Controversial Congresswoman's Embattled Reelection Campaign Could Be Influenced By Events in Middle East
BLITZER: We're watching the crisis in the Middle East unfold. There are dramatic developments happening right now -- much more on what the Israeli military is doing on the ground and in the air. In just over two hours, the Israeli air campaign will resume. We are watching the story closely. Here in the United States, a controversial congresswoman and her embattled reelection campaign could be influenced by the events happening right now in the Middle East. Our senior political analyst, Bill Schneider, is watching the Cynthia McKinney runoff race very closely -- Bill.</s>WILLIAM SCHNEIDER, CNN SENIOR POLITICAL ANALYST: Wolf, question: What does a Democratic runoff for a congressional seat in Georgia have to do with the conflict in the Middle East?</s>SCHNEIDER (voice-over): Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney got a lot of notice this year when she was involved in an altercation with a Capitol Hill police officer.</s>REP. CYNTHIA MCKINNEY (D), GEORGIA: The fact of the matter is, I was never charged with anything.</s>SCHNEIDER: Hank Johnson, her opponent in next week's Democratic runoff, says:</s>HANK JOHNSON (D), GEORGIA CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATE: It was an embarrassment to the people of the 4th District.</s>SCHNEIDER: Her opponent says her problems go beyond the incident with the police.</s>JOHNSON: She's been the candidate of polarization and divisiveness.</s>SCHNEIDER: Most notably on the Middle East.</s>ALAN ABRAMOWITZ, PROFESSOR OF POLITICAL SCIENCE, EMORY UNIVERSITY: At some point -- and I'm not sure exactly when this happened -- she decided to align herself with the -- the Muslim community. And that has been a very strong base of support for her. It's a small minority in the district, but it has been an important source of funding for her in her campaigns.</s>SCHNEIDER: Notably, in 2002, when she lost her seat to another Democrat, whose campaign received a lot of Jewish support. What about the current Middle East conflict? Representative McKinney is harshly critical of Israel.</s>MCKINNEY: We are not going to countenance the use of U.S. weapons in the destruction of a country, in the targeting of civilians, in the murder of innocents.</s>SCHNEIDER: Mr. Johnson takes a different view of Israel's policy.</s>JOHNSON: This incursion into Lebanon was a defensive measure. And it was a response to the attacks that had been levied upon them by a terrorist group by the name of Hezbollah.</s>SCHNEIDER: Johnson says:</s>JOHNSON: Well, I have received a number of donations from local Jewish citizens.</s>SCHNEIDER: McKinney's response:</s>MCKINNEY: I can tell you that there's an awful lot of Republican money going into the coffers of my opponent.</s>SCHNEIDER: Among Democratic voters in Georgia's 4th Congressional District, being pro-Republican is an explosive charge. But people following the race outside the district see bigger issues at stake -- Wolf.</s>BLITZER: Bill Schneider, thank you very much, watching this story. Bill is part of the best political team on television, CNN, America's campaign headquarters. Does the White House need a new high-tech briefing room to deliver its message to the American public? Jack Cafferty standing by with your e-mail. And just ahead also: Will Syria be drawn into the Middle East war? I will ask the Syrian ambassador to the United States, Imad Moustapha. He's standing by to join us live. Stay with us. You are in THE SITUATION ROOM.