While most Jewish groups have not taken a position on Lani Guinier, President Clinton’s controversial nominee to head the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division, at least two Jewish organizations have declared their opposition to her nomination.
Both the National Jewish Coalition, a group supporting closer ties between the Jewish community and the Republican Party, and the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America have issued statements opposing Guinier, primarily because of her views on voting rights.
On Wednesday, the president appeared to be cautiously backing away from Guinier, telling reporters that he would have to discuss the troubled nomination with concerned senators.
“I have to talk to some of the senators about it because of some of the reservations that have been raised, both publicly and privately,” Clinton said.
Influential senators from both parties have expressed concern about Guinier’s views, which call, in some cases, for redressing wrongs done to minorities by offering them a form of veto power.
Last month, Jewish groups raised initial concerns about Guinier, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania, fearing her academic writings on such issues as the Voting Rights Act, if implemented as administration policy, would have a negative impact on Jews and others.
But most Jewish groups, including the three major defense organizations, have refrained from publicly opposing the nominee, preferring instead to wait for a chance to meet with her and ascertain whether she expected to put the ideas from her academic writings into practice.
OTHER GROUPS VOICED CONCERN
Last week, however, the National Jewish Coalition came out in opposition to Guinier.
“Ms. Guinier’s professional writings demonstrate an antipathy to the basic principles on which our society is based, including majority rule, one man-one vote, and equality of opportunity for every individual,” NJC Chairman Cheryl Halpern said in a statement.
“Given her interpretation of the Voting Rights Act, she is an unacceptable candidate for this position,” Halpern added.
And on Wednesday, the Orthodox Union issued a statement urging Guinier’s withdrawal.
“The Orthodox Union has been a proud member for many years of a coalition of organizations championing civil rights,” the group said.
“It is specifically due to our strong interest in the advancement of civil rights in America that we are constrained to call upon President Clinton to withdraw this nomination,” it said.
The Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Congress released statements recently expressing concerns about Guinier’s writings and asking for a meeting with her.
And the American Jewish Committee, while not issuing a statement, is also concerned and interested in meeting with the nominee, Washington representative Jason Isaacson said Wednesday.
The National Jewish Democratic Council, a group promoting grass-roots Democratic political activity, has reviewed her writings and is awaiting a meeting between Guinier and Jewish officials.
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