Call it the Omar Effect: Democrat Candidates Refuse To Attend AIPAC Event at Behest of Progressives

About this Episode

Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar, amongst her tweets about Israel "hypnotizing the world" and claiming Jews have "dual loyalty" proclaimed on social media that members of Congress support the Israel - and specifically AIPAC, the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee - because they are paid to. "It's all about the Benjamins, baby." she wrote.

Since then, Democrats have been very open about their anti-Israel sentiments. Progressive group Moveon.org has urged Democrats not to attend the AIPAC meeting in Washington DC this year. And multiple Democratic candidates for president have agreed to skip the event, attend by former President Obama in 2008 and 2012, by Hillary Clinton multiple times and by former Vice-President Joe Biden in 2016.

As Tony Katz explains, the progressives own and control the Democrat party. "Sen. Chuck Schumer and Speaker Nancy Pelosi may be attending," said Tony, "but the absence of the candidates is what's loudest. And their messasge is clear: We side with Ilhan Omar."