Congressman
Moran's irresponsible remarks
were a serious
mistake.
-- Nancy Pelosi |
Friday,
March 14, 2003 Rep.
Jim Moran Quits Democratic Post By JIM ABRAMS Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON - Rep.
Jim Moran, D-Va., was forced out of
his party leadership post Friday after a
furor over his remarks about the role of
American Jews in a possible war with Iraq.
Moran
stepped down from his position as regional
whip at the insistence of Democratic
leader Nancy Pelosi of California. In a
statement, Pelosi said she spoke to Moran
and he agreed to give up his post. Moran's
office said the decision was mutual. "I have taken this action because
Congressman Moran's irresponsible remarks
were a serious mistake," Pelosi said. "As
I said earlier this week, his comments
were not only inappropriate, they were
offensive and have no place in the
Democratic Party." Speaking at a northern Virginia forum a
week ago, Moran said that "if it were not
for the strong support of the Jewish
community for this war with Iraq we would
not be doing this. ... The leaders of the
Jewish community are influential enough
that they could change the direction of
where this is going and I think they
should."
MORAN apologized for his comments on
Tuesday. The seven-term lawmaker said he
framed his comments as he did because he
was responding to a questioner who said
she was Jewish. "I regret doing that," he
said. Moran on Friday issued a statement
saying he was stepping down from his
leadership position "as a way to
demonstrate acceptance of my
responsibility for insensitive remarks I
recently made." "I will continue to reach out to the
Jewish community and others who were
offended by my remarks," he said. "Most
importantly, I will strive to learn from
my mistakes and listen to the concerns of
my constituents." Moran's controversial remarks drew
sharp criticism from the White House and
calls from some Jewish leaders for his
resignation. Six House Democrats, all
Jewish, have said Moran should not seek
re-election in 2004 because of his
comments. Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman (news -
web sites) of Connecticut, a candidate for
president, on Friday called Moran's
remarks "baseless, divisive and
offensive." But he said a decision on resigning or
retiring at the end of this term should be
up to the congressman and his
constituents. The House Democrats have 24
regional whips for 12 regions. Moran was
elected by his colleagues three years ago
to represent the mid-Atlantic region. The whips are responsible for getting
information on legislation out to people
in their area and informing the leadership
of the positions of members. The whips
also sit on the party steering
committee. -
Pat Buchanan charges: A
cabal seeks to ensnare our country in a
series of wars that are not in
America's interests
-
Outrage
as US Congressman Moran (Virginia) says
Jews are Pushing for
War
(Washington Post)
-
Moran
"plans to resign"
|