AIPAC Email from Bernie Sanders. WTF ?? I mean, seriously, What The Fuck??!!

[TeamProg]

The email I just rec'd from Sen. Bernie Sanders:


You know it. I know it. The current American political system is corrupt.

You get to cast one vote. Billionaires get to spend hundreds of millions supporting or defeating candidates of their choice. That’s not democracy. That’s Oligarchy. And that’s why we must overturn the disastrous Supreme Court decision on Citizens United and move to public funding of elections.

But, in the mean time, living within this corrupt campaign finance system, we have to fight back and support progressive candidates under attack from right-wing billionaires.

One example.

As you may have heard, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and their billionaire-backed Super PAC are planning a $100 million campaign targeting progressive members of Congress this election.

If we do not support those members, I fear that no one will.

So today, I am reaching out asking you to split a donation between Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee and my campaign. If that's all you need to hear, use this link.

https://act.berniesanders.com/go/defend-progressives

Otherwise, let me be as blunt as I can about what is happening here:

AIPAC and other groups rely on right-wing billionaires in order to influence primary races and defeat progressives. They spend unlimited amounts of money to undermine our democracy, mislead voters, and maintain the status quo. When we talk about billionaires buying candidates and elections, this is exactly what we are talking about.

During the 2022 campaign, they spent $33 million largely attacking progressive candidates and supporting their right-wing opponents.

They spent more than $3 million attacking Summer Lee in Pennsylvania. They spent more than $1 million defeating Jessica Cisneros in her primary, and they spent significant sums of money to defeat Nina Turner in her primary.

They do it through a Super PAC ironically named the United Democracy Project. Yet, despite their “democracy” project, AIPAC endorsed over 100 election-denying Republicans who refused to certify Biden’s election and are funded by billionaires who want a "two-party" system that is united in support of large corporations and the rich. And, quite cynically, for an organization whose mission is to support "Pro-Israel” candidates, their ads attacking progressives often have nothing to do with that issue at all. They don't even have the courage to talk about the issue they ostensibly support in their ads.

Cowards and hypocrites!

In this election, AIPAC is expected to spend $100 million just to try and unseat progressive members of Congress who dare to speak out about what's going on in Gaza. Yes. As a candidate, all you have to do is speak out against the horrific and destructive war that Israel is waging against the Palestinian people and you will find yourself on the AIPAC Hitlist - and be the recipient of large amounts of money trying to defeat you.

It is also no coincidence that most of the candidates AIPAC targets are women and people of color, and they are almost all progressives who center their campaigns and their work in Congress on protecting the needs of the working people of this country.

So it will surprise no one to hear that the top donors to AIPAC's super PAC are a who's who of financial service industries: Highfields Capital Management, JLL Partners, Saban Capital Group, the right-wing founder of Home Depot, and more. They spend unlimited amounts of money to undermine our democracy, mislead voters, and maintain the status quo.

Billionaire participation in elections is nothing new but, every election cycle, they become bolder and more influential. And the elections of 2024 are shaping up to be the most dangerous yet — with progressives often the target.

So what can we do about it?

First, the progressive members of Congress being attacked by AIPAC deserve the full financial and organizational support of the Democratic Party establishment in their races. When progressives run against sitting members of Congress, the entire Democratic Party leadership contributes to the more conservative Democrat and floods their district with events and fundraisers. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, the progressive members of Congress deserve no less support from their House colleagues and leadership.

But these candidates need our help as well, because it would be a tragedy if Jamaal Bowman and Summer Lee were replaced in Congress by some conservative Democrat at a time when progressive voices are needed more and more.

So I am once again asking for your financial support:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And btw, the Prog in Team Prog is for the "Progressive" Rock genre of music - not about politics.

[Fiendish Thingy]

1. Why WTF?

Are you shocked and outraged, as Sanders is, that AIPAC is supporting the Netanyahu government and targeting progressives for defeat, or are you shocked that Sanders is opposing AIPAC’s agenda?

Your post wasn’t clear.

[TeamProg]

2. A large majority if Israeli-American support Dems. So AIPAC is going against their constituency. nt

[brooklynite]

4. AIPAC isn't going "against Dems"...

A lot of Democratic Members (up to and including Nancy Pelosi and Hakeem Jeffries) receive support from AIPAC. What they’re doing is supporting mainstream Democrats running against the progressives. You may object but folks here were pretty happy when the progressive challengers ran against “corporate Democrats” as I recall.

