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Subscribe to RSSJust hours before the Republican National Convention played a campaign video Wednesday night showing Mitt Romney at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, his single-biggest financial backer -- billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson -- made a rare public appearance, telling reporters at a Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) event that the GOP presidential candidate is “very pro-Israel” and is “going to defend what he thinks is best for the relationship” between Israel and the United States.
Sheldon Adelson and wife Miriam arrive at the Republican Jewish Coalition's event in Tampa on August 29th, 2012. Adelson is greeted by U.S. Senate candidate Ted Cruz, of Texas.
But Adelson, who with his wife has given $10 million to the pro-Romney Restore Our Future super PAC, never had the chance to expand on his views about the Middle East or respond to questions about his mega donations to the GOP cause. As soon as the frail but feisty 79-year-old chairman of the Las Vegas Sands Corp. sat down -- after making a grand entrance clutching a cane and assisted by his Israeli-born wife -- RJC coalition organizers chased away members of the media, repeatedly shouting: “The event is over! We’re going to close this down!”
(Later that evening, a producer with the radio show Democracy Now sought to question Adelson — being accompanied by Karl Rove — while he was being taken by wheel chair to a fourth floor corporate skybox at the convention. In an incident caught on videotape here, the producer, Mike Burke, reported that a woman identified as Adelson’s daughter grabbed his camera, took it into the skybox and threw it on the ground. Burke said the daughter later apologized.)
Lior Mizrahi / Getty Images
U.S. gaming tycoon Sheldon Adelson and his wife Miriam arrive to hear Republican presidential candidate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney delivers foreign policy remarks on July 29, 2012 in Jerusalem, Israel.
The brief appearance by Adelson came at a spirited event where top members of Congress rubbed elbows with wealthy GOP donors and “Obama ... Oy Vey!” buttons were freely distributed to attendees. At the same time, new details emerged about Adelson’s role in steering supersize checks to groups working to defeat the president and elect Republican members of Congress.
Shortly before Adelson arrived, celebrity rabbi Shmuley Boteach, author of “Kosher Sex” and a one-time spiritual adviser to Michael Jackson who is now running as a Republican candidate for Congress from New Jersey, boasted that Adelson and his wife had recently given $500,000 to “my super PAC” and that they were “heroes of our community.”
Boteach later told reporters that he had then dined with Adelson this week during the RNC convention. “Well, I mean, look they’re friends,” he said of Adelson and his wife. “They don’t need me to tell them where to give their money. They’re very savvy political donors.”
As for the super PAC, called “Patriot Prosperity PAC,” Boteach at first said that, while “we obviously don’t have any contact with them,” it was “set up by the professionals who run my campaign.”
NBC's Michael Isikoff reports on Republican VP pick Paul Ryan's meeting last night in Las Vegas with some big-dollar GOP donors, including casino tycoon Sheldon Adelson, for a private talk about the campaign.
Although the half-million dollar donation by Adelson and his wife to the “Patriot Prosperity PAC” had already been reported, Boteach’s reference to “my super PAC” and his reference to it being “set up” by his campaign “professionals” seemed to raise fresh questions about whether the donations complied with federal election laws. Those laws bar campaign committees from coordinating their activities with supposedly independent super PACs -- which are allowed to take unlimited donations.
But when pressed by reporters about his comments about the origins of the group, the rabbi corrected himself.
“No, no, no, no, no, no, no,” he said when asked if his campaign staff had set up the super PAC donations. “Let’s not pull me into something that I am not -- I said the people who run my campaign are the ones who tell me what we’re allowed to do and what we’re not allowed to do. And we are allowed to tell the people who support us that if they want to support us, there was a super PAC. And that’s what we did. That’s exactly what I meant.”
Adelson’s contributions in the 2012 election --- now, combined with those of his wife, total more than $40 million -- have stirred controversy, in part because of his hardline views on Israel (he is a close friend of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu) but also because of ongoing federal investigations into his gambling empire over allegations that it has paid bribes to Chinese officials.
Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, a candidate for U.S. Congress from New Jersey, discusses Sheldon Adelson's gift to the Super PAC supporting Boteach's campaign.
Also this week, Bloomberg News reported that Adelson’s Sands Corp. -- which generates more than half of its multibillion-dollar revenues from four casinos in Macau -- could see its profits soar if Romney were elected and fulfills his pledge to demand that China loosen currency restrictions, allowing the value of the yuan to rise against the dollar.
Adelson’s appearance was the highlight of the RJC event -- partly sponsored by Comcast (owner of NBC News) -- which was attended by other big GOP donors such as hedge fund billionaire Paul Singer. Also present: GOP Sens. John Thune of South Dakota and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, and Reps. Michele Bachmann of Minnesota, Allen West of Florida, Ed Royce of California and Renee Ellmers of North Carolina.
The event -- briefly interrupted by two protesters who loudly denounced Israeli policies towards the Palestinians and were quickly evicted -- was marked by multiple denunciations of Obama’s policies to Israel.
