WHIP LIST: Dems skipping Netanyahu speech (25 Dems - Over 10% - will boycott speech in 2 weeks)

The Hill ^ | updated on Feb. 17 at 10:25 a.m | Mike Lillis

[Dave346]

SKIPPING

House (22)

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Ore.) — Wrote a Jan. 29 column in The Huffington Post explaining his decision, saying the Constitution “vests the responsibility for foreign affairs in the president.”

Rep. Luis Gutiérrez (Ill.) — A spokesman told the Chicago Sun-Times that Gutierrez has a "strong" record on Israel but called the speech "a stunt."

Rep. Betty McCollum (Minn.): "In my view Mr. Netanyahu’s speech before Congress is nothing more than a campaign event hosted by Speaker Boehner and paid for by the American people," McCollum said in a statement."

Rep. Charles Rangel (N.Y.) — "I'm offended as an American," he said on MSNBC.

Rep. John Yarmuth (Ky.) — "We know what he is going to say," the Jewish lawmaker said in a statement.

Rep. G.K. Butterfield (N.C.), Rep. Andre Carson (Ind.), Rep. James Clyburn (S.C.), Rep. Diana DeGette (Colo.), Rep. Donna Edwards (Md.), Rep. Keith Ellison (Minn.), Rep. Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D.C.), Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson (Texas), Rep. Barbara Lee (Calif.), Rep. John Lewis (Ga.), Rep. Jim McDermott (Wash.), Rep. Gregory Meeks (N.Y.), Rep. Beto O'Rourke (Texas), Rep. Chellie Pingree (Maine), Rep. Cedric Richmond (La.), Rep. Bennie Thompson (Miss.)

Senate (3)

Sen. Patrick Leahy (Vt.) — Leahy called it a "tawdry and high-handed stunt," according to a Vermont newspaper.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, said it’s “wrong” that Obama wasn’t consulted about the speech.

Sen. Brian Schatz (Hawaii) — “The U.S.-Israel relationship is too important to be overshadowed by partisan politics," said Schatz in a statement. "I am disappointed in the Republican leadership’s invitation of Prime Minister Netanyahu to address a joint session of Congress with the apparent purpose of undermining President Obama’s foreign policy prerogatives.”

[DKM]

They should be labeled as “anti-semitic” constantly between now and the event. May not necessarily be true for all, but it is definitely a tactic the left would use had this situation been reversed.

[allendale]

There is more to this than just pique.This is not happening in a political vacuum. Changing demographics, a woeful ignorance of history in general and the Holocaust in particular has markedly lessened the support in the West that Israel once enjoyed. If an honest poll were taken in the remaining Democratic congressional districts, Palestinians would have greater support than the Israelis.

[InterceptPoint]

Hmmmm. Now remind me where the major Dem Jewish voters live. Oh yes, it’s New York, Florida and California. Except for Charlie Rangle the Dems from these states will all attend.

Shocking, not.

[Red_Devil 232]

MC? What’s that?

[Maceman]

So let me get this straight? 435 HR reps and 100 senators.

So out of 535 total congressional reps, only 25 are boycotting? Who would even notice?

[USNBandit]

Rep. Earl Blumenauer (Ore.) — Wrote a Jan. 29 column in The Huffington Post explaining his decision, saying the Constitution “vests the responsibility for foreign affairs in the president.”

Guess he didn't kiss enough butts to make Rep. Pelosi's all Democrat trip to Cuba planned for the recess.

[fatnotlazy]

“They should be labeled as “anti-semitic” constantly between now and the event.”

***

With further reminders when they run for re-election.

[John 3_19-21]

Actually they love Joouzze as long as they know when to GET BACK IN LINE!

[EDINVA]

Member of Congress

[faithhopecharity]

MC ..Member of Congress

sorry for the abbreviation

[uncitizen]

Oh all the words that shut down questions: “offended”, “stunt”, “inappropriate”. Yeah yeah make sure all the LIVs know what to think.

[Sarah Barracuda]

The next time I hear a Jew say they are voting Democrat, I will show them this list and say “Take a look at this and tell me again how you can vote Democrat” the Democrat party IS the Nazi party..but hey, as long as Dems can get free abortions and birth control its all good

[JPG]

[DPMD]

I thought this wasn’t a boycott, but just a scheduling conflict.

[lonevoice]

Remember Clint Eastwood's 2012 National Empty Chair Day? This would be a good time for a reprise. Have some congressional staffers decorate the empty chairs.

[olezip]

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) — Sanders, who caucuses with Democrats, said it’s “wrong” that Obama wasn’t consulted about the speech.

IMO only anti-semites and racists will be boycotting the speech.

These lawmakers were hired by their voters to represent their interests in congress. By failing to even show up is a national disgrace. Their pay should be docked.

Each and every one of them should resign and turn over his seat to someone willing to serve the people who elected him.

Why are they obeying the corrupt requests of another branch of government? Are not our branches of government independent?

[SoFloFreeper]

Jew haters.

[cappolis]

This is the typical liberal mindset; “I’m not listening” because it is a conservative concept/idea/activity and “my president does not support it.”
Democrats and the WH want to participate but only when they initiate and control the agenda; thus biasing their bobble heads once again that Republicans are evil. In this case, they paint the Republican as undermining the nuclear talks with Iran AND trying to sway votes in the upcoming Israeli elections.

[KC_Conspirator]

I highly doubt that. He is the freakin PM of Isreal. They are anti-semites.

[DoodleDawg]

He is the freakin PM of Isreal.

Involved it a tight election race where many, perhaps most of his electorate will be voting for a party other than his.