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Jewish defections irk Dems
The Hill ^ | March 30, 2004 | Alexander Bolton

Posted on 03/29/2004 5:21:51 PM PST by veronica

Senate Democrats are seeking to counter defections by some major Jewish donors to the Republicans by stressing their party’s pro-Israel stance.

The lawmakers met privately last Thursday with nearly 80 Jewish interest groups to make their case.

Although Jews make up slightly more than 2 percent of all Americans, they have played a wider political role for both demographic and financial reasons.

Jews are concentrated in such battleground states as Florida and Ohio. In the era of soft money, an estimated 50 to 70 percent of large contributions to the Democratic Party and allied political units came from Jewish donors.

While President Bush won only 19 percent of the Jewish vote in 2000, Republican candidates garnered 35 percent of the Jewish vote in 2002, according to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.

The growing allegiance between the GOP and leaders in the Jewish community is due largely to Bush’s strong support of Israel and refusal to negotiate with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, Republican aides and Jewish lobbyists say.

Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee, hasn’t helped his party on that front by recently issuing statements that were widely interpreted as waffling on the controversial security fence the Israeli government is building at the edge of the West Bank.

Meanwhile, Republicans on Capitol Hill, led by Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.) in the Senate and Deputy Majority Whip Eric Cantor (Va.) in the House, are aggressively courting Jewish interest groups, citing their own and President Bush’s strong support of Israel’s security policies.

Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), surprised members of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America during remarks at a luncheon when he acknowledged there is a perception among many Jews that Democrats are not strong enough on the issue of Israeli security.

However, he insisted the perception is not true.

“A lot of us were quite struck that he would say that,” said a high-ranking official with the group.

At another meeting earlier that day with leaders from different Jewish groups, such Democrats as Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (S.D.), Sen. Hillary Clinton (N.Y.) and Sen. Edward Kennedy (Mass.) were told that many Jews view the party as a weaker ally of Israel compared to the GOP.

Members of the audience told the Democratic politicians that “what they said was different from the impression” many Jews had of Democrats, said Malcolm Hoenlein, the executive vice chairman of the Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, who attended the meeting. “They agreed they have to do a better job of communicating their position,” Hoenlein added. “They acknowledged it and said it was the crux of their frustration.”

One participant said nearly 20 Democratic lawmakers attended at least a portion of the morning meeting.

Later in the day, the Jewish interest groups met with Republican senators in a meeting chaired by Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist (R-Tenn.) and Santorum.

“Both sides are clearly jockeying for political advantage,” said a lobbyist for a prominent Jewish interest group.

The Conference, a coordinating body that represents 52 Jewish organizations such as the American Jewish Congress and the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, organized twin meetings.

For their part, the Democratic lawmakers vigorously asserted their support for Israel, mixing their message with stern criticism of Iran, Syria, and Saudi Arabia.

They voiced support for the security fence being erected to stymie Palestinian attacks from the West Bank. Kerry seemed to trip over the issue a month ago when he told Jewish leaders the fence was a legitimate act of self defense after telling an Arab American group in October that the fence was “provocative” and a “barrier to peace.”

Clinton, who is an important liaison to the Jewish community as head of the Senate Democratic Steering Committee, pleased the groups by saying that foreign aid to the Palestinian government should be contingent on its effort to combat anti-Semitic and anti-American propaganda. Her stance was new to many of the groups, said Hoenlein and Morton Klein, president of the Zionist Organization of America.

Democrats also hammered on the need for Saudi Arabia to clamp down on fundamentalist Islamic charities that fund terrorist organizations, on the need for tougher sanctions against Syria, and the need to halt Iranian efforts to develop a nuclear weapon.

An official at one Jewish group speculated that Democrats may be nervous about the defection of high-profile Jewish donors to the Republicans, noting that Corzine, who confronted the party’s image problem, is chairman of the DSCC.

Jack Rosen, a frequent past contributor to the Democratic Party, and president of the liberal-leaning American Jewish Congress, has given $100,000 to Republicans since Bush took office.

And California businessman Ronald Arnall and wife Dawn, who in the past have given close to $1.5 million to Democratic candidates and party committees since 2000, raised $1 million for Bush at a fundraiser last August. In addition, Dawn Arnall gave $1 million at the end of 2002 to the Republican National Committee.

“On the GOP side they’ve been very aggressive in courting the community,” said Nathan Diament, director of public policy at the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations. “The point person on the Senate side is Rick Santorum. Over the past two or three years they’ve been working the community and having a lot of meetings.”

Diament said Barbara Ledeen, the director of coalitions for the Senate Republican Conference, initiated the efforts.

