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Israel Addresses Democratic Convention; Blasts GOP

Long Island congressman says Republicans have abandoned the middle class.

appeared on the national stage Wednesday, making a forceful case to re-elect President Obama in the November election.

In a speech delivered from the podium of the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, N.C. Wednesday evening, the blamed Congressional Republicans for abandoning the middle class.

"President Obama will bet on America's middle class," said Israel, D-Dix Hills, in his six-minute speech. "We will protect that dream. That's the choice in this election." 

Israel ticked off the Democratic litany of bills opposed by many Congressional Republicans, including the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, which would provide women equal pay for equal work. He spoke of federal legislation that provided long-term health care for first responders at Ground Zero.

"Paul Ryan and 160 Republicans, they voted no!" Israel said, to jeers from the partisan crowd.

Israel said Romney-Ryan Republicans are working for: "tax breaks for big corporations sending jobs overseas."

"Instead of reauthorizing the 'Violence Against Women Act,' they tried to redefine rape," Israel said. "Instead of standing up for small businesses, they spent their time trying to shut down Planned Parenthood."

Israel, like many Democrats speaking during the early portion of Wednesday night's program, hammered away at Romney and Ryan.

"Here's their economic plan: If you're a millionaire, you win the lottery," Israel said. "If you're a senior, you lose your Medicare guarantee.

"They've had two years to put the middle class first. Time's up. Folks, we're not going to convince them. We have to replace them."

Israel spoke about the Long Island he grew up in, where farm fields grew into suburbs and factories that employed tens of thousands.

"Faced with war, that generation turned farmland into factories and became the backbone of America's middle class," he said. "They crossed oceans, stormed beaches, liberated Europe, raced to the Pacific, won the war. And when they got home, they looked at the moon across the vast expanse of space and said, 'We can go there too.' And they went."

Israel was one of the scores of Democratic speakers, highlighted by former President Bill Clinton, scheduled for Wednesday. Israel is opposed by Republican Steve Labate in the November election.

