Democratic Candidate Drops F-Bomb On Bimah During Debate At Synagogue

The Forward ^ | October 22, 2017 | Binyomin Korn

[JOHN ADAMS]

Democratic congressional candidate Scott Wallace lost his cool during a debate with his Republican opponent held at a Pennsylvania synagogue on Sunday night, unleashing the “f-bomb” while standing on the bimah, local radio station WBCB reported.

Wallace’s outburst “silenced” the audience at Congregation Tifereth Israel in Bensalem and led to him being chided by the debate moderator, the station stated. It took place when he was questioning his opponent, incumbent Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, about his position on insurance for those with pre-existing conditions.

“Ironically, there was a later question about the need for civility in politics,” Fitzpatrick told WBCB. “Well, a good start is to not use vulgarities in the sanctuary of a synagogue in the middle of a congressional debate.”

Wallace and Fitzpatrick have been duking it out for months in Pennsylvania’s 1st district, located in a heavily-Jewish part of the Philadelphia suburbs. They have already had several fiery debates, including another one at a different synagogue on Oct. 14, where both candidates struggled when asked to say something they like about each other.

Wallace issued an apology on Monday.

“I was exasperated by yet another attempt from Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick to hide from his votes to take away protections for people with pre-existing conditions,” he said. “I apologize for any offense that might have been taken, I am passionate about protecting people from insurance company abuses, and I’m sorry that in this instance, my frustration got the best of me.”

Wallace previously was the subject of criticism in the Jewish community after the Forward reported that the family charitable foundation he ran had given more than $300,000 to organizations that support the boycott, divestment and sanctions campaign against Israel. Wallace has said that he does not support BDS and that he did not personally approve the donations in question.

The local group Democratic Jewish Outreach of Pennsylvania withheld its endorsement of him over the issue but eventually reversed its position.

But that has not fully quelled the controversy. The Jewish Exponent reported that at the previous synagogue debate, held at Shir Ami in Newtown, Fitzgerald verbally struggled when he was asked by the moderator what he agreed with Wallace on. A member of the audience then shouted out: “You don’t agree with funding BDS!”

Read more: https://forward.com/fast-forward/412482/democratic-candidate-drops-f-bomb-on-bimah-during-debate-at-synagogue/

[JOHN ADAMS]

This was not an Orthodox synagogue but, as the article points out, left the audience "silenced." Even for people who aren't all that religious, there are apparently still some things you can't do in a sanctuary -- like attack people with obscenities. Thank God for that.

Maybe this little revelation will help people understand what this particular Democrat really holds dear -- and what he has contempt for.

[Tax-chick]

... both candidates struggled when asked to say something they like about each other.

Well, this suggests that they're not as good at lying as many political candidates are.

[Old Yeller]

Oy vey!

[Opinionated Blowhard]

Its OK. It was Reform Synagogue . . . .

[ProtectOurFreedom]

...nor as clever as Ted Cruz was last month in the Texas Senate debate. At the end of their debate, O’Rourke and Cruz each expressed admiration for the sacrifice the other was making. Cruz added “just like Bernie Sanders believes in socialism, O’Rourke passionately believes in what he believes in.”

[Right Wing Assault]

You have to realize that leftists (especially politicians and entertainers) can't say anything they think is even slightly important without using F__K in one of its numerous forms.

It's their culture and to criticize them is hate. /S

[Blue House Sue]

The PA 1st CD has been held by the F’ing Democrats since 1949.

[lee martell]

What’s a ‘Bimah’?
Is that a New England pronunciation, like ‘Tow-wah’ for tower?

[i_robot73]

>
“I was exasperated by yet another attempt from Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick to hide from his votes to take away protections for people with pre-existing conditions,” he said. “I apologize for any offense that might have been taken, I am passionate about protecting people from insurance company abuses, and I’m sorry that in this instance, my frustration got the best of me.”
>

Yet another ‘brain trust’ the (R)N(C) is happy to tolerate, as long as THEIR guy’s the one in the seat

Party > politics > principles

Hint: “pre-existing” conditions != INSURANCE (aka coverage for the UNKNOWN)

But he’ll be MORE than happy to use govt FORCE to make sure EVERYONE ELSE pays to pervert the Free Market.

[gtwizard]

Well! Obviously he doesn’t have the temperament to be a representative of the American people. His inability to contain his frustration simply shows his lack of judgement and definitely disqualifies him from being elected!

[Leaning Right]

> “I was exasperated by yet another attempt from Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick to hide from his votes...”

This is the new normal for liberals. All their violence - both verbal and physical - is explained by being “provoked”.

[freefdny]

A great non apology apology from the candidate. It was passion for the people and frustration at my opponent that caused it. It makes me think of the scene in Jaws where the kids are in the water with the fake shark fin. When they flip the fin over with all the boats around them and the rifles pointed at them one kid points at the other and says “He made me do it”.

[DPMD]

“Maybe this little revelation will help people understand what this particular Democrat really holds dear — and what he has contempt for. “

Maybe it will help “people,” but my guess is that the Jewish voters of the district will, as usual, elect the democrat, no matter how vile.

[NormsRevenge]

Classy, reeeal classy there, Scott.

[Tax-chick]

Oh, snap!

[ProtectOurFreedom]

I gathered from the context that it is a speaking dais in a Jewish synagogue. Here is more information than you ever wanted to know...

Wiki --> Bema: "The bema, or bima, is an elevated platform used as an orator's podium in ancient Athens. In Jewish synagogues, it is also known as a bimah and is for Torah reading during services."

The ceremonial use of a bema carried over from Judaism into early Christian church architecture. It was originally a raised platform with a lectern and seats for the clergy, from which lessons from the Scriptures were read and the sermon was delivered. In Western Christianity the bema developed over time into the chancel (or presbytery) and the pulpit."

A Bema in an Eastern Orthodox church, with three steps leading up to it. Assumption Cathedral in Smolensk, western Russia...

[Zuben Elgenubi]

The local group Democratic Jewish Outreach of Pennsylvania withheld its endorsement of him over the issue but eventually reversed its position.

Of course.

[Henry Hnyellar]

A BMW car.