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Mayor Ed Koch [Democrat] Says He Will Change Parties Due to Obama Israel Policy
News Max via Uncoverage (Video of interview at link) ^ | May 20, 2011

Posted on 05/20/2011 6:09:23 PM PDT by beaversmom

Democratic senior statesman Ed Koch says Israel is facing its “most dangerous and critical period” and he is ready to break with his party in the next presidential election over President Obama’s policies on the Middle East.

In an exclusive interview with Newsmax.TV, the former New York City mayor said, “Mitt Romney correctly summed it up when he said that President Obama has once again thrown Israel under the bus.

“I believe this is the most dangerous and critical period that Israel has ever faced and regrettably it does not have the support of the President of the United States, which in past difficult situations it could count on.”

Koch, who crossed party lines to support President George W. Bush against John Kerry in 2004 due to his foreign policy stance, said he would do it again. All it would take is the right candidate.

“I’m a Democrat. I support the Democratic domestic philosophy and policies and will always be supportive of them,” said Koch, mayor of America’s largest city from 1978-89. “But I have no hesitation in crossing party lines when I think America’s interests demand that I cross party lines.

“I supported President Obama, believing he would be good on foreign policy, particularly with respect to the support of Israel. It turned out badly.”

[…]

Koch was speaking in the light of Obama’s Thursday speech on the Middle East in which the President called for a two-state solution to the Israel/Palestine gridlock with borders that were in place before 1967.

Koch said he believes the president took the position because “he thinks it’s more important that America have the support of the Arab nations as opposed to the support of what we heretofore have said was our ally in the Mideast – the only democratic state there.”

But he said he has doubts that the speech will affect the support that Jewish voters have traditionally given Democratic presidential candidates.

“Regrettably the Jewish vote has been tied to the Democratic Party since FDR. No matter who’s running for president, many Jews think it’s still FDR.

“That’s been harmful to the Jewish community supporting the State of Israel.”


TOPICS: Israel; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: edkoch; koch; obama
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To: teletech

If you check his history, he does back up his words with action. He did with Carter anyway.


21 posted on 05/20/2011 6:30:06 PM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm (The worst is behind us. Unfortunately it is really well endowed.)
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To: beaversmom

Liberal Jews who help the dems destroy America but find principles when it comes to Israel should all move there.


22 posted on 05/20/2011 6:30:58 PM PDT by wtc911 ("How you gonna get down that hill?")
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To: wtc911

You should move there too. Trust me, nobody would miss you. Certainly nobody here anyway.


23 posted on 05/20/2011 6:33:19 PM PDT by perfect_rovian_storm (The worst is behind us. Unfortunately it is really well endowed.)
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To: perfect_rovian_storm

If he can change some Jewish Donors not to give to Obama then its a win.


24 posted on 05/20/2011 6:38:56 PM PDT by scooby321
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To: SWAMPSNIPER
He still won’t be a real republican, he is NYC Urb to the core.

Give Ed some slack. He's not throwing his hat into the primary race.

The pubbies could use a few humerous urbies in the ranks. I remember a delicious comment he made when a reporter asked him if he resented the voters of New York City's tossing him out.

"Not really", replied Koch. "I'll get a better job, and New York won't get a better mayor".

They got Dinkins.

25 posted on 05/20/2011 6:44:54 PM PDT by Spartan79
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To: perfect_rovian_storm
I thought he stated the case quite well. So who made you hall monitor?

Liberal Jews who help the dems destroy America but find principles when it comes to Israel should all move there.

26 posted on 05/20/2011 6:45:21 PM PDT by Zuben Elgenubi
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To: beaversmom; The Mayor; neverdem

NY ping


27 posted on 05/20/2011 6:48:31 PM PDT by metmom (Welfare was never meant to be a career choice.)
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To: Spartan79
I remember a delicious comment he made when a reporter asked him if he resented the voters of New York City's tossing him out.

Hizzoner is always fond of saying "the people" voted him out.....MYTH!!! The truth is that his own party, the Democrats voted him out in the primary.

28 posted on 05/20/2011 6:53:03 PM PDT by Roccus
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To: teletech

I’ll believe it if he actually says it.


29 posted on 05/20/2011 6:59:39 PM PDT by Gondring (Paul Revere would have been flamed as a naysayer troll and told to go back to Boston.)
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To: beaversmom

Bump


30 posted on 05/20/2011 7:02:02 PM PDT by Incorrigible (If I lead, follow me; If I pause, push me; If I retreat, kill me.)
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To: Spartan79

I wouldn’t care what the Damned fools do if they’d keep it there.


31 posted on 05/20/2011 7:02:34 PM PDT by SWAMPSNIPER
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To: Belteshazzar

Beat me to it.


32 posted on 05/20/2011 7:04:32 PM PDT by SC_Pete
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To: Belteshazzar

Ed was NEVER a big Obama supporter.

To be fair, many Republicans continued to toe the party line when its members were pushing for amnesty for illegal aliens.

Ed’s speeches and editorials during the Dubya era show a guy who wasn’t ideologically paralyzed in the face fo Islamic incursions.


33 posted on 05/20/2011 7:05:58 PM PDT by SJSAMPLE
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To: SJSAMPLE

Pat Buchannan thinks Obamas plan is great. How do the Joos here like that?


34 posted on 05/20/2011 7:09:43 PM PDT by screaminsunshine (Shut up and eat your Beans!)
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To: teletech

That Koch even came out and said this is going to make a lot of libs in general wake up a bit.


35 posted on 05/20/2011 7:10:41 PM PDT by unkus
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To: screaminsunshine

If they’re already “here” (FR), they get it.


36 posted on 05/20/2011 7:25:29 PM PDT by SJSAMPLE
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To: perfect_rovian_storm

Koch openly supported GW Bush over jon carry.


37 posted on 05/20/2011 7:27:15 PM PDT by Carley (OBAMA, DO YOU HEAR ME NOW........... '67 BORDERS, IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN)
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To: onyx; beaversmom; trisham; MestaMachine; KC_Lion

Join us Mayor Koch
We stand with Israel!

38 posted on 05/20/2011 7:27:20 PM PDT by RedMDer (restoration of our honor, dignity, and freedoms will save America. - Sarah Palin)
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To: scooby321

I’m not certain that it was FDR as much as the Southern Democrats who were a key part of FDR’s coalition. The Secretary of State at the time - Cordell Hull (a southerner) - also opposed admission of the passengers into the United States.


39 posted on 05/20/2011 7:27:48 PM PDT by reg45
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To: ClearCase_guy

I wish my Sheepel would learn to use their Kup!


40 posted on 05/20/2011 7:31:54 PM PDT by ncfool (The new USSA - United Socialist States of AmeriKa. Welcome to Obummers world or Obamaville USSA.I)
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