Kerry's (AZ) state campaign accused of using religion

[pruner]

Chip Scutari and Elvia Diaz
The Arizona Republic
Oct. 29, 2003 12:00 AM

Religion is being injected into the presidential race at the state Capitol as some of the leading Democratic candidates scramble to get endorsements from legislators who can help them win the coveted Feb. 3 primary.

Supporters of Connecticut Sen. Joe Lieberman said two operatives for Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry are using Lieberman's Jewish faith to persuade some state lawmakers to switch sides in the Democratic presidential race. Three legislators who support Lieberman said Mario Diaz, Kerry's campaign manager in Arizona, and state Rep. Ben Miranda told them to switch to Kerry because Lieberman "can't campaign three days a week." That is a reference to his policy of not campaigning from Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown because he's an Orthodox Jew.

Both denied saying that or even insinuating that Lieberman is at a disadvantage because of his religion.

"It's a very unfair political tactic," said Rep. Manny Alvarez, who was courted by Diaz and Miranda. "Lieberman's religion shouldn't be a factor."

Alvarez, who represents a border region, said he supports Lieberman because he genuinely cares about immigration issues and other matters important to Latinos.

Rep. Robert Meza said Miranda, a former Lieberman backer, is using religion to push people to Kerry's team.

<snip>

http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/1029lieberman29.html

[VermontDem2004]

1. Interesting

But people shouldn't blame Kerry for this, it seems that it has more to do with his campaign manager.

[Josh]

2. You don't think Kerry knows this is going on?

He's not Bush. Kerry strikes me as someone like Gore who is on top of his entire campaign, if not directing most of the moves himself.

This is pretty poor. I hope that Kerry slaps down whoever's responsible or at least tells them to stop.

[VermontDem2004]

6. Yes but Kerry probaly has around 100 campaign managers

and can't keep tabs on everything that is going on in his campaign.

[JaneQPublic]

3. I can't believe Kerry signed off on this

Sure, every candidate should take responsibility for what his/her spokespersons say, but I just can't imagine Kerry would verbalize any authorization for such a statement.

[TahitiNut]

4. Color me dubious ...

... that anyone with half a brain would attempt to play an anti-semitic card in Arizona political circles - in the Barry Goldwater state. Goldwater, whose father was born and raised Jewish, openly and gladly embraced his heritage. This smells like a slander.

[demdave]

5. "anyone with half a brain "

That is what is being debated here, if this is true. If true, perhaps the Kerry campaign doesn't have half a brain and needs to be reconsidered as a potential candidate.


I have no special liking of Lieberman, he was not even in my top 3 but this was not needed. It would move Kerry out of my options. To play a religion card, when Joe is actually no threat, is indicative of a lack of character.

[Isere]

8. Playing the religion card

is indicative of lack of character at any time, not just when the candidate is "actually no threat."

That said, I doubt very much that Kerry knows anything about this. It just isn't his style.

[Nihil]

7. Sounds like Enron's counting technique

> ... not campaigning from Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown ...

How does this add up to "three days"?

Even if you count sundown Friday to 23:59 Friday as "a day" then
you still can't get more than two "days" off ...

Are we talking Freeper maths here?

[beyurslf]

9. If Fri at sundown to

Sat at sundown is 3 days, then do we have 21 days in a week?