« Anti-semitism must be called out, confronted and condemned wherever it is encountered, without exception. »
This is a welcome effort by Democratic leaders to rebuke one of their own, but let’s not pretend Omar isn’t getting a speaking gig at the convention next year.
Or that she won’t get a standing O from the crowd when she walks out.
Silver lining for Pelosi: The Omar word vomit that she’s trying to clean up today has distracted people momentarily from the Ocasio-Cortez word vomit of last week. The “new Democrats” aren’t dull, whatever else they may be.
Why should Omar apologize when she clearly said what she actually believes? She should call Pelosi’s bluff and double down. What’s the worst that can happen?
Steve Scalise has a suggestion:
Good that some Dems have condemned the disgraceful anti-Semitic remarks of Rep. Omar—but their words are empty unless Dem leaders remove her from the Foreign Affairs Committee. No one with her anti-Semitic views should be allowed to represent US foreign policy on that committee.
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) February 11,2019
The GOP’s in a strong position to make that demand at the moment, having just stripped Steve King of his committee assignments for his latest flirtation with white nationalism. I’m uneasy with the idea of an elected representative being stripped of meaningful power in Congress over their views, however loathsome. Their constituents can always punish them in the next election, right? And the King/Omar precedent could be used to unjustly sanction members with unpopular but more meritorious views in future Congresses.
