Obama Campaign Withdraws From Two Jewish Debates

[MasterWolf1]

Obama Campaign Withdraws From Two Jewish Debates
Will they duck debates in Philadelphia, Los Angeles, New York and Cleveland?

 
Washington, D.C. (October 16, 2008) -- The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Executive Director Matt Brooks issued the following statement today:

Now that the Presidential debates are over, the Obama campaign is trying to cancel all remaining debates in the Jewish community that include the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Claiming they do not like recent RJC advertisements, the Obama campaign has formally instructed all of its representatives to cancel their scheduled appearances with any representative of the RJC.  Former Congressman Mel Levine (CA) yesterday informed the Valley Cities Jewish Community Center that he would no longer show up for his scheduled debate this Sunday against RJC California Director Larry Greenfield.  State Representative Josh Shapiro (PA) informed Temple Sinai that he would not participate in a forum with RJC Philadelphia Director Scott Feigelstein.

"The RJC is deeply troubled by this effort on the part of the Obama campaign to stifle and limit a debate on the important issues facing our country," said Brooks.  "More than anything the Jewish community values dialogue.  What is the Obama campaign afraid of?  Why is the Obama campaign afraid to have this conversation?"

"With their recently enacted policy of not debating representatives of the RJC, the Obama campaign has underscored Senator Obama's problems in the Jewish community. It is unfortunate that the Obama campaign is unwilling and afraid to have a candid conversation in the Jewish community on the issues of great concern to Jewish voters," said Brooks.

"Throughout this campaign, the RJC has highlighted the truth about Obama's positions, his statements and his advisers. Every point raised in our ads is sourced, cited and has previously been reported in the media. We ask legitimate questions about Obama's policies towards Israel, the Middle East and Iran.  Our ads have raised legitimate concerns over Obama's associations with Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Robert Malley, Tony McPeak and David Bonior.  If the Obama campaign is unhappy with our ads, then Senator Obama should never have associated with these individuals in the first place," Brooks added.

"Currently, the RJC is scheduled to participate in 29 debates between now and the election.  In keeping with the long-standing tradition of Jewish dialogue, we look forward to these opportunities to engage the Jewish community on the critical issues," said Brooks.