Say It Ain't Jew, Joe

Ever since their diaspora, Jews have been accused of putting something else -- themselves, the dispersed Israelite people, then Israel itself -- ahead of their own country. Jewish citizens of Russia, Germany and America, to pick just a few, have been slandered (and sometimes killed) for allegedly putting their allegiances to the Hebrew nation ahead of their patriotism toward the motherland, the fatherland or the homeland. This is vintage Protocols of the Elders of Zion.

And yet what do we hear today from Orthodox Jew Joe Lieberman?

"In my opinion, the choice could not be more clear: between one candidate, John McCain, who's had experience, been tested in war and tried in peace, another candidate who has not. Between one candidate, John McCain, who has always put the country first, worked across party lines to get things done, and one candidate who has not."

And just in case the media failed to notice, the McCain campaign -- whose slogans include "Country First" -- has now sent Lieberman's remarks to the entire political press corps.

What is to be made of this? Does Joe Lieberman not realize that he is using one of the oldest anti-semitic tricks in the book to accuse Obama of being the Islamic candidate?

Follow Marty Kaplan on Twitter: www.twitter.com/martykaplan

Comments

[BeltwayBette]

Every day before November 4th, voters should be reminded:
McCain has been a staunch supporter of the war in Iraq;
McCain falsely claims that, from the war's beginning, he called on Rumsfeld to resign. Not True.
McCain: "It's not too important" when American forces return from Iraq.;
McCain claims Iran was training al-Qaeda members in Iraq, not understanding the war's key players. He doesn’t understand the difference between Shiites and Sunnis.
McCain falsely claims the surge led to the Anbar Awakening, even though Sunni's revolted against al-Qaeda there months before Bush announced the surge;
McCain falsely claimed at the end of May that American troops in Iraq were down to "pre-surge levels" although two-thirds of surge troops were still in Iraq. He refuses to admit he was wrong.
McCain falsely claims the war in Iraq was "the first major conflict since 9/11" -- ignoring the war in Afghanistan . While his pollicies there -- the real central front in the war on terror -- have been all over the map. McCain first attacked Obama's policy on Afghanistan, then adopted it for himself.
McCain sayes he supports America's troops but votes against their interests. He vocally worked to defeat the new GI Bill; once passed, he tried to take credit for it.
Do you want a president who thinks there's an "Iraq/Pakistan border"? Or that Czechoslovakia is still a country? Or who pleads "senior moments” ?

[foxfan]

I'm a Republican and I find it tough to argue with any of this. Thanks for the toughtful post.

[Liberoservative]

I hope that you are crossing party lines and voting for Obama this year.........

We need to take back our govt!!!!!!

[Artos]

BeltwayBette,

It gets even simpler as a choice if you consider that Repugnicans have had eight years to make things better. Instead they have screwed things up so badly that I have doubts we they will ever be repaired. Do we want to give another Repugnican the chance to put in the final nails in our coffins.

[Rubyfoo]

I'm certainly not a fan of Lieberman or the GOP, but I think you're doing a lot of extrapolation based on what you know of Lieberman to interpret his relatively mild criticism as you do.

[Sixtwo]

Joe Lieberman is an obsolete man who is trying to makeself relevant. He is also a flip flopper.
He says he's an Independent but he consistently reflects Republicans ideals. The quotes in this article sounds like a broken record--he has nothing of value to say that is of interest and/or concern to the American people relative to broken foreign relations; boken economy, broken America period.

[Fight4USA8]

There is a lot of confussion and questions about Obama's & McCain's Citizenship:

McCain was born on a PANAMANIAN SOIL, NOT on USA SOIL. He could have dual citizenship because of his USA born parents, but in reality he is a Panamanian. Obama was born in Hawaii, USA on AMERICAN SOIL, so he is a full fledged American more than McCain..

Don't confuse Panama (the country), in South America, and its Capital is Panama City. The famous and historical water way is called Panama Canal, which is also in Panama.

Panama gained its independence from Spain, on November 28, 1821, but decided to become a part of Colombia, South America.

November 3, 1903 is the day Panama gained independence from Colombia, so Panama NEVER BEEN A TERRITORY OF USA.

The French tried to build the Panama Canal in 1880, but after unsuccessful attempt, it was completed by USA in the early 1900, and Panama granted USA to administer ONLY the Canal.

On September 7, 1977, The Torrijos-Carter Treaties were signed by the Panamanian Head Of State as well as by US President Jimmy Carter, for the complete transfer of the CANAL and the 14 US army bases from the US to Panama by 1999.

