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ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev. waves to supporters before a stump speech by President Barack Obama, Aug. 22, 2012, in North Las Vegas.
By Karoun Demirjian (contact) 
Published Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012 | 8:53 p.m.
Updated Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012 | 9:52 p.m.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Nevada Rep. Shelley Berkley found out at an American Israel Public Affairs Committee breakfast this morning that the Democratic platform didn’t include a nod to Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and immediately sprung into action.
“We notified a number of people, including (DNC chairwoman) Debbie Wasserman Schultz,” Berkley said. “I was very forceful in my sentiments.”
“Several hours later, the president insisted that the language be put in,” Berkley said, adding: “I think that was the appropriate thing to do.”
Berkley, who is Jewish, is well-known for being one of the staunchest Israel supporters in Congress, and when it comes to Jerusalem, her position is unapologetically Zionist.
“I believe that Jerusalem is the eternal undivided capital of the state of Israel,” she said Wednesday night. “As you know, I have worked very hard over the last several years to move the American embassy to Jerusalem.”
But her apparent instigation of a change in the Democratic platform has upset many other members of the Nevada delegation.
“I had no idea they were going to do this,” said Cynthia Trigg, a delegate from Northern Nevada. “This has nothing to do with agreeing or disagreeing with either philosophy [on Israel]. But why did they have to take that bargaining chip off the table?”
Most members of the Nevada delegation were not in the convention hall when the chairman of the convention, Antonio Villaraigosa, called for a vote on changing the platform approved Tuesday by the delegates. The amendment inserted references to “God” and to Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. They were at a cocktail party with Harry Reid — and had no idea it was even happening.
“I didn’t even know there was a vote going on,” said a very frustrated Nevada delegate Theresa Navarro, of Reno. “I’m gong to be here before 5 (o’clock) tomorrow. We fight to be a delegate and I want to be a part of it.”
“That’s not fair to our delegation,” said Nevada delegate Edith Byrd, of Las Vegas. “They didn’t inform us.”
“I have a real issue with having a vote on a platform that was supported unanimously,” said Nevada delegate Joetta Brown, of Gardnerville. “They should have called for credentials, and gotten the numbers … where was the parliamentarian?”
The vote was not listed on the day’s schedule, and was held almost immediately after the convention was called to order at 5 p.m. Wednesday, while most delegates were still trickling in, the party platform the furthest thing from their minds.
And once it happened, it was messy.
The Democratic Party had passed its platform unanimously on Tuesday night. But shortly after gaveling in the second session of the convention, Villaraigosa recognized a delegate to read the amendment. The speaker emphatically mentioned that President Barack Obama backed the motion.
While Obama has said that Jerusalem would be an issue for negotiations in a two-state Israeli-Palestinian solution, he’s been adamant that Jerusalem ought to remain the undivided capital of Israel. But he’s been under tremendous pressure to prove his pro-Israel stripes for other reasons, most notably after delivering a speech to AIPAC in which he spoke about a two-state solution along 1967 lines.
Israelis and Palestinians both claim Jerusalem as their capital city; the United Nations recognizes a border between the two lands that runs through the city.
Obama also took a lot of heat from Republicans for being weak on Israel and anti-God in the approximately 24 hours between when the Democratic Party adopted its platform and when they amended it.
But amending the platform wasn’t straightforward or easy. After the amendment was read, Villaraigosa called for the ayes and nays. The audible split was fairly even.
Villaraigosa then called for a second vote. From the press stands, just off stage right behind the podium, the nays sounded slightly louder than the ayes.
An uncomfortable-looking Villairagosa looked to the parliamentarian and the sergeant-at-arms before saying he was confused about the outcome, and called for a third vote. Those in favor belted out an affirmative cry that was slightly louder than the no-voters, and Villaraigosa claimed that two-thirds of the body had supported the motion.
Many booed at Villaraigosa’s ruling, and complained that he had made up the two-thirds vote. But Democratic Party leaders insisted the matter was settled.
Berkley, who was not on the floor during the amendment vote, blamed the apparent problems on process.
“It’s my understanding that very few people were involved in the platform process and consequently it came out without what I think is an appropriate vetting for a platform,” she said.
There was certainly some confusion — enough that the two delegates who happened to be in the hall during the vote abstained.