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.), who is Jewish, has also been active. He has traveled around the country “stumping in Jewish venues trying to convey a sense of why Republicans are more deserving of support,” said Diament.

On the House side, Cantor, the only Jewish Republican in the House, has led the GOP outreach effort.

“Democrats do not speak with a unified voice on Israel anymore,” said Cantor. “The Democrats want to re-inject the United States into the Israeli-Palestinian conflict as a neutral arbiter and neutral voice.”


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Extended News; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: catholiclist; donors; ericcantor; gwb2004; jewishvote; normcoleman; proisrael
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To: Maven
It's a good-natured way in which Jews refer to each other. It's a reference to the 12 tribes of Israel, of which only 2 still survive - the Kohane and the Levis. Unlike Jewishness, which is passed through the mother, tribe affiliation is passed through the father. My paternal grandmother was a Levi, but since my paternal grandfather wasn't, then neither is my father or myself.
Kohan is not a tribe, but a clan of Levites.
The southern Kingdom of Israel survived the Assyrian invasion. The Southern Kingdom, dominated by Juday included the tribe of Benjamin and most Levites. There were many refugees from other tribes, but the northern tribval structures were destroyed.

Those who aren't affiliated with the two remaining tribes are known collectively as "Israel."
No. Levi and Kohen are goven distinction because they have a special role. Kohanim were the Priests. Levites also had positions.

141 posted on 03/30/2004 12:31:51 AM PST by rmlew (Peaceniks and isolationists are objectively pro-Terrorist)
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To: Maven
LOL THANKS FOR THE INFO
142 posted on 03/30/2004 4:35:54 AM PST by rrrod
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To: veronica
Senate Democrats are seeking to counter defections by some major Jewish donors to the Republicans by stressing their party’s pro-Israel stance.

Yeah, right. Fact: During the Clinton administration, the head of state most frequently welcomed into the White House was Yassir Arafat.

143 posted on 03/30/2004 4:41:36 AM PST by JoeGar
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To: Capt. Tom
Considering the fact that terrorists would like to wipe Israel off the map, Jewish Americans (or American Jews) have a right to consider how the candidates would vote on issues regarding Israel. But most Jewish conservatives I know hold to the conservative ideals first. I voted for Bush 41, and he wasn't the greatest on Israel, but I voted Republican, because I believe the GOP POV is best for America. If America goes to the left, it would be a disaster all the way around, IMO.
144 posted on 03/30/2004 4:53:37 AM PST by veronica ("America will never seek a permission slip to defend the security of our people." GW Bush 1-20-04)
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To: saul goode
I believe it was actually posted on a FR thread. I thought it was at protestwarrior.com, but couldn't find it there. Anyone else recall it?
145 posted on 03/30/2004 5:35:26 AM PST by Objective Reality
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To: Maven
MOT = Member of The Tribe.

It's a good-natured way in which Jews refer to each other.

I remember when people referred to certain neighborhoods in my upscale hometown as the "Reservation." It wasn't necessarily good natured but I imagine came from the same roots.
146 posted on 03/30/2004 5:48:31 AM PST by mlmr (Honest officer, I wasn't speeding. This SUV is a low-flying rocket!)
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To: eddie willers; mlmr
MOT = Member Of [the Jewish] Tribe.

Apologies for the obscure reference.

147 posted on 03/30/2004 5:52:04 AM PST by NativeNewYorker (Don't blame me. I voted for Sharpton.)
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To: teletech
Lets hope more and more Jewish folks realize what is happening. I welcome them to the Republican Party.

Thank you. FWIW:

About a year ago, I went for the first time to the Skirball Center in L.A. (which is a museum/cultural center with an auditorium and confererence rooms), and as I was looking for the cafe, I passed by a huge conference room with several hundred chairs laid out. I asked a guy there what the room was reserved for, and he said, "it's for the Repubican Jewish Coalition." I laughed and said something like, "I'll bet you have alot more people than you had last year," and he agreed.
148 posted on 03/30/2004 7:59:10 AM PST by eddiespaghetti
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To: adam_az
After watching [Clinton] suck up to Arafat, Hillary playing kissyface with Suha, appeasing Arab terrorists, disgracing his office, letting our enemies strenght grow and ours ebb... Let's just say it was a big wake up call, I felt huge buyers remorse, and I will never vote for any (D) again.

For me, my sense of relief that Bush was in the WH came in the few days after 9/11: Bush was telling the rescue workers at ground zero,"soon the world will be hearing from us," and then telling Congress that the US would not distinguish between terrorist groups and the states that support them; MEANWHILE, Dems (with few exceptions)and those on the Left were divided between those who said, 'we must have done something wrong to deserve this,' 'NO to missile defense,' and 'waving the flag is mere jingoism.'

