Washington Watch

In The Running?

President Bush's executive order
expanding "charitable choice" pro-
grams in the federal government rep-
resent a virtual declaration of war for
Jewish groups that oppose plans to
provide government funds to reli-
gious human service providers.
top White House priorities. Lieberman
But the executive action,.which
was the leading Democratic promoter
bypasses a Congress that failed to
of the resolution authorizing President
pass even a watered-down faith-based
Bush to use force against Iraq, a posi-
bill this year, was praised by
tion that infuriated Democratic liber-
Orthodox groups.
als. This week, he issued a statement
Bush also ordered the Federal
supporting President Bush's sweeping
Emergency Management Agency to
executive order expanding the ability of provide disaster aid to religious non-
religious groups to get federal grants to profits and set up .special offices at
provide human services. Religious con-
the Department of Agriculture and
servatives, including the leading
the Agency for International
Orthodox Jewish groups, support such
Development to encourage faith-
faith-based initiatives, but they are
based initiatives. The FEMA order
anathema to liberal and civil rights
stemmed, in part, from the denial of
groups.
federal disaster funding to the Seattle
But Mark Mellman, a top
Hebrew Academy.
Democratic pollster and strategist,
Supporters of charitable -choice
rejected the argument that Lieberman
insist the denial proves that new
is too conservative for either the
measures are required to level the
Democratic party or Jewish voters. "I
playing field for religious service
think his views are in line with a major providers. But opponents say the
segment of the party," he said. "He was Seattle case was the result of a mis-
cheered by the Democratic Party when
understanding of current law.
he ran for vice president; even a lot of
Abba Cohen, Washington director
Democrats who rapped Al Gore for his for Agudath Israel of America, said
campaign agreed that Joe Lieberman
the orders "change the mindset in a
was the major bright spot in the cam-
very powerful way of people in gov-
paign."
ernment who have been involved
Mellman said Lieberman's unabashed over the years in social service pro-
Jewishness will be an asset in the cam-
grams." He said the president's
paign because "Americans like their
actions "provided a greater recogni-
candidates to be people of faith." The
tion that religious groups have been
2000 campaign, he said, proved that
the most successful in addressing
requirement could be met by a devout
society's needs."
Jewish candidate in a Christian-majori-
But for most non-Orthodox
ty nation.
groups, the president's actions —
Exit polls in 2000 showed voters
which went even further than most
considered Lieberman's faith an asset,
analysts had predicted — represented
not the liability some Jews feared.
a dangerous breakdown of church-
Lieberman's faith may also play well
state separation and an endorsement
with African-American voters in the
of job discrimination.
primaries. But Lieberman's overt reli-
Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D.:N.Y.,
giosity could still be a source of unease
accused the administration of trying to
for many Jews who fear the mingling
"junk the religious freedom protec-
of religion and politics, even if it is
tions of the First Amendment. Today,
Jewish religion.
the president endorsed the practice of
Sabato said Lieberman's overt
hanging signs on doors that say 'No
Judaism "will be an advantage in the
Jews or Catholics Need Apply.' In fact,
nominating process, since winning in
he not only endorsed it, he said that
primaries and caucuses is all about pas-
the taxpayers should pay for it."
sion, commitment and connection.
Hannah Rosenthal, executive vice-
The historic nature of Lieberman's can- chair of the Jewish Council for
didacy will be a plus for him."
Public Affairs, said the decision to
But if Lieberman wins the nomina-
bypass Congress "really shows where
tion in 2004, Sabato said, his proud
this administration is putting its pri-
Jewishness will be something of a wild- 'orities." She said for most of the
card. "Anti-Semitism is still on, or just
Jewish community, concern about
below, the surface in large parts of the
legitimizing employment discrimina-
United States," he said. "We'll see."
tion will intensify opposition both to

Joe Lieberman has a leg up for the wide-open Democratic nomination.

ty I now have" and promised a deci-
sion on his candidacy by "early
January." But most observers believe he
he possibility of a Jewish
made that decision long ago, which
presidential nominee in
explains his hectic travel schedule to
2004 skyrocketed on
primary states and his already active
fund-raising machine.
Sunday when former Vice
President Al Gore stunned supporters
The Connecticut senator, now in his
and pleased party leaders by announc-
third term, proved a draw to the Gore-
ing he will not seek the Democratic
Lieberman ticket in 2000. But with
nomination.
the Democratic Party's anticipated
That propels Sen. Joe Lieberman, D- swing back to the left, he could have
Conn., Gore's 2000 running mate and
problems with the Democratic base,
the only Orthodox Jew in the Senate,
which he needs if he is to fend off
to frontrunner status.
challengers for the nomination. And
But there are numerous
that base probably includes
obstacles ahead and a grow-
most Jewish voters.
ing gaggle of contenders for
"He will have some trouble
the nomination. And for the
because he represents the
Jewish community, there will
right wing of the party, which
also be some ambivalence.
is a real problem when you're
Jewish voters, a major
dealing with primary voters,"
community leader said
said Allan J. Lichtman, a
recently, will react to a
political scientist and presi-
Lieberman nomination with
dential prognosticator.
"intense pride, admiration
Lichtman said Lieberman
Sen. Lieberman
and uneasiness about his will-
is also tainted by his close
ingness to bring religion into
association with Gore. "One
the political marketplace." In
reason Gore didn't run is that
2000, Lieberman's extensive talk about
he knew the Democratic leadership
faith earned a rebuke from the Anti-
wasn't supporting him," he said.
Defamation League.
"Lieberman is closely identified with
Lieberman will be hit by Democratic Gore, so some of that taint rubs off on
him."
competitors for his role as President
George W. Bush's most important
But Lichtman said Lieberman leads
Democratic ally on several hot-button
the Democratic pack in name recogni-
issues, including the president's faith-
tion and fund-raising; he has the best
based initiative.
fund-raising machine of any of the
"Obviously, Joe Lieberman is the
candidates, and his network of Jewish
prime beneficiary of Al Gore's decision
financial contributors will provide an
because of his promise not to run if
early boost.
Gore made the race," said Ira Forman,
And with no contest in the
executive director of the National
Republican Party, he could benefit
Jewish Democratic Council, which
from conservatives voting in
does not take sides in Democratic pri-
Democratic primaries and caucuses
mary battles. "Gore's decision helps all
because there is no contest on the
the candidates, but it was an in-or-out
GOP side.
decision for Lieberman."
"Lieberman's more moderate ideolo-
Gore, who won the popular vote two gy may well be his greatest asset and
years ago but lost the presidential elec-
liability simultaneously," said
tion in the Electoral College after a
University of Virginia political scientist
disputed count in Florida, made his
Larry Sabato. "It distinguishes him
stunning announcement on the CBS
from the mainly liberal field, but the
news program Sixty Minutes.
party seems to be moving back to lib-
Lieberman was quickly inundated with eral fundamentals after a decade of
questions about whether he was throw- flirting with the Democratic
Leadership Council."
ing his kippah into the ring.
On Monday, he said he would care-
In the past two years, Lieberman has
fully consider the "awesome opportuni- rallied Democratic support for some

JAMES D. BESSER

Washington Correspondent

T

12/20
2002

20

Uncharitable Choice

