Dissent as Dems put God back in platform

NORTH CAROLINA, United States of America – Democratic big-wigs faced an embarrassing revolt Wednesday, September 5, as they put references to God and Jerusalem’s status back in the November election platform despite strong opposition from members.

Amid chaotic scenes, Democrats began the second day of their Charlotte, North Carolina convention, amending a platform they adopted just 24 hours earlier

The party had faced a tidal wave of criticism from Republicans and some within the party after dropping pro-forma references to God and the party’s support for Jerusalem being recognized as the capital of Israel.

Sensing the move may rile influential religious and Jewish voters, convention manager and Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, asked for approval of a revised document.

Proposing the motion, former Ohio governor Ted Strickland said “faith and belief in God is central to the American story” and “President Obama recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and our party’s platform should as well.”

But when a voice vote was called the “nays” appeared to match the “ayes.”

“I — I — I guess, I’ll do that one more time,” said an obviously flustered Villaraigosa.

Despite the second attempt leading to a similar response, Villaraigosa declared: “In the opinion of that chair, two-thirds have voted in the affirmative. The motion is adopted, and the platform has been amended.”

That sparked a chorus of boos from the floor.

Since 1992 Democrats have stated unequivocally that “Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.”

Thorny issue

The status of Jerusalem is one of the most contentious issues of the long-running Israeli-Palestinian conflict and a thorny issue in US politics.

Democrat and Republican White Houses have long stated that Jerusalem’s final status should be decided by negotiations between the two parties.

But thanks in large part to the influence of Jewish voters in key battleground states like Florida, relations with Israel are a hot button issue in US elections.

The platform is a largely symbolic document, which is often ignored by the powerful executive branch. – Agence France-Presse