[JohnSJ]

8. AIPAC doesn't contribute to political candidates. Individual members do. They are a political action committee,

like other PACs.

The lobby supports both Democrats and republicans.

[progressoid]

15. "AIPAC isn't going "against Dems..." ???

Andy Levin isn't a Dem?
Katie Porter isn't a Dem?
Cori Bush isn't a Dem?
Donna Edwards isn't a Dem?

You can parse your words however you like but the fact is that they run campaigns against Dems. More progressive Dems, but Dem non-the-less.

It's interesting that you cite Jeffries as a recipient but don't mention Ted Cruz or Marsha Blackburn or even the RNC itself as recipients. A third of AIPAC's money is going to the GOP.

[brooklynite]

16. So we can't support another Dem?

[progressoid]

20. We?

Are you speaking for AIPAC?

If so, I want to know how giving a quarter million $ to Ted Cruz supports Dems?
Or Roger Wicker, or Kevin Cramer, or Deb Fisher, or Don Bacon, or Michael McCaul or the fucking RNC?

[brooklynite]

25. The Sanders emails referenced Bowman and Bush...

Both are in absolutely safe DRM seats and are only being challenged by mainstream Democrats.

AIPAC never professed to be a “pro-Democratic” PAC; they’re an advocacy group that supports candidates on both sides.

Question: who did you support when AOC ran against Democrat Joe Crowley?

[progressoid]

29. This is really simple...

You said, ""AIPAC isn't going against Dems."

This is demonstrably false. Your attempts at what-about-ism regarding AOC and Crowley notwithstanding. They not only support Dems against Dems but also support Republicans against Democrats.

[H2O Man]

45. "Is this a

private fight, or can anyone join?" -- Sacred Irish prayer


I supported AOC a few hours before she announced. I always think a person that lives in a district is more likely to work for the people they represent, rather than someone who lives elsewhere. Now, I understand that others can think differently, and thus approve of Lauren Boebert, for example.

It seems accurate to say that AIPAC isn't opposed to the Democratic Party, though definitely they are opposed to some Democrats. So we should all be able to agree that AIPAC has no loyalty to either party, but rather acts in ways that advocates their values and self-interests. I think that they have that right, just as Bernie has the right to advocate for his position. I think everyone should put their cards on the table. I do note that our friend you were debating recently suggested that I didn't need to donate to AOC, but should invest in other campaigns. That's fine. I'll donate to AOC and Ilhan Omar and others that share my values on most issues.

[progressoid]

59. Sure. Jump in, the water's fine!

I agree with your post.

I'd post more but I'm tired.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

19. So 2/3s is going for Democrats!

Sounds great, I'm glad they are giving more money to Democrats.

[progressoid]

24. Nope. That dog don't hunt.

Across the river from me, they supported GOP asshole Don Bacon in 2022 and are supporting him again this year. We been within a point or two of beating him. AIPAC isn't helping our side.

By the way they also give $ directly to the RNC. Nothing to the DNC though.

Edit: Here's Don Bacon with Boris Johnson last year

[rpannier]

48. I recall that the Democratic Leadership in the House said vendors who aid campaigns against

sitting Democratic members of Congress would be shut out by the Party
Did they (Pelosi and Jeffries) change that position?
Because it certainly was there when progressives wanted to run against sitting Dems in 2022

[Celerity]

56. In 2022 AIPAC endorsed 109 Rethug traitors who refused to certify Biden, almost of whom still push the Big Lie

https://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1002&pid=18813343

[Fiendish Thingy]

22. AIPAC's constituency is not Israeli-Americans

It is the lobbying arm for Netanyahu’s corrupt, far right neo-fascist Likud party.

What is equally concerning was that Adam Schiff accepted large donation(s) from AIPAC for his primary campaign.

[brooklynite]

27. So Leader Jeffries and former Speaker Pelosi are accepting support from....

…”the lobbying arm for Netanyahu’s corrupt, far right neo-fascist Likud party”?

Have you told them? They may not be as politically saavy as you are.

[Fiendish Thingy]

32. Oh, I think they're plenty savvy.

I can’t help them with matters of conscience.

