On Monday, May 3, as is my custom, I was working at my computer while the TV played in the background.  The CNN political discussion program, Crossfire was on, with hosts James Carville and Tucker Carlson.  When I work, I only half listen to what is happening on the television and that is exactly what I was doing when my ears caught the sounds of Tucker Carlson saying to a guest on the program, Tad Devine, who is a senior advisor to the Kerry campaign, "Now, Tad, as you know, part of what it means to be a Democrat is to count people by race, much like the Nazis did.  And, as you know, the Kerry campaign is coming -- I'm serious -- is coming under criticism for being almost -- hold on -- Almost exclusively white............."

Did I just hear the word Nazi being spoken by Tucker Carlson in reference to the campaign of Senator John Kerry?  Indeed I did.  I was absolutely appalled that any responsible journalist would compare the presidential campaign of the Democratic or any other recognized U.S. party to the tactics used by the Nazis; not even as a sick joke.  I immediately dashed off the following letter to CNN:

As editor and publisher of the online journal of Jewish culture, The Gantseh Megillah, I am outraged by Tucker Carlson's casual use of the term Nazi during the Crossfire program of Monday, May 3, 2004, when asserting how the Kerry campaign counts the ethnic minorities participating in various political campaigns. Although I often disagree with Mr. Carlson's point of view, I have always thought of him as intelligent and reasonably fair-minded, but his implication of Senator Kerry's campaign as using techniques of any kind similar to those of Nazis, is not in any way, shape or form humourous, and I demand an on air apology. I should also state, I am NOT a member of the Kerry for President campaign nor am I a committed supporter to his candidacy. My complaint has to do with a plain matter of decency and respect.

Michael D. Fein
Editor-the Gantseh Megillah
www.gantsehmegillah.com

The hyperbole being used during this campaign year is way over the top, and I feel, as Jews, we must draw a line when the holder of a particular point of view begins comparing people with differing opinions to Nazis. Tucker Carlson's use of the term cheapens the experience, we as Jews experienced during the Holocaust, and casts despicable aspersions on the character of Mr. Kerry's campaign.  I urge all of you who agree with my point of view to send an email to CNN via their Web site at http://edition.cnn.com/feedback/forms/form5.html?7

For those of you who would care to see the context on Mr. Carlson's statement, here is a transcript from that portion of the program:

CARVILLE: Let's go from mules to something a little more serious, the person referred to as the man who in the Bob Woodward book is pretty clear that is running the country and who will be on the ticket, is sort of fair game here.

This is an excerpt from "Meet the Press." Mr Russert to Vice President Cheney: "If your analysis is not correct" -- that's when he said we would be greeted with roses -- "and we're not treated as liberators, but as conquerors and Iraqis begin to resist, particularly in Baghdad, do you think the American people are prepared for a long, costly and bloody battle with significant American casualties?"

This is the judgment of the vice president of the United States of America on March 16, 2003. Vice President Cheney: "Well, I don't think that's likely to unfold that way, Tim."

Well, guess what? It unfolded that way. And why in the world would a person whose judgment is so deficient and so flawed, why would anyone reelect this administration that missed the great call of our lifetime?

(APPLAUSE)

COMSTOCK: Well, James, as you know, John Kerry voted to go to war in Iraq.

(CROSSTALK)

CARVILLE: I'm asking about John Kerry. Why Dick Cheney -- why was Dick Cheney so wrong about the resistance? Can you just answer, why should anyone vote to reelect Cheney-Bush?

COMSTOCK: Prewar, throughout the Clinton and Gore administration and throughout this administration, the intelligence told us that there was a threat from Iraq that John Kerry himself said was a strong threat. And we know we are safer today because we're taking that war on terrorism.

CARVILLE: Barbara, Barbara...

COMSTOCK: The problem is, John Kerry wants to vote against all the weapons that we use over in Iraq in Afghanistan and all around the world.

(CROSSTALK)

CARVILLE: It's interesting. It's interesting. You come on the show, you can say anything you want. Just for the record, you're being totally unresponsive. I asked you a question, what kind of judgment does that say when the vice president says, we're not going to have resistance when we go to Iraq, we're going to be greeted by roses?

I don't care who voted what?

COMSTOCK: Well, he was mistaken.

(CROSSTALK)

CARVILLE: Why would the American people vote to reelect someone with that poor judgment?

(CROSSTALK)

COMSTOCK: Because the vice president, your wife's former boss...

CARVILLE: Right. I understand it's my wife's...

COMSTOCK: ... who I think is one of the greatest vice presidents we have had, is a great -- you have John Kerry as running around trying to get a vice president early because they're afraid

(CROSSTALK)

CARLSON: I want to ask you a quick question.

(CROSSTALK)

DEVINE: Tucker's right. It was a mistake.

CARLSON: It was a mistake. It was a mistake.

(CROSSTALK)

CARLSON: Now, Tad, as you know, part of what it means to be Democrat is to count people by race, much like the Nazis did. And, as you know, the Kerry campaign is coming -- I'm serious -- is coming under criticism for being almost

(CROSSTALK)

CARLSON: Hold on. Almost exclusively white.

I want to know, the head of La Raza says you have almost no Latinos or Latinas on your campaign, essentially calling you guys racist. And I want to know what you say to that.

DEVINE: Well, I say it's false, OK? Listen, I just walked around that campaign headquarters. And it's a very diverse group of people.

CARLSON: So he's a liar? What?

DEVINE: No, he's not a liar. He's just not informed.

(LAUGHTER)

DEVINE: You know, John Kerry is committed -- fully informed.

(CROSSTALK)

DEVINE: John Kerry is committed to make sure that this campaign represents America, OK, the America that he wants to represent, a diverse country, OK? And that commitment is being followed through.

(CROSSTALK)

CARLSON: I want a lot of affirmative action on your campaign as soon as possible.

DEVINE: You'll get it.

CARLSON: Thanks very much.