“I would have liked some information,” said Nevada delegate Simone Simpson, who added that the proceedings moved very quickly. “I needed more information.”
But the Nevadans who missed the votes were also split over the substance of the platform change — a division that appears to separate elected officials from other delegates.
“We should not be pushing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel because that leads to all sorts of sticky complications,” said Nevada delegate Michael Greedy. “Those kinds of questions are going to take diplomacy and years and years and years.”
“I am strongly in favor of a peaceful settlement in Israel,” said Nevada delegate David Blackman. “But I am proudly in favor of Jerusalem being the capital.”
“I can’t believe Democrats are ashamed of their original platform,” said Nevada delegate Christopher Preciado. “They ought not succumb to pressure from Republicans.”
“Regardless of Democrats, Republicans, or independents, I am in favor of God and our recognition of Jerusalem as the capital,” said Nevada delegate and state Sen. Steven Horsford, who is running to represent Nevada’s fourth congressional district this fall.
Through his spokeswoman, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid also expressed support for the platform change.
"He was pleased President Obama intervened to change it," said Reid spokeswoman Kristen Orthaman.
We've got our own problems here. This country cannot continue to babysit our allies. Israel can stand on its own. They handled themselves in 2 wars, they have advanced US weaponry and they know how to fight their own battles. We have just WAY too many problems here to get embroiled in nonsense about the capital of Israel. Why is this an issue here?
This is my left hand. Do you know what my right hand is doing now? Oh, no, it's on the right. I need two left hands. A Democrat left out God and Israel from the platform. I heard the voice vote and it was louder for not putting it back in. And whose fault was it that it was left out in the first place? George Bush and the Republicans, of course.
Comment removed by moderator. Off Topic
Really what were Obama, Berkley and Democrats thinking
Jerusalem is currently the capital why the flip-flop
Why did Berkley and Obama and Biden allow God and Jerusalem to be removed in the first place
It was clear from the vote most democrats wanted Jerusalem and God taken out
Out of control
Anyone with half a brain knows that the removal of God and Jerusalem as the capital of Israel was exactly what has been shown by the democrat party for the past three plus years. It has been Obama's agenda and now they falsely put it back as their platform as though it never happened. Look at the resounding boos at the end of the controversial vote and come to your own conclusion. This is the true feelings of Obama and the party and was a show for votes and trust(?). I do not trust the dems or their candidate. I will not vote for Obama!
There are tons of Democrats that hate Israel.
Many of Obama's friends hate Israel.
Obama went to a church that had hate-Israel material in the lobby and anti-Israel speakers were honored by Obama.
Boy I bet Sheldon starts sending money to the Democrats because of the platform change.
Rep. Shelley Berkley found out at an American Israel Public Affairs Committee breakfast yesterday morning that the Democratic platform didn't include Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel and immediately sprung into action.
What is going on that Shelley did not read the platform that her staff did not read the platform. Where was Shelley?
Give her an INCOMPLETE.
This mistake or flip-flop or deliberate reflect of TRUE Democrats values will hurt Berkley's re-election.
Big thing about nothing in the DNC platform. The original language said "faith" and "religion." And most people can figure out why they did that. It's because there are a lot of religions out there, and they wordsmith'ed everything a bit too much. But then other people looked at it and said we need to put "God" in there. Fine. So be it. It was changed. And it was not a big thing.
But the Tea/Republicans see this and they move right in. They love it. Them damn Democrats HATE God, that's why they didn't put it in there. They're anti-God this, anti-God that.
They attack. And of course this is predictable. Because Tea/Republicans don't run on anything except to attack. So they jump on the slightest little thing. It helps to deflect away from their own stupid inadequacies, trying to mask the fact they have their sights on only serving their corporate masters and nobody else. So, this is lovely for them to snow voters out there to vote against their own interests.
I mean to tell you, people, you need to wake up. The Tea/Republicans in Congress have done their level best to DESTROY this country by blocking, filibustering, obstructing and just preventing any type of legislation that would help us go forward.
And they think they are going to slide by. And to do that, they think they are going to throw all the blame on the Democrats. And get you to focus on non-issues like this.
I don't mean to sound vindictive. Because I'm not. But I am holding them responsible.
There is a time for reckoning for what they did.
