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On Monday, the RJC blasted out a press release calling on Barack Obama to "disinvite" Sen. Chuck Hagel (R-NE) from his upcoming trip to Israel.
"If Barack Obama is getting advice from Chuck Hagel about Israel, then the American Jewish community has a lot to worry about," the organization's press release read, citing five examples of Hagel's "abysmal record on Israel."
The problem: Hagel isn't going to Israel with Obama. He and Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) are flying with the Illinois Senator to Iraq and Afghanistan, but not to Israel or Europe. The RJC should have known this, as it was already public knowledge. The UK Telegraph, Fox News, CNN (among other outlets) reported:
"The senators [including Hagel] will be part of a 'congressional delegation' to Afghanistan and Iraq likely to travel to the war zones as early as the end of this week. Afterwards, Mr Obama will break off for a separate trip on his campaign plane to Jordan, Israel, Germany, France and Britain."
And yet, throughout the afternoon, the RJC continued to propagate what was, at best, something they couldn't confirm and, at worst, a lie. Contacted by the Huffington Post at 2PM ET, Kurtz stumbled and nervously laughed away questions about whether or not she knew her organization's statement to be false. She would not answer whether the RJC would retract it, saying only, "if we retract it, it will be evident."
THe RJC has since this morning removed the press release from their web site.
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Read Comments (26) — Post Yours »
1
Jul 15, 2008 at 12:54 PM anonymous Says:
as of a short time ago, it was still up
2
Jul 15, 2008 at 12:56 PM anonymous Says:
This is nothing new. The Republican Jewish Coalition has long been known for their notorious misleading and far fetched deceit. Now they were caught in a blatant lie. What a chilul hashem. Mi kiamcha....
3
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:11 PM anonymous Says:
Transcript of the phone call from Monday afternoon between The Huffington Post and the RJC, sad and entertaining–like fake news ought to be:
HP: Why are you listing Hagel as a companion on Obama’s Israel trip if the Telegraph and other news outlets say he won’t be there?
RJC: “I think what is really interesting is that Chuck Hagel seems to be the latest in the long line of advisers and associates that Sen. Obama surrounds himself with that really have anti-Israel statements and biases,” said Kurtz.
Um… The question had nothing to do with Hagel’s record.
“I think it is absolutely about Chuck Hagel’s record and the votes.”
Ok, let’s try a different tact. Yes or no, did the RJC believe Obama was going to Israel with Chuck Hagel?
“I can tell you that it is very interesting that Sen. Obama continues to seek the counsel and companionship of those that have…”
That’s not what I’m asking.
“We are going around in a circle you understand.”
Yes, I do. Is it easy or difficult to have to repeat the same exact answer, no matter what?
“Is it tough to keep asking the same question again and again?”
Do you think it is the least bit misleading that your website says Obama is going to Israel with Hagel, even though he’s not.
“I don’t think it is misleading. I think if he is or isn’t is a question to be directed to the Obama campaign.”
4
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:16 PM Anonymous Says:
Whats the damn difference if he's flying with Hagel only to Iraq and Afghanistan and not to Israel.
It's the people that he associates with and takes advice from and if Chuck Hagel is in that circle than the RJC was well with in their right to castigate Barack Hussein Obama.
5
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:18 PM anonymous Says:
The 'damn difference' is that RJC LIED.
6
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:22 PM anonymous Says:
This is a great week for the world of gneivas daas.
Between the 5W Engelmayer mess and this stupidity Kurtz, we are looking like a not so honest people who deceive ourselves.
7
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:29 PM Anonymous Says:
Who gives a crap. The Huffington report is just another hack job blog mouth piece of Barack Hussein Obama and the democratic party.
Even though she (Arianna Huffington) wouldn't be saying all this before she so conveniently changed sides from Right Wing Republican to Democrat Extreme Liberal Leftist Radical.
8
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:33 PM anonymous Says:
anon 1:29, this is all over the JTA and the jewish b logs as well. No one did a hack job. why else did the RJC remove the press release they sent out? because they were dishonest and removing it is an admission.
They used deceit to promote their false agenda.
