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Home , Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Nancy Pelosi, Peter Deutsch

New tough Political compassionate Woman

Debbie Wasserman Schultz is ’s first Jewish congresswoman. The self-made politician has risen rapidly through the ranks of the Democratic Party while raising three young children and battling cancer.

Scott S. Greenberger

Ten weeks after taking office as the first Jewish congresswoman from Florida, was a virtual unknown on the national scene. It was early 2005, and the petite lawmaker, then 38, was attending a children’s birthday party in her southern Florida district when an aide called to tell her she was needed in : President George W. Bush and Republican leaders had called Congress into session to block the court-ordered removal of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube. As a former state assemblywoman Wasserman Schultz was well-versed in the intricacies of the case that had become an emotional rallying point for the pro­ life movement. Schiavo had been in a persistent vegetative state for 15 years. Her husband had been fighting a protracted legal battle in the Florida courts to have the tube removed, but her parents were fiercely opposed. Wasserman Schultz also understood the controversy on a personal level. A few months earlier, her husband’s family had made the wrenching decision to remove his ailing aunt’s feeding tube. Although her colleagues warned her that the Schiavo case-—with all its political ramifications—was too big an issue for a freshman congresswoman to take on,

MAY/JUNE 2009 / MOMENT 29 KiKfl Samuel Dubbin, a lawyer active in Democratic politics and Jewish causes in Florida, describes the Schiavo affair as Wasserman Schultz’s national coming-out party. “She did something that a lot of people in politics won’t do—she stuck her neck out,” he says. “She stood up and said ‘this is wrong,’ and helped rally the troops and public opinion and ended up having a real impact on a serious issue.”

Wasserman Schultz’s gamble paid off, and she quickly became a woman to watch in the Democratic Party. House appointed her chief deputy whip in 2006. She Wasserman Schultz actively campaigned for while secretly undergoing multiple holds seats on the powerful House surgeries for breast cancer. “I didn’t want it to define me,” she says. Appropriations Committee, which controls government expenditures, Wasserman Schultz forged ahead, her turn to speak, she directly criticized and the Judiciary Committee. This drafting talking points for opponents congressional intervention: “It literally year she was elected vice-chair of both of the GOP measure and challenging rips the hinges off the door of every the Democratic National Committee those she believed were misstating the family home in America and allows and the Democratic Congressional facts surrounding Schiavo’s prognosis. Congress to insert itself into any family Campaign Committee. At this stage She helped lead the Democratic dispute that it doesn’t agree with. It’s just of their careers few House members counter-attack, arguing that Congress absolutely unconscionable,” she said. hold such prestigious positions, are a was overstepping its authority. “And the point is that I don’t know Terri. constant presence on national television The bill to prevent Schiavo’s tube I’m not a doctor. I’m not a bioethicist. or snatch a coveted speaking slot at the from being pulled passed in the House I don’t have any medical expertise, and Democratic National Convention. But on March 21atl2:41a.m . and was signed neither does Congressman Blunt.” no one would say Debbie Wasserman into law 30 minutes later by President The federal courts eventually sided, Schultz is typical. Bush, who had flown to Washington as the lower courts had, with Schiavo’s The only mother in Congress with from his ranch at Crawford, , husband and the feeding tube was three young children (twins Rebecca just for this purpose. That morning, removed. Wasserman Schultz, who and Jack are now nine and Shelby is Wasserman Schultz squared off with describes herself as an average “minivan five), she has endeared herself to the House Majority Whip on mom,” had made a name for herself in her Democratic leadership by cheerfully CO UJ NBC’s Today Show. With her tight first big national political battle. Dressed doing the unglamorous jobs. For one, Ss 0. < blonde curls, bronzed complexion and in a royal blue blouse, white pants and she promotes the party’s message in il l £ velvety voice, she stood in stark contrast matching white pumps, Wasserman late-night speeches delivered to an CO X 1— to the older, stouter Blunt. Host Ann Schultz, now 42, recalls those days when empty House chamber, but beamed to UJ z =5 oa Curry put Blunt on the defensive about a I talk with her on Capitol Hill: “I knew it political junkies across the country by cc h - O CJ Republican memo circulating on Capitol was a risk to get involved in that kind of C-SPAN. She’s also a capable fundraiser < o X o Hill that called the case “a great political high-profile way, and nobody asked me in a system where bringing in money is z o issue,” suggesting that Republicans were to.” But, she notes, “I set out to educate a prerequisite for climbing the political CO o merely using the tragedy to bolster their my colleagues on the details and be the ladder. During the last election, her z < z pro-life bona fides. person who could debunk the garbage political action committee handed o o X Wasserman Schultz listened patiently that was coming from the other side. out nearly a half-million dollars to CL o z as Blunt pleaded ignorance about the They were just making stuff up, and I other Democratic candidates; only z UJ CL o embarrassing memo. When it came knew the facts.” five Democratic lawmakers were more

