The controversy over the a Webb campaign flyer was perhaps predictable as it is sad. It all revolves around this cartoon the Webb campaign apparently used at a campaign event.
The image made Smolen, who is Jewish and Stafford County’s Democratic chairman, uncomfortable.
“I don’t think whoever did the cartoon caricature meant this as an ethnic slur,” he said, “but the effect of it was very troubling.”“That doesn’t look so good. There’s no question to me that’s replete with anti-Semitic stereotypes,” said Mark Feldstein, an associate professor of media and public affairs at George Washington University. “I’m not someone who readily cries anti-Semitism, but I think it’s hard to look at this and not see a number of anti-Semitic stereotypes plugged into this ad, from the hook nose to the ‘antichrist’ to the money-grubbing character.”
Bruce Newman, a professor of marketing at DePaul University and editor of the Journal of Political Marketing, said it reminded him of 1930s German propaganda, where the Jewish character was subtly made out to be the thieving villain.
“It very much crosses the line,” said Newman, who is Jewish. “I’m speaking with my professional hat on now. It’s a modern-day caricature of the quote-unquote villain, the one who’s out to make life difficult and hurt people in the town. I’ve seen literature from those days and this offends me quite a bit.”
If you look at the flyer, well, you’ve got to be looking for prejudice to find it. The antiChrist characterization was made by a columnist for InformationWeek, one of the most influential high-tech industry publications. There is nothing in the column that’s anti-Semitic. And though it’s only a fair caricature of Miller, the cartoon–which Webb bloggers think is so hilarious but isn’t–doesn’t even exaggerate his nose. The money from the pockets could as easily been from Congressman William Jefferson’s. Would you call that racist? Are we not to criticize any Jewish politician if we think his or her policies are designed to enrich an industry?
But too often, the anti-Semitism charge is meant to stop all debate. Whether it’s disagreement with Israel over its policy toward Palestinians or a disagreement over trade policies, if you disagree with someone who happens to be Jewish, someone will find a way of calling you anti-Semitic. Give me a break.