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JOE September 6, 2012 at 11:41 am
If you look at the fact checkers they will tell you that the statement about the republicans creating 24 million jobs and the democrats creating 42 million jobs in the last 52 years is true
JOE September 6, 2012 at 11:42 am
So far , if you compare both convention's speakers: the democratic speakers are superior by a wide margin
Tom Dewick September 6, 2012 at 11:54 am
Bill Clinton is one of the greatest liars of our time. Pay attention or please don't vote.
Tom Dewick September 6, 2012 at 11:55 am
It's time to get rid of this Pelosi butt kisser.
Juanita September 6, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Yes he is a great speaker but a great speaker does not make a great leader. He is the biggest bull s__ter on the planet. Remember he is the one who was caught lying under oath. He lost his license to practice law. Not the greatest morals if you ask me, but if that is the type of person you like representing you then I guess you get what you ask for.
Juanita September 6, 2012 at 12:04 pm
Just keep drinking the kool aide Joe.
Juanita September 6, 2012 at 12:09 pm
Mr Israel was originally a member of my Town Board - he is truly what you call a sleazy politician. He was a partisan hack then and still is today. At the Town Hall meeting on Obamacare at Suffolk Community College he lied through his teeth during his whole performance. It is time the people of District 2 in Suffolk County vote this hack out. He is a perfect picture of why we need term limits. He has led his constituents down the garden path to higher taxes whether here in Huntington or in Washington DC. He is not for the middle class.
JOE September 6, 2012 at 12:19 pm
The facts don't lie juanita. I thinkyou have been drinking too much of the republican kool aide. Fact: in the last 52 years the republicans have created 24 million jobs and the democrats 42 million. Those are indisputable facts
JOE September 6, 2012 at 12:21 pm
Who started 2 wars and ran up most of the deficit? republicans
Juanita September 6, 2012 at 12:38 pm
Joe Whose facts are we talking about here? There are all kinds of facts. Where did you get these facts from, just because Bill Clinton and the DNC says it is so. You keep saying the facts, the facts don't lie. The facts can be presented in many ways to prove any ones position. Facts can always be manipulated. What jobs have been created. You don't state any factual materials or where you obtained these facts to prove your point. Facts are not just words that you spout out for your own purpose.
Nassau Taxpayer September 6, 2012 at 01:00 pm
Face facts, Juanita, you don't know facts, or jack.
JOE September 6, 2012 at 01:14 pm
Independent organizations that have proven both parties wrong someties as well as right have stated that the statements that I have put forth in the previous posts are true. Who started 2 wars ? you think thats false? was obama president when the iraqi and afghan war was started ? no Bush initiated both wars that costs us trillions in debt that we have right now . That is a fact
Art September 6, 2012 at 01:27 pm
Monica Lewinsky could have given Ms. Flock some personal experiences on cheaper birth control.
JOE September 6, 2012 at 02:08 pm
just look at how much the republican congress has blocked the democrats from getting anything done. You want change , how about the republicans tRy compromizing. Romney , He is a vulture capitalist. Buys companies so he can fire people to line his pockets with cash. Ask someone who used to work for AMPAD about the reason why they were let go. How about the woman last night who stated she was lucky to have obamacare because the cap on her health insurance was removed so she does not have to worry about her baby daughter getting denied coverage for heart surgery. You can not make this stuff up
WARREN September 6, 2012 at 02:58 pm
i guess that also means rep.peter king,right ?
Jeff September 6, 2012 at 03:36 pm
Jaunita, Obamacare is a term coined by the republicans. The proper term is the affordable care act.
Laura September 6, 2012 at 04:55 pm
Steve Israel had let all the voters down. Look around at Suffolk County. He made a bad economy WORSE ! Free birth control includes abortion up to 9 monthes. This makes me sick. When I hear Clinton, the name Monica and the Oval Office come to mind. Steve Israel voted for the Affordable Healthcare High Tax Bill ! Too many to list. If you ever want success in the future... Vote for Romney and Ryan. It is your life and your choice. Note no name call, just my honest opinion. Hzve a nice day. Laura
Nassau Taxpayer September 6, 2012 at 07:11 pm
Whereas, VoucherCare, is indeed a R-R creation. Good luck with the paper.
Nassau Taxpayer September 6, 2012 at 07:12 pm
When I hear "Laura", I think "Chuckie", alter ego of the fragger wannabe, what's his name...
JOE September 6, 2012 at 08:44 pm
Hey Laura if you really believe the future success is with romney and ryan, I have a bridge to sell you. Ask the people from AMPAD what their future looked like when Romney bought Ampad. That is what he would do if he were to get elected, which I doubt he will
Constituent 1 September 6, 2012 at 09:22 pm
That was a great speech by the Congressman. I plan on voting for him in November!
CA September 7, 2012 at 12:25 am
Bill Clinton, 42nd President of the United States, was impeached by the House of Representatives on two charges, one of perjury and one of obstruction of justice, on December 19, 1998. Two other impeachment articles, a second perjury charge and a charge of abuse of power, failed in the House. The charges arose from the Lewinsky scandal and the Paula Jones lawsuit.He lied to the public and you believe he is not spinning the truth now? What he is, is not the greatest speaker but the greatest story teller of our time! Never once in his speech regarding Obama Care did he mention how we are going to pay for this. Who is going to pay for this. The 1%? All I know is that my sisters health insurance dropped their rates as he said, but not without raising her copays (double matter of fact) and changing her original policy to cover much less. She is very sick and its costing her thousands.There is nothing in Obama care that prohibits them from doing what they did. There is and will always be two sides to every story. You would be wise to listen to them.
