Clergy Civil Disobedience on IRS Political Rules

Posted: Mon, 09/08/2008 - 00:00 | Political Insider

Monday, September 8th, 2008

Groups on the Christian right have long opposed Internal Revenue Service regulations barring pulpit endorsements of political candidates by pastors or overtly partisan activities at their churches.

This week the Alliance Defense Fund called for a day of pastoral civil disobedience on September 28. And the guessing is it won’t be Barack Obama who gets endorsed from the pulpits.

Biden Hits Bush Mideast Policy, Pokes AIPAC in the Eye

Posted: Thu, 09/04/2008 - 00:00 | Political Insider

Thursday, September 4th, 2008

James Besser in Washington

Since becoming the Democratic vice presidential nominee last month, political observers have been wondering whether Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) - known for his outspoken and unpredictable ways - would curb his tongue.

After all, he’s no longer just a senior senator but the junior partner in the highly disciplined Barack Obama campaign organization.

A Wednesday teleconference with Jewish reporters provided a partial answer.

Shelley Berkley, Pro-Israel Hawk, On Obama’s Congressional Team

Posted: Thu, 08/28/2008 - 00:00 | Political Insider

Thursday, August 28th, 2008

James Besser in Washington

Denver - As I reported this week, Jewish Democrats in the House and Senate are playing a key role in the Barack Obama campaign’s efforts to crank up the candidate’s Jewish numbers on November 4 and ease concerns about the nominee’s Mideast policies.

And none could be as important as Rep. Shelley Berkley D-Nev.).

Joe Biden: Good for the (Democratic) Jews?

Posted: Sat, 08/23/2008 - 00:00 | Political Insider

Saturday, August 23rd, 2008

James Besser in Washington

Will Sen. Joe Biden’s selection as Barack Obama’s running mate have much of an impact on the Jewish vote on November 4?

Well, it depends on your perspective.

McCain Campaign Takes Up ZOA Refrain on Kurtzer

Posted: Thu, 08/21/2008 - 00:00 | Political Insider

Thursday, August 21st, 2008

James Besser in Washington

The John McCain campaign is starting to sound a lot like the Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) in its efforts to win over Jewish voters.

This week the campaign reprised a favorite ZOA them when it went after former diplomat Dan Kurtzer, a Barack Obama foreign policy adviser who served as U.S. ambassador to Israel from 2001 to 2005.

Bad News for Jewish Dems: Carter Speaking At Convention

Posted: Tue, 08/19/2008 - 00:00 | Political Insider

Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

James Besser in Washington

The Barack Obama presidential campaign, still fighting hard to shore up the Jewish vote (this week Daniel Shapiro, an advisor to the campaign, signed on as official Jewish outreach coordinator) can’t be entirely thrilled with today’s announcement of additional speakers for next week’s convention.

Buried in a long list of names was one certain to raise the hackles of many Jewish voters: former President Jimmy Carter.