[lapucelle]

34. Candidates/campaigns are accepting money from the lobbying arm of a foreign political party?

Someone should notify the FEC.

Foreign nationals
Federal law prohibits contributions, donations, expenditures(including independent expenditures) and disbursements solicited, directed, received or made directly or indirectly by or from foreign nationals in connection with any federal, state or local election.

https://www.fec.gov/help-candidates-and-committees/foreign-nationals/

[Grins]

3. Israel has been interfering in U.S. elections...

…going back to Truman. More than even RUSSIA.

[JohnSJ]

9. Thank-you. +++

[PSPS]

10. You're the only one to bring up "JOOZ".

[AZSkiffyGeek]

11. Just because you don't know the antisemitic trope being peddled

Doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

[PSPS]

14. I guess I'm missing "the antisemitic trope" in this thread. Where is it?

Unless it's your post itself.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

17. Thanks for calling me an antisemite!

You seem nice. Dig out that copy of the Protocols, and do some research before accusing people of being antisemites for calling out a poster accusing Jews of controlling the American government.

[PSPS]

21. Sorry, but I see nothing about "JOOZ" controlling the government anywhere in this thread outside of your own post.

I know you weren't promoting it but, rather, using it as an example. Yet, nowhere else in the thread do I see anything antisemitic.

[lapucelle]

35. How so?

[betsuni]

57. How?

[getagrip_already]

5. Intetesting factoid: in the us intelligence community

Israeli intelligence is right up there with Russia and China as critical threats to us internal security interests.

Yes, we support Israel as a country and as a people, and rightfully so. But not every facet of Israeli policy is friendly to the us or its interests.

[harumph]

12. Thank you, I support Israel, but facts are facts.

[getagrip_already]

13. As do i..... strongly

Netanyahu..... not so much. He has needed to be gone for a very, very, long time.

[former9thward]

37. Where is your so-called "factoid" coming from?

It is definitely not a fact. Just the opposite. Our intelligence services work very closely with the Mossad.

[RandySF]

52. No

Israel is nothing like Russia or China.

[tritsofme]

6. Good news! I'm hopeful that George Latimer beats Bowman in NY, and Wesley Bell can beat Cori Bush in MO.

Both would be huge upgrades for those districts!

It would be wonderful to have pro-Biden Democrats in those seats!

[Nixie]

28. Yes!

[brooklynite]

18. You didn't mention this part of the email...

So today, I am reaching out asking you to split a donation between Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee and my campaign. If that's all you need to hear, use this link.

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100218810122

I’ll go with Latimer.

[lapucelle]

33. Is that correct?

The email says "Reps. Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee, and one other group". What is the other group?

========================================

[brooklynite]

36. Bernie himself

[lapucelle]

38. I wonder why anyone would refer to themselves as a "group".

[betsuni]

23. Just a fundraising email. Politicians do that, it's status quo.

[Nixie]

26. "progressives" No, they are not going after progressives.

They are campaigning largely against the vocal Bernie-backed politicians who have decided to call themselves progressive.

[Nanjeanne]

30. Makes my life easier. Any Dem AIPAC targets goes on my donation list.

[Ping Tung]

31. Thanks Bernie. The anti-war movement is being revived at last.

Hopefully it will spread to Israel, Palestine, and the rest of the world.

[Mountainguy]

40. Anti-war?

Funny, only seems to be one war they are very worried about.

[Ping Tung]

43. Gaza is getting the most attention but there are plenty of others to be against.

[Mountainguy]

50. Is there anybody

Protesting the Joe Biden and refusing to vote for him based on supporting the Ukrainian war effort?

I don't see any progressives or campus activists marching in front of Russian businesses.

[betsuni]

41. What "anti-war movement" revived? Do you mean '60s anti-Vietnam war?

Anti-Iraq invasion? Something else?

[Ping Tung]

42. Take your pick.

At the moment, the protests against the war in Gaza seems to be gaining steam.

[betsuni]

44. But Vietnam and Iraq were extremely different situations from the Israel/Palestine conflict.

So no revival. Do you mean more of a pacifism thing, as in no wars at all are necessary?

[Ping Tung]

46. Hawks and Doves then and now.

I'm a Dove. As in pacifist. I became one after 4 years of being a trained killer in the marines. I didn't want to harm anyone that I didn't know, didn't dislike, and whose company I may have enjoyed just because LBJ, then Nixon, and the rest wanted to burnish their "Strong Leader" creds. Killing on command is just murder wrapped in a flag.

