Virginia 38th District Delegate Robert Hull No Longer Supports Jim Moran

"Enough is Enough

The editorial two weeks ago in the News-Press addressed the controversy surrounding Congressman Jim Moran’s comments at a March 3 forum in Reston. 'If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq.' Mr. Moran said, 'we would not be doing this.'

The News-Press urged those of us who live in Congressman Jim Moran’s district to give him the benefit of the doubt.

I beg to disagree. In my view, after one improper statement and ethical lapse after another over the years, enough is enough.

I was personally offended by what he said. Not only were Mr. Moran’s comments factually incorrect, they were morally wrong.

In apologizing for his comments, he said that he is not anti-Semitic. I do not question that. But, his comments were effectively anti-Semitic, particularly in the context of history.

Jews have been persecuted throughout history, and there are people who have perpetuated the lie that there is an international Jewish conspiracy to control the world.

Mr. Moran’s comments had the effect of legitimizing that bigoted idea because the statements of members of Congress are given more credence than of those of average Americans.

His comments also promote a preposterous view that all Jews as a group feel the same way about the war with Iraq and that they can, in effect, control U.S. foreign policy.

Jim Moran has done goods things over the years for Northern Virginia, particularly in the areas of technology, banking, and housing.

Yet, his comments now overshadow all the positive things that he has accomplished and call his judgement into question. He has already had to resign from a Democratic leadership position because of this controversy, thereby limiting his effectiveness and harming Northern Virginia.

I do not believe that we can afford to be embarrassed any more by the person who represents this area in the U.S. Congress. Unlike some, I do not believe that he should resign. He was elected by the people and only they should decide his fate.

But, in a letter I sent to him on March 14, I told him that I can no longer support him nor work again for his re-election.

In the times in which we live, our leaders need to be bringing people together, not dividing them."

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