Meet Cameron Kerry, the Jewish, pro-Israel brother of John Kerry [Hidden by MSM from leftist base]

Various ^ | July 4, 2004 | nwrep

[nwrep]

Cameron Kerry

As many of you know, one of the things John Kerry's leftist base is most uncomfortable about is his strong support (at least on paper) of Israel. In fact, his pro-Israel policy paper last week caused severe consternation among Kerry supporters.

There is a little secret that the media has kept from the people, in deference to the anti-Israel stance of the left wing of the Democratic party, and that is the existence of the Jewish brother of John Kerry, Cameron Kerry. Not only is he a converted Jew, he is a prominent lawyer for a major Boston law firm which represents many high profile Israeli business interests. Read below for a profile of Cameron Kerry from Forward magazine:

**************************************************************************************************************************

Kerry Relies on Cam, His Jewish Brother
By E.J. Kessler
March 5, 2004

When Massachusetts Senator John Kerry learned last year that his paternal grandparents in 19th-century Austria had converted to Catholicism from Judaism, one of the first people he called was his younger brother, Cameron.

The younger Kerry was surprised.

In an interview at John Kerry's New York headquarters last Friday, Cameron Kerry told the Forward that his family had "an inkling" that they had a Jewish grandmother, but no "concrete" evidence. Furthermore, he said, his grandparents' conversion, which was discovered by the Boston Globe, struck him as "ironic." The younger Kerry, 53, had converted to Judaism from Catholicism in 1983, upon marrying a Jewish woman, Kathy Weinman.

Cameron Kerry, who lives in Boston, was in New York last weekend politicking for his brother in advance of the March 2 New York Democratic primary. One of the campaign's most public faces in the Jewish community, he spent the Sabbath at Manhattan synagogues and stayed in local homes. On Sunday, he and his brother met with some 40 Jewish communal leaders in Manhattan at a gathering that got glowing reviews in the next day's newspapers. The candidate impressed attendees with his knowledge of Middle Eastern affairs and his emotional grasp of the issues. He also got a chance to correct an earlier faux pas, in which he had suggested naming two figures who are unpopular with the Jewish community — former secretary of state James Baker and former president Carter — as possible envoys to the Middle East.

"It was Cam's doing to bring that together and make that happen," said Alan Solomont, a Jewish philanthropist and fund-raiser for Senator Kerry who attended the meeting. "He understood the importance of John getting in front of the community... of showing his incredible intellectual depth."

Cameron Kerry, who said his brother was "supportive" of his decision to convert, has given the senator some first-hand experience with Judaism. Kerry and his wife have raised their two daughters in the Reform tradition, with baby namings and bat mitzvahs. John Kerry attended those functions as a treasured uncle, and while he hasn't celebrated Jewish holidays such as Passover with the family, "he has been to Shabbat dinner," Cameron Kerry said. So, in a historical first, the probable Democratic presidential nominee not only possesses Jewish roots — and, it was discovered last week, relatives who died in Nazi death camps — but some Jewish family experiences.

In a campaign that heralds a "band of brothers," namely the fellow veterans who have flocked to the war hero's camp, it seems fitting that the candidate's biological brother would figure prominently. The brothers are close, so close in fact that the younger Kerry has served as one of his sibling's chief counselors and strategists on all of his campaigns, from his unsuccessful run for Congress in 1972 through some tough subsequent contests. His role as political strategist has turned Cameron Kerry into a story in his own right more than once.

In 1972, in what the family says was a "setup," he was arrested for having broken into a building that housed the campaign's phone lines. A caller had tipped him off to the threat that an opponent would cut the lines, but the police caught Cameron Kerry instead.

A recent New York Times profile examined Kerry's role in the axing of Jim Jordan, his brother's popular campaign manager, comparing him to the late Robert Kennedy, who gained a reputation for ruthlessness as John Kennedy's campaign manager in the 1960 presidential campaign.

James Segel, a Boston Democratic activist who has known Kerry for 30 years, laughed at the comparison.

