by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright August 9, 2000
All Rights Reserved.

erailing the Republican publicity freight train, Al Gore lobbed his first major bomb in campaign 2000, choosing Jewish Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman (D-Con.). Throwing the media and political pundits for a loop, Gore shocked his critics going out of the box selecting a Jewish running mate. Understating the obvious, "The pick says a lot about Al Gore . . . It says a lot about his judgment and his values . . . It’s a very dramatic and bold pick," said deputy campaign manager Mark Fabiani, mirroring the sentiments of many political insiders on both sides of the aisle. Defying prevailing wisdom, Gore pushed the envelope remarking, "Joe and I come from different regions and different religious faiths, but we believe in a common set of ideals." Comparing his move to John F. Kennedy finally hurdling the Catholic barrier in 1960 to become the 35th president of the United States, Gore declared, "And when we nominate Joe Lieberman for vice president, we will make history again. We will tear down an old wall of division once again." Nice as that sounds, the otherwise genteel vice president is showing his political mettle.

       While Gore’s move surprised even Sen. Lieberman, it probably wasn’t done for purely humanitarian reasons. With Gore languishing in the polls, he needed urgent CPR to counteract George W. Bush’s adrenalized double-digit bounce in the polls. No, Gore’s gambit was a shrewd, carefully considered, mathematical calculation, based on a number of factors stemming from his lethargic campaign. All other candidates on Gore’s short list provided easy ammunition to the Bush campaign, either by way of inexperience or liberal ideology. Only Lieberman gave Gore a secret weapon. Jewish Senators, Congressman, Secretaries of State, National Security Advisors, Chairmen of the Federal Reserve Board, Supreme Court Justices, etc., why not a vice presidential candidate? Brilliant. An idea whose time had come. It happened with Jewish-born British statesman and novelist Benjamin Disraeli in 1868. Why not America in Y2K? Of course Lieberman’s only the second slot on the ticket. But it’s step in the right direction. Like so many others, Gore found his greatest discovery right in front of his face.

       Jews’ long and distinguished history in America accounts for the current media frenzy over Lieberman’s selection. "This is not a breakthrough, rather it’s a culmination in a long process of integration," said Rabbi Ismar Schorsch, chancellor of the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York. But too many American Jews whose many accomplishments cured polio and launched America into the nuclear age found themselves—like Lieberman—in profound disbelief and awe over Gore’s bold move. Trying to catch up, their selection on a national ticket finally symbolizes breaking the ceiling on unqualified acceptance into American society. With so many Jews in the media, Liebermania will certainly generate more buzz between now and the election. Holding strong bipartisan appeal, Lieberman’s selection breaks new ground and shatters the banality of campaign 2000. Gore’s blockbuster choice hijacks Republicans’ publicity heading into the Democratic National Convention. After blowing peoples’ minds in Nashville, Los Angeles now has a tough act to follow.

       Handcuffing the Bush campaign, Lieberman was the best antidote for Gore’s liberal propensities and his link to President Clinton’s shenanigans. Lieberman’s unforgettable denunciation of President Clinton in the well of the Senate spoke volumes about his autonomy and moral compass. Selecting Lieberman was Gore’s first real bold step away from Clinton’s yoke. Breaking ranks with President Clinton over Elian Gonzalez boomeranged on Gore’s already shaky campaign. Even Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush commended Gore for making a good choice. While Sen. Bradley and Hollywood radical left didn’t get their way, Gore followed his boss by hovering near the ideological center. Selecting Lieberman added credibility to Gore’s reincarnation as Third-Way, centrist, New Democrat. Lieberman’s strong alliance with organized labor immediately won his ticket the endorsement from the United Autoworkers. Even James Hoffa Jr. and the Teamsters will likely fall in line. Providing ideological balance, Lieberman neutralizes Gore’s left wing tendencies with the practical realities of mainstream America.

       While there’s plenty of smoke blown about Hollywood’s cool reception to one of its biggest critics, Lieberman is more likely to receive a hero’s welcome. Everyone knows that Hollywood-bashing makes a great publicity stunt. Few really believe that vocal critics like Joe Lieberman or his conservative pal Bill Bennett ruffle too many feathers. Despite all the hot air, even staunch defenders of Hollywood’s first amendment rights like Motion Picture Academy president Jack Valenti don’t take the criticism all that seriously. No, when the curtain opens on the Democratic National Convention, expect a show far more glamorous and well choreographed than the academy awards. You can expect LA’s bells and whistles to far eclipse the Nielsen ratings seen in Philadelphia. Parading celebrities on stage and elsewhere should seem far more appealing than watching token minorities try to sell a dubious TV audience that the Republican Party has finally changed its ways.

       With neo-nazis and white supremacists coming out of the woodwork, Gore and Lieberman need to watch their backs with characters like Buford Furrow walking the streets. When Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, he paid the ultimate price. Then came the assassinations of John and Robert Kennedy, probably for their roles in desegregating the South. Now that Gore has crossed the line choosing a Jew for his running mate, both men must be acutely aware of militias looking to immortalize themselves in the annals of racism. With the media saying three cheers to Gore’s decision, don’t expect the 'Jewish' issue to go away soon. Separation of church and state is a crucial test in the upcoming election. Gore and Lieberman should refrain from using their personal religious convictions to advance their political agenda. Though it’s fashionable to show upstanding moral character, it’s also wise to avoid preaching the gospel. As Kennedy pointed out 40 years ago, Joe Lieberman is not the Jewish candidate running for vice president—he’s the Democratic Party’s candidate who happens to be Jewish. Keeping this straight should carry him a long way.

About the Author

John M. Curtis is editor of OnlineColumnist.com and columnist for The Los Angeles Daily Journal. He’s director of a Los Angeles think tank specializing in human behavior, health care, political research and media consultation. He’s the author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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