Minnesota Democrats May Be Looking for a Way out of Their “Omar Problem”

I wondered how long Democrats would allow certain members of their freshman class to march them towards a destination of being the party of halfwits and anti-Semitism.

It’s kind of laughable, actually. The age of Trumpism with the Republican party gave Democrats the perfect opportunity to step up and appear mature, reasonable, and definitely far more intellectual.

Instead, the 2018 midterms saw them bring a New York bartender into Congress with all the intellectual heft of a plastic baggie, and two so steeped in hate for Israel and the Jewish community that they’re outwardly saying what has been a simmering undercurrent of the Democrat party for years.

That’s troublesome, considering a good chunk of Democrat support comes from the Jewish voting bloc.

We’ve spoken of the unbridled, raw anti-Semitism of Minnesota Congresswoman Ilhan Omar before. At this point, some of Democrat leadership are hoping that just not talking about it, or downplaying it is the ticket to making voters forget what has been allowed to infest their party.

Let me interject here, so that there is no misunderstanding, on any level: If you hate Jews, or if you object to the right of Israel and the Jewish people to exist in peace, then you are a horrible person. You are the bad guy.

Last week, after wimping out on a bill that would specifically call out and condemn anti-Semitism, the Democrat-led House chose to stuff the topic into an overcrowded, broad bill that unnecessarily covered all the perceived hate bases.

Some of the Jewish members of Congress were stung by the move, as they felt strongly enough about the emerging problem with Reps. Omar and Rashida Tlaib (Michigan), that they believed anti-Semitism should have been a standalone bill.

Oh, well. Cowards, each and every one of them.

As for the Democrat party in Minnesota, however, some are looking to take matters into their own hands, in order to correct the mistakes their party made in the run up to the midterm election.

In order to pull the party back from the brink, some party members are now actively inquiring into a potential primary challenger for Representative Ilhan Omar.

Several party leaders within the state have admitted to having discussions about their party’s “Omar problem.” To date, however, they haven’t found a candidate that fits the bill.

“There’s definitely some buzz going around about it, but it’s more a buzz of is anyone talking about finding someone to run against her than it is anyone saying they’re going to run against her or contemplate it. There’s definitely talk about people wanting someone to run against her,” said state Sen. Ron Latz (D), who represents a portion of Omar’s district.

Understandable.

The votes the House has brought up were inspired by Omar’s loathsome statements, suggesting that there were House members who harbored “dual loyalty” to this nation and the nation of Israel, simply because they aren’t actively spreading the rumor that Jews kidnap Muslim children and use their blood in the Matzah balls, or some other equally atrocious anti-Semitic, anti-Jewish tale.

Some of Omar’s constituents are less than thrilled that the woman they sent to Congress can’t keep her inclinations under wraps.

“Our community is exasperated by Rep. Omar’s unfulfilled promises to listen and learn from Jewish constituents while seemingly simultaneously finding another opportunity to make an anti-Semitic remark and insult our community,” Steve Hunegs, executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas, said in a statement.

“Unfortunately, having the opportunity to speak with her about that point didn’t dissuade her making that statement,” Hunegs told The Hill in an interview Wednesday. “We were appalled.”

Hunegs actually spoke with Omar in February, before she doubled down on her previous propaganda line.

Of those reportedly being considered are Bobby Joe Champion, a state senator with a bit of experience under his belt, having served in the state legislature for a decade.

Then there is Andrea Jenkins, a member of the Minneapolis City Council that really checks off some boxes for the party of identity politics.

Jenkins is a man, operating in the “transgender woman” lane. Has Congress scored one of those in Special Interest Groups Bingo, yet?

While they attempt to recruit the perfect challenger, they continue to discuss the best options.

“While she has created a significant amount of controversy for herself and said things that have offended many Americans, I’m not sure that one could make the case that she is in trouble yet,” said Mike Erlandson, a former Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) chairman and chief of staff to ex-Rep. Martin Sabo (D) who ran for the seat against Omar’s predecessor, Keith Ellison (D), in 2006.

If they’re already considering replacements, with only a couple of months on the job under her belt, then she’s in trouble. She’ll likely not get any smarter, as time goes on.

For his part, Jenkins isn’t quite ready to have his Congressional coming out party.

“Support is really strong for Congresswoman Omar, but certainly there is some acrimony. I think people feel like she’s being unfairly targeted,” Jenkins said. “I love my job. I’m really close to the people I represent.”

So that’s a “no” from you?

It is the support for Omar from the Democratic Farmer-Labor Party in the state that may have many challengers spooked.

She bested two other candidates to become the party nominee for the midterm election, and will likely get the support of the powerful group again.

Many potential candidates may not be up for that particular battle.

Jenkins even suggested that he’s not willing to spend all his time fundraising.

A representative for Omar’s campaign  said they do not fear a primary challenge.

“Ilhan entered a 10 week six-way primary and she believes you get what you organize for. She organized her district to win and she’s really excited to do that again over the next two years,” a campaign spokesman told The Hill.

And maybe she will, but if she continues on in her current trajectory, not only insulting an important voting bloc for the Democrat party, as well as attacking other members of her party (such as her recent slam against the Democrat party’s golden savior, Barack Obama), they may find her a liability none are willing to shoulder.