“I don’t know how there are any Democratic Jews,” said GOP Rep. Billy Long of Missouri. “The way the president has treated [Israeli Prime Minister] Bibi Netanyahu and the land of Israel, I don’t know how any Democratic Jew can still be a Democrat.”
NBC’s Jamie Novogrod also contributed to this story.
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Looks like the GOP has their own George Soros.
My guess is when the election is over and Obama is re-elected, Sheldon Adelson might realize there are some things money just cannot buy. We need to change the laws again to keep guys like Sheldon Adelson from trying to buy his power.
The republicans new saying seems to be " Greed Is Good "
Sorry, money does not buy my vote.
Obama/Biden 2012
We need campaign finance reform in this country. We are one step shy, if not there already, of corruption on a huge level.
Billionaires should have a voice, but shouldn't be able to "buy" elections.
Eric
McCain-Fingold WAS campaign finance reform.
What's the matter? Change your mind?
Conservatives said it was stupid. Are you an election death-bed conversion to a conservative view?
Our current president lied about taking federal funds when he was running. He changes his mind because he knows he can collect and spend more than any previous American had ever spent to gain the presidency. Now all of his supporters see him losing the donation race and say "we need campaign finance reform". Too bad folks, you can't have it both ways. Quit your whining and give the clown some more of your hard earned money if you have any spare change after his policies have failed to get us back on track.
Yes we could use some type of refrom, but until the democrats quit making public sector union workers pay dues that end up in the campaigns of of democrats STFU. Public sector union workers are paid with tax payer dollars. Not all tax payers are democrats.
JH-
And of course, huge profits from corporations that underpay their labor, here and abroad, and use money from foreign donors and tax loopholes to influence US policy is OK though.
Speak Mandarin much? Better learn. FAST! I wonder if Corporations, being people, speak Chinese???
To me this proves one thing !!!!!!
If Mittens gets elected we are screwed for sure !!!! He will back Israel to the hilt and we along with the rest of the world are doomed . It has often been said that WW 111 will start in the middle east . Now I am sure of it if he gets elected . Say what you will or want about me !!!! But I still believe Mr. Mittens is a dangerous man if elected to the Presidency . True I am not a big fan of Obama , but he appears to be the lesser of the two evils to me.
bob
Yeah, like freedom from prosecution for his illegal dealings in China. Maybe he can get a comfy cell next to some of his mob buddies.
More US aid pouring into Israel by the billions! No word from our Politicians about cutting aid to Countries who suck us dry!
Nothing but Medicare, Medicaid and Entitlements. So somehow Israel doesn't consider this an entitlement.
Over the red herrings..
if they force the yuan up against the dollar; you would see more American manufacturing being built over here, next put a social security tax on all imported goods, of 7%, to make up the loss in social security revenue lost by shipping American jobs overseas.
The GOP is blatantly selling this election.
They only pay the barest lip service to the "separation" requirement for super-PAC's. And when called on it, their excuse is "well, Democrats do it, too".
LIE, LIE, LIE
And it's okay with people like ContemptMe that they're brashly breaking the law? That's really who you want to run your country?
RealAmerican
The democrats DO do it too. LIE, LIE, LIE, but they do more often.
ContemptMe
It is fun being rich isn't it. I just wish the cost of fuel would go down so I could fill the yacht more often and go cruising with my good friend John Kerry. That SOB bought a foreign made SAIL boat. He must have had insider information about Obama's policies and their affect on fuel prices. Next year will be better.
1/20/2013 - the end of an error
GOPlies - You are real up to date on the loony left talking points. Get some new ones.
Nothing uglier than a bunch of scuz balls buying an agenda with ill gotten money. Tells who and what the republicans really are though. The value of the Yuan will rise against the dollar when the Chinese leadership decrees such to be in their best interests, aside from anything Mitt Romney might say. Adelson is nothing short of a deluded old fool. Let us all now bow and curtsy in the direction of the SCOTUS for their support of this crap.
Guess it didn't take much for Boteach, the religious scam artist, to con the drug addict Michael Jackson, out of millions.....
.......Now, that's spiritual!
Adelson isn't backing Romney because he believes Romney is the better pick for America. He backs him because he might make more money under Romney. Adelson is a scumbag piece of @!$%#.
Here are the top ten recipients of U.S. aid, both military and economic, in fiscal 2011, as estimated by CRS: Afghanistan: $4.1 billion; Israel: $2.8 billion; Pakistan: $18 billion; Haiti: $1.8 billion; Egypt: $1.6 billion; Iraq: $1.1 billion; Jordan: $843 million; Mexico: $758 million; Kenya: $688 million; and Nigeria: $615 million.
US Tax payers paid every penny of this, upfront! I make 86 thousand a year roughly and pay around 28% in taxes. I have no issues paying for Infrastructure, or even Health Care but why must I pay foreign aid? Tax payers should be able to opt out!