30 MAY/JUNE 2009 generous. “It is a testament to her learning to loathe her. Mark Finkelstein, “It is a testament to her intelligence and diligence that she has a conservative blogger, argued that it risen so far so fast after just a few years in was a “breach of congressional comity” intelligence and diligence the House,” Pelosi recently told Time. to ambush Bilbray with district-specific that she has risen so far Wasserman Schultz represents job numbers. “It is called Hardball, but so fast after just a few Florida’s heavily Democratic 20th never before have I seen a member of Congressional District, which includes Congress pull this kind of stunt. You just years in the House.” much of southeastern Broward County don’t show a colleague up like this on —Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House and the northern Biscayne Bay shoreline national TV,” Finkelstein wrote. Con­ of Miami-Dade County. Like most of servative syndicated columnist Mark her constituents, Wasserman Schultz is Steyn blasted Wasserman Schultz’s in­ pro-choice, pro-gun control and pro-gay terrogation of the oil executives. “Had animal hospital, and she enrolled in farm rights. Last year, she voted with Planned I been in the hapless oil man’s expensive animal health courses at an agricultural Parenthood 100 percent of the time, and shoes, I’d have answered, ‘Hey, you first. college. Her first foray into politics was the National Education Association, the I can’t say that there is evidence that not a smashing success: She ran twice for nation’s largest teachers’ union, gave her an you’re sleeping with barnyard animals, student council and lost both times. “A.” In contrast, she earned an “F” from the but I believe that you probably are. So Even so, there were signs of what she National Rifle Association, and her ratings prove to me that you are not.’ Whatever would become. Her brother Steven, from anti-tax groups were abysmal. happened to the presumption of inno­ 39, a lawyer in the U.S. Attorney’s She has gained a reputation for not cence and prima facie evidence, lady?” office in Washington, DC, has trouble pulling punches. During last year’s Steyn wrote. recalling all the activities that his sister presidential campaign she called then But the Republicans who have known enthusiastically plunged into, from the presidential candidate John McCain a Wasserman Schultz the longest tend school band and the French Club to hypocrite and vice-presidential candidate to view her as a worthy, if strident, softball and the Honor Society. “Debbie a liar. She read the dictionary opponent. “She’s fiercely partisan on has always been an extrovert, always out definition of “fraud” to then Attorney certain issues,” said Ed Pozzuoli, the there meeting people and speaking to General Alberto Gonzalez when she former chair of the Broward County people, so it doesn’t surprise me that questioned him about the controversial Republican Party, who has squared off she’s doing what she’s doing and doing it firing of U.S. Attorneys by the Bush against Wasserman Schultz in public so well,” he says. Her father still marvels administration. And when oil company debates. “But I wouldn’t be fair to her, or at the career path his daughter took: executives tried to explain rising gas objective, if I said that she doesn’t also “Where did she come from? Both my prices last June, she challenged them. “I bring a tremendous amount of political wife and I, as children and young adults, can’t say that there’s evidence that you skill and compassion to the job.” were not out front like she is. We were are manipulating the price, but I believe more in the background.” you probably are,” she said as she leaned Debbie Wasserman grew up on When she arrived at the University forward on the dais, her hand pressed to . Her father, Larry, was of Florida planning to pursue her her cheek. “So prove to me that you’re chief financial officer of Roanna Togs, veterinary dream, her struggles in a not.” In February, she brushed back Inc., a children’s clothing manufac­ required chemistry course prompted her Republican ’s turer in Manhattan, and her mother, to reconsider. That’s when a boyfriend opposition to President Barack Obama’s Ann, managed a plant nursery. The reignited her interest in student economic stimulus package on MSNBC’s Wassermans were not religiously obser­ government. “It was like I got hit with Hardball. “What Brian did by voting ‘no’ vant, but the future congresswoman took a lightning bolt,” she says. She switched today is he voted against creating 385,000 away from dinner-table conversations the her major to political science, became jobs in his own state, 8,000 jobs in his message that fortunate families like her a campus political leader and decided own district,” she said. own had a responsibility to give some­ to pursue a career in government. She Many liberals love her hard-charging thing back. stayed on to earn a master’s degree in style, and after each of her television At first, her idea of “repairing the political science. Determined to work for appearances the video is quickly posted world” tended toward the animal a state legislator, she sent her resume to online with a slew of “you go, girl!” com­ kingdom—she wanted to be a veterinarian. 180 lawmakers—90 in Tallahassee and 90 ments. Conservatives, in contrast, are As a teenager she worked after school in an in Albany—but got just three interviews.

