"Qatar’s stooges want to delegitimize pro-Israel voices critical of Vance".
At that time, Carlson caused outrage across the political spectrum because of his platforming Holocaust denier Daryl Cooper and calling him our “greatest popular historian.” Vance was scheduled to appear with the former Fox host at a campaign appearance later that month. I urged him to cancel the appearance to draw a line between himself and that of his buddy, who had done so much to promote his political career but whose outright bigotry was now too obvious to ignore.
He would not. And much of what has followed in terms of Vance’s public neutrality about Carlson’s Jew-hatred and conspiracy-mongering, as well as his disingenuous denial that there is a surge of antisemitism that has spread to the right, follows from that moment.
That he would not do the right thing when it comes to Carlson and the groypers prior to launching a presidential campaign is ill-advised. After all, Trump has already unceremoniously booted Carlson and other Israel-bashers out of the GOP and banished him from Mar-a-Lago. Appealing to the broad mainstream of public opinion rather than the groypers, conspiracy theorists and Qatar stooges would be the obvious move for someone who wants to win.
We don't need a tent big enough to hold Carlson and his ilk; if he's permitted to stay, then there will be plenty of room, because a lot of people will be leaving it. His views are not just borderline controversial; he recently called for Trump to be impeached NOW! for cryin' out loud. Vance needs to cut this guy loose, and I don't mean six months from now. As it is, he has just about damaged his credibility -with me, anyway - beyond repair.