Almost every post I want to start out by saying the liberals are desperate. They are throwing everything including the kitchen sink out there hoping something will stick. Liberals, you are only preaching to yourselves. Your hook and crook verbiage is not working... While you are totally convinced that Romney is this guy you want to hang high at noon, it doesn't jive. What you are really saying is... I don't want Obama to lose. What is this fixation about Obama that keeps drawing you in? Have you actually been honest with yourselves and asked that question? You totally overlook the obvious - that Obama is totally screwing up this country... and you are a willing participant in it and have made the decision that It's Obama at any cost... even the cost of our country.
With people like you liberals, blinded, mindless drones, no wonder our country is in as much trouble as it is.
Hey Brian---You probably would like to see George W. be allowed a third term. After all, he did such a great job, right? He really controlled spending. He only added trillions to the debt. Please don't call us Liberals again, it really hurts bad. Not! Say something good about your puppet Romney. What is that you say? Yeah right, there isn't anything to say. He's a Kock sucker pure and simple but what does that make you? I guess you get seconds.
Once again I say " Think what you want and say what you will ".
Politics is the dirtiest most corrupt game in town bar none !!!! That goes from election of your local dog catcher all the way up to the election of a president !!!!!!! Come on now !! We must get the money OUT of POLITICS PERIOD !!!!!
bob
Hey Tom, Yreka - you can kiss my a$$. While you blame Bush, you fail to even recognize the democrat controlled congress and senate that he had to contend with during the last 2 years of his presidency... The actual time when the economy went to pot. You do realize that it's congress that spends the money and makes the rules for all sectors, such as housing and banking... or did that little tid bit of civics escape your limited attention?
As far as your immature insults... all I have to say is: Typical liberal.
GOP Lies and distortion factory - you wouldn't recognize a cogent sentence if it reached up and bit you on the nose.
Brianb-999431
It's not desperation liberals feel, at least I don't, it's frustration to hear the baldface lies Republicans are getting away with telling at their convention. There were at least four lies in Paul Ryan's speech, that I heard some journalists duly note, but forgive in the name of "political rhetoric." They are so excited about Ryan's "youthful energy" because they hope it increases the ratings on this clown show, the TV pundits are forgiving Ryan his penchent for telling lies.
1) Ryan blamed President Obama for a GM plant closing in Janesville, that began before Obama was even inaugurated.
2) Ryan criticized Obama's stimulus spending, when the record shows, Ryan lobbied for stimulus money for his district, and the major success stories of businesses in his state were due to an assist from federal money.
3) Ryan criticized Obama for sending Bowles -Simpson "on its way", but Ryan was ON that committee, and subsequently voted against the bill that would have implemented it's recommendation.
4) Ryan lambasted Obama for 700 billion in Medicare cuts, the same cuts his plan would keep, even as the Affordable Health Care bill would be repealed.
Contemptible - more of the top 1% are Democrats than Republicans so there are many liberals who are rich!
Obama/Biden 2012
Amy said: It's not desperation liberals feel, at least I don't, it's frustration to hear the baldface lies Republicans are getting away with telling at their convention.
Amy I'll tell you what. Next week is the Democratic Convention. I'm going to be watching... only because I want to see the lies and distortion they produce during their speeches. I am particularly going to be paying attention to Joe Biden and Barak Obama. Let's see who tells the most lies.
For your information, what Ryan said about the GM plant is correct. The Obama arm of the main stream media lied about it. The plant was still in operation in 2010 when it shut down after Obama said he would help to keep it running... chalk off one lie the liberals are claiming. The information is out there if only one honest liberal would care to look it up. I found it... that means liberals can find it too.
Hey GOP L&D F,
I rather enjoyed your list of the members of the dependent class, all of those that need the hard working, innovative and self-responsible people from whom your ideal government will confiscate their resources and give them to you you so that you can sit home, rant and demonstrate the result of your victimization by the government/union run education system with your stupefying ignorance.
But you left off one BIG group and that would be government employees. By the way, for the record, from which of those groups do you hail? Only fair that we all know.
GOP lies and distortion said: Is that what Faux Noize, Beckerhead, Fatbo, Boortz and Lush told you say??
Buh bye... another liberal goes the way of seeking sanity... to the ignore file. That's where all moronic liberals end up since they can't help themselves from failing to be human.
Hey Brian...find a job yet, or are you getting used to American taxpayers supporting you... Freeloader.
Never ceases to amaze me that, no matter how many sources PROVE that the GOP leadership is just lying through their teeth, people believe it anyway.
Paul Ryan Republican speech 'contained errors'
They hide their assets and the payoffs they're getting from a handful of billionaires and corporations. Romney won't even show his tax returns.
And yet people "just trust them" and believe they're going to do what they claim?
Fools.
Brianb "you fail to even recognize the democrat controlled congress and senate that he had to contend with during the last 2 years of his presidency.."
and you fail to even recognize the republican controlled congress that Obama has had to contend with during the last 2 years of his presidency.. you can't have it both ways.
Yeah, it's real tough when a president uses a veto 10 times during those years. You'd think that was a record or something.
BTW Forrest. Obama signed everything into law that Bush stopped in March of 2009.
BrianB - You don't care about the truth you just spin it to fit your agenda. You fail to even post believable lies - they're all the GOP rhetoric which has been torn down and proved to be nothing more than lies over and over again.
