The Dershowitz/Berman Primary

Barack Obama picked up the endorsement of Ted Kennedy today. Hillary Clinton got Alan Dershowitz and Paul Berman in the pages of The New Republic.

Need I say more?

Dershowitz has devoted his life in recent years to discrediting the careers and reputations of critics of Israel's occupation of the Palestinian territories, slavishly defending Israel against any and all comers, no matter the validity of their point.

Berman (no relation) was the intellectual architect behind the liberal hawks case for war in Iraq, which he described as a "Lincolnian war, a war for the liberation of others."

TNR asked fourteen authors/intellectual to endorse candidates. Dershowitz and Berman, given their hawkish worldviews, were the ones who immediately jumped out. Their words aren't likely to boost Clinton's standing in progressive political circles.

"I favor the nomination of a centrist Democrat, one who is capable of attracting independents, moderates, and the growing number of anti-Bush Republicans," Dershowitz writes. "Hillary Clinton understands this and has not pandered to the extreme left of her party."

Berman also likes the idea of Clinton in the war room. "A candidate like Hillary, who participated in the decisions that toppled Slobodan Milosevic, is nicely situated to argue that, on the topic of military stand-offs and far-away dictators, she possesses a superior understanding."

Berman also offers Clinton a rather counterproductive piece of advice: "I think it wouldn't do her any harm to acknowledge that, now and then, John McCain has been right."

These are the types of endorsements one wishes the candidate would decline. Unless, of course, she agrees with them.

Comments (14)

1. "A candidate like Hillary, who participated in the decisions that toppled Slobodan Milosevic"---Paul Berman

   Uh...she did? Can we get those NSA meeting transcripts, Paul Berman?!?!?

   Posted by Mask at 01/28/2008 @ 4:22pm

2. After Dershowitz played his little games with Norman Finklestein, I think he is the perfect candidate to endorse HRC's candidacy. Add in Frank Grit's admission that his second choice is John McCain, I think I'm getting a pretty good idea about who is invested in a HRC presidential bid. I may even have to reconsider whether I'll vote for her in preference to McCain. Perhaps there isn't as much difference between them as I thought.

   Posted by srjenkins at 01/28/2008 @ 4:31pm

3. Ari: is Berman a very common American Jewish last name? I notice a LOT of Bermans emerging in the political press. Also, are you related to the Berman that Alterman wrote his last book with, who was also a Kerry campaign state chairman or similar?

   Posted by ZERO 01/28/2008 @ 4:25pm

   WHY does that MATTER to you so much?

   Posted by Mask at 01/28/2008 @ 4:33pm

4. Posted by MASK 01/28/2008 @ 4:22pm

   Agreed. I remember reading somewhere that she had no security clearance and took part in no discussions about policy. Where is this new information coming from? If it is true, then that would lend some credence to her "experience" claim. But to be honest, I highly doubt the spouse of a president has any say so whatsoever about foreign diplomacy in any official capacity.

   Posted by FritztheCat at 01/28/2008 @ 4:34pm

5. "These are the types of endorsements one wishes the candidate would decline. Unless, of course, she agrees with them."

   hmmmmmm?

   squish the palestinians, attack iranq (intentional typo)

   hmmmmmm.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 01/28/2008 @ 5:00pm

6. Perhaps there isn't as much difference between them as I thought.

   Posted by SRJENKINS 01/28/2008 @ 4:31pm

   at least mccain is funny.........

   Posted by frosty zoom at 01/28/2008 @ 5:02pm

7. Posted by ZERO 01/28/2008 @ 4:29pm

   Interesting that you should mention the sanctions point. I think you're right, but I think that also calls into question those who would defend ongoing sanctions as an alternative to invasion, particularly if the invasion was actually managed intelligently.

   Also...on the Cuban embargo...really? I would tend to favor removing it, but for the opposite reason that you do. It's worthless given the non-participation of virtually every other country, and seems to be more tied to Cuba-as-Soviet-ally, an identity which no longer exists.

   Posted by Thrawn at 01/28/2008 @ 5:17pm

8. Posted by THRAWN 01/28/2008 @ 5:17pm

   Given the body count in Iraq for both sanctions and invasion, I think it calls into question both approaches - whether they are intelligently applied or not.

   The Cuban embargo actually helps Cuba. If you wanted to destroy it you would only have to open up relations and wait for McDonald's, Starbucks and their ilk to do the work for you once they dot every street corner. Invasion using military troops is so passe. I can hear the battle cry now, "Hairnets not helmets!"

   Posted by srjenkins at 01/28/2008 @ 5:48pm

9. ¡deja los cubanos en paz!

   that embargo is based on petulance.

   Posted by frosty zoom at 01/28/2008 @ 5:56pm

10. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 01/28/2008 @ 5:02pm

    About as funny as watching a dog trained to attack a man's crotch when hearing the word, "Nixon", a la Where the Buffalo Roam. Should I get my doberman now or later?

    Posted by srjenkins at 01/28/2008 @ 5:56pm

11. Posted by SRJENKINS 01/28/2008 @ 5:56pm

    well, mccain was very funny on snl.

    the hardball/ashcroft bit is classic.....

    Posted by frosty zoom at 01/28/2008 @ 6:14pm

12. Posted by FROSTY ZOOM 01/28/2008 @ 6:14pm

    Given McCain's role in the Military Commissions Act, I can't say I find it particularly funny. Maybe Rumsfield or Cheney can do a great Ashcroft too - but the fact that they ultimately support the policies they are parodying makes it rather unfunny.

    Posted by srjenkins at 01/28/2008 @ 6:59pm

13. Posted by ZERO 01/28/2008 @ 4:45pm

    No problem. As for "Jew hater", didn't think I went that far...just curious as to why ethnicity even MATTERS? There are Christian neo-cons, there are Jews who oppose the Iraq War and support reconcilliation with Palestine.

    What does it matter?

    BTW, my trouble with you is...your cavalier attitude towards terrorists killing people and how it's no big deal if they are "the wrong kind" of people....i.e. Daniel Pearl.

    Posted by Mask at 01/28/2008 @ 7:50pm

14. Same old DLC "I want to be like a Republican" Democrats! If Hillary wants to be a Republican, she should join their party and quit pretending she has the same world view as Barack!

    Posted by Metteyya at 01/28/2008 @ 8:46pm