Posted on 09/21/2004 11:01:38 PM PDT by Cinnamon Girl
If the word is put out that former White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer is in town to speak at a local synagogue about Israel and President Bush, will he be able to fill the room? In Beverly Hills?
Yes.
Somewhere around 700 Jews showed up to hear Ari tonight. It was a mixed crowd, really mixed, with college age guys, young professionals, many Holocaust survivors, and the middle age set. I really looked around. These are people that none of the polls are identifying. Frankly, I think the polls about "Jewish voters" are frauds. How do they know who is Jewish? Do they ask? I wouldn't tell someone who called me on the phone and asked. If someone asked me, "hi, we're taking a voter survey. Are you Jewish?" I'd hang up in their face.
Anyway, Ari had a lot of great stories I'd never heard before. He told how when he first came to Texas to work for then Governor Bush, he'd introduce himself and Texans would ask: "R. E. As in R period E period?" And how President Bush called him "Ari Bob." He told how it was a dream come true to be the press secretary.
And then the inside stories, (which he'll probably put in a book soon) about President Bush telling world leaders during private meetings in the Oval office that meeting with Arafat or dealing with him as a representative in any way is undermining the peace. It was kind of neat to think about these meetings we see photos of, with various European and Arab leaders seated in wingback chairs, chit-chatting in suits and ties-- that in these meetings, President Bush was actually laying it on the line, telling them that Israel has to be able to defend herself, that Arafat is in the way.
"President Bush is the best friend to Israel ever," Ari declared, to strong applause. That was the thrust of his speech. He mentioned how in 1998, President Bush took a helicopter tour of Israel with Ariel Sharon and when Sharon pointed out the narrowest part of Israel, only a few miles, based on pre-1967 borders, President Bush said, "we have driveways in Texas longer than that."
Ari made some jokes about his liberal parents, and the WH press core, including Helen (the fact that everyone laughed when he said, during Q & A time, that "Helen gets the first question," indicated that a lot of people in the room were Ari fans from way back.)
Yes, there were some interesting characters who got in line to ask questions, including "Melrose Larry Green" and a liberal woman who held up a copy of National Geographic and asked Ari what was going to be done about global warming. She kept asking questions about the Kyoto treaty, and what about the children, blah blah blah, and Ari was graciously answering her questions, but meanwhile the college age guys were yelling out "YOU'RE DONE" to the lady until she finally left. We were all reminded, as Ari answered questions and handled the crowd, that he is sorely missed in the White House and he is a real pro.
It was an uplifting night. Thanks, Ari.
Interesting story about Ari.....
Jews who believe that evil exists and must be destroyed (with military action): most Israelis, Holocaust survivors, Orthodox/traditional Jews, Jews from countries who have experienced anti-semitic violence first hand. These are the people who understand President Bush's language and believe in fighting those who wish to kill us.
Thanks for posting such a great story about Ari, he is sorely missed. I just think that he is so darned cute, and with a great personality and intellect to match.
and a liberal woman who held up a copy of National Geographic and asked Ari what was going to be done about global warming. She kept asking questions about the Kyoto treaty, and what about the children, blah blah blah,
(what he should of said)
I'm going to tell you to shut up, you're putting waaay to much hot air.
But then that's one reason why I make air filters and he was press secretary to the President.
He was a very good press secretary. You headline teased me: I thought he is back at his job there. I wish he would.
Thanks for the report.
Was there ever a press secretary so popular as Ari?
In the recent poll (that generated a number of articles discussed here) about Jewish vote, a separate poll of Former Soviet Union Jewish immigrants no less than in the liberal New York showed their support for Bush:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1223612/posts: In a separate survey of Russian Jews in New York City, to be released early next month, the American Jewish Committee found that 54 percent of Jews from the former Soviet Union would vote for President Bush, 14 percent for Senator Kerry, and 25 percent still undecided.
He needs to talk to Karen Hughes and see how she has balanced family and work. We need him!!
I hope you like leather. I've spoken to my immediate family who all live on the east coast and were Gore voters. They aren't merely voting for Bush, they are successfully convincing their cousins in the Philadelphia and NYC areas to be "Ed Koch Bush voters", to vote for the GOP for the first times in their lives in the upcoming presidential election.
I missed the event, which was in my back yard, due to a hard drive crash and the subsequent insanity that follows.
Great coverage CG!
Boy do we miss Ari! Scott is a good man, but he's just not as smooth with the rotten WH press corps.
Thanks..very profound and understandable. I always have been a little bugged by the leanings of a race that seems to be on the forefront spinning for Kerry. For one Ari there seems to be 1000 Bob Shrums.
I tought that eliminating scuds that targeted Tel Aviv could awaken the mislead.
You have clarified some issues for me, and for that, Mahalo.
Hey, where yah been? Ben's going to be in town soon for taping of Dennis Miller. Let's all go!
One CANNOT be a socialist, social-communist (whatever the hell that is),or communist and still be a practising Jew...sorry it don't work that way. There are those folks who claim to be Jewish by heritage or "culture" but do not practise anything of the religion. Fact is lefties are lefties and will always vote lefty nothing new in any of that
Then again I have to admit I do not understand your post to me at all....maybe you have never seen a Celebrity Death Match and that's where your confusion lies
Sounds great. FR isn't the best way to leave me a message, though.
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