July 20, 2004

Jewish Dems Chalenge Bush/Cheney to Jewish Community Debates Nationwide

Listed in: Other Domestic Policy, NJDC News, Press Releases

 

MORE THAN 20 CONGRESSIONAL DEMOCRATS JOIN CHALLENGE

Washington, DC: The National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) today challenged the Bush/Cheney campaign to a series of issue debates in Jewish communities across the country. The NJDC announced that more than 20 Democratic members of the U.S. House and Senate have agreed to participate in debates in key battleground states; additionally, invitations are being sent today to Jewish Community Relations Councils and other Jewish institutions across the country to host the debates.

"The American Jewish community deserves an open debate about the issues of deep concern to the American Jewish community -- about the very real differences that exist between the two presidential tickets," said National Jewish Democratic Council Executive Director Ira N. Forman. "Republicans have mounted an aggressive effort inside the Jewish community to misrepresent Senator John Kerry's deep, time-tested commitment to Israel's security. At the same time, the GOP and its representatives in the Jewish community have tried to steer clear of discussing domestic issues, where the Kerry/Edwards ticket shares the positions of the vast majority of American Jews. NJDC always welcomes opportunities in the Jewish community to disseminate the facts and rebut the smokescreens. The time has come to squarely address the issues -- to talk about the facts, and put the rumors and aspersions to bed," said Forman.

"More than 20 members of the House and Senate have agreed to join NJDC staff at locations in battleground states across the country over the next three months, for two-on-two debates at a variety of Jewish institutions and venues. We invite the Bush/Cheney campaign to provide elected officials and other Republicans who will step up and join us in providing the Jewish community what the community deserves -- a genuine debate about the facts, not about distortions," Forman added.

Members of Congress who are part of the NJDC debate challenge include:

Sen. Frank Lautenberg (NJ)
Rep. Gary Ackerman (NY)
Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV)
Rep. Howard Berman (CA)
Rep. Ben Cardin (MD)
Rep. Susan Davis (CA)
Rep. Rahm Emanuel (IL)
Rep. Bob Filner (CA)
Rep. Barney Frank (MA)
Rep. Steve Israel (NY)
Rep. Sander Levin (MI)
Rep. Nita Lowey (NY)
Rep. Jerrold Nadler (NY)
Rep. Steve Rothman (NJ)
Rep. Jan Schakowsky (IL)
Rep. Adam Schiff (CA)
Rep. Brad Sherman (CA)
Rep. Henry Waxman (CA)
Rep. Anthony Weiner (NY)
Rep. Robert Wexler (FL)
Former Rep. Mel Levine (CA)