Posted on 02/13/2007 10:00:19 PM PST by Mount Athos
It is no secret that Jews in America have historically not favored the Republican Party. Several polls estimated that only 25 percent of Jews voted for Bush in 2004. Although disputed for of its small sample size, the National Jewish Democratic Council's 2006 poll showed only 12 percent of Jews voted for the GOP. The Jewish Community Relations Council estimated that Bush got just 19 percent of the Jewish vote in 2000.
Commentators in the Jewish community and party pollsters debate endlessly why Jews are not more favorably disposed toward the GOP. Jews are wealthier and more educated than the average American, generally oppose affirmative action and favor strong support of Israel. On these counts the GOP should, many say, have greater appeal.
Is it because Jews have an historical affinity for FDR and the party of immigrants and the "little guy"? Is it because of Jews' religious devotion to "tikkun olam" — repair of the world — which they translate to support for governmental social services? Maybe some of each but perhaps something else is at work
The dustup over the location of Mitt Romney's presidential announcement — the Henry Ford Museum — may be revealing. For Jews over the age of 40 or so, the name Ford means more than Mustangs and American innovation. Ford, of course, was a notorious anti-Semite, publisher of the International Jew (an update of the Protocols of Zion), and an apologist for Hitler who received the Grand Cross of the German Eagle from Hitler's Nazi government in July 1938. In many Jewish homes, owning a Ford was verboten.
He was no cultural icon.
Fast forward to today. As soon as Romney announced that he would make his presidential announcement at the Ford Museum, the accusations and statements started to fly. The National Jewish Democratic Council came out first, chastising Romney for making a pilgrimage to the site of this famous anti-Semite. Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks fired back in a press release today, saying, "I'm saddened and disappointed by the attack today by the NJDC against Gov. Romney."
Pointing out that former President Clinton had once said nice things about Ford, the RJC said that "The RJC believes that the NJDC does a disservice to Gov. Romney's strong record of support for the Jewish community and to their own reputation by their actions."
The NJDC responded, ""Presidential campaign announcements are as much about symbolism of the location as the substance of the speech. Mitt Romney went to a museum named after the most premier anti-Semite and xenophobe in American history. But his choice of location suggests that he should do his homework on basic American history."
It is doubtful either of these groups believe Romney is really an anti-Semite. Democratic consultant Dan Gerstein perhaps said it best: "I don't think Romney is guilty of anything other than obliviousness.
But you could argue that obliviousness is indicative of a broader problem with the social conservatives Romney is trying to court, which is a lack of sensitivity to the concerns many Jews have about their place in American society."
Indeed, the incident may say something not only about Romney but about the GOP's problem with Jews. In his boatload of advisers, Romney apparently did not have anyone to say, "You know, a lot of Jews really hate Ford, and it might mess up your message. Let's try Edison's lab to make a point about American innovation."
The GOP has become a rural, overwhelmingly Christian and Southern party. It is not populated by urban ethnics who, even if they aren't Jewish, understand Jews' cultural references and sensibilities. Ask an Italian New Yorker in October why the restaurants are empty, and he'll say "It's Yom Kippur, silly." You would never catch a Greek from Chicago saying, as a Republican from southern Virginia just did, that asking the state to apologize for slavery was like "asking the Jews to apologize for killing Christ."
In short, the Republicans are not just our kind of people, many Jews say. They don't sound like us, they don't talk like us and they don't understand us. Unless and until that changes, Jews likely will likely be voting overwhelmingly Democratic for years to come.
Communist democrats are anti-Christian as well, the 2 groups have a mutual interest.
Because Liberalism is a mental disorder, and Jews are as subject to infection as others. I say that as a Jew now very happily living in the free state of Texas, away from the gun-grabbing, regulation-loving tax ghouls in my (former) home state of NJ. Many of my relatives are infected, but some (like 2 of my uncles) have been cured.
So I suppose by the logic of the article the symbolism of speaking in the Ford Museum is more important then the fact that Hillary was smooching the wife of a multi millionaire terrorist, a man sworn to the annihilation of Israel?
