JPost: A Jewish Candidate Against Trump
“I am concerned that under Trump, this country has become more divided along racial, ethnic and religious lines, and that’s because of the vitriol that some of his supporters have espoused,” said Halie Soifer, the newly appointed executive director of the Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA). “I would like to think that the country is ready for a Jewish candidate, but to the extent we aren’t, of course there is concern that there’s a rise in antisemitism. And his past rhetoric raises concern that this may become an issue going forward in 2020.”
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Soifer said the JDCA believes that Charlottesville was a crucible moment for Trump and the country, from which many American Jews could never forgive the president for his conduct. But what effect might it have if the candidate who challenges Trump next is Jewish, representing pluralism in the flesh, inviting a direct and open debate over antisemitism in America at a time of historic political rancor?
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Soifer believes American Jews will remain loyal to the party, given Trump’s hostility to values long held sacred within the community, and would not be surprised if, as a result, the party produces a Jewish nominee.
“I think it’s still very early – there are lots of names out there,” Soifer said. “But it would be great to have Jewish candidates. I would like to think today that the fact that candidates are Jewish is less important than if they represent Jewish values – a woman’s right to choose, support for Israel, gun control. That’s what is really important.”
“But it’s really about being able to defeat Donald Trump,” Soifer added.