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Congressman refuses to quit over comments about Jews (Jim Moron-D)
al.com ^ | 3/11/03 | Candace Smith

Posted on 03/11/2003 3:54:57 PM PST by LdSentinal

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Virginia Rep. Jim Moran, strongly criticized by colleagues and Jewish leaders, apologized Tuesday for his comments that Jewish support for war with Iraq was helping the administration move toward an attack.

Moran said he didn't blame some critics for urging him to step down, but he said, "I don't intend to resign."

The northern Virginia Democrat apologized for remarks he made at a March 3 forum at a local church. Moran, 57, told a crowd of about 120 people, "If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq we would not be doing this." He added, "The leaders of the Jewish community are influential enough that they could change the direction of where this is going and I think they should."

He said he framed his comments in that way because he was responding to a questioner who said she was Jewish. "I regret doing that," he said.

The story brought criticism from both friends and foes.

White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said, "These remarks are shocking. They are wrong and they should not have been said."

Within the seven-term congressman's party, Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle said, "It's a sad day when comments like that are made. They debase the debate and they have no purpose."

Moran's House leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, said, "Congressman Moran's comments were not only inappropriate they were offensive." But she added that he had "properly apologized."

Moran scrambled to mend fences, meeting with at least one northern Virginia rabbi and trying to set up a meeting with others.

"I'm going to make myself available even if it's only to give people an opportunity to scream and yell at me because if it does lead to some constructive dialogue that would be even better," Moran said.

Some Jewish leaders were not impressed. "I do not believe he's fit for public office," said Ronald Halber, executive director of the Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington. "His ethical lapses and comments should force him to do some soul searching."

Moran has faced criticism in the past over a string of personal financial problems and ethics controversies over his acceptance of loans from parties with interests before Congress.


TOPICS: Front Page News; Politics/Elections; US: Virginia
KEYWORDS: antisemetic; antisemitism; demsareantisemitic; demshatejews; doublestandard; effingjewbazturds; election2004; jimmoran; moron; ratantisemitism; ratjewhaters; virginia
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1 posted on 03/11/2003 3:54:57 PM PST by LdSentinal
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To: LdSentinal
I added ELECTION 2004 keyword so we can add this to the file. I almost can't wait!
2 posted on 03/11/2003 4:01:56 PM PST by thoughtomator (SHAVE THE RUSHDIE)
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To: LdSentinal
If this guy were forced to resign, you could knock me over with a freakin' feather.

I'll believe it when I see it.
3 posted on 03/11/2003 4:02:27 PM PST by Illbay (Don't believe every tagline you read - including this one)
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To: LdSentinal
Why should he stop. He is a Democrat...they are never held accountable.
Trust me...he will get away with it.
4 posted on 03/11/2003 4:08:22 PM PST by dinok
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To: LdSentinal
He also roughed up a little black kid in 2000, remember?
5 posted on 03/11/2003 4:09:06 PM PST by Captainpaintball (Get your DEMOCRATparty affiliation card--THE license to steal, slander, rape, hate, and kill!!!)
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To: LdSentinal
this guy has to go!
6 posted on 03/11/2003 4:09:52 PM PST by TLBSHOW (The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate......)
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To: Illbay
Only the Republicans will weed out the bad apples. The Dems will stand behind theirs, no matter how offensive they are.
7 posted on 03/11/2003 4:11:18 PM PST by RJayneJ
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To: LdSentinal
Constructive dialog??????? With a vicious anti-semite???????

Give me a break!

8 posted on 03/11/2003 4:11:51 PM PST by OldFriend
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To: dinok
he will get away with it

Smells a Lott, don't it?

9 posted on 03/11/2003 4:13:38 PM PST by JimVT
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To: JimVT
Smells a Lott, don't it?

