Remember the Bobby Womack classic, ‘where do we go from here’? If you don’t it was a major hit. The democratic party is at a turning point, whether to remain with the old or revive the party with a different agenda.
They stayed with the old and selected Tom Perez to Chair the Democratic National Committee, fractured under the leadership of Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Donna Brazile, both stepped down after attacks on Bernie Sanders (emails), and passing debate questions to Hilary against Donald Trump.
The huge issue confronting the party is whether to give in to the Keith Ellison, Bernie Sanders alliance that endorse a pro palestine policy. Ellison, who is the first Muslim elected to Congress, was against the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, along with Elizabeth Warren and Sanders. Warren says she backs a two state solution but has shown strong support for Israel.
Haim Saban, a strong financial backer and supporter of Israel, attacked Rep Ellison (D-Mn)as an anti-semite for his past association with Louis Farrakhan and the Nation of Islam. He later apologized for participating in the Million Man March and renounced Farrakhan.
Alan Dershowitz, a strong supporter of Israel and a party donor was another harsh critic of Ellison, especially on Jewish issues, according to a Washington Post article. In fact a day prior to the committee vote Dershowitz said he would leave the party if Ellison won. Well he lost by a vote of 235-200 in a race his supporters claimed was a classic smear campaign against their candidate.
Sanders retaliated on Monday saying Israel should end it’s 50-year occupation of Palestinian Territories. Talk like that doesn’t sit well with legislators like, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Dianne Feinstein, all voracious supporters of the state of Israel.But Muslims are learning the political game also, and they know it takes attractive politicians like Ellison, Sanders and Warren to bring about changes in the party base.
African Americans are well entrenched in the democratic party. Ever since Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act in 1965, Blacks have voted overwhelmingly democratic in every presidential election. And they strongly support the State of Israel, not just ordinary voters but so do the Congressional Black Caucus. This dedication goes all the way back to the early 1900’s, when that prominent civil rights organization known as the NAACP was formed, with the assistance of prominent Jews. To say there is a special Black-Jewish relationship is an understatement.
Ellison, has strong support from organizations like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and his Minnesota district which is predominately White. But if he wants to effect change on a national level he will have to attract Blacks, Hispanics and working class Whites to support liberal positions on healthcare, immigration and of course middle east policy.
American Muslims are participating more and more in the political process, not just by registering to vote but also organizing behind candidates who are open to change when it comes to the Israel-Palestine conflict, and other issues of concern like immigration and healthcare.
The moderate wing of the democratic party which includes Obama and Hilary loyalist, merged with pro-Israel supporters to elect Perez, who served under President Obama as Secretary of Labor.
Obama was a very charismatic candidate with great grassroots support that allowed him to win two terms. Overall, the democratic party has lost big time in mid-term elections and they need to turn this ship around. The Republicans now control the Senate and House of Representatives.
Maybe Tom Perez is the right man for the job. Time will tell.
hubiejones.com 