Though some will make a big deal out of a “conservative” paper endorsing a “liberal” it is so utterly and excruciatingly predictable. I know, because I predicted it. As was said about me the other day, Rupert would make a lousy boxer cause he always telegraphs his punches.Post endorses Andrew Cuomo for governor–Editorial – NYPOST.com www.nypost.com
Some mostly very smart thoughts about Paladino and the frummies. Some thoughts:
1) Don’t take a fringe Rabbi with you.–I've been saying that about Paladino/Levin since way before Sunday (September 20, to be exact)
2) Don’t bash gays. –I think there is some percentage to be gained from gay bashing among the ultra-Orthodox, but most of their smart political leaders do not encourage it–partially because they don't like the backlash it causes, against either them or the candidates they back, and partially because Hasidic political leaders have other priorities.
3) Don’t insult their Rabbis –I said this the other days as well. However, I do take issue with some of the points made about Brad Lander. First, Lander is not of the J-Street/Peace Now persuasion. J Street and Peace Now believe in a Two-State solution. Lander was once an outspoken opponents of Israel’s existence as a Jewish state. I know many right wing Zionists don't see a difference, but even though I'm somewhat to the right of J Street, I am outraged to be lumped with the likes of Brad Lander. Secondly, the author can deny that the revolt against Lander among Borough Park Orthodox was a right wing rebellion against the Borough Park establishment, which was at least partially about social issue liberalism, but the fact is that it was. In fact, the real crazy thing about Levin is that Levin criticized this right-wing revolt as not right wing enough.
4)- Boro Parkers are NOT Amish. I made this point years ago–years ago ("Like all bad sci-fi, Williamsburg is full of anachronisms. Everyone is dressed like 16th century Eastern European nobility. So why are they all carrying blackberries?").
5) NEVER campaign in a synagogue–not sure I'd say NEVER, since I've seen it work, but some of the points make sense
Mostly though, this guy makes points I've already made, so I think he's a genius The Yeshiva World Jewish Politics: 5 Reasons Why Paladino Lost The Orthodox Jewish Vote After Visit www.theyeshivaworld.com
Non-news news. The guy voted for same sex marriage twice in the Assembly. This almost telegraphs the punch that they don't anticipate any further pickups in this election.
Sad. The Next ‘Yes’ Vote On Gay Marriage capitaltonight.com
Yesterday, I got some snarky emails saying I was shilling for Vito Lopez because I dissed the "progressive reform" Satmar faction, the Aronis, who hate Lopez, and because I made a unfavorable (though extremely accurate) comparison between their social service agency and the one run by the pro-Lopez Zalis.
It now appears likely that the "progressive" Aronis will be backing Dan Donovan, while it appears the evil reactionary Zalis will be for Eric Schneiderman. http://www.observer.com/2010/politics/heels-hasidic-meeting-donovan-make-major-push-jewish-vote
Chait is right; Conway’s' attack on Paul's religious beliefs is a disgrace.
And every Republican who supports the Young Men's Islamic Association being proposed for the Holy Mother Coat Factory has the moral standing to complain.
If you find any Republicans who meet this criteria, let me know. Answering Jack Conway's Defenders | The New Republic www.tnr.com and http://www.tnr.com/blog/jonathan-chait/78466/rand-paul-and-jack-conway-race-the-bottom