The Dems/Left have come out wrong on every of these, and similiar issues.

(I'm pondering on the fact that the literal meaning of "apocalypse" is "removing the veil [from one's eyes]."
149 posted on 03/30/2004 8:09:12 AM PST by eddiespaghetti
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To: Fee
I think when Jewish Democrats see Black Democrats assail them poltically with racist anti-Semetic statements and the DNC say nothing because they are afraid of offending their black supporters, that says volumes.

BINGO!
150 posted on 03/30/2004 8:10:46 AM PST by eddiespaghetti
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To: eddiespaghetti
Thank you. FWIW:

About a year ago, I went for the first time to the Skirball Center in L.A. (which is a museum/cultural center with an auditorium and confererence rooms), and as I was looking for the cafe, I passed by a huge conference room with several hundred chairs laid out. I asked a guy there what the room was reserved for, and he said, "it's for the Repubican Jewish Coalition." I laughed and said something like, "I'll bet you have alot more people than you had last year," and he agreed.

Reading your post gives me hope that our Republican Party will reach out to more folks who have been used by the DemocRAT party.

151 posted on 03/30/2004 8:12:43 AM PST by teletech (Friends don't let friends vote DemocRAT!)
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To: Cinnamon Girl
I don't really get the whole FDR thing myself. But they think he was a hero. . . .

All his good times "Public Works" crap seems to have made quite an impression.

Yes. When I speak to my parents (who were teenagers in NYC during much of the Depression), and remembering the words of my grandparents, they all spoke of the hope he infused during those days (with 20%+ unemployed). Also the fact that he was TRYING to help Britain and to get America more involved (re-introducing conscription, Lend-Lease, etc.), when Congress -- and most of the country -- was opposed.

Never got to ask any of them what FDR looks like in retrospect, but you are right: he is still an icon for many, and his party, in their view, cannot be wrong.
152 posted on 03/30/2004 8:27:07 AM PST by eddiespaghetti
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To: Mr. Mojo; Cinnamon Girl
50% of Jews under 30 voted for Bush in the last election. It'll be interesting to see what the #'s are this time around

Do you have a source, so I can show other people?

153 posted on 03/30/2004 9:24:38 AM PST by Celtjew Libertarian (Shake Hands with the Serpent: Poetry by Charles Lipsig aka Celtjew http://books.lulu.com/lipsig)
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To: Celtjew Libertarian
"At least 50 percent of Jews under the age of 30 voted for George W. Bush in the last election," said Bialosky, referring to results from a Zogby poll following the 2000 election. (13th paragraph down).

I remember initiailly reading that figure in the Philadelphia Inquirer right after the election, but this is the only source I can find right now.

154 posted on 03/30/2004 9:32:53 AM PST by Mr. Mojo
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To: Mr. Mojo
It's (sadly) true that many Jews new to the GOP are here for reasons pertaining to Israel. (For this Jew, however, it's about taxes, guns, national defense, property, and cultural concerns. .....Israel is way down the list). But perhaps after a while they'll begin to appreciate the full-spectrum of conservatism. .....and least one can hope.

I think a lot of the Jews who come to the GOP in support of Israel will stay for the economics. Social issues may be another matter.... Mind you, given the second part of my FreepName, that's not exactly something that bothers me. I just want to see mainstream Jewry get over their reflexive fear of conservative Christians and settle for friendly disagreement.

155 posted on 03/30/2004 9:33:35 AM PST by Celtjew Libertarian (Shake Hands with the Serpent: Poetry by Charles Lipsig aka Celtjew http://books.lulu.com/lipsig)
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To: veronica
Hillary!: Those FJBs better get with the program...
156 posted on 03/30/2004 9:37:44 AM PST by bondjamesbond (Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown)
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To: Celtjew Libertarian
Bruce is referring to the Zogby poll. You have to find the Zogby poll to see that it was 59%.
157 posted on 03/30/2004 12:03:47 PM PST by Cinnamon Girl
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To: veronica
Sen. Jon Corzine (D-N.J.), chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC), surprised members of the Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America during remarks at a luncheon when he acknowledged there is a perception among many Jews that Democrats are not strong enough on the issue of Israeli security.

However, he insisted the perception is not true


OH YES IT IS!
158 posted on 03/30/2004 5:34:19 PM PST by Tom Jefferson
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To: eddie willers
I guess I'm a GOB (Good Old Boy)

If you were Jewish, we'd call you an "NJB" (Nice Jewish Boy). LOL!

Maven
159 posted on 03/30/2004 8:04:24 PM PST by Maven
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