Former NYC Mayor Ed Koch Endorses Obama
Source: Real Clear Politics
Obama campaign: Today, Obama for America released a new video endorsement from former New York City Mayor Ed Koch. Mayor Koch is proud to cast his vote for Barack Obama because of the President's unbreakable support for Israel and because he has, time and time again, proven himself to be a true friend of the Jewish state. As Mayor Koch says, "I'm confident President Obama will continue his unambiguous commitment to the Jewish state in his second term, building on his record of leadership by preventing Iran from developing a nuclear weapon and funding the Iron Dome missile defense system that is saving Israeli lives."
Mayor Koch is also standing with the President because he is the "clear, best choice on domestic policy" and has the right ideas for moving our country forward. Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan want to take us back to the failed policies that led to the worst financial crisis in a generation, and they would shred the social safety net, turning Medicare into a voucher program and cutting Medicaid. And the Mayor knows that President Obama understands we have a responsibility to look out for one another in tough times -- and that he will keep fighting for the American people every day for the next four years.
As Mayor Koch says, "Those aren't just American values, they're Jewish values too."
Read more: http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2012/10/31/former_ny_mayor_ed_koch_endorses_obama.html
Kind of surprising, as he's been leaning GOP so heavily over the last decade, but good to have him.
And his argument (in addition to making a good case on domestic issues) does a lot to destroy right's nonsensical "Obama hates Israel" smear.
Historic NY
(37,449 posts)Happyhippychick
(8,379 posts)freshwest
(53,661 posts)speedoo
(11,229 posts)The schmuck was in favor of the policies he now says we should not go back to.. Fuck him.
Ed Koch is not to be trusted.
itsrobert
(14,157 posts)hopefully he has some pull there.
speedoo
(11,229 posts)than we do now.
Lieberman and Koch were two people who helped elect Bush and brought us the horrors of the Bush years.. I hope they both burn in hell.
politicasista
(14,128 posts)Cha
(295,543 posts)then and this is the Immediate NOW.
I'd never turn away an endorsement because of some fool thing he did in the PAST.
politicasista
(14,128 posts)calimary
(80,522 posts)Couldn't take the stench? Finally had enough?
I'm still pissed at that, too, speedoo. I remember when he became a fucking turncoat. Won't EVER forget it. He lost my trust at that moment, too.
Glad he finally saw the light, but his supporting bush was a real game-changer for me. A COLOSSAL fuck-up on his part, and an EXTREMELY poor judgment call. Made me start wondering about him and his grip on reality. I used to like Ed Koch. I MAY find my way back toward that again someday. But I'm not exactly hurrying. By thy betrayals art thou known, Ed.
yellowcanine
(35,690 posts)Appears to me he was waiting to see who was finishing strong to make the endorsement. Koch just wants to be with the winner for whatever reason. I see no principled action here.
Adenoid_Hynkel
(14,093 posts)The city was ill-prepared to deal with the 1984 crisis.
VWolf
(3,944 posts)NYC Liberal
(20,132 posts)It's pretty clear Koch got wrapped up in the "Rah rah patriotism" stuff after 9/11 (he all but said that's why he voted for Bush; he said he didn't agree with Bush on a single issue other than terrorism, but that terrorism was the most important issue). Stupid and shortsighted, but one election is not a reason not to trust him now.
politicasista
(14,128 posts)He must have had another grudge towards Kerry.
NYC Liberal
(20,132 posts)politicasista
(14,128 posts)Senator Kerry and the Democratic Party.
He had to have had some other grudge, otherwise he wouldn't have voted for Bush, then come back to Obama.
But his loss, and Kerry's gain cause Obama adapted some of DNC 04 plattform and he knows who really had/has his back when it mattered.
NYC Liberal
(20,132 posts)But perhaps this is his way of doing that -- by once again supporting Democrats and endorsing Obama.
It's not like he's a right winger. I'd rather him come back to our side after going "rah rah USA" after 9/11 than not, like Dennis Miller and some others who went right and never realized their mistake.
politicasista
(14,128 posts)and he should do it.
He is one of many, many, many people that owe Senator Kerry an apology. IMO, it would make Obama look even stronger.
But guess that people will never learn. It's still popular for these same people aka Dems, Liberals, Progressives to have supported (or support) Gore, but ridicule Kerry for "losing" to Bush, and praise Obama for everything from his impressive two debates to his overall job as candidate/president.
Must be nice for the POTUS to get these types of endorsements from Dems that supported the other side, and his dreadful policies, but didn't want to support a true Democrat that was a person of patriotism and integrity. Sad they didn't or don't see that.
Sorry if this isn't sticking to the OP, but its JMO
At least Koch isn't Miller, who is just super crazy.
NYC Liberal
(20,132 posts)One thing that pisses me off is people blaming him for not responding to the Swift Liars. He did respond -- forcefully -- but the corporate media refused to cover it, at the same time giving countless hours of free airtime to the Swift Liars by playing their ad over and over for free (as "news" and giving them a platform to spew their bullshit.
politicasista
(14,128 posts)In a way Obama gets it, but he won and is winning. Gore still gets it, but he "won."
Maybe one day the real truth about all this will come out. Kerry got somewhat vindicated by the DNC speech last September, but still the "where was" and "had he" sentiment is still popular around here and social media land.
Flaws and all, but at least Obama and Team Obama valued his debating skills and knowledge of foreign policy. Unfortunate that so many don't see or realize that, but again, their loss and the Senator's gain.
Maybe someone will be brave enough to tell the story. Maybe.
Wasn't meaning to turn this thread upside down lol, but stating AHO. Peace.
SCVDem
(5,103 posts)but my mind went shmear.
Too much Jon Stewart maybe?
Tx4obama
(36,974 posts)http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ed_Koch
Edited to change SUBJECT line! Thanks everyone!
onehandle
(51,122 posts)Puh.
yellowcanine
(35,690 posts)Crunchy Frog
(26,539 posts)Chakab
(1,727 posts)has badmouthed Obama in the past.
CreekDog
(46,192 posts)read more of the wiki entry.
kitt6
(516 posts)Crunchy Frog
(26,539 posts)Actually, I am voting for him, but because I think he's better for America and for the world as a whole.
But wow, Koch actually finds Romney to be worse than Bush? That's pretty impressive.
On the Road
(20,783 posts)because it certainly looks like he's let it mellow.
CreekDog
(46,192 posts)Koch?
I'll take it though!
Adenoid_Hynkel
(14,093 posts)Sean's relied on Koch to be his guy-disappointed-with-Democrats-on-Israel for a decade now, and it appears those days are over now.
Deep13
(39,154 posts)NYC Liberal
(20,132 posts)for him to support President Obama.
kysrsoze
(6,006 posts)bluestateguy
(44,173 posts)He is a stickler for pro-Israel and would not go for Obama if he didn't have confidence in his pro-Israel credentials.
VirginiaTarheel
(823 posts)He has been anti-Obama until now. He wants to join the bandwagon.