But go ahead and vote for a group of people who'd just as soon walk over you on the street than shake your hand - oh except right now of course, it is election season!
Obama/Biden 2012
If only Romney were as pro-American as he is pro-Israel! Are we electing the POTUS or the president of Israel?
Grover, I tend to agree. Anyone who looks at the strategies of Fascists trying to gain power whether in Spain, Italy, Germany or the USA the tactics include just what we are seeing from today's Republican party and it's leadership. The once grand old party of Lincoln, T. Roosevelt and Dwight Eishenhower is dead and, alas, replaced by a party no longer grand. It is certainly not grand. It is much smaller than the Democratic party as people have left because of the power of the tparty and the rwnj that are running it. Neither is it old as the Democratic party is much older.
Early in our nation's history we moved from the Conservative (love the king and his methods) to a more liberal stance with the death of the Federalist party and the birth of the Whigs. In the middle of the 19th Century we continued to move more in a liberal direction and the Whigs were replaced by a new party called the Republican party. It was primarily an anti-slavery party that kept much of the Whigism but with a more liberal bent. Meanwhile, the Democratic Republican party of Thomas Jefferson became more liberal and ultimately dropped the Republican part of their name. The Republican party was often more liberal than the Democrats until the 1960s when the civil rights and voting rights laws were passed into effect and signed by a Southerner, Lyndon Johnson. Bigots and those who favored a more conservative outlook became Dixicrats if they lived in the South and Republicans if they lived in the North. Eventually the Democrats became more progressive and the Republicans began to stagnate and even go into retrograde bringing us back to a period where the parties flipped assuming the role of the former Dixicrats and Democrats even further back before FDR and Truman where the KKK openly were allowed to do thier thing. It was Joe McCarthy, a representative of Wisconsin (what is wrong in Wisconsin, anyway) who ruined the careers of many good people by lying and falsely accusing them of being Communists.
Instead of making laws that are fair to everyone the current Republicans want Constitutional amendments banning abortion, flag burning and a bunch of other silly things. If they won't give us what we want we'll cram it down their throats just like with prohibition. The Constitution is deliberately hard to amend to avoid whims of whichever faction is in control at any given time. Had it been easy we would already have a tome of a document instead of the well written, well thought out, document it has been for centuries.
If main stream Republicans want their party back they need to reclaim it fast. They need to oust the Fascist wannabes or they can start a new party, like the right has done in the past, and maybe even think of a cool name for it. Either way it would still not be grand nor old.
Romney will take the money from the Jews and leave them in the lurch just like he did with all the companies when he was with Bain. If you've spent much time around Mormons, you would know they don't like the Jews any more then they like African Americans or Latino. Just the fact of the matter. But, they will take their money, that's for sure. The amount is out of line, but considering the Right Wing Supreme court and it's ruling on Citizen's United, what did everyone expect? This country is being run by the corporations and don't you know, their people too.
The republicans new saying seems to be " Greed Is Good "ROGER 785733
Its sad to see the GOP & Mitt sell their souls to the devil!
Fox News had this to say about Paul Ryan's convention speech on August 29th, 2012
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2012/08/30/paul-ryans-speech-in-three-words/#ixzz254a2euWo
Whenever we catch a GOP/Republican/Conservative/TeaBagger in a LIE we can post:
(This should become even more popular than "Bend it like Beckham", given how man more GOP/Republican/Conservative/TeaBagger LIARS there are versus soccer players world-wide. Can't throw a dead cat without hittin' a Lyin Ryan!)
Forty Million Dollars is a very good investment for a chance to make Billions with the GOP deregulation legislation he will get if Romney wins. A drop in the bucket for an ocean of money. I'm living in a pitiful time for the American people. The "Party of God" (GOP) is out to take every penny from the poor and middle classes and make Billions for the wealthy. A very sad time indeed.
I wonder what he gave Rabbi Smuckly to say something nice
So the major issue if you are Jewish and American is Israel. Not what is good for America. Seems to me that if an American citizen feels that Isreal is mor important they should move to Israel. Last I looked it was not the 51st state.
History will show that the Citizens United ruling was the downfall of democracy in this country. We need a constitutional amendment. I think to donate to a political campaign you must be 1) a citizen, and 2) limit contributions to $2500 per individual per election.
A side benefit would be less political ads on TV. Whoopee!
It used to be a persons's opinion and financial contribution mattered. No more. Opinions are overwhelmed by campaign rhetoric, much of it blatantly false, and a $25 contribution is absurd in the face of this kind of political funding. Yes, it needs to change, for the sake of both parties and especially for the sake of our brand of American Democracy.
Write your Congressman and Senator. Let them know you want campaign finance reform. This is ridiculous.
Are these the same Jewish people that were upset about the Mormon's Baptism of the Dead? Now they have FlipFlopped over to Wrongme's side? That sheet must be contagious.
It is a sad time in our history, when buying politicians and offices is nothing more than an auction.
Clearly a lot of people have little understanding about who the Jews are.
