In response to Ed Koch’s endorsement of Bob Turner for Congress, covered in the July 28-Aug. 3 TimesLedger Newspapers article entitled “Koch deserts Weprin by endorsing Turner,” I ask whether Koch really thought this one through.
Koch says his endorsement of the Republican candidate is meant to “send a message” to the Obama administration that the president’s policy on Israel is disagreeable. Despite the fact that state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) is a staunch supporter of Israel, Koch endorses a candidate who has said that global warming is “highly suspect”; opposes the DREAM Act, a woman’s right to choose and gay marriage; and favors spending cuts that would slash programs like Social Security and Medicare.
Overall, Turner’s policy stances and beliefs run counter to the values epitomized by the Democratic Party. The spite of Koch’s endorsement is detrimental to our politics and detracts from meaningful conversation on Israel.
Why should the Obama administration be responsive to the endorsement of a Republican candidate who is set on undoing Obama’s domestic achievements, especially when the Democratic candidate is such an ardent supporter of Israel?
Koch’s endorsement of Turner only adds to the unfortunate modern culture in politics that encourages a narrow focus on hot-button issues at the expense of the middle class and the good of the country.
George C. Grasso
President
CUNY Law School Democrats
Flushing
