A new front has opened in the battle at a largely Jewish country club over whether to admit President Obama, with supporters arguing his policies toward Israel should not be a litmus test.
The effort is meant to counter a vocal movement within the Woodmont Country Club in Maryland to exclude the president from membership because so many members object to his administration’s treatment of Israel.
“We are . . . concerned that the admissions process threatens to become a forum for members to advocate their political beliefs, particularly as they relate to Israel, a topic of increasing polarization in our community,” says a letter from supporters that began circulating Jan. 4.
The letter was provided to The Post.
“There should be no single litmus test when considering the admission of any candidate, and it is our deeply felt view that any former president who meets club membership standards and wishes to join should be encouraged to do so,” the letter states.
The writer claims to speak for “Democrats, Independents and Republicans” in the exclusive club, which costs $80,000 to join and another $9,673 in annual dues.
The Obamas will be living just miles away in Washington, DC — and admittance into the club would provide a place for the soon-to-be ex-president to hit the links at its two golf courses.
“Several of us were early Obama supporters and know the president personally. Others voted for John McCain and/or Mitt Romney. All of us are strong supporters of the State of Israel,” the letter states.
The Post reported earlier this week the club is in turmoil over whether to accept Obama, who is looking to join.
“In light of the votes at the UN and the [John] Kerry speech and everything else, there’s this major uproar with having him part of the club, and a significant portion of the club has opposed offering him membership,” a source told The Post.
The pro-Obama effort is being organized in part by Daniel Kohl, a senior adviser at the prestigious law firm BakerHostetler, where he’s represented Major League Baseball, and the former vice president of political affairs at J Street, a controversial left-wing group.