If anyone has to question the CITIZENSHIP OR BIRTHRIGHT he/she should question McCain's NOT Obama's.

[pfc1369]

Panama, the country, as you put it (I guess as opposed to the hat) is not in South America.

It is the southermost country in Central America.

Are you one of those US Americans who doesn't have a map?

[realistic2008]

Sorry by by all acounts, Panama is where Central America begins, at one time in history, it contemplated to be part of the Gran Colombia which Simon Bolivar wanted as a unified block of Ecuador, Colombia and Venezuela, a dream of Hugo Chavez nowdays.

[tyruler]

Marty,

As an "Islamic" gentleman, there's no question that good ole Joe was of talking about Israel when referring to a certain country McCain puts "first." One thing's clear McCain surely hasn't put America first instead of his ambition and ego to be "right about Iraq, the surge, etc" to win the presidency? He has gambled his presidency on Iraq and it will come back to haunt him.

How can McSame be for US first when he is for shedding its precious blood and whatever is left of its treasure in a protracted and unwinnable invasion of Iraq and Afghanistan, and supports "bomb bomb bomb Iran." For whose sake does he pander America or Israel's?

Does he really believe Iraq was worth fighting that has bankrupted this nation while Russia and China feel more emboldened to openly challenge US? Short-sighted fools indeed.

[Bettysdad]

You assume the dominant personality feature is "Jewish."

Lieberman's dominant personality trait is conservative. They will not be troubled by morals, values or ethics in their push for power and wealth.

There have always been people who have injured their own group for personal gain; Jews in the camps, blacks that enabled slavery, CPUSA members that were snitches.

The overwhelming majority of American Jews are Progressives, and not even close to being Orthodox. That's the image most Americans have of Jews. Some may be surprised by Lieberman's bigotry.

Think of him first as a Conservative. Doesn't seem surprising now, does it?

[Artos]

Bettysdad,

I would have to say that there is unquestionably a large, but hard to actually put a number on segment of the Jewish American population who are Progressive and do find "Jews" like Lieberman to be out of sync with their values. There are also an unquantifiable number of Jews in America who have values similar to Lieberman. The Lieberman conservative type Jews also exist in Israel and are the ones who make it difficult for Israel to have peace. Sharon, Olmert and the guy who was before Sharon too. These are what I would consider warmongerers. No country can find peace with this type.

[Bettysdad]

I was writing about Americans, as those are the ones involved in the upcoming election.

[GZLives]

"The Lieberman conservative type Jews also exist in Israel and are the ones who make it difficult for Israel to have peace."

But of coure those Arabs would have nothing to do with it being difficult right? Didn't the Palestinians just reject yet another peace proposal from Israel?

Time to hold the Arabs accountable and lets see a proposal from them for once ...

[Artos]

DeWayne,

Secular eh. What makes you say secular? From everything I have seen regarding the troubles in Israel it isn't the Secular Israelis who are always stirring up the hornets nest it is the Orthodox folk. These Orthodox folk are the ones who insist on keeping all of Jerusalem and establishing as many communities as possible in the occupied lands. Therein lies the friction. So what have the "Secular" Israelis got to do with that?

[JanP]

How about Palestinians stirring up hornets, er Qassam, nestst?

[MissKaren]

There are not many Jewish conservatives, you are right. Most Jews are progressive. Some may be middle-of-the-road but the progressive tradition is strong in Judaism. Lieberman represents not so much Judaism but a kind of Jew who decided to leave the Jewish tradition or re-interpret it if you want to be kind about it. The neo-cons are Jewish but they do not understand the meaning of the commitment of Judaism to social justice. Lieberman is not even a true conservative. He is purely a neocon and should be regarded with the same skepticism as Bill Kristol and others of his ilk.

[jabee]

Betty's Dad

Interesting to hear from you what most Americans consider jews to be.

Perhaps it would be well to remember there are LOTs of different views and
ideas, very varied, as they say. Your suggestion otherwise seems a
little condescending, and/or hopeful.

Lieberman and the neocons are ZIONISTS. Maybe make the distinction there,
not along a 'progressive' line.
there...

[eden4barack08]

Joe is one of those exploiting Israel to promote their own agenda. Israel has nothing to do with it.

[YouDisgustMe]

i agree

[realistic2008]

Please explain!

[MissKaren]

The man (or woman) is saying that Lieberman is out for Lieberman and is in no way the fault of Israel.