"Cam is tough, but he doesn't give the impression of being ruthless," Segel said. "I would not compare him in style to the Bob Kennedy of the 1960 campaign. As confidant to the candidate, there's a comparison there. John Kennedy had 110% confidence in Bob, and John Kerry has 110% confidence in Cam."

Segel and others describe the younger Kerry as his brother's eyes and ears on the campaign, "kind of quiet" and "not obtrusive" but with "very good political judgment."

"He gives good, honest advice to his brother, and that's rare, because too often people tell the candidate what they want to hear," Segel said.

A more apt comparison than the Kennedys might be to another dynamic duo, Batman and Robin. The younger Kerry looks like a boyish version of his 60-year-old brother, who stands several inches taller and whose features are craggier. He speaks about Senator Kerry in terms Robin might have used for the caped crusader, too.

"There's nobody I want more by my side in a tough situation than my brother," Kerry said. "That's what his crewmates have seen, and that's what more and more and more people have seen in this country as this campaign has unfolded."

The Kerry campers and others consulted for this article all praised Cameron Kerry as a thoughtful, self-effacing, gentle man. He's even a hero to his rabbi. Rabbi Ronne Friedman of Temple Israel of Brookline, Mass., recounts how last year Kerry's family took the lead in the class project of his daughter's b'nei mitzvah class, to build a playground for an urban school in Roxbury. The family helped raise money, worked with the parents of the school and assembled dozens of volunteers for the construction, according to Friedman.

"He's present in the pew with regard to worship, and whenever time allows has been a student," Friedman said. "He's genuinely an intellect and has an interest in Judaism from an intellectual point of view."

Kathy Weinman Kerry is a member of the synagogue's board and its ritual committee.

Cameron Kerry's Jewish connections also extend to his business life, and have paid off for John Kerry. A telecommunications lawyer, Kerry works at a Boston-based firm, Mintz Levin Cohn Ferris Glovsky and Popeo, although he has taken a leave to work on the campaign. While Mintz Levin is now a diverse, 450-lawyer shop, it was once known as the "Lox et Veritas" firm — a play on the Yale motto "Lux et Veritas" — having been founded in 1933 by Jewish lawyers "who weren't entirely accepted at white-shoe firms," Kerry said. The firm, which built itself up as counselors to the Jewish entrepreneurs of Boston, even now has a big business in helping Israeli high-tech entrepreneurs gain access to American markets.

Kerry has made rain handsomely for his brother at Mintz Levin. Employees of the firm have emerged as the second-largest source of contributions to the candidate in this election cycle, providing a total $113,500 in contributions, according to the Web site of the Center for Responsive Politics.

The younger Kerry describes the campaign fund raising in the Jewish community as "very strong," thanks to the efforts of Solomont, national campaign finance chairman Louis Susman and Denver fund-raiser Ron Brownstein.

As a strategist, Cameron Kerry said, the decision of which he is most proud was "to shift gears from being a national campaign to focus on Iowa."

John Kerry's surprise win there started the momentum that has carried his candidacy forward to the point where it appeared to have locked up the Democratic nomination after wins in 9 of the 10 states that voted this week.

But Cameron Kerry may have another role: humanizing the John Kerry often pilloried by the press as stiff and aloof. Kerry said he doesn't recognize that figure.

"He's somebody with very intense personal relationships," he said of the senator. "You can see on this campaign, it's impressive the number of people who have intense loyalties going back a lot of years. It's a reflection of the deeply loyal relationships he has."

One relationship in particular.

[RightWingAtheist]

I seriously thought about converting to Judaism as a teenager, before dispensing with religion all together. I refused to follow what I saw as the authoritarian nature of Christianity, assuming one should follow a single spiritual leader, nor would I bend in my belief that Jesus was a man like any other, and there was nothing "divine" about him.

[RightWingAtheist]

He's the Lily Munster of the family :-)

[missyme]

Well the problem with your theory is that Everyone and Everything has an Authorative figure, Animals, Plants, People and the Universe if GOD isn't the ultimate authority who is? Man has conquered many things but he can't an never will conquer "Death"

[Just mythoughts]

Half of Israel doesn't support Israel, half the time.

