The Forward, NY
Sept. 7, 2001- Letters
Seattle Jewish Voters Not All Behind Sidran
Seattle mayoral candidate Mark Sidran’s claim to “centrism” and “socially progressive” politics as a “Joe Lieberman Democrat” brings to mind Lyndon Johnson’s 1964 Presidential campaign as America’s “peace candidate” (Would-be Mayor Needles Laid-Back Seattle With a Pragmatist’s Pitch,” August 24).
While American Jews are often presented as a homogenous voting bloc, Seattle’s Jewish voters shouldn’t be taken for granted,
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We’re an educated and involved constituency,
despite our fractiousness.
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especially since we’re an educated and involved constituency, even if fractious on most issues. Mr. Sidran’s campaign to this fractious Jewish commnity, in ads in the Jewish Transcript newspaper, would have us think that because Mr. Sidran was born in Seattle and raised in Seward Park – a district with a long-time Jewish presence – we’d all jump for joy at his candidacy. Staffers at Jewish Family Service and other social-service agencies who have to contend with Mr. Sidran will have their hands full if Mr. Sidran wins, because constructively helping down-and-out people is not part of Mr. Sidran’s vision.
Akiva Segan
Director
Holocaust Education Through Art
Seattle, Wash.