State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs told me this afternoon there’s “no question” the characterization by Rep. Mike McMahon’s campaign of Michael Grimm’s donations from “Jewish” donors was “offensive”, but he insisted the congressman took swift and appropriate action to address the incident.

Jacobs also lambasted the Republicans for trying to capitalize on the gaffe, but agreed that if more staffers than just the now-fired communications director were involved, they too should be dealt with in a similar fashion.

“I would tell you this: The voters know a dumb move when they see it and they accept an apology when it’s genuinely made,” said the chairman, who weighed in on the NY-13 race earlier this week, calling for Grimm to apologize for comments he had made to The Hill newspaper.

“They can also smell political opportunism from a mile away. I think Mike McMahon, as soon as he found out, terminated the staff member responsible and apologized for the offense, which was appropriate. For the Republicans to make more of this is just political opportunism.”

I asked Jacobs if he was aware whether McMahon knew about the compliation of the list of Grimm’s “Jewish money” by McMahon’s fundraiser and provided to the NY Observer by his now former spokeswoman, Jennifer Nelson.

“I would assume that if anyone else had it in mind to do it that way than Mike McMahon will striaghten out his team if it’s needed,” Jacobs responded.

“The information I have is that this was the staff member involved. If there’s more, I’m sure he will deal with it…I have no reason to believe he knew about it beforehand.”

I was a little incredulous about the possibility that McMahon wouldn’t have known what his campaign staffers were up to. But Jacobs insisted campaigns are “huge endeavors”, which makes it impossible for candidates to know 100 percent of what’s going on 100 percent of the time.

“There are lots of people that don’t know I’m talking to you now and believe me, if I say something dumb along those lines I’m going to be held accountable for it,” said Jacobs, who was speaking to me from his summer office at the upstate camp he runs.

“I don’t think that any principal that I represent is accountable for it as long as that principle stands up and takes appropriate action against me. I think that’s fair.”

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