And the "Christian GOP" has been the best friend Israel has EVER had....
It could be argued further that Liberal Jews have been among the biggest enemies Israel has ever had. At least they vote with Israel's enemies.
Go figure. (At least it seems Joe Lieberman has).
There's nothing to understand. Its the block mentality moron vote, just like the black vote. Both side with Democraps. Democraps are the instigators of racism, anti semitism, the Klan and support everything Israel is against. Both together are a large voting block....an incredible stupid voting block. Its like being black for the Klan and Jews for Nazi's!
The author juxtaposed some ordinary facts and statistics with far left-wing victim fetishing. She pretended there is a narrative that encompasses both. ABC published this piece because the result is pretty good anti-GOP propaganda.
For your ping list?
Jews hate Christians and Republicans, and love Democrats. Democrats love Islamics, and hate Christians and Republicans. Islamics hate Christians and Republicans, and really hate Jews, enough to want them all dead. What do they all have in common? They all hate Christians and Republicans. This actually makes sense for Islamists, in a way, but Jews must have a death wish, because after the Christians and Republicans are defeated, the Democrats will be no help to the Jews.
So, long story short, Romney's a Nazi, according to this RAT?
"Jews are wealthier and more educated than the average American"
Yet they are bent on suicide as a group by voting for their enemies...
If the Jewish people knew anything about WWII and FDR they would never vote for a RAT. Of course, if blacks knew anything about the history of slavery and the RATs, they would never vote for a RAT. And yet both do.
After having an Israeli girlfriend for almost 4 years (she's not political) I have an idea why:
Most of the Jewish people I've met aren't much different than the run of the mill average media influenced voter. They go along with what the "elite" and the "intellectuals" "think". Actually the only friends she had that really knew anything about politics were VERY conservative, her one friend has been a confidant and worked closely with Bibi forever.
The rest of them can only parrot the same ridiculous hack arguments you always hear, no depth of political thought whatsoever, even though they're successfull and good at what THEY know. There is also a component of having Republicans called "Nazis" for about 30 years that doesn't help. The Christian "right" they either believe or have been told that Jews are going to hell.
Lastly, it seems that except for the Hasidics the democrat Jewish voter if religious at all belongs to a "reform" synagogue, the only difference in the philosophy and thought from let's say an Al Sharpton rally in thier view of Republicans is the color of their skin.
This religioius phenomenom is becoming more popular in churches of all denominations. Jesus would have loved everyone and been a multiculturalist, communal living hippie if he were around today. Love of money is the root of all evil, except they leave out the "Love of" part. It's a VERY liberal philosophy, one that the left encourages, a religion where there are no moral absolutes, no judgements, etc.
Because we live in America most of what we do is still relatively unregulated ... at least compared to the rest of the world. So people still go around their everyday lives thinking more about what they and their families and their friends and their companies can do to better their lives.
Candidates and parties are still viewed as these abstract figures floating in the distance that may or may not have some real impact on their lives.
So people continue to vote, not their pocketbooks, but their guts as to who they feel more comfortable having a beer with.
City folks prefer seemingly erudite and urban Democrats.
It would be interesting to compare the votes of urban Jews, to suburban Jews, to rural Jews and see if there is any difference in voting patterns.
The reason is simple:
Liberal American Jews are Liberals before they are Americans, and before they are Jews.
Liberalism takes precedence over anything else.
I've got two liberal Jewish friends I sometimes discuss this with. Intellectual purpose means a lot to the two of them, more than even self-interest. The more moderate of the two does feel conflicted about this, but even the leftier one knows it's screwed up. Still, they're not going to change.
For what it's worth, I can understand it; if you see it as an integrity issue, anyone can understand it. I just think it's crazy. When we talk politics, we respect each other's beliefs because we're friends, but sometimes I pick up a little "no, you're OK, but those other guys ..."
And, in fairness, that's how I sometimes feel about them, so around and around we go. Sigh.
Most Liberals I talk to vote like they are rooting for their favorite sports team.
They don't know jack about economics or history - they just want to be on the side of the winner.
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