Comments on: Republicans and Meshugeneh Jewish Voters

By: Al Qaeda Didn’t Get Republican Memo That Obama Is A Muslim and Terrorist - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 22:25:34 +0000

[...] report concludes with an item which demonstrates my point from this post written yesterday: But Obama’s professions of support for Israel during the election campaign [...]

By: Diane DP

Diane DP — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:14:47 +0000

Why would Jews vote for Republicans?
They are not valued except for their vote.
They are seen by republicans as a people who need to have a religious conversion and are there for only one purpose, and that is to fulfill the requirements for the Rapture?

Why would Catholics and Jews align themselves with the Republican religious right? I can’t understand it.
They see their religion as the one true religion and our religious beliefs would not be tolerated because they are not the “true beliefs”.

By: Jeremy Pober

Jeremy Pober — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:17:47 +0000

Ron,
Perhaps it’s a generational thing–I wasn’t alive in 1973, so I don’t remember that. If Israel were in danger of being destroyed, I probably would favor US intervention, but that might or might not be the result of a tie I feel to the area. I’m pretty unilaterally against countries getting destroyed. So I don’t know whether the generational gap means that me or my generation just aren’t aware of the levels of support we harbor for Israel (which is quite possible) or that our generation separates being Jewish from being Israeli or being an Israeli sympathizer more than those who can remember 1973.

By: Ron Chusid

Ron Chusid — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 03:00:58 +0000

Jeremy,

Thinking back to times such as the start of the Yom Kippur war in ‘73 when, if only at the start, Israel did appear to be in some danger, there was fairly strong support for Israel including from ethnic, secular Jews.

The difference now is that Israel isn’t seen as being in that type of danger so there is no need to base voting upon Israel (especially as the Republicans offer no advantage over the Democrats with regards to Israel).

Some might differ, but for the most part I think there would be strong Jewish support for the safety of Israel if it was seen as being in such danger–which is not the same as supporting Israel on all issues. It is just that the question is not really relevant to current voting decisions.

The lack of separation of church and state in Israel is a concern and I would certainly not want to see it compromised here as it is in Israel. On the other hand, Tel Aviv has a reputation for being a quite secular area.

By: Jeremy Pober

Jeremy Pober — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:41:09 +0000

Ron,
I think you’re right about a majority of practicing Jews caring to some extent about Israel. But a lot of self-identified ethnic Jews, such as myself, are secular and, like Rob suggests, consider ourselves Americans first and only–I’d include myself here.
I love our separation of Church and State, and feel that Israel’s lack thereof is a problem. I obviously don’t want to see Israel–or any other country–eradicated, but I think the US’s being unquestioningly pro-Israel is actually a deterrent to rational foreign policy at times.
I may be an outlier, or it may be that most secular ethnic Jews such as myself don’t self-identify as “Jewish” for polling purposes, but I don’t think I’m alone in this mindset.

By: Conservatives Redefine “Ignorance” As Not Believing Their Dishonest Smears - Liberal Values - Defending Liberty and Enlightened Thought

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 01:08:42 +0000

[...] « Republicans and Meshugeneh Jewish Voters [...]

By: Ron Chusid

Ron Chusid — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:30:19 +0000

Rob,

That does come pretty close to what I said above with one difference. If Jews really thought Israel was in danger then this would be an important issue, even to Jews not living in Israel. However as most Jews (beyond some prominent exceptions with the neocons) do not believe Israel is any safer with a Republican government, Jews can vote based upon what is best for the United States.

By: Rob in Michigan

Rob in Michigan — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 00:18:15 +0000

I’m not Jewish, nor any religion so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

Perhaps Jewish voters voted for the Democrats because… gasp… they’re NOT LIVING IN ISRAEL! Don’t get me wrong, I’m sure Israel is important to Jews the world over as a religiously significant spiritual homeland. However, is Israel providing them jobs, saving their dwindling retirement accounts, or having any significant impact on U.S. domestic policies which impact their day to day realities? No…, because Israel is an ally of our country and not our country. They probably voted for what was best for the United States of America… the country in which they live and work.
And what will always be best for Israel, is a strong and wealthy America. So, you see, they are supporting Israel by rejecting Republican scare-tactics and using common sense.

By: Ron Chusid

Ron Chusid — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 23:45:27 +0000

It is not the majority of Jews who need an attitude adjustment. Most know better than to vote for Republicans.

Thanking Christians is a rather meaningless comment ideologically since there are Christians with a wide variety of views (as there are some Jews with conservative views). If by thanking Christians you mean right-wing Christians, the view of most Jewish voters on this is pretty clear.

By: Mona Charen

Mona Charen — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 22:32:22 +0000

Jews obviously need an attitude adjustment…

Thanking Christians and more [Mona Charen]
Daniel Pipes, Cliff May, David Horowitz, and yours truly, ably led by Michael Medved and sponsored by the Jewish Policy Center, talked of Iran, terrorism, and why Jews should be more grateful to Christians, among many other topics a couple of weeks ago at a suburban Cleveland synagogue.