The Jews are people just like any other. They too have gone their own way regardless of what their scriptures and teachers say. They also have teachers that will bend what is in their scriptures to mean what they want it to mean.
By their own teachings, you would think they would be republican, but in reality, they are more democrat. Key issues to most of them are Abortion (pro) womens rights, and giving back to the community. Israel is not a big issue.
DB- What you say might be true of most Jewish people, but the Zionists are the ones who are making their presence noticed and they are the ones lobbting for a war with Iran. That war would be fought and paid for by Americans, not Israeli Jews.
You forgot to mention that Jewish Americans are also strongly for increased immigration and relaxed immigration laws in this country. However, in Israel, they are for no immigration if you are not Jewish. Kind of a double standard, don't you think?
It is Zionist Jews like Eric Cantor and Steny Hoyer, who wrote a bill, HR4133, which grants Israel 9 billion dollars in guaranteed loans, where America gets to pay ythe interest, the fees and eventually the principal. Israel has never paid back a loan from the US. Israel also gets military equipment to start the war with Iran, such as F35s and refueling planes.
The fact is; The US government has already become an oligarchy. The SCOTUS has further facilitated it. This was feared by the founders, notably Thomas Jefferson. I agree, a constitutional amendment limiting individual and corporate contributions would be the solution. But to get the required states to push the idea would be less likely than the legislators giving themselves a pay cut and term limits!
There are tons of Israelis who disagree with Netanyahu. But I can't figure out why AMERICANS would pledge fealty to a foreign country over their own. Seems treasonous to me.
Campaign finance reform is too little too late at this point. to save myself time, i've copied from a post i made a few days ago regarding Citizen's United & campaign reform...
I hate to tell Addleson and company this, but even though the Jews are God's chosen people/children, he has in the past had no qualms what so ever in punishing his children when they do not act right. A lady at our church said she always supported Israel because her mother told her we had to, my question is: Who did we support before WW II? Before Israel was a state again? She had no answer for that. While I wish nothing bad on the Israeli's and I have no problem helping with their protection, I can't see letting them dictate what we do in this country and I am not impressed with Nettyhue either. Since I am a practicing Christian Evangelical I just can't hold the Jews up as a people to follow or take orders from.
You liberals are distorting again. We don't hold fealty to Israel. If it weren't for the US, Israel wouldn't be in existence again... we were the largest supporters in 1947 when she became a nation. Since most of the liberals of today weren't born during the Holocaust, the only thing you know is tid bits from your history books... possibly a few photos and an abstract viewpoint of what happened during WWII. Now, almost 65 years later, we have a bunch of know nothing opinionated snot nosed kids thinking they know better and are allowed to express opinions of what they know nothing about.
If the liberal teachers and professors wouldn't distort history, you would truly understand what Israel stands for... and if you knew anything about history, you'd also know that the land mass of Israel is only about 1/10 of that country's real size. But keep on harping on things you think you are knowledgeable about... it only makes you look like fools.
Now I understand what God meant when he said.."It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into heaven"...God never said we couldn't be rich but he also knew that when people start to accumlate things and money, it would cause them to become prideful and corrupt..Republicans love money because they feel it gives them power over other people;that's why they are trying to buy this election... it use to bother me when I read about people like Adelson and the Koch brothers, but God reminded me that he is still in control and sees everything that's going on...He has the last word, I don't care how much millionaires and billionaires give the republulican party....That priest need to take that money and give it to all of the victms that were sexually abused by their church for years.....
Silly Brian,
If someone were to suggest the kind of support we give to Israel to any other country you would go ape @!$%# crazy and call them some name connected with that place.
We should protect Israel, but not get on our knees.
We built them a Military at our expense - Fine, it helps defend them (but it should mean they follow our lead, not us bend over for them).
How does it work for the conservatives? Israel has Universal Health Care, only afforded because we give them tons of cash. Aren't they socialists?
Blaming the young now? The ones that will be paying for your subsidized generation? Well, that is, if you're a baby boomer. You do sound like one though. The bb's had everything handed to them. Now after 30 years or so of being the majority block, the custodians of our country, they're leaving it in shambles. But, don't worry, we will just dismantle all the benefits you got, but make sure it doesn't affect your pampered generation. Vouchers for everyone, but those above 55 still get the good deal.
taishmoser:
I must have missed that.. I worked for more than forty-five years paying into the FICA, During that forty five years I was out of work for four months. When laid off, I paid for my own retraining. No help from anyone. SS was once a sound monetary plan but politicians couldn't stand to see that big pile of cash laying around so it was converted into a "legal" Ponzi plan. Replaced the money with IOUs! In this way they could pizz away all that cash. Until the late eighties I paid off FICA each year. I do not feel a bit guilty about receiving my SS each month. (And we retirees thank you for paying into the SS Ponzi).
So don't feel guilty. But instead of privatizing it, we need to FIX it so our kids and grandkids can have that security. What is it about republicans that want to close the door after they get through? I hope the SS and Medicare issues bring down the republicans.