[betsuni]

49. Bernie Sanders: "Now, I'm not a pacifist. There are times when war may be necessary."

Bernie is right. Diplomacy, negotiations, are the first resort and everything must be done to end conflicts but as a last resort sometimes military intervention may be necessary.

[betsuni]

60. Bernie Sanders: "I'm not a pacifist."

Say something,

[Ping Tung]

61. I agree. Bernie doesn't claim to be a pacifist.

[RandySF]

53. In this case, anti-war means letting Hamas get away.

[Ping Tung]

58. Those who kill civilians shouldn't get away with it.

I'm all for all war criminals being brought to justice whether Hamas, IDF, or anyone else.

You?

[lapucelle]

39. Maybe Senator Sanders isn't aware of Democratic leadership's policy of endorsing incumbents.

He seems to think that the "Democratic Party establishment" supports "conservative Democrats" when they are, in fact, supporting sitting members.

That's why Leader Jeffries has already endorsed Summer Lee and Jamaal Bowman.

First, the progressive members of Congress being attacked by AIPAC deserve the full financial and organizational support of the Democratic Party establishment in their races.

When progressives run against sitting members of Congress the entire Democratic Party leadership contributes to the more conservative Democrat and floods their district with events and fundraisers. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, the progressive members of Congress deserve no less support from their House colleagues and leadership.

But these candidates need our help as well, because it would be a tragedy if Jamaal Bowman and Summer Lee were replaced in Congress by some conservative Democrat at a time when progressive voices are needed more and more.

[Sky Jewels]

47. FUCK AIPAC.

They are on par with the NRA. Right wing extremists.

[RandySF]

54. I wouldn't equate advancing a country's survival with the NRA.

[Celerity]

55. In 2022 AIPAC endorsed 109 Rethug traitors who refused to certify Biden, almost of whom still push the Big Lie

Including the christofash Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, Gym Jordan, ultra MAGAt Elise Stefanik, Kevin McCarthy, the crazed gunhumper Greg Steube, Ronny 'Trump's drunk Dr Feelgood' Jackson, Joe 'you lie!' Wilson, John 'I am a racist, climate change denying MAGAt, but look!, Henry Cuellar campaigns and fundraises for me so it's all good' Carter, Troy Nehls, etc etc)

Why pro-Israel lobby group Aipac is backing election deniers and extremist Republicans

Among those candidates endorsed by Aipac is the New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik, a Trump loyalist whose home town newspaper criticised her for “despicable” advertising and “hateful rhetoric” that promoted the racist and antisemitic “great replacement theory”, claiming the US is being flooded with immigrants to outvote white people. The Times Union accused Stefanik of “fear-based political tactics”.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/18/pro-israel-lobby-group-aipac-midterms-election-deniers-and-extremist-republicans



The US’s largest pro-Israel lobby group is backing dozens of racists, homophobes and election deniers running for Congress next month because they have pledged to defend Israel against stiffening criticism of its oppression of the Palestinians. The powerful American Israel Public Affairs Committee (Aipac) has justified endorsing Republicans with extremist views, including members of Congress with ties to white supremacist groups and representatives who attempted to block Joe Biden’s election victory, on the grounds that the singular issue of support for Israel trumps other considerations.

But Aipac’s support for rightwing politicians has privately embarrassed some Democrats also endorsed by the powerful group and drawn accusations from more moderate pro-Israel organisations that it is attempting to stifle legitimate criticism of hardline Israeli policies. Logan Bayroff, a spokesman for J Street, a group campaigning for Washington to take a stronger stand to end the occupation of Palestinian territories, accused Aipac of attempting to impose a narrow definition of what it is to be pro-Israel amid shifting views in Democratic ranks.

“Their actions have made clear that they view pro-Israel, pro-peace progressive Democrats as threats – and Trumpist Republicans as allies. That worldview could not be more out of touch with the vast majority of American Jews,” he said. “Aipac may hope to silence and intimidate political leaders who believe that settlement expansion, endless conflict and permanent occupation are harmful to Israel, the Palestinian people and US interests. Ultimately, however, these common-sense views are too popular, widespread and important to be suppressed, and will continue to gain strength within American politics and among the American Jewish community.”