That was funny...I needed that : )
10 posted on 03/11/2003 4:16:02 PM PST by dinok
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To: LdSentinal
There is no justice if you are a 'Rat
11 posted on 03/11/2003 4:18:46 PM PST by tubebender (?)
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To: LdSentinal
Hmmm, and this got the same airtime on NBC/CBS/ABC as Trent Lott's misstatement? Musta been in the bathroom when Brokaw anchored this story.
12 posted on 03/11/2003 4:29:40 PM PST by Puppage (You may disagree with what I have to say, but I will defend to your death my right to say it.)
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To: thoughtomator
You can’t get a Democrat to resign for saying something stupid. It is their nature. That is what the “D” after their name stands for.


13 posted on 03/11/2003 4:31:23 PM PST by sinclair (Hey, I just come in here for nothin'... Hope I'm not wastin' anybody's time.)
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To: Illbay
I'll believe that he'll step down after I see KKK Byrd step down.
14 posted on 03/11/2003 5:02:15 PM PST by Paul Atreides
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To: LdSentinal
Isn't this the same guy who beats his wife?
15 posted on 03/11/2003 5:12:01 PM PST by SUSSA
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To: RJayneJ
The Dems will stand behind theirs, no matter how offensive they are.

And that's because offensive is what the press says it is.  No press, no foul.
It's also why Republicans can't get away with anything.  It becomes offensive.
16 posted on 03/11/2003 5:20:31 PM PST by gcruse (When choosing between two evils, pick the one you haven't tried yet.)
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To: LdSentinal
Isn't Moran the guy who beat up the little black kid who he thought was breaking into his car?
17 posted on 03/11/2003 5:22:07 PM PST by Hildy
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To: Hildy
Here ya go:

In 1984, then Alexandria City Vice Mayor Jim Moran breached the public trust and was convicted of conflict of interest charges and forced to resign from the City Council.

In 1984 Vice Mayor Jim Moran again breached the public trust was forced to return public taxpayer money to the Alexandria City Treasurer when it was publicized that he had taken a private business trip to Europe at Alexandria City taxpayer expense.

In 1990 Jim Moran again breached the public trust as he violated federal campaign expenditure laws by using a non-federal Political Action Committee to finance his campaign for federal office, and accepted a $10,000 contribution from a developer having immediate business before the Alexandria City Council, before being publicly forced to return said contribution as a conflict of interest.

In 1995, Jim Moran became involved in a physical altercation and assaulted another Member of Congress on the Floor of the House of Representatives. Moran has been involved in at least two other similar incidents, and at numerous time has threatened to “punch” any of his critics.

In 1998, Jim Moran again breached the public trust when he accepted from MBNA a sweetheart bailout loan well below market rate for anyone else in his financial situation, a loan designed to save him $288,000. In return, Congressman Moran agreed to co-sponsor bankruptcy reform legislation designed to earn MBNA millions of additional dollars at the expense of ordinary citizens who found themselves in the same financial trouble Jim Moran used his sweetheart loan to escape. Moran stated that he never knew MBNA, the largest credit card issuer in the country, had an interest in the bankruptcy legislation.

In 1999, police were called to Jim Moran's home where a domestic disturbance was taking place, and where Moran's wife alleged that he had physically assaulted her. Jim Moran blamed his wife for his troubles.

In 2000, the mother of an 8-year-old African-American boy, backed up by numerous witnesses, accused Jim Moran of physically assaulting her son. Moran responded by saying the young boy tried to carjack him, and told the press he wanted to press charges against the boy.

In 2000, Jim Moran breached the public trust again by accepting an unethical and probably illegal $25,000 personal loan from a BIG-DRUG company lobbyist in return for co-sponsoring legislation designed to earn that company increased profits by banning competing generic drugs from the market.

In 2002, Jim Moran again accepted a personal loan of $50,000 from the Chairman of AOL, a company with numerous interests before the Congress. Moran explained that the check for $50,000 just unexpectedly showed up in the mail one day.

18 posted on 03/11/2003 5:24:41 PM PST by Hildy
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To: LdSentinal
So when is he going to give an interview to JewishWorldReview?

-PJ

19 posted on 03/11/2003 5:33:34 PM PST by Political Junkie Too
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To: LdSentinal
Racism against blacks......severly punished

Racism against Jews........OK

20 posted on 03/11/2003 7:16:38 PM PST by Tripleplay
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