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Raskin dismisses Piker's rhetoric as 'irrelevant distraction' in Democratic debate
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In Short: Rep.
Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., dismissed scrutiny of far-left streamer Hasan Piker's rhetoric about Hamas as an 'irrelevant distraction' during an interview on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' Piker had previously stated he would vote for Hamas over Israel, drawing criticism from both Democrats and Republicans.
Raskin, who campaigned alongside Piker in Michigan, told NBC that the Democratic Party's tent is large enough to include individuals with differing views, but he emphasized that no one supports Hamas, a terrorist organization.
Piker's comments have drawn renewed scrutiny as Democrats face questions over his influence in party politics, with some candidates, like Abdul El-Sayed, distancing themselves from the controversial streamer.
Natalie Baldassarre, national press secretary for the RNC, warned that Piker's influence could become a broader liability for the party heading into November, citing his support for socialist candidates and past comments about American Jews.
What's confirmed
What's still developing
- "I don’t even know if Hasan Piker considers himself a Democrat. I know he attacked me for campaigning with Callie Barr and Sean McCann and other Democrats in Michigan. I think all of that is an irrelevant distraction," Raskin said.
- "I’ve also said I’m a harm reduction voter. I’m a lesser evil voter, and therefore I would vote for Hamas over Israel every single time," Piker said in the clip played for Raskin on Sunday.
- Fox News Digital reported that he warned on a livestream that if American Jews continued presenting themselves as "singularly invested in Israel," someone could eventually "take action" against them.
- Smith, he said his goal was to bring the streamer's millions of listeners into the electoral process rather than abandon them over disagreements.
- Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., called the attention devoted to Piker "absolutely ludicrous," while Rep. Pramila Jayapal, D-Wash, said Democrats should engage his audience even if they disagree with some of his views.
- "Unless Democrats hit the brakes, every candidate on the ballot will have to answer for socialists’ outrageous beliefs that will bankrupt our country and strip every American of safety, sanity, and freedom." Raskin's comments came after he campaigned alongside El-Sayed in Michigan in late August.
- (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo) El-Sayed responded to that controversy by stressing that the streamer was not a spokesman for his campaign.
- Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md., told NBC’s “Meet the Press” Sunday that President Donald Trump has “undoubtedly” committed impeachable offenses but that Democrats would also focus on issues like healthcare if they win back the House.
Sources
- Fox Newslink