American policy in the Middle east must be even handed. Netanyahu has supported building settlements on occupied land (land gained 1n 1973 war) which the US has always viewed as something they would oppose. This has happened numerous times over the past 40 years. It is why settlement construction on occupied land is not more widespread.
The US foreign policy in regards to the peace process has been that occupied land would be returned to nation that lost it in return for a peace agreement. The Sinai was returned to Egypt as part of a peace deal brokered by Jimmy Carter. There is hope that a peace deal with the Palestinians can be made in exchange for a self-governing area covering the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Clinton almost brokered this deal but Yassir Arafat backed out of it at the last moment .
Now, Netanyahu opposes such a deal. It has been our policy for quite a while that when Israel has a pro-settlement President, we will oppose settlements publicly while privately our government continues to send them a lot of military aid. We then wait for a new President who is anti-settlement or less pro-settlement and begin the peace process again. Obama is simply continuing this policy towards Israel.
Peace in the Middle East revolves around the Palestinian issue. Romney's support of his friend Netanyahu will erode the image of "honest broker" that past Presidents have striven to maintain. Alienating the Muslims of the Middle East will do us no good.
Wait a minute. Wait just a doggone minute. Edelson gave half a million dollars to the Rabbi's Super Pac?
Uh, I didn't think the candidate could have a super pac. I thought it was supposed to be independent and no cross over involvement with the candidate or their campaign?
Sounds like violation to me. Shalom
Obama/Biden 2012
Yes, we all know that "campaigns are not supposed to coordinate with their Super PAC", yet we know they are doing this.
Who investigates this? Where is the accountability? I don't care which party.
Sure businesses can have a voice, but they shouldn't be able to "buy" an election.
It just proves how dumb the Citizens United ruling really is. And yet many Republicans blame Obama for the ad blaming Romney for the woman's death. It was an Obama superpac not an Obama ad.
alex - don't forget that a White House insider was involved in a conference call with the widower in the ad. The White House knew damned well what was going on.
i'd be interested in a source for this comment if you can provide one... otherwise pure conjecture.
Tzalaran...
It was all over the news. Stephanie Cutter did a conference call with Joe Soptic long before the commercial came out.
http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2012/08/stephanie-cutter-i-didnt-know-facts-of-joe-soptics-wifes-sickness-even-though-hed-told-story-on-obama-campaign-conference-call/
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/ticket/obama-camp-denies-knowledge-cancer-tale-told-may-195237581.html
And here's the recording itself...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfOoZl0tHvQ&feature=youtu.be
Thanks for the source.
Perhaps this particular Rabbi is being overpaid by the congregation or ultra-Orthodox. Most of the ones I know are considered middle class, and are supportive of women's rights as well as much of the typical Democratic policies; at least a lot more than the Republicans. In fact, most are quite concerned about the separation of "Church and State," even going so far as to not even publically expressing any personal commentary about their thoughts on Israel per se.
Looks like war w/ Iran is coming if Mitt wins
That's OK with me as long as Israel goes it alone. It's not our fight.
That's the thing. If his top financial supporter is a huge jew supporter, Mitt will make sure we are there side by side with Isreal, for another war in the middle east that will get us nowhere, besides ending up with more debt and more dead soldiers.
Lets do it.. but not a single American soldier on the ground. Let the Israeli's defend their own turf. America can attack from the air and sea.
king jungle jive. If Israel goes it alone and they certainly could handle Iran w/o the US, US interests and bases as well as most of the oil transport will be hit/stopped or destroyed.
If this war will happen, it wont be in a vacuum.
That being said Rabbi Boteach is sell out that would whore his mother for a chance at office. He does not represent the majority of the Jewish American population. He represents the worst parts of it.
So, Adelson was thinking about buying Israel that Aircraft Carrier fleet thye so badly need to attack Iran safely and realized he couldn't afford that gift. Instead, he realized that buying the presidency for Newt would be a lot cheaper. And, after all, Newt had already promised Israal the keys to the fleet. But Newt lost. Shucks. Oh well, Romney will be a perfect sock puppet for the neo-cons who wage war for profit, and this looks to be very profitable. Done deal.
Too bad about your children who will bleed to fight this war. But don't you shed a tear for Romney's boys. They'll be far from the bombs and bullets. Just like Romney was safely in France during Vietnam.
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the GOP presidential candidate is “very pro-Israel”
And why many republicans will not vote or will actually vote for Obama. We don't need Israel dragging us into another mideast war. We have nothing at stake. If Israel wants to attack Iran, let them go for it, but we don't need to provide any support or assistance of any kind. In fact, we don't need to give them anything, whether they attack Iran or not. We should stop all assistance to them right now.
"I don’t know how there are any Democratic Jews,” said GOP Rep. Billy Long of Missouri. “The way the president has treated [Israeli Prime Minister] Bibi Netanyahu and the land of Israel, I don’t know how any Democratic Jew can still be a Democrat.”
Um, because I have known Jewish Americans who question the policies and controversies of Israel? Because they consider themselves a American citizen first and a Jewsish citizen second? Because they don't completely agree with all of the policies of the Republicans?
