| Author | Message | | sharkman | | Posted: Sat Jun 29, 2002 7:38 pm Post subject: israeli extremists influence election according to candidate |
| http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,56523,00.html
WASHINGTON — The undoing of Alabama Rep. Earl Hilliard is the fault of
Israeli extremists, say the candidate and his Muslim supporters, and
the electoral assault is not likely to end with the defeat of the
five-term black congressman in this week's primary run-off.
"I see a future with a great deal of conflict between
African-Americans and Jews in this country," he said. "It's going to
get worse before it gets better. I don't think African-Americans are
going to sit back and let this continue. There will be retribution."
Hilliard raised more than $700,000, two thirds of which came from
out-of-state Muslim organizations and individuals.
Artur Davis, the Harvard-educated lawyer who defeated Hilliard, raised
about $900,000 for his race, more than 80 percent of which came from
Jewish groups and individual contributors from out of state.
"There's no question this money from outside the state made the
difference," Hilliard said. "If they put $1 million against any
candidate, he's got hell on his hands, especially in a district like
mine where radio and TV time comes so cheap."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations also blamed Jews for
Hilliard's loss.
"Rep. Hilliard's loss shows that the domestic lobby for a foreign
government is willing to use its considerable financial resources to
force hand-picked 'leaders' on the African-American community. This is
a defeat for democracy and civil rights and a victory for those who
would institute a pro-Israel litmus test for American political
candidates," said CAIR Board Chairman Omar Ahmad.
The race turned bitter when Davis was targeted by an anti-Semitic
leaflet that Hilliard denied having any role in sending. Davis aired
an ad suggesting Hilliard was a tacit supporter of terrorism because
he visited Libya five years ago.
Davis has said he will join the Congressional Black Caucus despite its
support for Hilliard.
So far, Hilliard, who complained about the House Democratic
leadership's late show of support for his campaign, is reflective of
his loss, even suggesting that this may give him the opportunity to
run for mayor of Birmingham.
"I lost the election," Hilliard said. "It ain't the end of life. I
lost it or they took it – or they stole it – one or another. When the
bar was down, I just didn't get enough votes."
But, he added, Jewish groups will not rest with his defeat. They will
look to target other black candidates who support a Palestinian state,
for instance Rep. Cynthia McKinney, D-Ga.
AP
Georgia Rep. Cynthia McKinney
McKinney, who was honored with an award Thursday night from the
American Muslim Council, along with African-American Reps. Gregory
Meeks, D-N.Y., Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, one Hispanic and 10
white congressional members, faces an Aug. 20 challenge from fellow
black Democrat Denise Majette.
Majette has received much attention since McKinney told Saudi Prince
Alwaleed bin Talal last October that she would accept a $10 million
check from him that was rejected by New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani
because bin Talal said U.S. Mideast policies were partly to blame for
the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
She will "have a tough race," Hilliard predicted.
Relations between Jews and Blacks have never been solid, perhaps best
exemplified by Rev. Jesse Jackson's use of the expression "Hymietown"
to describe New York's Jewish population. The Congressional Black
Caucus emphasized that point when nearly half of its 36 voting members
cast "no" or "present," or did not cast votes for a House resolution
last May that expressed solidarity with Israel. The resolution passed
352 to 21 with 29 present votes.
Hilliard declined to say what action black representatives would take
to retaliate against Jewish groups supporting their opponents but he
said they don't expect any help from the Democratic Congressional
Campaign Committee.
The fund-raising organization for Democratic incumbents gave $10,000
to Hilliard's campaign, the maximum allowed, but the congressman said
the DCCC never gives black candidates a fair share of donations.
"I know there have been other races where they have contributed more,"
Hilliard said of the DCCC. "If they're not going to help us in the
primary, then it doesn't make sense for us to be dues payers." | |  | | | ©2002-2009 WarWithoutEnd.co.uk |
