Podcast Summary
Divide among Democrats on Israel-Gaza conflict: Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel groups are intensifying efforts in US election, with potential impact on house primaries
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is becoming a significant issue in the upcoming US election, with Democratic primary voters showing a clear divide on the issue. While President Joe Biden has clinched the Democratic nomination for the presidency, there has been an emerging protest vote against his policies regarding Israel and Gaza. In the swing state of Wisconsin, for instance, over 8% of Democratic primary voters chose the uninstructed delegation option instead of Biden, which exceeded the margin of his victory over former President Donald Trump in the 2016 election. Pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel political groups are both intensifying their efforts, with the latter focusing on congressional races to protect "pro-Israel champions" from anti-Israel challengers. The issue is expected to play a more significant role in upcoming house primaries, potentially tipping the balance in some races.
2022 Democratic Primaries: Wealthy Republicans and Pro-Israel Democrats Target Progressive Members of Congress: Wealthy Republicans and pro-Israel Democrats are targeting progressive members of Congress, including those in 'The Squad', in the 2022 Democratic primaries, with a focus on candidates' positions on Israel-related issues.
The 2022 Democratic primaries are seeing intense focus from both wealthy Republican donors and pro-Israel Democrats on defeating progressive members of Congress, including those in "The Squad." This was exemplified in the primary race between Pennsylvania representative-elect Summer Lee and her opponent, Baveni Patel. Lee, the first black woman to represent Pennsylvania in the house, has taken positions at odds with the majority of Democrats on Israel-related issues, including opposing a resolution in support of Israel after an attack and canceling an appearance with a Muslim advocacy group due to anti-Semitic remarks by some speakers. Patel used this record to fuel her campaign, despite being less funded and organized. This is the first in a series of primaries where this dynamic is playing out, with groups like Democratic Majority for Israel already backing challengers to other Squad members. The Squad's allies, including liberal activist groups, are pushing back, framing AIPAC as a powerful pro-Israel lobby that has moved further right and aligned itself with Republican donors. AIPAC, in turn, endorses candidates based on their position on strengthening the US-Israel relationship.
Primary races in Pennsylvania influenced by Israel and party loyalty: Progressive activists and a Democratic group endorse primary challengers over Israel and party loyalty differences, while opponents argue against using Israel as a determining factor in elections, and concerns over potential Republican donor involvement persist.
The primary races within the Democratic Party in Pennsylvania, specifically between Summer Lee and her opponent, are being influenced by differing views on Israel and loyalty to the Democratic Party. APAC, a Democratic group, has endorsed primary challengers to Bush and Bowman, and spokesman Marshall Whitman emphasized their support for Israel aligns with progressive values. However, Lee and her supporters argue that criticism of Israel should not be a determining factor in elections, especially in a swing state like Pennsylvania. Lee's opponent, Patel, launched her campaign before the October 7th attack but has since used the opportunity to contrast her position on Israel and her loyalty to the Democratic Party. Progressive activists are concerned about potential Republican donor involvement in these races, as they see efforts to force out progressive Democrats as detrimental to the party's success in November. Ultimately, the question of who is welcome in the Democratic Party's tent remains unanswered in this year's elections.
Outside spending in Democratic primaries in diverse districts: Outside spending in Democratic primaries, especially in racially and religiously diverse districts, can be a contentious issue due to potential alignment differences between spenders and the progressive wing of the party. Jewish population and history of anti-Semitic incidents add complexity to the issue in districts like Pittsburgh's.
Outside spending in Democratic primaries, particularly in racially and religiously diverse districts like the one in Pittsburgh, can be a contentious issue. The largest outside spenders in recent races, such as the one in the Lee Patel campaign, are often funded by individuals or groups that may not align with the Democratic Party's progressive wing. For instance, the "moderate pack" in the Lee Patel race is largely funded by Jeffrey Yass, a wealthy Republican donor and pro-Israel supporter. This has led some progressives to accuse outside forces of trying to meddle with Democratic campaigns. The district's Jewish population and recent history of anti-Semitic incidents add complexity to the issue, as some voters prioritize the continued existence of Israel as a Jewish state while others question the cost of supporting it. A retired coal miner and public school teacher named Kip Dawson, who is Jewish and supports Patel, expressed empathy for the Jewish community's concerns but also acknowledged the divide over the issue's cost. The conversation around outside spending in Democratic primaries in diverse districts highlights the need for candidates to address these concerns and find a balance between their progressive agendas and the diverse needs of their constituents.
Jewish voters prioritize Israel's protection as a top concern: Jewish voters in specific districts prioritize Israel's protection, fearing for its existence due to current geopolitical climate.
For Jewish voters in certain districts, the protection of Israel is a top, if not the number one, issue determining their vote. According to NPR political correspondent Susan Davis, she's had numerous one-on-one conversations in a Jewish neighborhood, and the fear for the state of Israel's existence is a present and visceral concern, even if they disagree with its actions. This sentiment is particularly strong due to the current geopolitical climate. This episode was produced by Mark Rivers and Kai McNamee, edited by Jeanette Woods and Kelsey Snell, and executive produced by Sammie Yenigun. Support for this podcast comes from ADP, designing forward-thinking solutions for businesses, and Integrative Therapeutics, offering clinician-curated supplements on Amazon.