And that time is on November 6, 2012.
I aim to utterly WRECK the Tea/Republican Party beyond imagination on that day.
I am voting all of them out for what they did to this country.
Obama/Biden 2012! Berkley 2012! Titus 2012!
Romney/Ryan 1040s! To Heck with Heller, and to Heller with Heck!
Colin if you;ve been watching the DNC you will see that they are totally unorganized and none of them know what each other is doing. Its so obvious and you and others that believe that the Dems are in control have blinders on and ear plugs in your ear.
Berkley voted on the DNC platform but then found out that God and Jerusalem weren't included and finally spoke up? Seems she hadn't done her homework. The President was wise in backing the platform change although it won't help his chances in November.
chuck333 says: "Colin if you;ve been watching the DNC you will see that they are totally unorganized and none of them know what each other is doing. Its so obvious and you and others that believe that the Dems are in control have blinders on and ear plugs in your ear."
I have been watching the main portions of the DNC Convention. And enjoying them.
What you just typed is unbelievable. If you look at what the crowds did at both party's conventions (so far), you will see a remarkable difference in enthusiasm. The crowds at the DNC are visible loud, supportive and all in agreement with what the speakers are saying. On the other hand, at the RNC Convention, the crowds were more akin to a funeral wake. The enthusiasm was sorely lacking; tepid and not on the same magnitude seen in the DNC Convention.
Also, another good indication of the incredible difference is that the ultra-conservative pundits have gone off track ever since the DNC Convention started. They are pointing out stupid stuff and trying to disparage the Democrats in the most lamest methods I've ever seen. Why? Because they got nothing. The Tea/Republicans only live to attack. They don't problem solve. They have fell into this trend of reacting to whatever the Democrats do, then they attack. When that continues on ad infinitum, it really turns the people off. It also tells the people they don't have solutions, just complaints.
I would take Berkley anyday over Heller. Heller's votes, both in the House and in the Senate, are absolutely horrible. He has participated wholeheartedly in World War Women, anti-Roe vs. Wade, and basically in lockstep with every nutball position the Tea/Republicans, especially the far right ones, have taken. Even if it involves party politics and tromps all over what the people of Nevada want.
Big difference between both conventions. If you don't see it, YOU are the one that has been fitted with blinders and plugs tightly screwed into your ears.
Right wing hate is all we have heard for going on four years now. No more. Time for it to end. We're going to destroy the Tea/Republican Party for what they have done to this country. We can't survive off of hate. We'd rather survive off of change for the better.
not that many jews in Nevada 74,000 - 3% (Florida maybe) and many don't give a rat's rear end about Isreal. not an electoral factor
When they took the voice vote and lost, the LA mayor read from the tele-Procter pre-scripted to say that there was a 2/3 majority and it passed
Israel is like an adult child living in your basement and complaining that you don't help him enough. I don't care whether it's a democratic or republican platform; I've had it with Israel. When my politicians pledge allegiance to the flag, I expect it to be the American flag. Israel's grip on the US concerns me.
Now perhaps you can understand why Douglas County is 2:1 Republican and getting redder by the hour.
Why not just let Gomer and Goober set world policy?
Colin the Tea Party was voted in in 2010 to put a stop to the policies adopted by the administration. If people felt that what was happening was good, they would have never won like they did. Come November, the White House and Congress will be Republican. You can take that to the bank.
The CSPAN video of the vote is priceless and I am certain we will be seeing excerpts in Republican ads ...
The fact that the democrats denied God thrice before the cock crowed twice is too rich a symbolism..that and the look on Villagarosa's face..priceless. The additional fact that the telempromter was set to "Aye" and that mystery women who told him to "Rule..."
All in all..I wonder if the democrats did not, in fact, lose the election in that fascinating 3 minutes..
Time will tell what impact this will have on the election.. but that CSPAN video is the star of the show..for both conventions and I think..for any convention ever..
I don't know how many Christians vote democrat or whether the CSPAN Video will have any effect on their votes but..in my opinion, the democrats should not have tried to amend the platform..It looks like religious pandering to the secular democrats and political pandering to the democrats who support Palestine..
Bekely may have reason to regret this vote..in the near future.
I recommend to everyone..find the CSPAN video and watch it..It is posted all over the Internet..Enjoy!