Democratic National Committee Chairman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.) is accompanying President Obama to Israel, adding a decidedly political element to Obama’s first trip to the Holy Land as president.
Wasserman Schultz, who is Jewish, was joined on Air Force One by another House Democrat, Rep. Eliot Engel of New York, who is also Jewish. No Republican lawmakers have been reported to be part of the president’s delegation.
Neither Wasserman Schultz nor Engel is a senior member of the congressional leadership, and it’s not clear why they accompanied Obama to Israel other than that they have a personal interest in seeing the country.
Wasserman Schultz is one of the more divisive members of Congress, rankling Republicans frequently with screeching political attacks. Her presence is sure to raise suspicions among Republicans about the president’s political motives for the trip.
It’s possible President Obama feels the need to placate her, having set up his own rival political organization – Organizing for America – that diminishes her role as DNC chair.
{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
this is a bad move for the President.
Politics aside, Debbie Wasserman Schultz is one of the more annoying people in Washington (that says alot). Her voice, her hair…her demeanor, is frankly irritating.
I love this part of the schedule…
5:05 pm || Delivers statement to the press
5:30 pm || Arrives at the residence of Prime Minister Netanyahu; Prime Minister’s Residence, Jerusalem
5:45 pm || Holds bilateral meeting with Netanyahu
Don’t people know that Obama is never on time and his speeches ramble on?
Who scheduled this so tight?
How nice of Barry to take along his pals, Wasserman Schultz and Engel, on this tax-payer funded junket. Dear Debbie, with her beauty and grace, will be such a lovely example of American womanhood to present to the Israelis.
I dunno – would you pit her against the Flino? He could’ve brought her, you know?
“Neither Wasserman Schultz nor Engel is a senior member of the congressional leadership, and it’s not clear why they accompanied Obama to Israel other than that they have a personal interest in seeing the country.” – Keith Koffler
They’re members of the Imperial Palace. How DARE you question them, peasant! They are accepted into the Royal Presence, and that is justification enough for ANYTHING.
Now back to your hut! And mind your place before HE loses HIS temper with you…
To add a patina of genuineness no doubt. (SARC ON)
“Wasserman Schultz, who is Jewish…” – Keith Koffler
Is she REALLY, or is she just “Jewish” the way that Biden and Pelosi are “Catholic”? I know there may or may not be a lineage in her case that gives her some “legal” right to claiming to be Jewish, but if you don’t live it, do you REALLLLY have a right to claim it as your own? Morally, that is…
I know, Obamanistas don’t spend a lot of time worrying about boring ol’ “Moral” stuff. The guy they are CLAIMING to worship is WAY into moralism, though, and Harry Reid might not be able to block HIS vote on their final destination when the time comes…
I’m not their judge, for which they are fortunate – but they WILL be judged, and by Someone who WON’T be decieved or misled by a synchophantic press or by fatuous legalisms. Perhaps it’s GOOD for them to go there, maybe they’ll be reminded of that? Totally worth it, if so!
As for their boss, maybe he should get himself on the Road to Damascus. I hear that another religious persecutor once had his mind changed while going out that way…
Being Jewish is both nationality and religion.
Anyone born of a Jewish mother is automatically Jewish.
Being an observant Jew is another matter altogether.
Judaism is a religion, not a nationality. My sister is Jewish and she is an American, not an Israeli. There are more Jews that are not Israeli than there are Israelis who are.
Like Biden is Catholic.
Obama can’t do anything without his human props. DWS is the latest prop to show Israel he’s down with them.
Also, after rubbing shoulders with J-HOVA / Jay-Z during the inaugural, maybe DWS wants to go “gangsta” in Gethsemane.
slightly OT:
Just how does the PR machine in the WhiteHouse operate: do they send out the bat-signal for a dozen first responders for a certain speech, or seniors, or darling children. and in this case; for some American Jews?
We have to assume that these people know they’re being used as political props for whatever MrObama’s message of the day might be.
The message in Israel (and for PMNetanyahu in particular) is “see, American Jews approve of what I’m doing and they support my decisions”.
and further: who pays for the transportation, feeding and lodging of all these human props? Some come from thousands of miles away, and almost certainly aren’t paying their own way. This goes all the way back to Marcelas Owens, the eleven year old from Seattle — whose mother died with a lack of insurance — flown to D.C. so Joe Biden could hold him in place next to the signing desk while Obama went through some two dozen pens to leave his “official signature” on his official signature accomplishment.
Like obama is Christian.
Exactly!
Just like Obama surrounds himself with military personnel, cops, or teachers for related announcements and events, he surrounds himself with Jews for a visit to Israel. “Hey…you guys make a pretty good photo-op!”
Maybe gather up all Americans on Foodstamps and brag on himself how he’s helping Americans. Oh thats right there is no stadium that could hold 50,000,000 peopel huh? I agree with your analogy.
She is truely a worthless person. Vile, disgusting pig of a person. So are the people that vote for her.
Barry’s visit is causing chaos in Jerusalem:
“Unprecedented road closings have immobilized half of Jerusalem during the busiest shopping days of the year, just before the start of Passover and are closing the only highway to the country’s only airport during a time it’s jammed with holiday visitors.
Jerusalemites trying to shop for Passover will be unable to reach the city’s only produce market by car, and all buses are being diverted.
“Is it going to be possible to get into town, and specifically the market?” asked Jerusalem resident Emma Wolfin-Goldin. “I’m genuinely mystified as to the timing.”
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/israel-deals-gridlock-media-blitz-obama-visit-article-1.1293523#ixzz2O5I9bjQw
Anyone else think the timing of the visit was planned out of pure spite?