Doesn't this sound like "How can a Catholic still consider themselves a Catholic when they don't spend all their free time and money fighting abortion and gay marriage?"
GOP has Adelson and Obama has his Hollwood plastic people. Democrats whine over everything, you are a bunch of children. Grow up and tell me what Obama has done for this country.
By the way Roger, we don't need your vote and no matter who wins, Israel will take care of Iran.
why so mad Duane? You can just use google and see all of his accomplishments he has made so far. Beside being left with an economy falling of the cliff, he's done a pretty good job!
you know the difference between the two Duane? Adelson has quite a bit to gain...most actors, producers, etc, really have nothing to gain...
he has the number 666 on his forehead
@ Duane M
You don't need my vote you say . . . why does the republican party call my house 3 nights a week asking for it then ? Why are republicans constantly trying to change my mind with lies and deceit on radio ,television and the internet ? It is exactly the attitude you have displayed with your post that shuts the doors for your party.
Duane, I think it is you who needs to grow up. Only a child would make a statement like yours.
Obama/Biden easily wins 2012
Bernie Maddoff. Michael Milikin, Sheldon Adelson. Eric Cantor, Michael Bloomberg, .... And then they wonder why the Jews are so hated. These rabbis should be teaching "Thou shalt not steal" instead of thieving and helping thieves. But, unfortunately, human nature being what it is, it only takes a few bad apples to give a whole group a bad name.
Otto, you would judge 12 million people by the actions of five? Then how about choosing five Jews like Jonas Salk, Henry Kissinger and all the others who have done their best to help humanity.
Citizens United....worst SCOTUS decision in the modern era.
"When Fascism (not communism or socialism) comes to America, it will be wrapped in an American Flag and carrying a cross", P.S. it will also be funded by billionaires!
KJNG --- We have Corporate Capitalism now , a marxist doctrine . Look it up.
Old man
Corporate capitalism is not a Marxist doctrine. It is, in fact, the direst opposite of capitalism. Perhaps you should look it up too.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marxism
A billionaire from casinos. Wow something no one should aspire to, but it makes me understand why he's a Republican. They create nothing, just live off people's stupidity. Then want to just add to their power, but not help the people who got them rich in the first place. Of course, the gamblers have no one to blame but themselves, which is why I think all states should run casinos and fund their deficits through this, not let slobs like this guy gecome uber-rich and try and buy our election.
Rural Washington - correct, and I thought the Jews were against "gaming"? Guess it is ok if it makes you mega wealthy off other people's misery (ok to do that to the non-Jews I guess, right?). I don't have a problem helping Israel but I am not their keeper and the Jews who live here should either pledge alegience to our Flag or move to Israel and pledge to the Israeli flag.
Steveo-the reason I get upset is, I am tired of this terrible campaign season, sick of lies from politicians, businessmen, and reporters who instead of doing their job, they give their opinions. I am also tired of reading comments from people who have no common sense and have let themselves get misled by the rhetoric and can't see that they are not bbetter off now than they were 4 years ago. AND IT IS NOT JUST BUSH'S FAULT, STOP BLAMING EVERYBODY ELSE OBAMA AND TAKE THE BLAME LIKE A MAN, NOT A DEMOCRAT.
Duane, sorry to dissappoint you dued, but me and my working/middle class family are much better off than we were 4 years ago. Hope and change has worked very well for us (husband and I both got great promotions, make more money than we ever have made in our very long working lives, 401K's are starting to gain not lose money, and we feel good when we travel abroad and know our country is respected again).
Duane M - hush up
The best government that money can buy!! I'll never be convinced that Adelson isn't expecting something in return for this "investment"... He'll probably be able to write it off his taxes as a gambling loss!
app64 - Adelson is being investigated for his dealings in Macao by the US Feds - in short- his casino was lobbying the goverment of China to have a ferry deliver customers to the door of his Casino- was refused seven times - until he hired US Attorneys and lo and behold the ferry delivers customers
Seems this is a direct violation of US Laws
Now you know why he supports Willard - a stroke of a President's Pen came make this go away!
Does it take that much to run for a seat in The Knesset?
Guys...I've got an idea for a script!
Setting: Dystopian 21st century. There's widespread hunger, horrific wealth distribution, horrific education and medical care for the average Joe and two decade long wars on the other side of the world that no one knows why we're fighting and that the media refuses to report on...
Now, the party of highfalutin Christian moral conservatives is being run by a gambling mogul and a Mormon...who are selling even lower taxes on the wealthy paid for by cuts to social programs that benefit the middle class to their poor, undereducated constituents using justifications said constituents can't analyze for lack of education...
Wait, no one would believe this...
Correction: "the party of highfalutin Christian moral conservatives is being run by a Jewish gambling mogul and a Mormon"...
Did they start out after graduating from college working for Howard Hughes?
We could work that in.
Perhaps the Mormon could use his rich and powerful father's birth ties (from the Mexican polygamous ranch where he was born, of course) to get a start running a private equity firm managing Hughes's money?
