God and Jerusalem Derailed the Democratic Convention
It was too beautiful. On the convention's second day, the Democrats derailed their message with a controversy surrounding their platform, a document that no one generally reads (as Rahm Emanuel remarked yesterday). But considering the abortion controversy amongst the conservatives, it was important this year. As with the Republicans, there's clearly a power struggle between the base and the establishment, between the Left’s progressives and moderates. Traditionally, platforms are left to the base; the candidate reserves the right to stick to what he judges the most important. But as Rahm Emanuel said, there are now readers of platform [statements]. …
Since it's publication on Tuesday, Paul Ryan and company have remarked that God no longer appeared in the Democratic platform.
Also [remarked on] was that Jerusalem was no longer considered Israel's capital. (It’s a very vague wording: All American presidents have adopted this position before elections. None of them have yet changed the capital from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem.)
With these changes being exploited by Republicans, the Democratic base decided to reintroduce amendments. Evidently, [they did so] quite quickly. Since Wednesday's opening, the president of the meeting, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, conducted a vote on the re-inclusion of God (the word "God-Given”) and Jerusalem.
Clearly, there was surprise at the [people's] reactions. … There was a lot of opposition. Certain [people] even heard as much opposition as support. (It was a verbal vote.) Would the convention president demand a recount of votes - especially since a two-thirds majority is necessary to amend the platform?
"I guess."
He hesitated, looking from right to left. And again, he asked [for] a vote: Once more, a lot of opposition was heard.
"The changes are adopted." He left it at that. …
In committee terms, it's obviously an amateurish blunder. Supporters will say that it's necessary to first vote on modifying the text, then sending it to a small committee. The Left believes that the general staff has again been forced into defeat by the Republicans.
Since it's publication on Tuesday, Paul Ryan and company have remarked that God no longer appeared in the Democratic platform.
Also [remarked on] was that Jerusalem was no longer considered Israel's capital. (It’s a very vague wording: All American presidents have adopted this position before elections. None of them have yet changed the capital from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem.)
With these changes being exploited by Republicans, the Democratic base decided to reintroduce amendments. Evidently, [they did so] quite quickly. Since Wednesday's opening, the president of the meeting, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, conducted a vote on the re-inclusion of God (the word "God-Given”) and Jerusalem.
Clearly, there was surprise at the [people's] reactions. … There was a lot of opposition. Certain [people] even heard as much opposition as support. (It was a verbal vote.) Would the convention president demand a recount of votes - especially since a two-thirds majority is necessary to amend the platform?
"I guess."
He hesitated, looking from right to left. And again, he asked [for] a vote: Once more, a lot of opposition was heard.
"The changes are adopted." He left it at that. …
In committee terms, it's obviously an amateurish blunder. Supporters will say that it's necessary to first vote on modifying the text, then sending it to a small committee. The Left believes that the general staff has again been forced into defeat by the Republicans.