Morris Amitay Optimistic About Rosenberg's Ability To Raise Money Nationwide As The Primary Approaches

The story describes the views of Morris Amitay, a former head of AIPAC who currently runs the pro-Israel Washington PAC, as follows:

“'Andy Rosenberg still has time to show he’s a credible candidate,' said Morris Amitay, founder of the pro-Israel Washington PAC, noting that the primary is not until June 8."

With respect to Andy's campaign creating a buzz locally, today I attended a candidates forum at the Fountains, a retirement community in Alexandria. Some of the attendees were seniors but many were locals of all ages.

I expected that there would be more Moran buttons there than there would be Rosenberg buttons, but the reverse seemed to be the case. Among persons under thirty who were not related to Jim Moran (he brought his two youngest children to the event) the vast majority of campaign buttons were for Andy.

The JTA article notes that:

"Moran himself suggested at the time that the Jewish community would play a role in a primary challenge, citing his comments and voting record."

Moran's comments about the role of supporters of Israel in the upcoming election was actually far stronger than the statements described by the JTA. An April 10, 2003 article in the Washington Post by Spencer Hsu had reported:

"A Jewish civil rights organization and some Alexandria Democrats have criticized Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.) for suggesting at a recent party meeting that a major American pro-Israel lobbying group will raise $2 million and 'take over' efforts to unseat him next year.

In comments likely to prolong controversy over Moran's views toward Israel and U.S. Jewish groups and constituents, the seven-term incumbent said the American Israel Public Action Committee (AIPAC) has begun organizing against him and will 'direct a campaign against me and take over the campaign of a Democratic opponent,' according to notes taken by a person in attendance and corroborated by three others.

In an interview yesterday, Moran defended his latest statement, saying he was speaking hypothetically about what AIPAC and its supporters 'could do' in a nomination fight. Anything could happen, Moran added. For instance, he said, his would-be challengers -- Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Chairman Katherine K. Hanley, state Sen. Leslie L. Byrne (Fairfax) and former Gore campaign aide Jeremy B. Bash are publicly considering bids -- could refuse to accept money from members of AIPAC.

Moran said he was simply 'relaying what I had heard' from a fellow House member about fundraising activity against him by AIPAC members in Florida. 'I don't know that's the case,' Moran said. 'I can't verify it, but it is some cause for concern. It's conceivable.'

He added: 'You'd have to be naive not to recognize that AIPAC is a very important network of people organized around a cause. . . . It's going to take time, a lot of effort on my part and sincere communication with the Jewish community to heal this rift. But if I have to run against a national network that I don't have the ability to communicate with, it's going to be very difficult.'"

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