RNC Reaches Out to Jewish Voters, But Will They Listen?

Between the Republican National Convention in New York and the leftist protesters having a collective nervous breakdown outside, the Democrats’ man John Kerry isn’t looking too good. So it’s little wonder that the Dems are getting desperate. Why else would they resort to ridiculous tactics like those of the National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC)?

This is the group making a fuss over an alleged ''Christian cross'' they charge was built into the exterior of the wooden podium at the Republican Convention. The way the wood is carved does suggest a cross-like shape, but it’s a serious stretch of the imagination to accuse Republicans of surreptitiously embedding crucifixion symbols in the décor. Nonetheless, the NJDC is objecting to this ''outrageous'' blurring of the lines between separation and state. To quote Karl Rove, President Bush's chief political strategist, ''My God, where do they come up with this stuff?''

Of course, such a complaint could only come from the liberal, Democratic segment of the American Jewish population. It would be highly unlikely for politically conservative Jews to object to a display of religious belief (whether real or imagined), not being obsessed with secularism like their liberal brethren. As for Republican Jews, most have long since gotten over any squeamishness about their Christian comrades that they might once have experienced. In fact, the relationship between Christian and Jewish conservatives has become quite cozy as of late. It doesn’t hurt that Christian Zionists are some of the most vocal supporters of Israel, especially during a time when even many Jews have forsaken the Holy Land. And the worldwide rise of Islamic aggression against both Jews and Christians has only strengthened bonds already in place.

It is precisely this growing Judeo-Christian relationship that liberal Jews and the Democratic Party as a whole fears. For along with these developments have come a gradual shift in voting habits. Slowly but surely, Republican Jews are growing in number. Exit polls conducted by Voter News Service for the Associated Press and television networks show that the number of Jews voting Republican went up as much as 60 percent between 2000 and 2002, increasing to 35 percent from the previous 21 to 26 percent. Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) Executive Director Matthew Brooks is optimistic about such results, claiming that: ''We are seeing a major shift in American political party alliances and we expect these realignment trends to continue.''

This shift was definitely felt at the Republican National Convention, where among the crowd could be seen Orthodox Jews. No doubt they and other Jews watching were pleasantly surprised by the speech of former New York mayor and 9/11 hero, Rudy Giuliani. Giuliani not only presented Israel and America as firm allies in the War on Terror, but he also paid homage to the wounds suffered by Jews in particular at the hands of Islamic terrorists.

Giuliani referred specifically to the 1985 murder of American Leon Klinghoffer by four members of the Palestinian Liberation Front. It was on the Italian cruise ship Achille Lauro that Klinghoffer, a wheelchair-bound elderly man, was, as Giuliani put it, ''marked…for murder solely because he was Jewish.'' He also brought up the 11 Israeli athletes that were slaughtered by Palestinian terrorists during the Munich Olympics in 1972, as well as the travesty that was Yasser Arafat’s Nobel Peace Prize in 1994. In bringing these incidents up, Giuliani did more to appeal to Jewish voters than almost any Republican before him.

The inclusion of Jews in the convention lineup also bespoke a burgeoning relationship. Rebbetzin Esther Jungreis delivered the closing prayer at the convention on Tuesday, August 31. According to The Jewish Press, for which Jungreis is a columnist, ''This was the first time that a leading female Torah personality had been invited to address a national convention of either party.'' As a Holocaust survivor, Jungreis talked about her first encounter with American soldiers when they liberated the Bergen Belson concentration camp in which she was imprisoned. Praising President Bush’s ''valor'' after 9/11, Jungreis also lauded his support for ''beleaguered Israel,'' particularly his insistence that terrorism is unacceptable wherever it exists. She then asked for a moment of silence for the victims of that day’s double bus suicide bombing in Beersheba, something the crowd of Republicans had no trouble obliging her in. Somehow it’s hard to imagine a similar scene among today’s Democratic Party.

Indeed, Republican strategists seem to be aware of such strengths and are ambitiously aiming for 30-35 percent of the Jewish vote in November. This has alarmed both the Democratic Party and their allies in the media, who, in an effort to dampen Republicans’ enthusiasm, recently pounced on the findings of a poll that showed Kerry leading Bush among Jewish voters by 75-22 percent. But the poll was conducted during the Democratic National Convention by a research group for the now raving National Jewish Democratic Council. In addition, the poll appears to have been taken mostly by non-religious Jews, with Orthodox Jews making up only 8 percent. The true test will come after the Republican National Convention.

