WEBB CONG. CAMPAIGN CHALLENGED FOR ANTI-JEWISH PLOYS

Jewish Congressional leaders: Anti-Jewish ploys in Webb campaign must stop (RJC)
James Webb, the Democratic challenger to Senator George Allen in Virginia, has used a series of anti- Jewish ploys against first his primary opponent and now Senator Allen. Leading Jewish Republican congressional leaders have spoken up against Webb's attempts to use religious bigotry.

Congressman Eric Cantor (R-VA) said: "In the primary, Jim Webb produced and mailed a cartoon of his Jewish opponent depicting him with a long nose and money coming out of his pockets, calling him the 'anti-Christ of outsourcing'. His Democrat opponent rightly condemned this anti-Semitic ploy.

"Now, we learn that Jim Webb's campaign operatives, on his behalf, have been pushing a story that George Allen has Jewish relatives. In some perverse way Jim Webb believes that this will cost Senator Allen votes. Jim Webb is dead wrong.

"The people of Virginia are fair-minded, honest, and moral. Appeals to bigotry fail in Virginia, because Virginians look to a person's integrity and character. Jim Webb is failing this test of integrity..."

Senator Norm Coleman (R-MN) is a member of the Foreign Relations Committee with Senator Allen. Senator Coleman issued the following statement:

"There are those, for whatever reason, who wish to suggest that Senator Allen's Jewish heritage is an issue in this campaign. I find it morally reprehensible and ethically bankrupt. Senator Allen's opponent and his opponent's supporters have engaged in a pattern of intimidation and intolerance that I am saddened to see in this country...

"I welcome the news of Senator Allen's Jewish ancestry. I am sure it adds further depth to his demonstrated commitment to fighting oppression and anti-Semitism and his championing of human rights and freedom."