Members of the “squad” — a group of liberals in the House — are being singled out by pro-Israel PACs like the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, better known as AIPAC. The groups have pledged or plan to spend tens of millions of dollars to try to defeat them in Democratic primaries and the general election this year, turning the otherwise safely Democratic districts into election battlegrounds.
The cohort of Black and brown lawmakers is facing what they see as an “existential threat” to their political careers
. It’s a struggle that raises significant questions about who can be a Democrat in Congress, what positions are permissible about Israel and the Palestinians, and what role outside groups should have in determining both.
Unlike in previous cycles, progressives are being bolstered more and more by Arab American and Muslim groups who are organizing in record numbers to ensure their voices are heard on Capitol Hill.
AIPAC has defended its track record, telling the AP in a statement that “it is entirely consistent with progressive values to stand with the Jewish state,” and that the group has a history of supporting members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus.
Hussein Dabajeh, a Dearborn resident and Democratic consultant, said there’s been an active effort in the community to financially support not only Tlaib, but any lawmakers who have called for a cease-fire in Gaza.
Here are the top political news stories for today.
I have found Ilhan Omar’s comments about Jews and Israel deeply offensive and anti-Semitic. There are many countries that either pose grave danger to us or are wildly repressive of their own people or both. Omar and Tlaib rarely speak of America’s policies as to these places.
@CheetahJasmineDemocrat2yrs2Y
Allow me to remind us all what Mr. Omar said about Israel (not "the Jews", and actually, more about Congress than about Israel):
"We see this massive spending bill. The same one we pass every year. It gives bajillions of bucks to Israel, to do whatever Israel does. I think maybe its time we stop rubber-stamping this thing and ask ourselves, seek to discover, what it is that Israel actually does with this money, and decide (each time such a bill comes before us) if this money, those Israeli actions, redound to America's benefit. Okay?"
The horror! The anti-semitism! How can we go on!?
Could you, if you would, describe Omar's "hate-filled agenda"?
@UnanimousDunbirdGreen2yrs2Y
When the agenda of the Israeli government (not necessarily the people, just as in this nation) dominates discussion of American Mid-east politics, other drowned out voices might feel frustrated, even angry when they know Palestinian lives are being lost and subjugated for decades now. So yes, Tlaib has used an anti-semitic trope in her outrage, but she also apologized, unlike many other Politicians who hurl racist comments on a weekly if not daily basis. She needs to do better. However, her message challenging blind American support of the Israel government deserves attention.
@BoastfulPoliticGreen2yrs2Y
While I don't believe the Squad truly represents the future of the Democratic Party, I do believe they foreshadow a progressive movement overall, similar to what the Tea Party did for the Republican Party. And that's a good thing, because the Democrats have been pushed far to the right under the Clinton Third Way Doctrine, abandoning its former constituency, the working and middle class. Ironically, despite its heightened focus on winning over people of color, the policies they pursued showed they only gave lip service to the concerns of the people their rhetoric claimed they wanted… Read more
@MurkySaltSocialist2yrs2Y
We need to support them, protect them and call out the status quo leaders of the Democratic Party. The future is not Vice President Biden. We need real change for working and middle class people, those of color, our marginalized and most of all for the planet!
@PassionateSyrupDemocrat2yrs2Y
It’s hard to overstate how insignificant “the squad” is outside of narrow worldview of left-leaning media. Except for Fox News, of course, which keeps the squad - especially AOC - front and center with daily content that does immense favors for Trump. There is nothing noble about being “unapologetic’ about ideas and statements the require balance and a respectful deference to other perspectives. Nor is there anything remarkable about youthful politicians routinely blurting out statements that should have been more considered. I’m most troubled, however,… Read more
@RightW1ngRiceDemocrat2yrs2Y
I cannot for the life of me understand why anyone thinks Rashida Tlaib is a radical. She is calm, well reasoned and advocates simple human rights. No chants calling for locking up political opponents here, no denigration of anyone not a supporter. These are the same values Democrats and even some Republicans supported back in the 1960's.
@DeficitKenGreen2yrs2Y
It’s amazing how men are so threatened by strong women of color. The comments in this section remind me that the changing power structure in this country is clearly upsetting one group of white men and they are desperately trying to be the loudest voices in the room and Russian bots are amplifying them. I believe these women represent what is great about this country. They represent our future and I will support them every step of the way.
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
@ISIDEWITH2yrs2Y
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