After the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump, President Biden presented himself as an in-control national leader, promoting unity and seeking to calm the political discourse. Notwithstanding, Biden, continues his politically heated rhetoric against Trump.
Contrast Trump’s Republican convention message. Strength, vigor, and fighting for you — punctuated with a raised fist salute — healing “discord and division” and unifying a divided country. To buy this, voters must forget Trump’s 2020 election denial, his hate groups support, and the Jan. 6 attack on democracy.
After a well-staged convention, jubilant Republicans are confident Trump wins. Conversely, leading Democrats are Trump-panicked, shouting that Biden must withdraw. Replace him. We can’t win.
During the last year, where were Democratic leaders, former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — now supposedly maneuvering Biden’s exit — when Biden’s approval ratings trended downward — didn’t they witness at White House meetings Biden’s possible diminished cognitive ability?
Weren’t they worried about Biden’s effectiveness to govern and to be the Democratic candidate? If so, by not publicly raising these issues earlier they abdicated their responsibility to the nation and the Democratic Party.
Will Biden be pressured out? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, another political twist will influence both campaigns.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s July 24 address to Congress — a blatant political invitation extended by the Republican leadership — inappropriately co-mingling the campaign and the Middle East war. Gleefully, Republicans will cherry-pick Netanyahu’s remarks and showcase Trump’s over-the-top statement, “Any Jewish person who votes for a Democrat or votes for Biden should have their head examined.”
Late former NYC Mayor Ed Koch, an uncompromising Israel supporter, would have inevitably responded to Trump’s statement exclaiming, “He’s meshugana!” (crazy).
The election will be close. Every vote counts, especially in Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, battleground states, where Jewish voters — a bellwether indicator — could determine the winner. A recent American Jewish Committee national poll had 61% of Jewish voters for Biden — a dangerous 14% slide from 2020.
Worse, a New York State Siena poll — pre-assassination attempt — incredibly had Biden’s Jewish support 52% and Trump’s 46%. Shocking is all NYS voters polled; Trump is 8% behind Biden. A serious warning that Biden’s “blue” NYS support is faltering.
With Netanyahu’s and Biden’s relationship strained, Netanyahu is enjoying the polls, Biden’s political discomfort, and Trump’s support of Israel prominently highlighted at the Republican convention.
But beware, Netanyahu’s history will govern the U.S.-Israel relationship.
Prophetically in 2010, Koch warned Netanyahu, “in the Jewish-American sector of public opinion that continues to advocate the two-state (Israel and Palestinian) solution your opposition to that concept, I believe, will ultimately lead to a confrontation between the United States and Israel which will not bode well for Israel. I urge you to reconsider your position.”
Koch counseled Netanyahu to extend freezing West Bank settlements — alienating Netanyahu’s right-wing supporters — in exchange for U.S. security guarantees.
Koch pointedly advised, “The most important relationship for Israel has always been the one with the United States and, in particular, the relationship with its president. Lately, those relationships have deteriorated. Reasons for the deterioration include . . . the weariness of the American public.” Koch cautioned, “Bibi, I urge you not to overplay your hand.”
Rejecting Koch’s and others’ sage advice, Netanyahu continuously “overplays” his hand by opposing a two-state solution, failing to find an acceptable end to the Gaza war and humanitarian crisis, and fueling a negative reaction from the anti-Israel Democratic left which will fracture the Democratic convention.
A path forward to stop the slippage is whoever the Democratic nominee is must clearly address the Jewish community’s — and all voters’ — concerns with compelling reasons explaining the deterioration of U.S-Israel relations, and not simply condemning antisemitism, but elaborating how to fight it.
A respected messenger is also required, similar to Koch — who in 2008 and 2012, campaigned in Florida for Obama/Biden — to shore up weakening Jewish voters’ support by confirming the Democratic nominee’s unwavering support for Israel, while blunting Netanyahu’s hardline stances. Drafting Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff, Vice President Kamala Harris’ Jewish husband, is not a credible spokesperson.
If this is not immediately done, Koch’s crystal ball would have predicted, “The meshugana wins.”
Kriss was Mayor Koch’s longtime friend, his attorney and a member of his administration.