Kerry too has tried his hand at damage control, but his attempts to curry favor with the Jewish community have further exposed his propensity for flip-flopping--only this time about the Middle East. He once called Yasser Arafat a ''great statesman'' only to recant later on and label him ''an outlaw to the peace process.'' And the Democrat Party overall has a problematic history of anti-Semitic commentary from the likes of Cynthia McKinney, Earl Hilliard, Hillary Clinton, Jesse Jackson, Ernest Hollings, and James Moran, as well as showcasing notoriously anti-Semitic figures such as Al Sharpton. Then there’s the Congressional Black Caucus, which votes consistently against Israel. When it comes down to it, the Democrats have little to offer American Jews beyond the religion of liberalism many still subscribe to.

Whether or not a major shift has occurred among Jewish voters remains to be seen. If Republicans only gain a small amount of such votes, it could make the difference, particularly in states like Florida And even among the Democratic Party, changes seem to be afoot. It doesn’t take a genius to notice that some of the most hawkish Democrats happen to be Jewish. Ed Koch, Diane Feinstein, Tom Lantos, and of course, Joe Lieberman are just a few examples. The threat of annihilation has once again reared its ugly head and Jews have begun to take notice. Now it’s up to the Democrat and Republican Parties to answer the call of history.

This topic frequently brings hysteria to the forefront.

Actually no point is being made but rather missed, as it always is on FR.

SJ: you're fighting the good fight, absolutely... but: Lost Cause, okay?

I wince, inwardly, every time I see one of these "When, Oh When Will Those Silly Jews Ever LEARN?" stories posted here, as they inevitably serve as the dog whistle for every no-neck know-nothing within a five hundred megabyte radius to come a-runnin'. We then are "treated" (not actually the word I had in mind, but Jim doesn't approve of cursing on the boards) to pig-ignorant postings to the effect of "Them thar Jooos, they'd vote fer Hitler, if'n he were a Democrat, hyuck-hyuck-hyuck," and similarly constituted blatherings.

Kiddies: just a wee little bit of historical perspective here, all right? Yeah, absolutely, GWB may well qualify as the single staunchest friend Israel has ever known, White House-wise... but: for way, way too may decades prior to this one, the Republican Party enjoyed an all-too-well deserved reputation as the party of naked and unapologetic anti-semitism; and that's NOT the sort of rep it's going to suddenly "lose," overnight, solely on the strength of GWB's good works alone.

Nixon's numerous weird "issues" with us are a matter of public record. Pat Buchanan -- long a powerful mover and shaker within the party -- was (and still is) even more rabid and foaming. Jews make a point of remembering those who openly and expressly wish them ill, no less than any other group; and some (many, most likely) may NEVER feel entirely comfortable with the party, as a result of such ugliness and hatred in the past.

What you're witnessing, here, is a generational transformation: younger Jews trending more and more conservative, politically, over the last twenty years (and continuing to do so), replacing in prominence (and voting numbers) older Jews, as the latter pass from the scene.

Newsflash: generational changes, by definition, take at least one generation to take effect. Staring impatiently at your wristwatch and muttering "... what's taking then so damned long, anyway?" won't speed up the process one bit; and the slack-jawed nitwiticisms on unfortunate display here (comparing Jews to sheep, dogs, etc.) only serve to retard the process further still. Large, steaming mugs of STFU need to be passed around to, and promptly chugged down by, more than one poster herabouts whose fingers move faster than his/her brain.

< /rant>

GWB may well qualify as the single staunchest friend Israel has ever known, White House-wise

I'd credit Reagan. In the context of the most recent Presidential election, it's also relevant that Bush I probably ties Carter for the most hostile resident of the White House.

I wince, inwardly, every time I see one of these "When, Oh When Will Those Silly Jews Ever LEARN?" stories posted here, as they inevitably serve as the dog whistle for every no-neck know-nothing within a five hundred megabyte radius to come a-runnin'. We then are "treated" (not actually the word I had in mind, but Jim doesn't approve of cursing on the boards) to pig-ignorant postings to the effect of "Them thar Jooos, they'd vote fer Hitler, if'n he were a Democrat, hyuck-hyuck-hyuck," and similarly constituted blatherings.

I'll note a few from threads of the last few weeks below, since your's is a good post to refer back to.

...............

