The Europeanization of the Democratic Party

Ed Lasky, one of the editors of The American Thinker, has produced another extraordinary article in his continuing examination of the Democratic Party and the Jews:  “The Europeanization of the Democratic Party:”

We are witnessing the Europeanization of the Democratic Party, with potentially dire implications for one of the most reliable and loyal group of supporters of the Democratic Party: America’s Jewish community.

A few analysts have seen the continuing evolution of anti-Israel attitudes within the Democratic Party and have noted how it is increasingly taking on the characteristics of the anti-Israel bias that is pervasive in Europe.  A few noted liberal Democrats have expressed dismay about the increasing signs of anti-Semitism within the party. These include long time liberals such as Lanny Davis (President Clinton’s counsel) and Martin Peretz (publisher of the liberal magazine The New Republic, nicknamed the in-flight magazine of Air Force One during the Clinton era) . . .

The times certainly do seem to be changing.

Ed’s article is an exhaustive analysis of the causes of the erosion of support for Israel within the Democratic Party:  demographic trends, changes in union membership, pervasive anti-Israel attitudes on campuses (now filtering down to lower grades), continued weakening of Jewish alliances with traditional minority allies, deference among Democratic elites to Europe and the UN, new sources of financial support for Democrats — all of which Ed thinks will be bad for the Jews. 

I think it is worse than that.  The Democrats may be on the verge of winning a national election with no policy on Iraq other than “no mas.”  They have presented no domestic program at all — since it is hard to argue with a stock market at a record high, interest rates, inflation and unemployment at sustained lows, gas prices down 30% since earlier this year, and no Democratic program for the deficit (the difference between spending and taxes) other than increases in both. 

Instead, they have banked their entire campaign on rejection of the commander-in-chief in a time of war, and their victory — if it occurs — will be taken by the world as that, and both friends and foes will plan accordingly. 

Their foreign policy will be subject to a “global test” graded by Europe and the UN.  They cannot even bring themselves to support John Bolton.  They have been absolutely giddy this week at the prospect of nominating, for commander-in-chief, a senator with two years experience who gave a great speech at the last convention (the one with Jimmy Carter and Michael Moore in the seats of honor).  It is not a serious party, but it is one that can do great damage even if it controls only the House.

Turning over control of the legislative branch of the American government to a party whose platform has been nothing more than anti-Bush (with a slight pause for the burning issue of Mark Foley) will be bad for a lot more people than the Jews.