concern yesterday that someone they didn"t approve of was not going to Israel with someone else they didn"t approve of, the Obama campaign simply hung up the phone and later asked they only be called in the event that someone actually had something coherent to say¦

Suzanne Kurtz, could not be reached, she was busy making dinner reservations for a PNAC meeting at an undisclosed location.

[truthbrigade]

I always knew AIPAC will finally raise its ugly head and inject itself into this US election. They fear losing total control of the political system in the US. With Barack, they must be terrified.

Folks, expect a real nasty, down in the gutter attacks from here to November; they're good at it.

[Skandal]

WRONG.

AIPAC is a completely NON-partisan organization. Unlike the RJC, they have as many (if not more) Democrat as Republican members.

[earthwealth]

Certainly it is a non-partisan. They want to make sure their interest is secured with either parties. Just look at the 2000 Election. If Gore had won, Joe lobyman was there to serve them as well as GWB has done.

[Questionsauthority]

Another fun note: the RJC press release misspells the word "abysmal," so I guess they need a spell checker in addition to a fact checker.

[ProTester]

See what happens when "Love thy neighbor" and honesty lose out to "my politics can beat up your politics" and "my country right or wrong".