MAY/JUNE 2009 / MOMENT 31 “She’s fiercely partisan woman ever elected to the Florida Herald that Wasserman Schultz “can do state legislature. the feminine ax murderer—the grab you, on certain issues. But I When Wasserman Schultz got to shake you, I’m going to be your worst wouldn’t be fair if I said Tallahassee, the good old boys in the nightmare—or also be very demure, very she doesn’t also bring a Florida House of Representatives still flirtatious, playing on her feminine wiles.” thought of her as Deutsch’s aide. It At the same time, she raised her state tremendous amount of took time for her to earn their respect. profile by leading opposition to GOP political skill and com­ “Being young was more difficult than Jeb Bush’s efforts to promote passion to the job.” being a woman,” she recalls. “Most of school vouchers and enact deep tax cuts. the members were old enough to be my When Wasserman Schultz met George —Ed Pozzuoli, Former chair of the parents or grandparents.” W. Bush for the first time, he joked, “I Broward County Republican Party It didn’t help that she began know who you are. \ou’re the one who her legislative career by proposing gave my little brother a hard time down measures that played well in her liberal in Florida.” “Maybe just a little bit, Mr. Former State Representative Peter district, but were easily caricatured by President,” she answered. Deutsch of Fort Lauderdale recalls that conservative colleagues. She pushed Jeb Bush may have warned his older Wasserman’s resume hinted at a “level of for a law that would have forced dry brother about the new congresswoman intensity” that was unusual. “At the time, cleaners to charge the same rates for from Florida, but the Florida governor’s I didn’t have any positions,” he says, but cleaning women’s clothes as men’s and former spokesman, Justin Sayfie, says he was impressed and offered her a job on authored another bill requiring that his boss never harbored any personal his campaign. When one of his legislative each state board be comprised of equal animus toward Wasserman Schultz. aides resigned several weeks later, he numbers of men and women. When she “I don’t think she was a thorn in his hired her as a member of his policy staff. proposed a measure mandating gender- side. She played the role of the loyal In 1992, Deutsch left his state seat to neutral language in all state statutes, opposition in the make a successful run for Congress, and her colleagues gave her a nickname very well.” Sayfie, now the editor of a he asked his 25-year old aide to consider that even she had to admit was funny: newsletter on Florida politics, describes running to replace him. “Wasserperson.” Her strong support Wasserman Schultz as “smart, tenacious Five other Democrats also wanted for the gay community and for abortion and politically savvy.” Deutsch’s seat, and party leaders urged the rights helped to cement her reputation young woman to wait her turn. Instead, she as one of the most liberal members of When left his U.S. embarked on a shoe-leather campaign that the legislature. But she reached across House seat and made an unsuccessful Tallahassee politicos still marvel at. For six the aisle to win passage of a swimming run for the Senate in 2004, he once again months, beginning in the late afternoon pool safety bill and appealed to a cleared the way for his former aide to every day, she marched through the broader constituency with her dogged move up the political ladder. This time, streets of the district, knocking on doors. fight for smaller class sizes. In 1996, she Wasserman Schultz was viewed as such a She walked in the torrid summer sun and and other south Florida Jewish leaders formidable candidate that no Democrat in torrential downpours, wearing a yellow successfully lobbied Governor Lawton opposed her, and she easily defeated slicker she borrowed from her husband Chiles to veto an education bill that Republican Margaret Hostetter in the Steve Schultz. She walked so far, so often, would have allowed voluntary student- general election, winning the House that she lost 18 pounds from her already led prayer at graduations, assemblies seat with 70 percent of the vote. slim frame, and her weight plummeted and sporting events. During the 2004 campaign Hostetter, into double digits. Steve, alarmed, began When she was elected to the state a divorced mother of grown children, sending his wife out of the house with Senate in 2000, some political observers had argued that Wasserman Schultz’s chocolate milkshakes. By the end of the wondered whether such a fiery liberal young family would distract her from campaign, she had visited an estimated could thrive in the more moderate, her duties in Washington. During one 25,000 homes. The walking paid off: In collegial upper chamber, so different candidates’ forum, Wasserman Schultz September Wasserman Schultz won the from the rough-and-tumble House. But pulled a peach crayon from her purse Democratic primary by an astounding she tempered her tenacity with personal to take notes—evidence, Hostetter 31 points, and she cruised to victory in charm. In 2004, Republican Senate said, of a “frazzled life.” But Hostetter November. At 26, she was the youngest President Jim King told the M iami didn’t gain much traction with that