Rahn Emanuel Emanuel resigned as Chief of Staff effective October 1, 2010, White House chief of staff, William M. Daley, resigned one year after taking the job from Emanuel. Coincidence or a riff in the White House? If I was taking a job that people kept resigning from I would be suspicious.
Doug Perry September 8, 2012 at 11:29 am
Hey Constituent 1: look at Steve Israels personal track record and that should tell you all you need to know. Divorced twice, affairs with staff members while in office etc, etc. Do a little research into the man and you will see that he has serious issues involving moral turpitude. His speeches are nothing but meaningless words from a political hack. Republican, Democrat or Liberal, your vote should not be for someone with so many moral and character flaws.
Laura September 8, 2012 at 09:02 pm
I watched the democrat convention. I listened to the news. It could have been worse. We did the best we could. In the next four years we will do better. Give us more time. That car is stii stuck in a ditch. I wanted to find something good to say. Seriously,m I have a question. What do you think about the choice to have an abortion up to 9 months ? I cannot believe it ( other than if a womans life is at risk ). Laura
Goin' Commando September 9, 2012 at 12:09 am
Yeah, right; pay no attention to a Congressman trying to do what is right for the average citizen.
Just go and support some preacher (oh, wait, how many of those have been pedophiles, or how many of them have been caught in sex stings, etc). If someone is trying to be your preacher, or your pastor, or your rabbi, then you should pay the most attention to their "moral" standing. I don't give rat's ass about someone's "moral" acts, or lack of same; I care about issues. Render to Caesar that which is Caesar's, and to God that which is God's.
andrew tyler September 15, 2012 at 04:29 am
S Israel has this speech down pat. I've heard it at least 5 times over the past 8 years. He - just Like his boss Obama are saying the same thing time after time after year after year. Remember the Peanuts cartoons when lucy kept yanking the football away from Chuck??? How many time are we here on LI going to keep letting S Israel yank that ball away from us? The Man needs to be replaced w/ new blood.
Free 2B Me September 16, 2012 at 02:46 pm
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Now I get it. When Obama says he supports Israel, he clearly means Steve and not the country. . F2B... me .
Robert Dann September 21, 2012 at 10:01 pm
Also one of the most offensive when it comes to treating women with respect. Just ask the following. And you think he is the greatest???? Joe get your head out of your butt!
Juanita Broaddrick (AR)- rape Eileen Wellstone (Oxford) - rape Elizabeth Ward Gracen - rape - quid pro quo, post incident intimidation Regina Hopper Blakely - "forced himself on her, biting, bruising her" Kathleen Willey (WH) - sexual assault, intimidations, threats Sandra Allen James (DC) - sexual assault 22 Year Old 1972 (Yale) - sexual assault Kathy Bradshaw (AK) - sexual assault Cristy Zercher - unwelcomed sexual advance, intimidations Paula Jones (AR) - unwelcomed sexual advance, exposure, bordering on sexual assault Carolyn Moffet -unwelcomed sexual advance, exposure, bordering on sexual assault 1974 student at University of Arkansas - unwelcomed physical contact 1978-1980 - seven complaints per Arkansas state troopers Monica Lewinsky - quid pro quo, post incident character assault Gennifer Flowers - quid pro quo, post incident character assault Dolly Kyle Browning - post incident character assault
Robert Dann September 21, 2012 at 10:04 pm
Joe....and most of them including your hero Bill Clinton should be in orange jump suits!
Doug Perry September 21, 2012 at 11:07 pm
Hey Joe. Great Leaders are not born, they are made in a time of crisis which this country is in. You want facts? Its now almost 4 years since your savior took office and we are immersed in a war in Afghanistan with no plan of winning or leaving; We have by far largest deficit in U.S. history; We have lost the manufacturing edge to the Chinese; The Big 3 automakers are now situated in Japan; Gas prices are skyrocketing; Schools are in complete chaos due to teachers unions; The U.S. borders are like sieves and now Obama is once again blaming Congress because they don't want to give amnesty and free healthcare to illegals; Obama is over his head and has no idea how to make this country better other than to (4 years later) continue to blame Bush. He's a Chicago gangster just like Rahm Emanuel who sold out Chicago by settling their teacher strike by giving an overwhelming pay raise to the already highest paid teachers in the country who also happen to have the poorest track record when it comes to graduation rates; barely 60%, and whose biggest concern was Teacher Evaluations. That's precisely how Chicago Politicians reward incompetency and now Obama wants the citizens of this country to reward his incompetency by re-electing him. Obama is attempting to destroy that notion completely by creating class warfare. I'm sick and tired of his bogus references to "millionaires and billionaires" which is pure pandering to his constituents and just another way of saying "rich white folk".
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George June 7, 2013 at 07:50 am
yes, found out the hard way at one of these traps in Hicksville.
Frank Oltep June 7, 2013 at 11:30 am
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A June 7, 2013 at 11:52 pm
Stop means stop. Just like stop signs, where it seems like the local definition is to slow down toRead More 30 mph. You STOP, and look. Then go. I have seen kids having a tough time crossing Jamaica Ave because of this twisted definition of STOP. If anything, this is a good way to relearn what should of been taught in drivers ed. When I moved to Plainview, people at a stop sign would signal the driver that got there first to go. Now it's a race to the stop sign and fly by it to avoid having the other guy go first.