9
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:33 PM Anonymous Says:
Anonymous 1:18 PM
Can you please tell us who you support for president? As if there's any question. ha
10
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:36 PM deepthinker Says:
The first rule of public relations is: Never, Never, Lie! In the age of the internet, that is doubly true. You will be exposed immediately.
So, it is not reasonable to assume that a major organization, like RJC, would knowingly lie and, thereby, destory their credibility.
What is really likely is that they got a "hot tip" and put out a statement before doing a careful fact-check.
So, Kurtz got caught with egg on her face, and, more imortantly, lost a golden opportunity to make the very valid point that "Birds of a feather, flock together."
A man is known by his associations--"Ish LeFi MeHalloLo." Does it really matter if he's traveling with Hagel to Iraq or Israel--they're obviously buddies.
11
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:38 PM anonymous Says:
Did the alleged HuffPo Liberal Hack Job come in cahoots with the Conservative New York Sun????
------------------------------------------------
GOP Group Criticizes Obama for Trip With GOP Senator
By Staff Reporter of the Sun | July 15, 2008
http://www.nysun.com/national/gop-group-criticizes-obama-for-trip-with-gop/81860/
The Republican Jewish Coalition is criticizing Senator Obama for traveling to the Middle East with a member of the Republican Party: Senator Hagel of Nebraska. The anti-war Republican is joining Mr. Obama and Senator Reed, a Democrat of Rhode Island, on a trip to Iraq and Afghanistan later this summer. Mr. Obama is also traveling to Israel, and the Republican Jewish group yesterday called on him to jettison Mr. Hagel from that leg of the trip, citing a record that they characterized as unsupportive of the Jewish state. There has been no indication that Mr. Hagel would be accompanying Mr. Obama to Israel, and the Obama campaign wouldn't comment yesterday. The National Jewish Democratic Council suggested the coalition's statement was bizarre. "The RJC should get its facts right. Obama is going to Iraq with Hagel, not Israel," the Democratic group's executive director, Ira Forman, said. He also voiced skepticism at the RJC's newfound criticism of Mr. Hagel. "For the past 12 years, he's been a Republican senator and they've never had a problem with his record up to now," he said.
12
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:39 PM Anonymous Says:
Anonymous 1:33 PM
Why don't you check out the RJC website before you talk.
I'll even give the link.
http://www.rjchq.org/news.asp?FormMode=Detail&id=1328
13
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:42 PM anon Says:
1:36, see today's New York Sun.
if what you say is to be beleived, then they are really really stupid people.
(and its jsut not true, because this is the RJC M.O. and they do it all the time)
14
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:48 PM anon Says:
Funny that the RJC would post a release saying that one of their Own Republicans (hagel) is bad for israel. Is that bad like ron paul or bad like bush?
It funny that the RJC would do this after selling people on the false notion that all democrats were somehow bad for israel and yet alll gantze republicans were the greatest friends israel ever had.
BTW - check out the NYSun article which was out before the Huffpost. http://www.nysun.com/national/gop-group-criticizes-obama-for-trip-with-gop/81860/
15
Jul 15, 2008 at 01:51 PM Anonymous Says:
The reason why Hagel is not flying to Israel with Barack Hussein Obama is because of his previous engagement in the Palestinian territories with his good friends the ever peace loving Hizbolah democratic party.
16
Jul 15, 2008 at 05:40 PM anonymouse Says:
Please Mr. 1:51 try not to display your ignorance. If you are going to insist on using people's fullnames, at least be respectful or even just try to be consistent. You mean to refer to Charles Timothy Hagel. (If you must insist on calling "Barack Hussein Obama" at least be consistent and afford everyone else you speak of the same courtesey and respect).
17
Jul 15, 2008 at 07:04 PM Heshy Says:
All you pathetic fools who support Obama: He will not only bury Israel, but also the United States if he his elected by naive, gullible jerks like you.
18
Jul 15, 2008 at 07:17 PM anonymous Says:
no one can possibly do worse damage than bush and co. have (for america, israel or otherwise)
19
Jul 16, 2008 at 01:10 AM Anonymous Says:
Why do some of this site apparently delight in demonizing the Jewish Republican Coalition revelling in the Left's Huffington site cudgel against pro-Israel Jews?
