The Democratic Party's Polarizing Convention
By Janice Shaw Crouse
9/10/12
Four lasting impressions remain from the Democratic Convention in Charlotte: (1) Delegates raucously booing the chairman's phony ruling accepting the amendment which put God and Jerusalem as the capital of Israel back into the official Democrat platform, (2) an obsessive focus on "reproductive freedom" -- contraception and abortion, (3) a disproportionate emphasis on "women's equality" in the face of a U.S. economy that is in crisis, and (4) rhetoric permeated with desperation, distortions, and demagoguery.
God and Jerusalem: Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa stood in front of the crowd of angry delegates to call for a vote as to whether to restore God and Jerusalem back into the 2012 platform. The rules required a two-thirds vote for this patchwork amendment to pass, but the yeas and nays were roughly equal. Finally, after three attempts to get consensus, the confused and perplexed mayor ruled as the teleprompter ordered him to rule, putting God and Jerusalem back in the platform. Obviously having been hoodwinked, the hall erupted in boos and jeers. Americans viewing the convention at home were astonished -- Democrats were actually booing and jeering God?
Who were these convention delegates of the party of Andrew Jackson who were so out of touch with everyday, God-fearing America? In the latest Gallup poll, more than 9 out of 10 Americans say they believe in God, and a near-record high of 63% are also in support of Israel. Why would the Democrats go out of their way to disavow God and disrespect those with deep religious beliefs about God? Equally amazing was the implied disavowal of Jerusalem as the capital and heart of Israel. What a shocking affront to the Jewish population, which has always been a major source of campaign funds and a voting bloc sure to vote for the president.
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Desperation, Distortions, Demagoguery: While political conventions always present things in their party's favor, the Democratic convention was characterized by extraordinary desperation, distortions, and demagoguery. Several speakers stood out for all the wrong reasons.
Two high-profile female speakers were especially shocking. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said that the Israeli ambassador had told her that GOP policies would be a disaster for Israel. When the ambassador denied her claim, she said "conservative journalists" were making stuff up about what she had said. But there was a recording proving her a liar. Caroline Kennedy, gratuitously claiming to be a devout Catholic, objected to the 40 states that have voted to restrict abortion under certain circumstances, thus proclaiming that her theological authority exceeds that of her church's teaching.
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Articles: The Democratic Party's Polarizing Convention