On August 7, when Al Gore selected Joseph Lieberman to be his running mate as the first Jew nominated to run for Vice-President on a major party ticket, Jews all over America celebrated. And why not? It was clearly a monumental breakthrough for our people. I myself was happily shocked; and for an instant almost lost sight of what an election is about.
Of course, that is what Gore wanted. By making this unprecedented breakthrough, Gore hoped to show the Left how progressive-thinking he was. Imagine that: after centuries of oppression, prejudice, and discrimination, the Democratic Party is elevating a member of the Jewish race to what is seemingly the 2nd most important spot in the party and may be "only a heartbeat away from the Presidency." A brilliant political strategy which galvanizes the Jews and all those who oppose anti-Semitism to help propel Gore to the White House.
Now don't let my cynical political analysis mislead; this is in fact a great moment for all Jews everywhere. We should be rightly proud that a major prejudicial barrier has been broken, and all Jews are slightly more liberated by this act. It is surely a key moment in American-Jewish history.
Some Jews have expressed concern that Lieberman's sudden prominence will bring about increased acts of anti-Semitism; and bigots have already begun their revelry (from neo-Nazis posting slurs in chat-rooms, to more "respectable" leaders such as Lee Alcorn of the Dallas branch of the NAACP). And I do believe it will get worse.
Yet I honestly do welcome this because it is a growing experience for America, as we confront our own bigotry. Recognizing what had been quietly simmering and is now boiling to the surface is the first step in eradicating anti-Semitism. You can't fight what's hidden. And if Lieberman brings it to the surface, than that can only be for the good.
For all this, I give Gore much credit.
But after all the celebrations about Lieberman's religion, what the election finally comes down to -- when you pull that lever or punch that card on November 7 -- is who will make the best President for our country. This is where Lieberman's somewhat-right-of-center views begin to become disturbing.
Much has been made of Lieberman's commitment to Orthodox Jewish morality, in his strict observance of Sabbath rituals, and his condemnation of Clinton's sexual life and Hollywood's focus on sex and violence. But as Orthodox Rabbi Michael Lerner points out, "Lieberman and his ilk rap themselves in the Bible and are the first to throw stones when people violate the sexual ethics of the Bible. Yet the central vision of the Bible is one that calls for a world in which we can recognize the Spirit of God embodied in every human being and build a world consistent with that vision." One is forced to wonder what kind of morality Lieberman really represents when one looks past the rhetoric and instead at his record.
Is his hawkish attitude in foreign affairs a true reflection of "Jewish morality"? He supported the US invasions of Panama and Iraq, which killed thousands of civilians and continues to do so even today with sanctions; he favors the recent missile defense boondoggle and continues to push for even more weapons systems (particularly those manufactured by Pratt & Whitney, based in his home state of Connecticut). Lieberman supports NAFTA and other instruments for corporate globalization such as the WTO. Even in Israeli affairs, he led many senators in urging Clinton NOT to push for peace in the Jewish land.
Domestic issues are also troubling: from his support of school vouchers and a moment-of-silence for school prayer (issues most Jews oppose), to seriously threatening free speech by suggesting that the FCC withhold licenses from TV stations which refuse to abide by his guidelines. He is also a strong supporter of the death penalty.
Is this the best that Jews have to offer America? I would hope not. I would urge my fellow Jews -- and in fact everyone -- to vote their conscience on the issues that really matter, not on a candidate's religion. After all, if there is a separation of church and state, as there ought to be, then the religion of any of the candidates is irrelevant. And besides, once the election is over, the role of the Vice-President in American affairs is relatively minor, anyway.
Lieberman's Judaism may be important to the status of Jews in American society, but it is not important to the way our government will be run, should the Democrats win the election. Surely there is a better choice for Jews and for all America.
Personally, I have more faith in Ralph Nader.