Republican Candidate Mike Rogers Asks AIPAC Not to Campaign for Him
FlatRigor 596 sources
The Story
US Republican leader Mike Rogers and his allies have reportedly asked the pro-Israel lobby American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) not to run a campaign on his behalf ahead of the November general election. Rogers is a Republican Senate candidate from Michigan, a state home to one of the country’s largest Arab American populations, and fears that open AIPAC support might backfire. The request to AIPAC came after Rogers met with AIPAC chair Michael Tuchin in Los Angeles last week. AIPAC is officially a non-partisan group that advocates unconditional US support for Israel and pushes back against criticism of Israeli governments. It was established in 1954 under its original name, the American Zionist Committee for Public Affairs. Its founding objective was to persuade Congress to fund Israel’s economy and the absorption of Jewish refugees, framed as an American national interest. The pro-Israel lobby group has faced mounting pressure from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party, which has been critical of Israel and its ongoing war in Gaza. Now, Republican party candidates are also looking to distance themselves from the group as a growing number of Americans challenge US support for Israel. Separately, in Oklahoma, Democratic Senate candidate N’kiyla Jasmine Thomas, who has been vocal against AIPAC, is facing centrist Jim Priest in a runoff election on Tuesday. Thomas earned 45% of votes in the June primary, while Priest accrued 24%. The winner will face Republican candidate Rep. Kevin Hern, who has President Donald Trump's endorsement. Oklahoma has not sent a Democrat to the Senate in more than three decades.
The Spread
Flat
What they agree on
- Republican Senate candidate Mike Rogers has asked AIPAC not to campaign on his behalf.
- Rogers is running in Michigan, a state with a large Arab American population.
- Rogers fears that open AIPAC support could backfire on his campaign.
- AIPAC is a non-partisan group that advocates for US support for Israel.
- AIPAC has faced increasing pressure and criticism from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party.
Where they split
- Al Jazeera English and Middle East Eye frame the story around AIPAC's declining political standing and the reasons why politicians are refusing its support.
- PJ Media focuses on a broader narrative of "Black Voters Are Fleeing the Democrat Party" and contrasts AIPAC with CAIR.
- The Jewish Telegraphic Agency highlights the Oklahoma Senate candidate N’kiyla Jasmine Thomas, who is vocal against AIPAC, as a separate but related development.
- The New York Times provides a concise report on Rogers' reservations about AIPAC's backing.
Source Perspectives
Left3 sources
Right1 source