(C) Daily Kos This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered. . . . . . . . . . . Progressive star Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is in the fight of his political life [1] ['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.'] Date: 2024-06-15 Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), 48, is a star of the Democratic Party’s progressive wing and a member of ‘ The Squad ’ — the informal home of nine of the most left-leaning Representatives. However, as Bowman’s reputation in liberal circles burgeons, he is in an existential fight to keep his job. Early voting is underway in the June 25th Democratic primary for Bowman’s seat (NY 16). An incumbent usually faces little opposition in a primary. But Bowman confronts a strong challenge from the current Westchester County Executive, George Latimer , 70, a traditional, moderate Democrat. In bad news for Bowman, polls show that Latimer is significantly ahead. Why? In most years, Bowman, who won the 2022 vote by a 2 to 1 margin, would be on a glide path to re-election. But the Israel-Gaza war has roiled the water and split the Democrats. The conflict has engendered passion on all sides of the debate — with everybody convinced of the moral superiority of their position. Bowman has made his feelings clear. He has been strongly critical of Israel. Immediately after the war began, he joined in calls for a ceasefire to prevent further deaths. It was a noble idea — everyone should agree that innocent civilians, both Palestinian and Israeli, ought to be protected. But critics pointed out he made no mention of Hamas and their Israeli hostages. Bowman also created more controversy by denying the charge — later proved true — that Hamas were brutal, terroristic thugs. “There’s still no evidence of beheaded babies or raped women. But they [Israel] still keep using that lie [for] propaganda.” He later walked the remarks back — but you cannot unring the bell. His position on liberal issues has earned him support from the progressives, including his fellow Squad members, as well as Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren. In addition, he has the backing of House minority leader, fellow New Yorker Hakeem Jeffries. However, his position on the Middle East is a tough sell to some in his district — which is ethically, racially, and religiously diverse. It encompasses Black working-class neighborhoods in the North Bronx, large Hispanic populations in middle-class cities like Yonkers, and affluent White bedroom suburbs like Scarsdale. (A generalization I grant you — there is diversity within each of those communities — but you get the point.) However, the most significant demographic fact is that New York City and its suburbs have the largest Jewish population (1.6 million) outside of Israel. And New York politicians, especially downstate, are traditionally sympathetic to their issues. It has not gone well for Bowman on that score. The liberal Jewish American group ‘ J Street ’ has withdrawn its endorsement , while promising to “continue dialogue with Congressman Bowman outside of the context of endorsement.” Note: They have not endorsed Latimer. The conservative Jewish American group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee ( AIPAC ), endorsed Latimer. It has also put its money where its mouth is. They have pumped $2 million into the primary — $1 million to Latimer and $1 million in anti-Bowman ads. In addition, The Democratic Majority for Israel, an advocacy group, also backs Latimer. In a year when events in the Middle East are playing a sizable role in American political discourse, Democrats are between a rock and a hard place. Older Americans favor Israel. Younger Americans have been active and loud in their support for the Palestinians. Complicating the political consideration is that the old vote, the young not so much. And it is always hard to know if the passion of the protestors is theirs alone or reflects a wider antipathy to Israel and the US politicians who support the country. The dynamics of age are reflected in the ebbs and flows of NY politics. Bowman won his seat in 2020 when he beat Elliot Engel, the 11-term Jewish incumbent. Fellow Squad member Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, then 29, beat 10-term incumbent Joe Crowley, the House Democratic Caucus Chair, in the 2018 primary for NY 14. Now Bowman’s difficulties in holding his seat may reflect a return to the center in NY politics that started in 2022. In that better-than-expected year for House Democrats, the party lost four seats in the state. The Republicans won the most seats (11) in NY since 2000 and garnered the largest share of the vote since 2002. This failure — which in effect gave the GOP most of its House majority in January 2023 — points to a need for Democrats to understand who their audience is. Democrats can all agree on abortion and other matters. But on some issues, local candidates must represent their constituents and their concerns. Tip O’Neill, the ten-year House Speaker, famously subscribed to the theory that "all politics is local." That may no longer be 100% accurate, but some politics is still local. My 20-something daughter tells me that many of her liberal peers have declared they will not vote this November because they think both presidential candidates are wrong on the Middle East. I find this astounding (as does she). They may not like Biden’s ‘tepid’ criticism of Netanyahu while continuing to supply Israel with arms. But they also ignore that Trump would nuke the Gaza Strip simply to impress someone and indulge his sadistic racism. Meanwhile, the 2024 election is about so much more than foreign policy. There are massively consequential Senate and House races Democrats must win. Choice, contraception, women’s rights, the environment, climate, the rule of law, worker rights, corporate regulation, voting rights, et al. are all under threat. And do not get me started on sanctimonious, third-party purists. It is going to be Biden or Trump. Vote for Biden or enable MAGA. That is the only choice on offer. [END] --- [1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2024/6/15/2246846/-Progressive-star-Jamaal-Bowman-D-NY-is-in-the-fight-of-his-political-life?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=latest_community&pm_medium=web Published and (C) by Daily Kos Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified. via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds: gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/