Perhaps the Jewish gambling mogul could have made many of his millions speculating on Hughes's casinos and now, ironically, could be living a life very similar to Hughes?
Is that believable? Too much? I think it's too much. No one'd believe the masses would buy it. I'll have to tweak it. Maybe I'll work a hypocritical, Wienermobile driving used car salesman in that sells the whole thing by parading his mother around on stage...perhaps that how this things coalesces into a believable scenario...
Don't forget to add the personal side. Where the rich Morman's wife believes she should also be Queen because it's their turn. Gotta have a love interest.
This scary stuff folks! We have people like Adelson picking our politicians based on who's better for Israel, not the US!
Why did Addelson's daughter assult a news crew at the convention?
Political candidates do not coordinate with the superPACs supporting them in exactly the same way that Mafia Bosses do not instruct hit men to whack out a rival.
“I don’t know how there are any Democratic Jews,” said GOP Rep. Billy Long of Missouri... Billy (as in hillbilly) is, of course, from the "Show me how ignorant you are" state. One might want to ask him why there are any female Republicans or middle-class Republicans since all Romeny/Ryan want to do is screw them.
or, LGBT Rebuplicans, or any minority Republicans, this list could go on for a while...
Faded posters of Obama on my bedroom walls..............you mean faded policies of a depressed economy, from a president who is inspired by Marxism and socialistic order, morally bankrupt, who is manipulative, sanctimonious and has delusions of adequacy. After four years of more failure, Barry is STILL pointing his finger at GW Bush.
God bless the Unites States of America..............YOU didn't build it (Barack Obama)!!
No, you didn't build that business (from me!), I helped if I bought goods at your business, I helped if you got a start up loan from the SBA, and the government helped when they have the officers patrol the area to keep you safe and the fire and rescue squads on call in case of an emergency at your business. But, heck if there are any businesses that don't want my support they can sure let me know and I'll be glad to keep looking for goods and services from someone who does.
All those things you talk about are services which are paid for through taxes. Services Paid Through Taxes.
Why should anyone feel they owe their existence to Government Services any more than they owe their existence to any other Service that they pay for?
Why don't they owe their existence to person running a supermarket (supplying food) or the carpenter who built their home (shelter) or the guy behind the counter at the Gap (clothing.)
I don't see any of those people coming back years later and saying "I took care of your needs. Even though you paid for it, you still owe me."
What makes the paid-for service from the Government so special?
top drum - the name is President Obama, not Barry to you jerk.
We just call him BO or Stinky (we had to drop the H as it was considered off-limits after the immaculation). He could be Barry Soteoro or BS if you'd rather. I'm kind of used to Stinky at this point. Turns out that his wife, the fat bottomed Moochie "seemed to take pleasure in demeaning the candidate and mocking his 'stinky' morning breath."
I don't call Him President anything.....Stinky is as Stinky does.
Union childish TN: I understand what you mean. In light of the Chic-Fil-A thing, I've decided to learn the politics of the business owners and workers before I patronize them. I avoid union made goods whenever possible, and if I see an Obama sticker on the owners car, I let them know why I'm going elsewhere. They don't seem to understand why their politics has anything to do with my being a customer or not. Ironic isn't it.
And I vote, and I work, and I pay taxes.
Diogenes22
Because we all pay taxes. So your business couldn't succeed without the infrastructure we all built. Or do you think your little taxes could pay for all the roads, etc.
Any successful business takes advantage of our infrastructure, well, actually ALL businesses use it.
So, yes, paid for services from the government are necessary. And by default so are taxes.
Are you really that thick? Or is it just that you hate the President so much you can't stand it when he's right?
TopDrum - So you built it yourself?
Here is a small list of Companies who used SBA - Small Business Administration for start-ups
Intel
Nike
FedEX
COMPAQ
CallawayGolf
Outback
Ben&Jerry's
So take your did it yourself and rethink your nonsense
My husband worked for ten years in Virginia with local banks and the SBA for start-up businesses
THE FOOD COURT AT THE PENTGON WAS ONE OF HIS CLIENTS and THEY SERVICE 20,000 CUSTOMERS A DAY - all because of financing from the SBA - a Goverment Program
@dsb
Your childish name-calling aside, you still haven't answered my fundamental question.
Why should I feel permanently indebted to a Government Service (for which I pay more than my fair share of taxes of) than I do for any other service?
I don't see the guy from McDonald's coming back and saying: "Hey, I served you that Big Mac. Even though you already paid for it: I fed you, I kept you alive. You owe your success to me".
On a side note, in the real world (something you don't appear to familiar with), municipalities love having businesses in the area. Why? Not only for the jobs, but also because Commercial Real Estate taxes are higher than Residential Real Estate Taxes to pay for those extra roads (and schools, and then some!)
look a scribe and Pharisee..oh the love of god..oh i mean money
Its about time sombody fessed up to buying favoritism from Republicans. Nationality has nothing to do with being a Republican' its all about money buying favoritism.
look a scribe and Pharisee..oh the love of god..oh i mean money