House Democrats are trading insults over a resolution in support of Israel in its war on Hamas following the group’s deadly terrorist attacks on Israeli soil earlier this month.
When CNN’s Manu Raju caught up with Rep. Andre Carson (D-IN), one of just nine Democrats who voted against the measure, he lashed out at Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) over a social media post criticizing the defectors.
Dem tensions over Israel:After Rep Josh Gottheimer called Ds who voted against Israel resolution “despicable,” Rep. Andre Carson calls him a “punk” and “cowardly.”
“If he wants to play some kind of tough guy .. we can handle it like gentleman or we can get into something else.” pic.twitter.com/V439U76SsE
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) October 29, 2023
“I think he’s not acting in the role as a member of Congress. I think he’s shown himself to be very emotional. Like most cowardly people, when you confront them, they’re afraid. I’m unafraid of the guy and if he wants to call us despicable, I’m saying he’s a coward and he’s a punk,” Carson told the reporter.
“He should remember why the people sent him here,” Carson added. “And if he wants to play some kind of tough guy or gangster, we can handle it like gentlemen, or we can get into something else.”
Gottheimer took aim at the nine Democrat holdouts — including members of the leftist “Squad” — as well as six others who voted “present” in a post to X on Thursday.
“Last night, 15 of my Democratic colleagues voted AGAINST standing with our ally Israel and condemning Hamas terrorists who brutally murdered, raped, and kidnapped babies, children, men, women, and elderly, including Americans,” Gottheimer said. “They are despicable and do not speak for our party.”
While reporting on the dust-up during the CNN program “Inside Politics” on Sunday, Raju shared a statement from Gottheimer responding to Carson’s retort.
“I’ll sit down with Mr. Carson anytime to talk about how we can bring the hostages home, including all Americans, provide immediate humanitarian aid to Palestinian civilians being used as human shields, and crush Hamas and all terrorists seeking to do us harm,” the congressman said.
Raju also noted that Gottheimer and Carson are likely to meet, citing a “Democratic leadership source.”
The House approved the resolution, “Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists,” by a 412-10 vote. One Republican — Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) — joined with the nine Democrats in opposing it. He explained his reasoning in a post to X, taking issue with certain provisions while condemning “the barbaric attack on Israel and I affirm Israel’s right to defend itself.”