Omar, Tlaib, Ocasio-Cortez Endorse Bernie Sanders
Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Bernie Sanders share a moment during a news conference on prescription drugs January 10, 2019 at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. Image by Alex Wong/Getty Images
By Ron Kampeas October 16, 2019
WESTERVILLE, Ohio (JTA) — Three of the four members of “The Squad,” the grouping of progressive Democratic freshmen who have stirred excitement and controversy among Democrats and derision among Republicans, are set to endorse Bernie Sanders for president.
The Vermont senator, the first Jewish candidate to win presidential nominating contests when he ran in 2016, hinted at the announcement in the debate Tuesday night in this suburb of Columbus.
Sanders, 78, was asked by the CNN/New York Times moderators how he would reassure voters that he was up to a run after surviving a recent heart attack.
“Let me invite you all to a major rally we’re having in Queens, New York,” he said. “We’re going to have a special guest at that event. And we are going to be mounting a vigorous campaign all over this country. That is how I think I can reassure the American people.”
Before the debate was through news outlets broke the news that the “special guest” at the event Saturday would be the prominent member of the Squad, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York.
Within minutes, another Squad member, Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, announced her endorsement and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan was said to be set to announce her endorsement.
Omar and Tlaib both endorse the boycott Israel movement; Sanders does not but upholds the right of Americans to boycott Israel. In her announcement, Omar hinted that Sanders’ at times tough criticism of Israel drew her to him. Sanders “truly prioritize human rights in our foreign policy–no matter who violates them.”
Omar and Tlaib also have been accused by some Democrats and by Republicans of crossing the line into anti-Semitism. President Donald Trump has said the party is anti-Semitic because of their influence.
Not announcing was the fourth Squad member, Ayanna Pressley of Massachusetts, who is the closest of the four to the pro-Israel community. Pressley hails from the same state as Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who recently surpassed Sanders in polls, threatening to steal from him the mantle of leading progressive among the candidates.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
