The stakes in the Sestak-Twomey Pennsylvania Senate race reach well beyond the far reaching differences between the candidates.
In this race the Emergency Committee for Israel (ECI), led by neo-conservative William Kristol and Gary Bauer head of the Family Research Counci, l– Bauer is linked with the religious right– has attacked Joe Sestak because he is “soft” on Iran’s nuclear threat. That is clearly not true but distortion is the lingua franca of the day.
The effort by Kristol and Bauer is two fold: make the supporters of Iran negotiations, even if they support sanctions, appear anti-Israel. The Sestak-Twomey race is their most significant media buy.
They have another purpose. Politically reinforce the neo-conservative ideologues with right wing evangelicals. (Not all evangelicals are right wing. It’s important to remember that.)
No matter who wins the Pennsylvania Senate race the alliance can be expected to trumpet an ongoing hawkish and reckless policy towards Iran. It is likely to be cloaked in keeping Israel secure. It will be aided and abetted by right wing House members Michelle Bachmann (R-Mn), John Culberson (R-Tx), Louie Gohmert (R-Tx) and Steve King (R-Ia) who are chomping at the bit.
Their efforts need to be taken seriously. Let’s be prepared to oppose and defeat these proponents of a reckless policy towards Iran.
