Blakeman for Congress in 4th CD

It's Blakeman

The Jewish Star's endorsement

Our decision next Tuesday comes down to the one issue where every vote and every voice counts: Support for the State of Israel.

Our decision next Tuesday comes down to the one issue where every vote and every voice counts: Support for the State of Israel. On this, both candidates may be on the same page, but Mr. Blakeman — now enaged to a Sabra and, as a Republican, wholly detached from President Obama’s foreign policy missteps — is at the top of the page. Given the existential threats facing Israel and the serious international crises that America must stoutly confront, even such marginal differences are enough to give added weight to Mr. Blakeman’s bid. The 4th CD deserves a voice that will be unrestrained in its support for the Jewish state.”

The Jewish Star editorial, Oct. 31

Kathleen Rice is a true believer in the broad sweep of liberal causes often associated with President Obama. Bruce Blakeman is emphatic in his assertion of conservative values.

On America’s relations with the state of Israel — which is paramount to our community — differences between the candidates are nuanced.

Both Ms. Rice and Mr. Blakeman have promised to support Israel and to criticize the President when they interpret his policy as unfavorable to Israel’s interests, which they both link to America’s own interests. Mr. Blakeman has attacked President Obama’s foreign policy, including its approach to Iran and Hamas, which has been inept, at the very least. Ms. Rice has also voiced concern.

Ms. Rice concedes that her knowledge of foreign affairs is limited; she promised to become “steeped” in knowledge once elected. Unfortunately, this was the implied message of the 2008 Obama campaign. For Mr. Obama, the learning curve was steep and unproductive. Unlike Mr. Obama, though, Ms. Rice does not bring to the electorate a history of worrisome views and affiliations on Israel and Jews; the Blakeman campaign’s attempt to tar Ms. Rice for a scheduled appearance at the Islamic Center of Long Island is a valid political tactic, which Ms. Rice rebuffed by withdrawing from the event.

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On a range of domestic issues, Mr. Blakeman has voiced vague — sometimes evasive — positions, presumably to shield him from being seen as a clone of the Republican right (or perhaps to mask a moderate temperment that might displease the more reactionary wing of his party, a la Mitt Romney).