Jihad is jihad. Attacks on innocent civilians are attacks on innocent civilians. He should go farther than just saying that killing innocent people is always wrong; he should specifically say that killing Israeli civilians is always wrong. If he cannot say that, he shouldn't be a candidate for anything. From [1] AP, with thanks to all who sent this in:

TRENTON, N.J. New Jersey Democrats have dumped an Arab-American candidate over comments he made in 2002 about suicide bombers.

Lebanese-born Sami Merhi was a candidate for freeholder in Passaic County before he was removed from the ticket. Freeholders are county lawmakers.

The comment in question was made at a Democratic fundraiser in September 2002.

Merhi condemned the September eleventh attacks as "cold-blooded murders" committed by "crazy fanatics." But when asked whether he would say the same thing about Palestinian suicide bombers who target Israelis, Merhi said there was no comparison.

At a meeting yesterday about his candidacy, Merhi said he told party leaders that he opposes all forms of terrorism and that killing innocent people is always wrong.