‘Schumer’ in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary

With Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer endorsing the antisemite Michigan Democrat candidate Abdul El-Sayed, he upped his chances to someday find his name immortalized as a Merriam-Webster Dictionary entry. It might read, “Schumer… a person who betrays his own people, a backstabber.”

Charles Ellis Schumer’s family name would parallel the fate of World War II Norwegian traitor Vidkun Quisling. Now, you read in the dictionary, “Quisling … a person who helps an enemy that has taken control of his or her country.”

Afterall, the El-Sayed he endorsed has referred to Israel as genocidal, apartheid and rogue. He says Israel doesn’t have the right to exist as a Jewish State and equates her “evilness” with Hamas. He is closely and proudly associated with the hyper-antisemite and streamer Hasan Piker. This adjacency brings into the fray and gives credibility to even more dangerous extremists.

As a thought experiment, you might wonder just what other Hitlerian vitriolic screeds El-Sayed might have spewed to cross a line causing Schumer to withhold an endorsement. You could guess which of the Three D’s of antisemitism developed by Natan Sharansky—demonization, delegitimization, and double standards—that are often viewed as unfair to Jews and Israel would Chuck Schumer tolerate in service of his party or career?

Would there have been any insults, tropes or castigations that were too much for Chuck?

Chuck Schumer, a Senate Majority Leader under President Biden, had reached the highest elected office ever for a Jewish American. He proudly and ironically proclaims when speaking in front of Jewish audiences that his name derives from the Hebrew word shomer (i.e., guardian) of his people. In over a half-century of national politics when inconvenient he has lacked the courage to stand up for a besieged Israel.

Now, Senator Schumer sees threats to his career from the anti-Israel Far Left of his party. He may be challenged in the next election from New York Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, a progressive “Squad” member, assuming she doesn’t run for president that year. In the Senatorial Chamber, Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), another hater of Israel, is already threatening to depose Schumer as leader. Senate Democrats recently vote of 40-7 to block aid to Israel demonstrates his loss of command and respect.

Will Schumer compromise even more or will he become a worthy champion standing unflinchingly against that which jeopardizes America, Israel and his Jewish brethren?

The election as NYC Mayor of antisemite, anti-Zionist, and Democrat Socialist of America Muslim Zohran Mamdani happened in his back yard and on his watch. He passively witnessed NYC, post the October 7th horror, become the epicenter of anti-Israel animus. Riots took place at Columbia University and marches on city streets were a repeated occurrence. Schumer remained deafeningly silent regarding Mamdani’s recent threats toward Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Might a more forceful Schumer make a difference? In these times of rising antisemitism and geopolitical unrest, a man with guts is needed. Might he earn his imagined charter as shomer?

It’s too bad that Chuck Schumer didn’t follow the lead of Jewish Connecticut Senator Joe Lieberman. Leiberman was an energetic and prominent supporter of Israel throughout his political career. He often crossed party lines to advocate for Israeli interests and security. Historians will write that Joe Lieberman’s support was influenced by both his deep religious beliefs and a robust understanding of geopolitical realities.

Ultimately, voters will decide whether Schumer’s self-serving endorsement reflects pragmatic coalition-building or an unprincipled breach of trust. Votes will decide if his cynical groveling for political self-preservation pays off. Political careers often hinge on moments that redefine public perception and his is up for grabs.

If enough New Yorkers conclude that this endorsement of El-Sayed represented a failure of character and judgment, they may remember it as a turning point and boot him out of office. Sadly, more than his little career is at risk.