Democratic strategists David Axelrod and Van Jones engaged in a debate over the American Israel Public Affairs Committee's spending in the Michigan U.S. Senate race, disagreeing about whether the group's multimillion-dollar expenditure represents foreign influence or legitimate political advocacy by American citizens.
Axelrod raised concerns about large outside spending in the contest. "It's a legitimate question," He said. "Should essentially an agent of any foreign government, whether it's Israel or any other, be able to spend... $30 million in a race like this to influence the outcome of that race?"
Jones disputed the characterization of AIPAC as operating as a foreign agent. "I don't think that they're an agent of a foreign power. I think they're American Jews," He replied. "Their issue is to protect Israel."
Jones contended that the group's opposition to the candidate reflected disagreement over military aid policy. "Why is AIPAC so mad? This guy is saying that the U.S. government can't even sell defensive weapons to Israel, which would make Israel completely defenseless. Now that would be a reason for a group of people who cares about Israelis to say this is not our guy."