32 MAY/JUNE 2009 Wasserman Schultz drops off her daughter Shelby at school. charge, and Wasserman Schultz fiercely Managing her schedule has been a after testing positive for the BRCA2 dismisses the idea that a woman can’t be challenge. As soon as the House adjourns mutation. The mutation, which increases both an attentive mother and effective for the week, typically on Thursday, the chances of the cancer spreading, is lawmaker. Even in the heat of last Wasserman Schultz flies home to more prevalent among Ashkenazi Jewish year’s campaign, when she condemned Florida, where she focuses on taking women. She showed her characteristic Sarah Palin’s politics, she bristled at care of her “children’s needs and being toughness during the year of treatment, the suggestion that the Republican there for them.” Wasserman Schultz is a which ended last December, not missing vice presidential nominee was shirking trailblazer, argues Debbie Walsh, director a single day of work and campaigning her family responsibilities by running. of the Center for American Women and relentlessly, first for Clinton and then There is a “double standard for moms Politics at Rutgers University. “Women for Barack Obama. Only her family, who are trying to do any professional politicians are less likely than their male her closest friends and a few aides knew job and balance family. It’s very difficult colleagues to have children under 18 she was ill. “I didn’t want it to define for any of us,” she says. living at home,” she says. “They put off the me,” she says. “I wanted to be Debbie Losses by Palin and running until those family commitments Wasserman Schultz the congresswoman, made 2008 a bittersweet year for women are over, so their trajectories in politics Debbie Wasserman Schultz the mom, in American politics. Today, there are only tend to be shorter. What makes her not Debbie Wasserman Schultz who is 92 women in Congress, a mere 17 percent unusual is that...she has run for office battling breast cancer.” of its 535 members. “One of the reasons with young children and been successful. On March 23, just two days after I ran was because I felt like I represented She has become a symbol of that next going public, Wasserman Schultz

b a significandy underrepresented group. generation of political women.” introduced legislation that would direct m o There aren’t a lot of young women, This March, Wasserman Schultz the U.S. Department of Health and > =0 and there certainly aren’t a lot of young disclosed that she had successfully Human Services to begin breast cancer >3 CO c : moms,” she says. Wasserman Schultz battled breast cancer. She has had education campaigns in high schools z CO wants Congress to promote paid family seven major surgeries since December and universities. The congresswoman z z leave and more flexible work schedules. 2007, including a double mastectomy and many breast cancer advocates say m

