Cantor - McCain's key to Jewish votes?

Jerusalem Post ^ | August 5, 2008 | HILARY LEILA KRIEGER

[MeanWestTexan]

First John McCain enlisted the support of the country's only Jewish vice presidential nominee, Joe Lieberman, who ran on the Democratic ticket in 2000. Now he might tap a Jewish vice presidential choice of his own: Eric Cantor.

The 45-year-old fourth-term congressman from Virginia has emerged as a serious - if still long-shot - candidate for the VP job in recent days, though the McCain campaign wouldn't confirm reports that Cantor has made the short list.

Cantor, the House of Representative's chief deputy minority whip, is known as a rising star in the Republican party with a talent for fund-raising. He also has roots in the Richmond, Virginia Jewish community and is a staunch supporter of Israel - where a cousin of his was killed in a terror attack two years ago. Like Lieberman, Cantor is also an active surrogate for the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

[MeanWestTexan]

Similiar article in the WSJ today . . . .

[TonyInOhio]

McCain doesn't need Cantor to win Jewish votes (although I like Cantor as VP very much).

McCain has Lieberman on his side already, and he's running against a man who studied in a madrassa as a youth, who has taken copius amounts of cash from Hamas, and who has Hussein as a middle name.

[Vigilanteman]

55% of Jewish voters would vote for Adolph Hitler if he had a "D" after his name because they put their loyalties to party over their loyalties to religion. The party is, in fact, their religion. This is most of Hollywood.

Another 20% are not going to vote Democrat because they are solid conservatives and understand Republicans represent their best chance for religious tolerance and freedom.

This means McCain can really only target the remaining 25% of Jewish voters. 25% x 2% = 0.5% of the total population. Spread over several states, this means McCain is more likely to get bang for his buck by targeting a swing state with three electoral votes.

So if he's picking Cantor to target Jewish voters, he's stupid. If he's picking Cantor because he's a great American, it just might change my opinion of McCain.

[MeanWestTexan]

Keep in mind the source of this article is the Jerusalem Post. They understandably have a Israel-centric focus.

But I agree, I am for Cantor because he is extremely conservative.

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel, WOT

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

Cantor would be a solid choice on the issues, though I question whether the McCain campaign has the time to introduce a new, unknown face.

If he thinks he'll get Jewish votes simply because he chooses a Jewish running mate, he'll be disappointed.

[SJackson]

Where would McCain be without Lieberman, Kristol, Krauthammer, David Brooks, Norm Coleman, Milton Friedman,

Neoconless :>)

[Rudder]

The article’s basis is that Jews will vote for McCain because he picked a Jewish VP. I find that premise offensive.

[MeanWestTexan]

I was pleased to see this article recently:

Cantor lauds plan to deport incarcerated illegal immigrants

http://www.starexponent.com/cse/news/local/article/cantor_lauds_plan_to_deport_incarcerated_illegal_im_04_02_08_cse/12358/

[LRoggy]

“This means McCain can really only target the remaining 25% of Jewish voters. 25% x 2% = 0.5% of the total population. Spread over several states, this means McCain is more likely to get bang for his buck by targeting a swing state with three electoral votes.”

The reason the 0.5% is important is where they are located. By getting up to say 40% of Jewish voters, which is truly a realistic number this year (particularly with Cantor on the ticket), means a big difference in Florida, Pennsylvania and even New Jersey (NY is not going McCain) and Connecticut. Remember, it is a two-fer: one more for McCain and one less for Obama.

A Jewish VP on McCain’s ticket might well swing New Jersey, which is basically as good as picking up Michigan.

[WilliamReading]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/07/25/sheldon-adelson-gops-answ_n_114899.html

I never heard of this man before, but he has contributed more to the Republican Party than T. Boone Pickens.

He also contributes much more to the Republicans than George Soros gives to the Dems. He is also Jewish, by the way.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

That's right—most Jews would vote for Hitler if he was a Democrat and they'd do it because they are convinced that Republicans are all a bunch of closet Nazis.