[Just mythoughts]

"I seriously thought about converting to Judaism as a teenager, before dispensing with religion all together. I refused to follow what I saw as the authoritarian nature of Christianity, assuming one should follow a single spiritual leader, nor would I bend in my belief that Jesus was a man like any other, and there was nothing "divine" about him."


You are FREEEEEEEEE!

[FairOpinion]

John Kerry deliberately is using his brother now to woo Jewish voters.

Brother Emphasizes Kerry Israel Support
http://www.jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=12482

A crowd of 150 well-heeled, mostly liberal Jews paid $250 apiece to hear Cameron Kerry, Sen. John Kerry’s Jewish brother and top adviser, speak about the Democratic presidential candidate’s commitment to Israel and the Jewish people.

Despite the enthusiastic reception for his younger brother, John Kerry has yet to excite Southern California Jews the way past Democratic presidential candidates have, experts said. His wooden personality, occasional criticisms of Israel and vehement support for the United Nations — an organization viewed by many Jews as anti-Israel, have raised questions about the Massachusetts senator’s commitment to the community. Also, President Bush’s pro-Israel policies and toppling of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein have won over an increasing number of moderate and conservative Jews, experts said.

But candidate Kerry faces a formidable candidate this time around in Bush, experts said. The president’s stalwart support for Israel has won him a growing following among Jews. With the community increasingly moving to the center from the left, Bush could win 30 percent or more of the Jewish vote. In a close race, that increased support could help deliver Florida, Michigan and other hotly contested states to him, experts said.

[nwrep]

You are missing the point. Try to think about this story from a left-wing POV, and it will make more sense. Does the left really want a guy supported extensively by a group (law firm of Cameron) which has such strong Israeli business (incl. military cos.) ties? If the left is complaining about Bush being captive to Israeli interests, wait till they hear about this. Kapish?

[Just mythoughts]

"You are missing the point. Try to think about this story from a left-wing POV, and it will make more sense. Does the left really want a guy supported extensively by a group (law firm of Cameron) which has such strong Israeli business (incl. military cos.) ties? If the left is complaining about Bush being captive to Israeli interests, wait till they hear about this. Kapish?"


Sounds like muddy water to me. There is only one liberal Lieberman that swims back and forth across the river regarding security of Israel. The rest of them do whatever they can to create as many holes in security as anyone else, Jewish or not.

This is like a shell game.

[MamaLucci]

So, Kerry was Jewish before he was an Irish Catholic?

[FairOpinion]

I understand your point. But the leftists hate Bush far more,than they hate Israel, besides, they know that Kerry really hates it too, regardless of having a brother who converted to Judaism.

I know you think, that if the left finds out Kerry has a Jewish brother, they turn against him, but as I said, they hate Bush more than they anything or anyone. They don't care if Kerry makes a pact with the devil, just so he defeats Bush.

I think the Jewish voters, on the other hand, may well be reassessing their blind support for the Democrats.

Kerry's "support" for Israel is the same "I supported them, before I voted against their interests" as we've seen on other issues.

[Common Tator]

If one were working on the Kerry campaign. Two facts would quickly come to light.

First there is almost nothing Kerry can do that would cause the Democratic base not to vote for him. The Democratic base is united by one phrase.... "Anyone Except Bush!!!" So Kerry has no fear of losing the base. They are not for him.. they are for defeating Bush. There will be no liberal protest vote against Kerry.

Secondly, Kerry has a to win Florida. President Bush with his strong support for Israel has made inroads into the Jewish voting block. Not big inroads .. but inroads. Kerry has to reverse that. If Kerry loses a portion of the Jewish vote, Florida is out of the question for him. Kerry must have Florida to have any chance at all to win the presidency.

So from the Kerry standpoint there is nothing to lose by coming out strongly for Israel. The Democratic base is not going to waste their vote on Nader. The base desperately wants to defeat George W. Bush. Kerry needs the Jewish vote in Florida. He has to have it.

