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KAHNTENTIONS

KAHNTENTIONS is a blog post written by Gilbert N. Kahn, Professor of Political Science at Kean University in Union, New Jersey. Beginning in 2011 KAHNTENTIONS was hosted by the New Jersey Jewish News which recently ceased written publication. KAHNTENTIONS presents an open and intellectually honest analysis of issues facing the United States, Israel, as well as Jews world-wide.

BY GILBERT N. KAHN

"These are the times that try men's souls."

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Progressives Are Overplaying Their Cards


The Progressive wing of the Democratic Party is too ambitious. The consequences of their overreach could well redound to long-term problems for the Party. It is unlikely they will achieve very much of consequence but in their zeal to win a battle through aggressive confrontations they could drive the Democratic Party into a major retreat; something the nation can ill-afford at this time. As he did with regard to so many human traits, Shakespeare got it right about ambition versus honor.


For politicians, it is one thing to try to modify an agenda. Change eventually comes in American politics when there is internal movement. Historically, extremist movements do not last. While Donald Trump and his followers are giving American democracy a run for its money, if this Republic survives, Trump will only be a footnote in the political history of the nation; admittedly a very scary one. On the other extreme, recent events have begun to suggest that the progressive Democrats may well have begun to push themselves into a corner which could drive the Democratic Party out of office for some to come.


Unlike Senator Elizabeth Warren who has stuck to her principles but has largely remained out of the limelight, Senator Bernie Sanders appears willing to go to the mat in his fight with President Biden and the Democratic moderates. It is in the House of Representatives, however, that the wheels are turning most actively and towards producing truly destructive results. The eventual resolution on the $3.5 trillion human needs’ portion of the Administration’s infrastructure package remains to be truly negotiated, regardless of what some of the Members are espousing. If, however, the first portion of the infrastructure program--$1 trillion for roads, bridges, tunnels, etc.—does not get through the House of Representatives quickly, the entire Biden agenda will go up in smoke. Eventually, some type of reconciliation bill will pass the Senate, but it too could be endangered if the House progressives are not prepared to accept much less than what they are demanding.


At the same time the Squad’s efforts last week to block the proposed aid package for Israel of $1 billion worth of replacement Iron Dome weapons was not only foolish politics but displayed aggressive attacks on the Democratic Party leadership. It suggested a growing sense of anti-Semitism among some of the progressives which ought to be flagged and not covered up.


The issue of the rights of the Palestinians and/or Israeli occupation of the West Bank can be debated. To continue to allege that the Israeli Government is an apartheid regime is pointless and biased politics. Israel had used the Iron Dome defense system during its confrontation with Hamas in May. Thousands of people—Arabs as well as Jews-- were protected by this remarkable system which intercepted hundreds of Hamas rockets that were launched from Gaza. The fact that the Iron Dome system worked so effectively obviated Israel’s possible need to launch a ground offensive against Hamas; an event which would have endangered a very large number of Palestinians. Questioning Israeli offensive actions showed ignorance concerning the function of Iron Dome or it was blatant anti-Semitism—or both.


Politically speaking, the conduct of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortes—who appeared to lead the progressive opposition—was self-serving. Her public displays of self-promotion--discussing her calls to the leadership, crying after second guessing her “present” vote on the Iron Dome appropriations bill, and her weekend letter to her constituents—did little to help the cause of the Palestinians. It also added to hostility within the Democratic Party for the progressive wing. At the same time, it gave additional fodder for Republicans to throw at the Democrats in the 2022 congressional election.


The Democratic Party leadership needs to quickly find a way to get the progressive wing to stop sabotaging President Biden’s agenda. Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her colleagues also should support those responsible Members of this group who are supporting policy objectives without engaging in prejudice and bias. Party leaders would never tolerate a situation if the progressives were engaging in outrageous sexist, homophobic, and racist allegations. The leaders need to invoke immediately party discipline on the infrastructure bill and the cessation of anti-Semitic allegations against Israel and supporters of Israel. A failure to adhere to such a message will send the Democratic Party into the wilderness.

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