December 14, 2005 Wednesday

Roll Call

By Bree Hocking

 

Roll Call Staff

 

WA scan of the long-term horizon presents some intriguing possibilities among up-and- coming Jewish politicians - although many of these are largely unknown outside of their home states and any secret presidential ambitions they might harbor are also a mystery.

 

One Jewish Democratic operative said rising stars in his party included Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.), Steve Israel (N.Y.) and Robert Wexler (Fla).

 

At the state level, the operative pointed to Jonathan Miller, the "extremely bright," telegenic Kentucky state treasurer; the "very popular" Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal; Jaime Metzl, who lost the Democratic primary to now-Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.) in 2004 and now heads the bipartisan foreign policy group, the Partnership for a Secure America; Florida state Sen. David Aronberg; Pennsylvania state Rep. Josh Shapiro; former Washington state Rep. Laura Ruderman; and freshman Virginia Del. David Englin, a former Air Force captain.

 

Other names the operative mentioned include Florida state Sen. Ron Klein (D), who is challenging Rep. Clay Shaw (R-Fla.), and Utah state Sen. Patrice Arent.

 

Bob Hertzberg (D), a former Speaker of the California Assembly who lost the Los Angeles mayoral primary in the spring, may also have a bright future. California GOP consultant Dan Schnur, who informally advised Hertzberg's campaign, said he would be "astounded" if the "classic Clinton New Democrat" didn't run for mayor or statewide office sometime in the future. Hertzberg, Schnur added, had what it takes to follow in Ronald Reagan's footsteps, assuming he can first win in California.

 

"He's the the type of candidate who would play much better in Iowa or New Hampshire than in a more media driven market like L.A.," said Schnur, noting that Hertzberg is married to a Latina and has worked to build ties to the Hispanic community. "He was known in the state Assembly as Bob Hugsberg. He hugs everybody."

 

On the other side of the aisle, the Republican bench "isn't that deep yet," said Jonah Goldberg, a National Review editor.

 

Still, Matt Brooks, executive director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, pointed to Texas state Sen. Florence Shapiro and Florida state Rep. Adam Hasner as two who "impress me."