So Kerry will come out strongly for Israel... But that does not mean he will be strong for Israel after the votes are counted. Are Jews Dumb enough to fall for it? We'll find out in November.

[montag813]

your a Catholic and became a member of the Reform Judiasm what does that mean?

It means nothing. "Reform" (or as many of us say "Deformed") Jews are not real Jews at all. They are "JINOs"...their true religion is Socialism, their dogma is Secular Humanism.

[olde north church]

Imagine an man owns a store. He treats his clients well but he tolerates no nonsense from them. No returns from other stores, no returns without a receipt, bathrooms are for customers only. The man gets an idea, I'll open a new store, the new store will have much of the same inventory as my other store but the atmosphere is somewhat more relaxed.
The old man starts passing the word around the community, I have a son, he will be opening a store, treat him well for he is my son, he represents me and I speak through him. Finally, the new store opens.
The new store has, as promised, much of the same inventory. Has many of the same policies, except the son explains why the policies are what they are. He feeds people who come into the store. He tells stories to the people who come into the store. There is a catch, however, the son begins to tell the customers his father has only opened the store for a short time. He will be calling me back to the main office in the old store.
And this, this one last important point, the only way to get to the old store you loved so much, is to hold this coupon and show it at the door. It will show that you have come back to the old store through me and the new store. You can copy that coupon and give it to everyone you know. Matter of fact, it's you're responsiblity to share that coupon with everyone. Now that you know about the store and the new way, you most certainly wouldn't hide it, you would spread the word around.
At last the day came for the son to go back to the home office. Many of the other citizens were glad to see him go, he had shaken their world with his concepts of merchandising. The local Chamber of Commerce was unwilling and hesitant to make a decision, actually closing that day claiming they had to wash the floors and windows.
The Chamber of Commerce had one last idea, there was a store that took advantage of it's customers, sold them bad merchandise and foul meats. The head of the Chamber of Commerce went to the front steps of their office and placed the Evil Store on one side and The Good Son on the other and the crowd was asked which store should be saved. Because they didn't understand the marketing techniques of the old man's son's store they spited themselves and left the bad store open to take advantage of the citizens.
The good son's store was closed, yet he said, "I will be back in three days to prove my store is true and good to all people.". He was led away while his store was looted down to the fixtures and people laughed and at crackers and jam.
Many of his customers and his 12 salesclerks and 1 lady who hung around and made chit-chat with everybody in the store was walking around depressed. They didn't know what to do. The store was their livelihood.
3 days later the most remarkable event occured! People were awoken by bright lights, balloons, popcorn machines and raffles for door prizes.
The son was right, he came back 3 days later as he had promised. He said he could only stay for 40 days to help the store get back up and contact it's vendors. He also had to train the 12 guys and the 1 woman to manage the store and prepare for franchises.

[Criminal Number 18F]

Ah yeah, Brother Cam, the official Watergate Burglar of the Kerry campaign. What a scumbag.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[The Mayor]

bump

[ninonitti]

I think the Jewish voters, on the other hand, may well be reassessing their blind support for the Democrats

I've heard that at least one of Alan Solomont's prominent donors has told him and the democrats to pound sand. There's a great deal of dissatisfaction within the Jewish community with the democrats politics....it's not a stampede but there is a real shift.

[malakhi]

"Reform" (or as many of us say "Deformed") Jews are not real Jews at all.

As I've observed before, you (not "many of us") are the only one I've seen on FR who uses this expression.

They are "JINOs"...their true religion is Socialism, their dogma is Secular Humanism.

Sweeping generalization. There are politically liberal Orthodox Jews. There are politically conservative Reform Jews. My Reform congregation is 50-50 Democrat vs. Republican.

A recent thread on FR stated that Catholics are split 50-50 in support for Bush and Kerry. Numerically, there are a lot more liberal Catholics and other Christians than there are liberal Jews.

[madison10]

Don't you mean Marilyn? ;) The "normal" one.

[Ann Archy]

Amen....how do you go from believing to non-believing?? I don't think it;'s Spititually possible...just expediant.

[Ann Archy]

John F'ing got BOTH chins!!