Marcy Winograd, a member of Progressive Democrats of America, challenged Jane Harman in the 2006 Democratic primary in California's 36th congressional district. Winograd made the decision to run against Harman after watching her defend the Bush administration's warrantless wiretapping program on Meet the Press. Harman won the primary, 62.5% to 37.5%. Winograd has reflected on the Harman scandal over at Daily Kos:
Right after the 2006 primary, Israel invaded Lebanon. As the
Israeli bombs turned Lebanese neighborhoods into blood-filled craters,
Harman went on television to justify the invasion. Never mind the
carpet bombing.Days later, after I, together with LA Jews for Peace
[lajewsforpeace.org], organized demonstrations in front of the Israeli
consulate, Harman invited me and a dozen others who worked on my
campaign to meet with her in her office. I begged her, literally
begged her, to call for a cease-fire in the middle east. She wouldn't
hear of it and drew back when I suggested she at least talk to members
of Americans for Peace Now, an American offshoot of an Israeli peace
group.Was Harman a true believer in Israel and AIPAC or was she caught up in a script that had spun out of control?
Hard to say — given the fact that so many of our Los Angeles-area
law makers, from Howard Berman, Chair of the powerful House Foreign
Affairs Committee, to Henry Waxman, Chair of the House Energy
Committee,
have yet to raise a critical question about Israel's use of white
phosphorous and DIME explosives weapons in the open-air prison of Gaza.As much as this story is about Harman, about her collusion with a
Bush administration bent on breaking the law, it is also about the
pernicious influence wielded in Washington by lobbyists for a foreign
government. Israel.Let us remind Harman and the rest of Congress that they represent the people of the United States of America.
This story is amazing. First of all, think of how astounding the timing is on this story . . . as the US is on a "collision course" with Israel over its reticence about the two-state solution . . . as Rosen and Weissman are about to go to trial . . . as a possible payback to AIPACsters who wre high-fiving over sabotaging Freeman's appointment at NIC . . . and, most importantly, as a warning shot to the other Israel-first senators and congresspeople who may be "waddling in" on AIPAC's behalf to circumvent momentum on the Palestinian homeland.
I also think how it was leaked is exceptionally interesting. The leakers didn't go to the New York Times or the Washington Post — they went to CQ! CQ did the investigative reporting with triple-checks that forced the Times to run a page-one story this morning (in part, because the story implicated influence-peddling at the Times in holding back the story for a year because of Harman's intervention).
It's frightening that Harman had such a powerful position, and is so beholden to AIPAC. AIPAC needs to register as a foreign agent immediately.
One other note — Pelosi is in an interesting bind. She has to order a House ethics investigation of wrongdoing in which she was a target! According to the story, Harman was conspiring to have Saban hold back campaign dollars if Harman wasn't appointed Chair of the House Intelligence Committee. Wow. Talk about pay for play. Isn't that element of the story AS BAD OR WORSE than Blagovich and the vacant Senate seat?
"Let us remind Harman and the rest of Congress that they represent the people of the United States of America."
It's unbelievabe isn't it?…that we should have to remind congress who they are suppose to serve.
This way to the revolution———->>>>>>>>>>>.
PEPs are the new neo-liberals.
The underground progressive base and a few leaders are in solidarity with the Palestinian people.
i agree, this is huge. it shows that a West Coast left Jew who surely opposes the occupation– Winograd– is willing to speak of the American interest in opposition to the lobby.
the significance is that: When the lobby is openly debated, many leftleaning Jews will come out against it.
Phil,
You should check out the website of her group link to lajewsforpeace.org
and check her personal story(under "Personal Stories" in the header).
Perhaps she could give your website one of the female voices that you have desired. She could also give you a West Coast perspective as well.
Just a friendly suggestion from me …. I don't know if she would be interested but it might be worth asking.