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.