WASHINGTON, 8 June 2004 — Virginia Congressman Jim Moran is fighting for his political life, despite the fact that the Democratic Party has come out in full support behind him.

The 7-term congressman hopes to win today’s primary from challenger Andrew Rosenberg, 36, a lawyer and lobbyist who has focused much of his campaign questioning Moran’s judgment and leadership.

What prompted the primary challenge are Moran’s comments regarding the US-led invasion of Iraq during a March 2003 forum weeks before the assault.

“If it were not for the strong support of the Jewish community for this war with Iraq we would not be doing this,” Moran said. “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.”

Instead, some leaders of the Jewish community” accused the congressman of being anti-Semitic.

The response was immediate, and ugly. Following his comments, House Democrats stripped Moran of his leadership position, and several regionally prominent Democrats lined up to run against him.

Then, his longtime pollster, Alan Seacrest, jumped on the bandwagon accusing Moran of anti-Semitic comments during a private meeting. Despite gaining wide-scale publicity over his accusations, Seacrest has refused to reveal the anti-Semitic words he accuses Moran of allegedly stating.

Moran said Seacrest is lying and that he is upset with the congressman because he did not want to pay him for what he thought were exorbitant polling charges.

Arab News has spoken with political observers who feel that national right-wing Jewish lobbies are targeting Moran, just as they did former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney, who they also viewed as anti-Semitic.

“This election is not about Moran’s ability to lead, or about news headlines accusing him of questionable public states or personal finances. It’s about a cabal of powerful Washington, D.C., based interests backing the Bush administration’s support for right-wing Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon’s handling of the Middle East conflict trying to upend an outspoken and powerful Democratic opponent,” a pro-Moran press release stated, though unauthorized by the congressman.

Moran, 59, a white-haired burly former boxer, appears confused and devastated by the personal attacks. He has told reporters of his frustration that his vote against the war has received less attention than his comments about the war. “It’s an easy stance now that the war has gone bad, but I wasn’t following the political winds.”

Popular state and local Democratic lawmakers have come out to back Moran, through mailings or recording automated phone calls to voters, which they hope will counter the allegations of anti-Semitism with their general enthusiasm for Moran.

“You may have read or heard today about the completely unfounded allegations made by a former pollster vendor in the employ of Jim’s past campaigns,” said Virginia Senate Minority Leader Richard Saslaw, in a signed letter of support that was mailed throughout Moran’s district.

“I have known Jim Moran for 25 years, and he is not an anti-Semite, and, by the way, I happen to be Jewish.”