Aipac’s backing of extreme rightwing Republicans follows its $27m advertising campaign during the Democratic primaries to defeat candidates who spoke up for Palestinian rights, mostly with attacks over issues that had nothing to do with Israel. The campaign is part of push by more hawkish pro-Israel groups to shore up support in Congress in the face of rising advocacy for the Palestinian cause within the Democratic party and erosion of approval for Israeli actions among American Jews, particularly younger people.

snip

Updated list:

https://jstreet.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/AIPAC-Endorsee-List-042022.pdf

AIPAC endorsees that voted against certifying the 2020 presidential election results

Robert Aderholt (AL-04)
Jerry Carl (AL-01)
Barry Moore (AL-02)
Gary Palmer (AL-06)
Mike Rogers (AL-03)
Andy Biggs (AZ-05)
Debbie Lesko (AZ-08)
David Schweikert (AZ-01)
Rick Crawford (AK-01)
Ken Calvert (CA-41)
Mike Garcia (CA-27)
Darrell Issa (CA-48)
Doug LaMalfa (CA-01)
Kevin McCarthy (CA-20)
Jay Obernolte (CA-23)
Doug Lamborn (CO-05)
Kat Cammack (FL-03)
Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-25)
Byron Donalds (FL-19)
Neal Dunn (FL-02)
Scott Franklin (FL-15)
Carlos Gimenez (FL-26)
Brian Mast (FL-18)
Bill Posey (FL-08)
John Rutherford (FL-04)
Greg Steube (FL-17)
Daniel Webster (FL-11)
Rick Allen (GA-12)
Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Ross Fulcher (ID-01)
Mike Bost (IL-12)
Jim Baird (IN-04)
Jim Banks (IN-03)
Greg Pence (IN-06)
Ron Estes (KS-04)
Jake LaTurner (KS-02)
Tracey Mann (KS-01)
Hal Rogers (KY-05)
John Kennedy (LA-Sen)
Garret Graves (LA-06)
Clay Higgins (LA-03)
Mike Johnson (LA-04)
Steve Scalise (LA-01)
Andy Harris (MD-01)
Jack Bergman (MI-01)
Lisa McClain (MI-09)
Tim Walberg (MI-05)
Michelle Fischbach (MN-07)
Michael Guest (MS-03)
Trent Kelly (MS-01)
Steven Palazzo (MS-04)
Sam Graves (MO-06)
Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03)
Jason Smith (MO-08)
Matt Rosendale (MT-02)
Adrian Smith (NE-03)
Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02)
Yvette Herrell (NM-02)
Chris Jacobs (NY-24)
Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11)
Elise Stefanik (NY-21)
Dan Bishop (NC-08)
Virginia Foxx (NC-05)
Richard Hudson (NC-09)
Greg Murphy (NC-03)
David Rouzer (NC-07)
Steve Chabot (OH-01)
Bill Johnson (OH-06)
Jim Jordan (OH-04)
Stephanie Bice (OK-05)
Tom Cole (OK-04)
Kevin Hern (OK-01)
Mike Kelly (PA-16)
Dan Meuser (PA-09)
Scott Perry (PA-10)
Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)
Lloyd Smucker (PA-11)
G.T. Thompson (PA-15)
Jeff Duncan (SC-03)
Ralph Norman (SC-05)
Tom Rice (SC-07)
William Timmons (SC-04)
Joe Wilson (SC-02)
Tim Burchett (TN-02)
Scott DesJarlais (TN-04)
Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03)
Mark Green (TN-07)
Diana Harshbarger (TN-01)
David Kustoff (TN-08)
John Rose (TN-06)
Jodey Arrington (TX-19)
Brian Babin (TX-36)
Michael Burgess (TX-26)
John Carter (TX-31)
Michael Cloud (TX-27)
Lance Gooden (TX-05)
Ronny Jackson (TX-13)
Troy Nehls (TX-22)
August Pfluger (TX-11)
Pete Sessions (TX-17)
Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)
Randy Weber (TX-14)
Roger Williams (TX-25)
Chris Stewart (UT-02)
Ben Cline (VA-06)
Morgan Griffith (VA-09)
Rob Wittman (VA-01)
Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)
Carol Miller (WV-01)

[RandySF]

51. Bowman called reports of sexual assault by Hamas "propaganda".

He needs to go.