Do you think he would break up the DNC hold on the Jewish vote?
“Do you think he would break up the DNC hold on the Jewish vote?”
You know, I don’t know. I’ve seen a lot of speculation on both sides. Here are my thoughts:
1. I do think identity voting (gag — think evangelicals for the Huckster, Mormons for Mitt, and blacks for Obama) is alive and well, so that will get some people over. Sad, but true.
2. On a more substantive thought, there is a LOT of dislike of Obama in traditional Democratic Jewish circles — old condo folks, in particular. Think George Katzanas parents in Boca. They vote Democratic because guys like FDR and LBJ (especially LBJ, believe it or not) saved many of their or their parent’s asses from the gas chambers. They think of James “Fuck the Jews” Baker and Pat “Hitler was misunderstood” Buchanan when they think of Republicans. This is a ripe area for picking, as these are conservative people who worked (generally in small businesses) for their money.
Having a “good Jewish boy” on the ticket may help them take another look at the RNC, especially when Obama has surrounded himself with anti-semites and is so weak on Israel. How much? No idea. I could see the traditional 65/35 (or whatever) going 50/50.
A marginal, but material, difference in some swing states like FL, PA, and OH -— where Jewish folk just happen to live.
No. IMO, if 80% of American Jews are agnostic, then 80% will still vote Democrat. Their liberal essence is truly dyed-in-the-wool.