Yeah... maybe there IS no good reason... American Jews and American Muslims are both in bed with the Democrats,,, screw 'em both

Jews also overwhelmingly supported Stalin. I guess political stupidity is hardwired into the Jewish mind.

Given the choice between voting Republican and lining up to catch a train for Auschwitz, most American Jews would fight for a place in line for the train so long as Hillary Clinton was punching their tickets. It's the lemming vote.

How could such an educated and responsible group of people be so politically stupid for so long?

Please dont take this as being Anti -Semitic, but if 76% of American jews like Kerry over Bush there are some dumb-assed American jews.

You know something? It will serve them right if something really horrible happens to Israel if Kerry gets elected. Sad to say but sometimes people need a painfull reminder of who their real friends are.

Are Jews more anti-Christian than pro-Israel?

It is as amazing to me that Jews would vote for the party of anti-Semitism as it is that blacks vote the party of racism.

I can't stand how they want their cake and eat it too. Let these groups finally bear the consequences of their actions. We are damned if we do, damned if we don't. If these groups don't have negative consequences put upon them by their choices, then they will continue to support Democrats at no cost to their pork.

Well isn't this a kick in the junk! If they got their wish it would be hard to feel any empathy for the adverse consequenses they would suffer.

They seem determined to aid their own destruction. They seem to enjoy misery as away to exist.

I wonder if they felt the same way about Hitler?

And that racist blacks who hate them [Jews] vote in a democrat block also.

The Jews have been on the wrong side of history ever since the Exodus. So this shouldn't surprise anyone.

Not at all surprising to me. American liberal Jews are suicidal in the extreme. While they do not profess a hatred of Israel their actions tend to be more anti-Israel and anti-Jewish than any "hate" group I can think of. They support Nazi-style gun bans, a Nazi-style police state, Nazi-style propaganda (Jews own or control over 70% of mass media outlets...just a statistical fact folks, not me being a Nazi okay?), and Nazi-style socialism (government 'partnering' with private industry for the 'common good').

The devil has decieved them. They are blinded because of their unbelief.

If Bush Wins in November, then he should abide by the wishes of the Jewish voters and minimize support for Israel and make sure the hard working American tax dollars are completely cutoff from Israel. All aid to Israel should end. It is disgusting the tribe mentality of so many groups. I really have just now changed my view of American taxpayer support of Israel.

There is an extreme hatred/fear of Christians and Christianity among most American Jews that never really becomes obvious until something or someone Christian threatens to bubble up to the mainstream ….That much is fact. I'm sure the reasons for it are more complex than I can guess at. It is ironic that if Christianity met the doom that most Jews wish for it that their own doom would swiftly follow.

the majority of Jews believe that in 1920 an organization known as the Muslim Brotherhood which is the original AQ and Arab Nazis was working with Hitler. It became the official policy of the The Third Reich to secretly develop the Muslim Brotherhood as the fifth Parliament, an army inside Egypt. After WWII they moved to Saudi Arabia at which time BinLaden became interested. They also believe the CIA is an arm of this secret society which hates Jews. On top of it all they believe Bush 41 and 43 are also involved and support the Muslim Brotherhood.

A Christianity that is hidden and without influence ( as clearly most American Jews prefer ) is in no position to guard against what the rest of the world desires for the Jews.

what I say is......let them face the consequences..... objectively, the Jews of America are all about money, period, with an occassional indignation for some percieved injustice, just so they can claim some civil right infringement.....

THE ONLY REASON I CAN SEE WHY AMERICAN JEWS VOTE THE WAY THEY DO IS THAT THEY PURSUE MONEY ISSUES ABOVE ALL ELSE....

Documented accounts of Jews who helped Hitler and the Nazis

For some damn reason, the Majority of Jews in this country are leftists, and leftists DESPISE Christianity and since Bush is a Devout Christian, they DESPISE him!!

Politically, as a group, the U.S. Jews are disgusting This is disgusting. Bush (and 140,000 American soldiers, 900+dead), saved the Israeli Army from a "death march" across Jordan and Iraq to Baghdad in an effort to stop Husseins money funding suicide bombers. The only other alternative was to "Nuke" Baghdad, but Damascus, Cairo, Riyadh and Tehran, would have to follow.

This is an ugly and insensitive question, but: Did German Jews vote, overwhelmingly, for Hitler in 1932? I hope not, but sometimes I have to wonder.

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