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<> I take it you believe that Jews should vote for other Jews solely because they are Jewish? Jews are often accused of mindlessly voting for Democrats, but Jews should mindlessly vote for a candidate who does not represent their worldview just because he is Jewish? That makes no sense either. The Republican Party needs to make more of an effort to welcome Jewish voters. Far too often the effort is just window dressing, is insincere, and pandering. George W. Bush is changing the face of the Republican Party because he is a deeply decent man who does not pander. He treats all with genuine respect and friendship. It is why he is making inroads in traditional Democratic groups such as Jewish, black and Hispanic voters. It will be a significant trickle in this election but it promises to become a flood in future elections if the rank and file Republican member will treat the newly arrived with decency and good manners.

re: It will be a significant trickle in this election but it promises to become a flood in future elections if the rank and file Republican member will treat the newly arrived with decency and good manners.)))

This is a remark as condescending and patronizing as all heck. Like the Dems are some sort of arbiter of manners? Sharpton, Hillary, etc? I resent this. I find it rude.

I'd prefer -- "Jews would only join the republicans if those icky-poo evangelicals would just go back to their trailer parks and spend their time on something useful--like better dentistry." At least it'd be honest.

We'll see how many US Jews vote the pro-Israel candidate. I've been doing a lot of donor searches around synagogues' zipcodes and the money is going to Kerry.

US Jews to Israel...Drop dead.

"I take it you believe that Jews should vote for other Jews solely because they are Jewish? "

Not at all. No more than I would vote for a Catholic just because I am. is ask do they have the character and competence, and dothey represent by values and vision? Kerry doesnt, and I'd pick a Buddhist Republican over him.

But time and again, Jews shunned the party (republicans) that represents them better on economic issues and many values issues, and on Israel, for the party that showcases men like Sharpton and Jackson who have at times stooped to expressions of anti-semitism. That's reflexive Liberalism, not sane voting. Are 70% of Jews dyed in wool pro-abort pro-tax-and-spend anti-education-choice anti-welfare-reform weak-on-defense liberals? If not, why do they vote that way?

It's a valid question.

"Jews are often accused of mindlessly voting for Democrats,"

An allegation that is justified ...

" ... but Jews should mindlessly vote for a candidate who does not represent their worldview just because he is Jewish? That makes no sense either."

As Safire points out, Jews are about to do just that. Kerry will sell out Israel as the 'price' of Euro cooperation on things like Iraq (see also a Krauthammer column on this subject).

You are inferring the opposite of what I was trying to say - it comes down to voting one's interests intelligently. Look, the GOP was more favorable to the 1964 Civil Rights Bill than the Democrats, but somehow 90% of blacks voted for the post-segregationist Democracts from 1968 on. it's not the reality of who represents you, but the perception, and the Democrats beat the GOP on perception of "I represent you" to some groups.

I am glad you appreciate Bush's sincerity. But there have been plenty of sincere conservatives for many years reaching out, and plenty of Jewish voices in the wilderness for years explaining which end is up (including my favorite conservative activist/intellectual David Horowitz), and it is about time some Jewish voters figured out which end is up.