[OTR6686]

There are many misguided Americans who have always been in favor of this war. Just because someone is a Jew, please don't necessarily attribute that to his pro-war stand. He in the Senate, as many in the Senate and the House, have supported Israel. Obama says as President he would support Israel's security. Just because you, Kaplan, are Jewish, does not excuse you from this anti-Semitic reasoning against Lieberman. I despise Lieberman. As a Jew, I resent his self-labeling as "orthodox". He did this in the 2000 campaign when he did not travel on the Jewish Sabbath. If he really were orthodox, he would have his head covered at all times.

[Artos]

OTR6686,

People can define themselves as anything that they want or can get away with, but that doesn't necessarily make it the truth.

[claudiam]

These guys are being very slimy - I am very unhappy that we have a candidate that is vying for the highest job in the nation, which is supposed to be for "all people" is trying to cast another American as unpatriotic and un-American. Very distasteful

[Roy49]

I agree with your comment. I never liked the look on his face (straight up). Never trusted him. Very distasteful at best, un-American machiavellian patriotism at best!

[JanP]

You mean like those people castigating Lieberman for being pro-Israel in the Mid-East?

How about Obama's mid-east advisor, Geroge Clooney, supporting the Palestinains? Is that OK because he isn't a Muslim?

If you are a Jew and supporting Israel, it seems like you (and me) are automatically disployal in the eyes of the left.

Black Republicans are also consider disloyal, if not to America, then to all the other Blacks in the coutnry.

[Georgiadude]

I'm pro Israeli, but I believe that war is not the answer to Israel's security, I believe peace is the answer in the long run. Endless wars cannot be sustained, especially with the transfer of wealth around the globe, leaving the USA a debtor nation. I do not believe that is in Israel's best interest that the USA become further weaken with the endless war scenario that we have now.

[zephyrffld]

To our dismay here in Connecticut, our non-representing Senator knows he will not be re-elected here and so he is going for broke - either to be McCain's VP or at least in his cabinet. Joe's allegiance has always been to Joe, never to the people who elected him to represent them..

[Hempy]

Lieberman supports establishing an Islamic state of Iraq. I wonder how well that goes over with the American Jewish community?

[Nooneyouknow]

I expect most American Jews don't care what kind of government Iraq has.

[SkelDaddy]

Whether Joe from CT does or does not know that he is mirroring those age-old tactics is immaterial. In my estimation Joe doesn't give a big rat's bung hole.

[Belisarius]

I think that you make a mistake in your assumptions Mr. Kaplan.

When Joe Lieberman talks about "putting the country first", the country that he is talking about is Israel. Substitute Israel for "the country" and all his remarks make sense.

[doctorwang]

I don't doubt it.

[CarmenCameron]

Precisely so.

The first thought I had when I read the headlines quoting Lieberman yesterday was, "How ironic. Pure projection. He's ALWAYS putting Israel's interests ahead of those of the US!"

But I guess low-information readers don't know that (thanks to the MSM) and so don't see the TOTAL hypocracy.

[ChiMan1]

Marty, it's OK you can pull your head out of the sand long enough to view the people around "O"bnixous.
These advisors? have a clear political agenda and it runs counter to anything Israel stands for. I am not a Christian or a Jew just an objective (debatable) viewer. OK you can now return to your Ostrich position

[Beka13]

Objective? You lost that debate the minute you clicked on post....I HOPE WHAT IS HAPPENING IN GEORGIA IS SENDING A CLEAR MESSAGE TO ISRAEL....WE CANNOT HELP YOU....WE DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY OR THE LEADERSHIP TO DO ANYTHING FOR YOU. SO UNTIL WE ARE BACK ON TRACK YOU WILL HAVE TO SUCK IT UP AND TAKE CARE OF YOURSELVES. BTW MCCAIN DOES NOT HAVE THE CAPACITY TO DO THIS BECAUSE HE IS PART OF THE REASON WE LOST OUR POWER SO YOU BETTER HOPE AND PRAY THAT BARACK OBAMA WINS.

[Nooneyouknow]

Please stop yelling.

[Belisarius]

What country is first to Joe Lieberman? America? I don't think so.

However, Joe is entitled to his beliefs, opinions, and priorities.

But the hypocrisy is deafening.

[wdw101]

you must have meant joe liberalman, right?

[DoomtoNeoCons]

Liberal? Hardly.

[marm]

Joe Liberman implies that Obama does not put America first? That's rich, coming from a man who puts Israel's interest before everyone else's!

[ZimboChick]

ditto!