The American Spectator

Washington Prowler

p> FROST ON THE HUSTINGS br> What with the likes of outgoing Rep. Cynthia McKinney talking up the plight of the Palestinians, and emissaries of Democratic Senate hopeful, New Hampshire Gov. Jeanne Shaheen , rumor-mongering about her Republican opponent's Middle Eastern heritage, it's a nice change of pace to see a Democrat touting and putting a positive spin on his Jewish heritage. At least that's what campaign fundraisers for Rep. Martin Frost (Tex.) have been doing. /p>

Frost has pushed hard on the campaign fundraising trail this time around, in part to support fellow House Democrats as they seek to retake the majority. He has doled out tens of thousands in donations to candidates, and sponsored fundraisers on their behalf across the country. Another reason for the effort is his desire to leapfrog over House Whip Nancy Pelosi to become Democratic Leader, and possibly Speaker of the House, should his party ever regain control of that body.

Frost's desire for leadership is no secret, but it's somewhat surprising to hear that his campaign is hitting up wealthy Jewish donors for money solely on the basis of his faith. "For a lot of people the fact that Frost is Jewish isn't a big deal, but for some devout Jews, it's a big deal that a potential leader of this country is Jewish and proud of it," says a DNC fundraiser.

But it isn't all about pride. It's also about scaring people and playing on fears. Just as Shaheen's fundraisers have been doing in meetings with donors in Boston and New York, Frost's people have been hinting that not to support their candidate is to give the pro-Palestinian, pro-Arab lobby a leg up in Washington.

"It's just weird," says the fundraiser. "I haven't seen anything like this in a while. You 're always looking for an 'in' with a donor, anything that will help you get that check. But I don't recall us ever using a person's Jewish heritage or faith in this way. [Sen.] Joe Lieberman has certainly never done it."

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topics:
Nancy Pelosi, NATO