In “a shot across President Obama’s bow,” Democratic former Mayor Ed Koch urged voters in Queens and Brooklyn to make “history” by voting for the Republican candidate to replace randy ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner in the Sept. 13 special election—as a protest against the White House’s policy on Israel.
Koch—a staunch ally of Israel—said he would “vote for Bob Turner” if the Republican-Conservative candidate backs Israel and opposes cutbacks to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.
“If Jewish New Yorkers and others who support Israel were to turn away from the Democratic Party in that congressional election and elect the Republican candidate to Congress in 2011, it might very well cause President Obama to change his hostile position on the state of Israel and to re-establish the special relationship presidents before him had supported,” Koch said in his weekly commentary.
He is furious with Obama over the president’s public push to get Israel to use its 1967 borders as a starting point for negotiations over a Palestinian state.
Koch also said he’s upset with Obama for considering trimming Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to get a deficit/debt reduction agreement with the GOP.
Koch’s comments are an early headache for Assemblyman David Weprin, the Democratic candidate handpicked to replace Weiner, who resigned in disgrace amid a scandal.
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9 Responses
I never liked Koch, but now I’m beginning to re-think that position.
I still don’t like Koch, but even a broken clock is correct twice a day.
This is just continuing Koch’s grudge from the 1982 gubernatorial primary when Weprin’s father endorsed Cuomo over Koch.
I always liked Koch, but now I’m beginning to re-think that position.
He has fallen for the Republican-promoted (and Republican-serving) falsehood that President Obama’s policies are a threat to the security of the State of Israel. That is a big lie, complete nonsense, unfounded, wrong and a big lie. US policy since 1948 has helped to keep the State of Israel alive and free – a considerable feat in light of all its enemies and all their material resources – but US policy has not been followed by peace between the State of Israel and its neighboring enemies.
The pessimists believe that Israel’s enemies are incorrigible, constitutionally undemocratic and constitutionally anti-Semitic. But recent developments in the Middle East suggest that Israel’s Arab neighbors may have realized that Israel is not the source of their problems, and that peace with Israel would free up their resources for their own betterment. President Obama recognizes this, and he is wise to encourage and support a change in the Arab attitude toward Israel and to seek ways to establish peace and permanent borders for Israel and its neighbors, including the currently stateless Arabs of Mandatory Palestine. He has made it clear that the US stands behind Israel whether or not the Arabs seek new, more democratic governments for themselves and peaceful relations with Israel. He has made it clear that the right of the State of Israel to exist is beyond question.
I am not sure what drives Mr. Koch to his current position. He may miss the spotlight of his mayoralty, and with the limited attention he now gets in his private life, the sound of his own wheels has made him crazy.
If Comment No. 3 is correct, he has given – in one short sentence – a better explanation than anyone else, especially that verbose guy who calls himself nfgo3, of Mr. Koch’s endorsement of the non-Weprin candidate for the 9th Congressional District of New York.
nfgo3, are you talking to yourself, or are you a troll who forgot what screenname he’s posting under?
I don’t really think it matters why you shouldn’t vote for Weprin. The important thing is to send the Dems and Obama a strong message and VOTE REPUBLICAN. You’ll probably be better off anyway with a Republican instead of a Lib.
Charlie Hall and nfgo3 even your own liberals are getting sick of obama. Your liberal dream is shattering right in front of your eyes. Your messiah has wrecked the economy and our country. Thanks to your misguided massed up policies unemployment is up again. Obama a otter failure. We will send him packing.
No. 6: If you are suggesting that I am an alter ego of “charliehall,” I can assure you that I am not. And, fyi, I have been called far worse.
And, yes, I am the guy who posted comments 4 and 5. My comment 5 criticism of myself in comment no. 4 is a great example of my abudant humility and unbounded hilarity.