In fact a recent report in the American press had appeared on Hussein Obama's the other week plan to embark on a visit to "Palestine" which everyone by now knows is under Hamas rule - the terrorist organization responsible for the mounting of terrorist campaigns as policy against Jews and non-Moslems!
Apparently that did not go over well and his itinerary has been changed to visiting Middle East States. Remember Hussein Obama advocates dialogue with Iran and other Islamic terrorist sponsoring States as his policy strategies.
Remember too his Moslem relatives living in Kenya are militants identifying with anti-American, anti-Israel interests.
Why the protection afforded a candidate whose decades long association has been with forces demonizing America? And not question how someone with such a background made it to the candidacy for President of the United States of America? I've heard of wolves in sheep's clothing - but why would you give yours to the wolf? You think you will get your clothes back? Hardly!
No matter your politics - a Jew's identification should be with other Jews not with those who seek to hurt fellow Jews.
If you believe in God - you vote for the good of our people as you do for the good of America as a democracy - not as fodder against the existence of Israel.
Don't outsmart yourself in a belief that anti-Israeli interests will make life good for you. Will bring on "the mishiach". If you hate your brother you cannot love yourself. AND that is an affront to God who made you. False messiahs have always been among us and our experience is not to vote for any.
20
Jul 16, 2008 at 02:59 AM anon Says:
this has nothing to do with huff post or anyone against pro israel jews (democrats are pro israel too - thats at the core of this story) other people including the JTA and the Sun covered this today. it is about the RJC using deceit - period. nothing else. dont make this about what it isnt. its about one thing. republican jewish coalition deception.
21
Jul 16, 2008 at 09:54 AM Anonymous Says:
Our chashuve askonim shouldnt give money to people who employ the use of gneivas daas
22
Jul 16, 2008 at 11:50 AM Reb Yid Says:
To anon 5:40--there's no reason to call Hagel by his middle name, b/c it doesn't matter to anyone. Mah she'ein kein by Obama, where many are interested in the President of the United States not having an Arabic name.
23
Jul 16, 2008 at 12:14 PM Etymology Says:
nevermind that Hussein means "good" and "handsome" man
24
Jul 16, 2008 at 01:00 PM Anonymous Says:
well then its a good think people havent studied the names of Rudolph William Louis GIuliani III, Richard Bruce Cheney or John Sidney McCain Jr. How about 'Condoleezza' Rice? What about recent Bush appointee Zalmay Mamozy Khalilzad? What kind of name is that?
25
Jul 16, 2008 at 03:37 PM Schmoozeball Says:
What the heck does it matter is Obama has an Arabic name. I'm assuming the newborn baby didn't name himself, rather that was his parents job. At least he's not ashamed of having a name that not everybody would agree with like some Jewish entertainers who insisted on changing theirs. And while we're on the Muslim topic, those Republicans that insist that Obama is an Islamic fanatic also seem to insist that hes a crazy Christian with a messed up pastor. You can pick one or the other, but not both. Obama is a man of morals and leadership skills and can't possibly mess up this country more than Bush with foreign policy or Reagan with the economy. Say whatever you want about him, but just tell the truth.
26
Jul 20, 2008 at 02:18 PM Reb Yid Says:
1. Huffington Post (the source of the article) is a virulently anti-Republican, far-out leftist rag, whose objectivity is virtually zero. So the absurd spin on a silly mistake should come as no surprise.
2. This skirts the issue of Chuck Hagel's unfriendly attitude toward Israel; if he's an Obama advisor, which he evidently is, then it doesn't matter which countries he travels to with him--Obama's getting the wrong advice.
3. If you wouldn't mind a President with an Arabic name, then fine. But many people would, and therefore it's not unreasonable to mention it. No one cares if the President has a middle name of "Sidney", which is why we don't keep bringing up John McCain's middle name. But we're not going to refrain from mentioning Obama's. Maybe we shouldn't be allowed to mention his first and last name, either? These might also offend people, or rather, make people not want to vote for him. Don't stifle the truth.