Kerry camp backtracks in flap over Lieberman’s Sabbath rites

[Herschel]

Fierce jockeying for support in Arizona’s early Democratic primary already has scored a win — for Sen. Joseph Lieberman’s right to observe the Sabbath.
Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry’s campaign cut ties Wednesday with Ben Miranda, an Arizona state representative who brought up Lieberman’s Sabbath observance in his efforts to get other state legislators to switch their endorsements from the Connecticut senator to Kerry.

“We have expressed our deepest regrets to Sen. Lieberman, a friend of Sen. Kerry’s for many years, and made it clear that, of course, Sen. Kerry deplores and will not tolerate the injection of religion into this race in any manner whatsoever,” the campaign said in a statement.

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Rep. Ben Miranda, who represents a heavily Hispanic district in Phoenix, recently switched his endorsement from Lieberman to Kerry. He acknowledged to JTA that he had mentioned Lieberman’s Sabbath observance in meetings with other state representatives.

However, he denied a quote attributed to him by state representatives, who told The Arizona Republic that Miranda complained Lieberman was a weak candidate because he “can’t campaign three days a week.”

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http://www.jta.org/page_view_story.asp?strwebhead=Kerry+camp+apologizes+for+Sabbath+flap&intcategoryid=3

==========================

Kerry's reaction to Miranda's anti-semitic remarks is acceptable. A giant like Lieberman criticized for his religous beliefs? Oh, my.

[Darranar]

1. It was a very, very, stupid remark...

Though I'll need the context to tell if it was meant as anti-semitic or not.

Lieberman is no giant.

[Herschel]

2. He expressed doubts

about Liberman's religous practices interfering with campaigning. Lieberman is a giant in the party. Little Kucinich is not.

[Darranar]

3. Can you provide me the whole statement?

And everything he said before and after it?

"Little" Kucinich should be a giant in the Party. One of the worst things about the Democratic Party is the way people like Lieberman can become giants.

[Hawkeye-X]

4. Sorry Herschel

but Lieberman isn't a giant. He's a petty man with no testicular fortitude.

He defended his Iraq vote. I still won't vote for this guy, even if he is the same religion as I am.

I'm already busy converting my fellow Jews to Dean as they are awakening to the Iraq quagmire.

You should too.

Hawkeye-X

[Herschel]

5. Dean waffles on Israel

His position is not fully in line. I prefer Lieberman.

[Darranar]

6. "Not fully in line"?

GOOD!

The Democrats "in line" have brought us the Patriot Act, the Iraq War, the Afghan war, welfare "reform", more aid to Sharon, etc.

[mmm]

8. When lieberman drops out will you vote for Bush?

[dfong63]

11. go HOWARD!!

His position is not fully in line.

yet another reason to vote for DEAN.

[DuctapeFatwa]

18. Dean has been brought fully into line, no fear.

"...the former Vermont governor declared that, while the United States should become more engaged, he did not have any fundamental objections with President George W. Bush’s policies...

When asked by the Jewish newspaper Forward late last year as to whether he supported APN’s perspective, Governor Dean replied "No, my view is closer to AIPAC's view."..

He also rejects calls by APN and other liberal Zionist groups that Israel’s requested $12 billion loan guarantee be linked to an Israeli freeze on constructing additional illegal settlements on confiscated Palestinian land, arguing that such aid should instead be unconditional...

http://www.commondreams.org/views03/0226-04.htm

[ForestsBeatBushes]

19. Take a look, DuctapeFatwa:

http://www.michiganfordean.com/news/

"An assemblage of politically active Arab Americans in Dearborn gave former Vermont governor Howard Dean repeated ovations Saturday at the windup of a two-day meeting that marked a clear shift of allegiance from President Bush to his Democratic rivals."

[Aidoneus]

7. granted that it was a stupid thing to say

but "a giant like Lieberman"? :eyes:

[dfong63]

9. he didn't say a giant "what"

granted that it was a stupid thing to say but "a giant like Lieberman"?

a giant twit, perhaps.

[dfong63]

10. imho religious beliefs are fair game

... and religious practices, even moreso. if a moonie, a mormon, or a manson family cultist were running for president, you can bet your socks their religious beliefs would be fair game for critics. so why should Lieberman be immune?

[Muddleoftheroad]

12. Mainstream religion

Is not fair game for those who wish to win. Most Americans are quite OK with religion.

[ForestsBeatBushes]

13. Yes, to quote my favorite philosopher, Yogi Berra,

"it's deja vu all over again".

Didn't we have to put up with this in 1960?

[Darranar]

14. Why only "mainstream" religion?

Personally, I think people should be judged on what they do, not on who or what they do or don't believe in. Criticism of Lieberman because his campaign isn't going anywhere because he rests every Saturday is as legitimate as criticizing a Catholic for her pro-life stance; criticizing either one because of what tehy believe in would be unnacceptable.

There's a thin line in between, and because I lack the context I cannot tell.

[Muddleoftheroad]

15. Only mainstream

Because we are all suspicious of cults. So if Lieberman belonged to some wacko fringe group, we would worry about it. That seems fairly basic.

Most Americans mix their religion with their life choices and decisions. Are we to analyze the religious practices of every candidate? Well we might, but we will lose every major election to those who do not.

[Darranar]

16. Ah! Those vile cultist Wiccans!

BURN NEOPAGANS! WE'RE ALL AFRAID OF "FRINGE GROUPS"!

[rini]

17. I remember when a CAtholic

was a "non electable" candidate. For your information a Morman has campagned for the nomination of his party to be president and his religion was not an issue. The issue was he was born in Mexico.

Some people say very stupid things and while what they say shows prejudice, it is not in and of itself anti-semitic. One would hope a person in public office would be beyond that but we all know that is a futile wish.

As for Leiberman being a giant, well maybe behind the scenes? I think the man has the courage of his convictions (a rare commodity) but he is too conservative for me. I was one of Dean's first supporters. However, now I am looking for another candidate.

Anyway, the day an avowed Pagan or atheist is nominated, I will say religion has no part in the electoral process.

[ForestsBeatBushes]

20. Referring you to #13.

[rini]

21. yup!