Yes.
That would require several prerequisites. First, the President and his staff would have to know when Passover occurs. Second, he would have to beleive a large number of people observe religious holidays. Third, he would have to know most people cannot delegate their shopping to a staff. Fourth, he would have to care about whether he inconveniences anyone. None of these prerequisites are satisfied. So he cannot acted out of spite..
Just read on Drudge that his limo broke down, or rather it wouldn’t start up. Someone filled it with petrol when it should have been diesel (or vice versa). Maybe that has added to the traffic snarl.
BTW, his driver makes $175,000 a year.
If I wanted to show someone how unserious I am about the task at hand and how little I thought of them then I would bring this woman with me also.
Well I wonder who else is going on Barry’s Big Adventure? This was never a
serious trip for Obama but now he’s further humiliating America by making it
in no way serious. We’ve got serious and dangerous things going on in that
area hopefully someone mentioned it to Barry between brackets and parties.
And to drag along Dreadful Debbie is an insult.
I spotted the usualy suspects…Val Jar, Carney, Messina.
Well, at least now we know two of the coattail riders in his entourage. Any word on who the other 598 are?
Food tasters….he has to have backups in case the first 100 or so drop like flies. I wonder if he has food tasters when he’s back at the WH eating what Mooch declares he has to eat, rather than what he wants to eat? Do they go with him to Five Guys down the road in DC?
Can’t see thought you said ‘cocktail riders’ but not much difference. Too
early for the ‘tea trolly’?
Why not? It’s five o’clock somewhere in the world, Lizzy ;-)
I think it’s going to be five o’clock 24/7 for the next four years. Say
Susan we should buy our ‘tea’ in bulk or brew our own WHD brand:-)
Debbie the Doofus, who accused Ambassador Oren…
“We know, and I’ve heard no less than Ambassador Michael Oren say this, that what the Republicans are doing is dangerous for Israel.”
The only job Deb suitable for her is “taste tester”.
Or getting on knees for the great One while she worships him or other things?
She might make his ears wiggle, Donna
Perhaps Debbie is the taster.
If it wasn’t for bad taste, she’d have no taste at all!
‘Like’. :-)
Maybe Obama invited DWS because Dennis Rodman still has jet lag from his North Korean trip.
LOL
I’d trust Casey Anthony to be my babysitter before I’d trust Dennis Rodman to speak for my country in international affairs.
Maybe ‘more senior’ Democratic politicians who are also Jewish don’t want to be identified with him, and it’s a blessing in disguise, not an insult, that he excluded any Republicans. Funny he didn’t take Sharpton or Farrakhan.
Barack Obama is useless.
Caroline Glick is also asking why is Obama in Israel.
http://www.carolineglick.com/cgi-sys/cgiwrap/ipractic/managed-mt-dev/mt-tb.cgi/16233
We’re all wondering why? Maybe it’s a simple as his own words, but most probably it’s about *his* legacy.
President Obama told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel that “It’s good to get away from Congress.” Politico’s Mike Allen reports:
Read more: http://nation.foxnews.com/president-obama/2013/03/20/obama-israel-its-good-get-away-congress?intcmp=fly#ixzz2O5WgSsoL
I couldn’t bring up that first Caroline Glick piece, but Glick is magnificent on the subject of British anti-Semitism.
sportin – try this link to read the article. I thoroughly agree with your take on Glick and the Brits.
http://www.carolineglick.com
I always thought Obama may have a little crush on her ever since I saw the body language in this photo:
http://images.politico.com/global/news/110609_obama_wasserman_schultz_ap_328.jpg
Have never seen that in the thousands of photos with Michelle. Just goofing off in a playful way.
With her hair pulled back she’s considerably less homely.
I could not help but notice DWS’ hands in the photo and her giddiness. I’ve seen people gesture similarly to describe the size of a fish…and other things.
I agree. Body language speaks volumnes. Why didn’t his wife go too..Thats right they fly separate. my bad
A tip of the hat to you, Keith. I know that it takes extraordinary effort to find a flattering photo of Ms Wasserman Schultz. It is obvious that you have gone to great lengths to pick one of her better looks. The one used above is EXCELLENT. Captures not only her personality, but also her natural beauty.
Oh really? I thought Keith was doing a little competition with Drudge to find the worst photo. Have you seen the latest of Di Feinstein on Drudge? Check his Hillary file. Anyway, I think W-S looks scalded in this photo or maybe it’s a bad case of eczema?
Hot flash? Niacin reaction?
Evidently my tongue was a bit too far in cheek.
Guess my sarc antennae need a little tune-up. : – )
There is a Vogue picture of Lil Debbie that rivals the two that Vogue did of MO…Photoshopping is an art.
She does worship the great Liar. She acts like she has a crush on him to me. It is what it is. Better to travel with President then Americans don’t have to listen to her BS. I change the channel when either her or Obama gets on their soap box because of the lies that fall out! Jay Carney is the same.
Keith, I bet they never let You ask questions at those white house breifings huh? Those pesky true Press people annoy Carney. I have seen him smirk and roll his eye brows when faced with real questions. Keep it up!
Photo kind of reminds me of a deer in the headlights……sorta like Jerry Sandusky…..whut??
I wish I could say that Wasserman Schultz is a nonentity, but i do not think it so. You are so right, Keith, she is very divisive. I always wish P. Obama
would take thoughtful thinking people with him, but that is never going to happen. He would not know what to do with them. He is so frivolous!
It’s March Madness…that’s his excuse for the time being.