MAY/JUNE 2009 / MOMENT 3 3 that because the accepted recommended “I represent a district with a very large Schultz says, think of her as a daughter. age for beginning mammograms is Jewish population,” Wasserman Schultz “It was like they sort of wished for me 40, younger women wrongly assume says; Broward County alone has more what they wished for their own children, they can’t develop breast cancer. Her than 260,000 Jews in a total population and kind of propelled me into office with bill calls for a $9 million educational of about 1.8 million. However, as late as their sentiment.” Wasserman Schultz’s campaign that pays particular attention the 1950s, Jews couldn’t buy real estate young Jewish family is one of many to minorities such as African-Americans in Broward, and hotels wouldn’t accept farther inland, in affluent suburban and Ashkenazi Jews. them as guests. In 1950, barely one towns like Weston (where she lives), percent of the 183,000 people in the Davie, Plantation and Sunrise. In a strange way, cancer brought county were Jewish. In the decades since, “I have a very strong Jewish identity, Wasserman Schultz closer to her heritage. as Cubans, who vote overwhelmingly and I’m very proud of my heritage,” she Until she was tested, she had no idea that Republican, moved into Miami, Jews says. The family belongs to a conservative Ashkenazi Jews are more likely to carry migrated north into Broward. These synagogue, B’nai Aviv in Weston, and she the BRCA2 mutation and the discovery, include many of the Jewish retirees who is giving her children a more religious she says, “physically and emotionally live in huge high-rises in Hollywood upbringing than she had. They attend connected me to my Judaism.” and Hallandale and who, Wasserman Hebrew school and, unlike her, they will have bar and bat mitzvahs. “Assimilation has become such a problem for us in the Jewish community,” she says. “I really believe that it’s important for Jewish THE CREAK OF THE DOORS LEADING IN TO THE TEMPLE A free translation of a Talmudic passage in B. Yoma 39b continuity for the next generation to understand our values, our heritage, our The creak of the doors leading in to the Temple culture, our history. I expose my own —The intimate chamber, the Holy of Holies— children to as much about our religion Resounds for a distance—for eight times the distance— as I can.” That one is permitted to walk on Shabbat. Two of her legislative achievements The scent of the frankincense burned on the altar have been of particular interest to —The cinnamon, saffron; the cassia, myrrh— her Jewish constituents. During her Is smelled for a distance—a ten parsa distance— first term in Washington, Wasserman -Jericho, traveled by foot. Schultz worked with Senator of , a Jewish The goatherds of Jericho’s gated-in grazing ones —Speckled and spotted, give glory to God!— Republican, to promote the creation Sneeze tickled in nostril—a goat-a-choo nostril— of an annual Jewish American Heritage When breathing in frankincense wafted on high. Month to educate the wider public about Jewish contributions to American The brides of Jerusalem’s sages and scholars history. In April 2006, President Bush —The henna-haired gazed-ats, gazelle-like in womb— Purveyed not a perfume—forewent every fragrance— signed a proclamation designating The cinnamon, saffron; the cassia, myrrh. May of every year for the celebration. After being denied insurance because My father raised goats in the high hills of Michmar she intended to visit , Wasserman —Raised he-goats and she-goats and get-at-your-goats— Schultz introduced a bill, which passed Who sneezed in a tempest—a lift-your-lamp tempest— in the House but not the Senate, Who shuddered in pleasure from frankincense, myrrh. barring life insurance companies from An old man once told me: I went once to Shiloh discriminating against those who want —The city of ruins, the mishkan dismanded— to travel to “dangerous” countries such I rested my face (My) between her two walls (God!) as Kenya and Israel. The cinnamon, saffron! The cassia, myrrh! Wasserman Schultz describes her inaugural trip to Israel, in 1995, as “one — liana Kurshan of the most incredible experiences of my life.” She has visited several times since. Continued on page 67

34 MAY/JUNE 2009 Continued from page 34 “I’m incredibly hopeful about the possibility of electing a woman—or a Jewish—president.” —Debbie Wasserman Schultz

“I always knew that Israel’s existence was important,” she says. “But I left Israel after my first trip with a real commitment to helping ensure that Israel’s existence is never questioned or challenged.” She is hopeful that under President Obama, the U.S. will once again be a “catalyst” for peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

Some political observers speculate that a Senate run is in the cards for Wasserman Schultz. Historically, however, it has been difficult for politicians from south Florida, especially liberal Jewish ones, to make it to the Senate. The state’s only Jewish senator, Richard Stone, elected in 1974, served a single term. The smoothest path for Wasserman Schultz may be to stay in the House. Her seat is safe. She ran unopposed in 2006, and in 2008 she again defeated Margaret Hostetter, this time with 78 percent of the vote. One possibility is that she could eventually follow in Nancy Pelosi’s steps and become Speaker. “I know she’s very ambitious and given her personality and history, I’m sure she would want to go higher,” Larry Wasserman says of his daughter’s political future. While remaining coy about her ambitions, Wasserman Schultz believes that the election of the nation’s first African-American president proves that bias is no longer a barrier. “The American voter has now evolved to a point where they don’t choose their candidate based on color, creed or gender. They choose based on quality and what they’d like to see happen,” she says. “I’m incredibly hopeful about the possibility of electing a woman—or a Jewish—president.” O

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