Why Rep. Bob Wexler Resigned
Washington is stunned with the news that Florida Rep. Robert Wexler is vacating his seat to head a little-known nonprofit, the Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation. It’s a sleepy policy outfit founded in 1989 by Slim Fast mogul S. Daniel Abraham. From the Times Caucus blog:
“In a statement, Mr. Wexler said he regretted leaving before the end of his term. “But I truly believe there is no time to waste,” he added. “We are at a unique and critically tense moment in the history of the Middle East with both significant opportunities to succeed in the Arab-Israeli conflict as well as major challenges involving Iran, Hamas, and al Qaeda.””
Wexler’s Florida district is solidly Democratic, so his replacement should be relatively smooth. He’s a big Obama supporter, and a high-profile supporter of Israel, so speculation is that this new post is connected to the administration’s need to beef up its image with moderate, pro-peace Americans whose voices aren’t being heard. From Spencer Ackerman’s blog at the Washington Independent:
“…. some peace-process observers are theorizing that Wexler, with his strong ties to both the Jewish community, the Israelis and the Obama administration, might be part of an inside-outside game by the administration. Wexler, who earlier this month implored the Obama administration to spend more time reaching out to an Israeli public that is quickly souring on him for demanding a settlement freeze in the West Bank, might be able to vouch for Obama to the Israelis and pass messages as a back channel. The Center’s strategic adviser is Avi Gil, a longtime adviser to Israeli President Shimon Peres. And with Wexler’s ability to raise money and solid connections to Israel, the theory goes, he’s well-positioned to help Obama with a constituency the president will need for his peacemaking efforts that’s slipping away. “Wexler’s a great guy to make the case to the Israelis about why an Obama led peace effort is good for them,” said one Israel lobbyist ….”
Laura Rozen at Politico suggests an additional reason: “Democratic foreign policy hands said earlier today that Wexler, an important early Obama supporter in Jewish Democratic circles, was seeking to transition out of the Hill to private sector work where he could make more money and pay for children’s school tuitions, etc.”
Other political bloggers have criticized the nonprofit Wexler will head as not a player in Washington’s MidEast politics, but Rozen noted that the center is being “revived from an earlier incarnation.”
Barely two weeks ago, Wexler spoke about Middle East peace at the Center for American Progress. His speech was quite critical of the Iranians and the Saudis, though very supportive of the President:
“Wexler dismantled the notion that no progress on peace had been made since the president took office in January. “When people ask the question, ‘where are we?’ we need to put it into the context of, in January we were in the middle of a bloody conflict in Gaza, the Palestinians were still in total disarray in terms of Hamas and Fatah, President Abbas was weak, Hamas was on the rise…and President Obama walks into office…he jumps right in…into a scenario that is ready made for failure,” he explained.
But President Obama, he continued, “has created a different construct… And that construct is: It’s no longer just the Israelis and Palestinians. It’s the Israelis and the Palestinians joined with the entire Arab world, which is charged with responsibilities.” Wexler added that Obama had made clear that the resolution of the conflict is not only in America’s interest but the world’s interest as well.”
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Hi Eileen,
I have very mixed feeling about Wexler’s decision to leave Congress and there are a lot of things you’ve brought up in your piece. As you know I’ve been a long time fan of Wexler’s, I especially admire how he decided to shun the term “progressive” and proudly calls himself a liberal. I’m going to miss his reasoned voice on the Middle East. All too often the Jewish voices heard on the Hill regarding the Middle East are of the war mongering Lieberman kind.
I can more than understand why Wexler has decided to leave and take over the helm of a NGO, sleepy or not. It’s long been clear he wants a higher profile on this issue and this certainly is a good way of achieving that goal. Also I’m not sure the criticism of where he is going make sense, it can be rather exciting to remake a group and revitalize it, both Wexler’s and the groups image will only be enhanced if he is successful.
Lastly I have a lot of sympathy for him regarding the finical issue. I know a lot of people like to think that all politicians are crooks but I don’t. Being in congress can be a real toll of the members. I’ve long thought the govt. should maintain housing in DC for members of congress who are forced to keep two homes.
Bottom line I’ll miss Wexler and wish him great success in this new endeavor.
Brian – I think you nailed it: This is an opportunity for Wexler to be an international statesman, a leader who helps a Nobel Peace Laureate work on one of the world’s most intransigent problems, what nearly four decades of diplomacy haven’t been able to accomplish. Does anyone else see that perhaps the brilliant, pragmatic hand of Rahm Emanuel is behind Wexler’s move?
Hmmmm, the Emanuel angle is interesting, have you heard anything? I can certainly see this White House wanting Wexler to have a higher profile, one thing I did wonder about was Wexler making this move as a step to something bigger.
In response to another comment. See in context »[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by AR Mussa and Eileen White Read, Eileen White Read. Eileen White Read said: New Post on @TrueSlant: Why Rep. Bob Wexler resiged. http://bit.ly/1VJo7F #CAP #p2 #tweetprogress #progjews #Israel #Gaza [...]
Maybe it’s because he enjoys cocaine because it’s a fun thing to do?
http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/72123/july-20-2006/cocaine—fun