One of Only Two Jewish House Republicans Weighs Switch to Democratic Party

National Jewish Democratic Council/USA Today/AP ^ | 6/05/02 | Staffs

[LarryLied]

National Jewish Democratic Council press release:

Washington, DC: According to the Associated Press and CNN.com’s Internet site, Representative Benjamin Gilman – a former chairman of the House International Relations Committee, and one of only two Jewish Republicans in the House of Representatives – is considering a switch to the Democratic Party.

Under the leading New York redistricting plan currently under consideration by the GOP leadership in Albany, Rep. Gilman may be thrown into the same congressional district as Republican Rep. Sue Kelly. To pass, such a plan would ultimately require the support of the Republican State Senate and Republican Governor George Pataki.

And according to the New York Times Internet site, “Republican lawmakers have long made clear that their first choice for departure is Mr. Gilman, because of his age and his relatively liberal politics.”

In a swipe at President Bush, CNN.com reports that Rep. Gilman noted, “Hopefully the White House will take some interest in our problem.”

“While of course we would very happily welcome Representative Gilman into the Democratic family with open arms, it is simply a shanda – a disgrace – that Republican leaders in New York and Washington would not be more supportive of one of only two Jewish House Republicans,” said Ira N. Forman, Executive Director of the National Jewish Democratic Council.

“Where are the supportive voices of President Bush, RNC Chairman Racicot, and National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Davis? For that matter, where are the supportive voices of New York’s Governor Pataki and New York Republican Senate President Bruno?

“Rep. Gilman is one of the all-too-few Republican moderates, being pro-choice and supportive of the separation of church and state.

But aside from that, he is a vaunted leader, having served in the House for 30 years and having chaired the House International Relations Committee – where he worked in a bipartisan spirit on behalf of Israel. And then, to add insult to injury, he is one of only two Jewish House Republicans.

Is it that the Republicans do not value the diversity of having two Jews among their ranks of 222 Republicans in the House?

Or is it that they do not need his political moderation, or his decades of experience?

Why is it that out of only a handful of incumbent House Republicans across the country who have been abandoned in the redistricting process by the Republican leadership, it appears that one is the pro-Israel former Chairman of the House International Relations Committee and the senior Jewish Republican in Congress?”

---

USA Today, 5625/02:

New York redistricting plan gets tentative OK

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Justice Department has tentatively cleared the New York legislature's redistricting plan, which would eliminate two of the state's 31 seats and could throw several longtime House members into election fights with each other .

The plan threatens the career of veteran GOP Rep. Benjamin Gilman, the 79-year-old former chairman of the House International Relations Committee. . .(snip)

Gilman has said he might switch parties so that he would have a better chance in the upcoming election.

Most Republican insiders do not think he will actually jump ship. State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, a Republican, has said Gilman chuckled about such a move with him.
FULL USA TODAY ARTICLE

[Twodees]

Wow, two responses to one little post. I'm so honored, Bill. Suuuuure you have no idea what I'm talking about.

[section9]

I'm not sure what your point is. The issue is where the GOP can make gains. Jewish folks strike me a prime target. Perhaps your idea of who should be a supporter of the GOP and mine are at odds.

Well said, Torie!

There are some ultramontaine folks who wish to make the party their own exclusive club, open only to those who believe as they believe. Naturally, they have no idea what they are talking about.

Jewish voters are a prime target for Republican efforts, especially younger, post baby boom Jews who are now in their thirties and early forties. They see the Bush Administration standing solidly with Israel. They will draw the right conclusions.

Gilman is in need of an Ambassadorship. Don't be surprised if he gets a top shelf European post or even Israel itself, where he might be able to dispense patronage.

Be Seeing You,

Chris

[Double Tap]

I've used examples in my own experience, people I went to school with and have known for years, businesspeople, with families and mortgages, etc. But their parents voted for Dems and THEY will vote for Dems and their tongues will blacken and fall out before that's going to change.

That is the truth. The same with most African-Americans. They may have conservative social or economic values, but seem to go on auto-pilot when elections come around.

[rmlew]

2000 was an interesting year.
The swing Jews did not vote against Bush or for Gore. They voted for Leiberman.

[LarryLied]

open only to those who believe as they believe.

Isn't that why we have parties? All I see are single issue voters maybe shifting to the GOP. And that shift, if it occurs, will not affect House races. So Bush gets more of the Jewish vote in 2004. He'll win if he doesn't .

Every major Jewish group in the country came out last week blasting the Supreme Court for the voucher decision. They are also firmly against any restrictions, however mild, on abortions. From gun rights to tax cuts, most Jews vote liberal. Only on Israel does the GOP make gains. when the big donors start supporting Republican candidates, I'll believe this shift everyone is so giddy about is really occurring.

[Leclair10]

I agree Illbay but supporting Isreal is not only the right thing to do morally but its smart politics, there is always a portion who will vote strictly on Isreal one thing that can be done though is if he can just get a couple of the big Jewish donors away it cuts off a huge DNC cash flow and that is always a good thing especially with these new campaign finance reform laws, it's funny though Bush has the number 1 trait every politician envies but few can get hes likeable and that along with his Isreal stance may rub off for another 6 or 7 percent of the jewish vote. Which should give him florida comfortably next time provided the economy is steady and the strength of his brother as gov down there.

[Torie]

Every major Jewish group in the country came out last week blasting the Supreme Court for the voucher decision.

I would be most appreciative if you would document that. I also would appreciate a comprehensive list of these "major Jewish groups" to which you refer. Thanks.

I flagged my buddies that are interested in vouchers. I hope you don't mind.

[jwalsh07]

From gun rights to tax cuts, most Jews vote liberal

Secular Jews vote left, the Hasidim vote right. With Bushs relegation of Arafat to the scrap heap of history, more of the middle of the road Jewish folk will move toward Bush and the Christian right who are the foremost supporters of Israel in this nation.

The high rollers in the American Jewish community are all urban centered. Bush isn't going to win New York City or LA but if he redirects some of that urban money and some of those suburban Jewish votes to the Republican party, watch out.

[rintense]

79? He should retire.

[Sgt_Schultze]

...“While of course we would very happily welcome Representative Gilman into the Democratic family with open arms, it is simply a shanda – a disgrace – that Republican leaders in New York and Washington would not be more supportive of one of only two Jewish House Republicans,” said Ira N. Forman, Executive Director of the National Jewish Democratic Council.

As if Ira Foreskin gives two $hits about any Republicans.

[LarryLied]

I would be most appreciative if you would document that.

ADL Says Supreme Court Decision on Vouchers "Step Backwards" for Church-State Separation

June 27, 2002 - National Council of Jewish Women Decries Supreme Court Decision in School Voucher Case

AMERICAN JEWISH CONGRESS SAYS SUPREME COURT DECISION UPHOLDING CLEVELAND SCHOOL VOUCHER PROGRAM SIGNALS A CONSTITUTIONAL COUNTER-REVOLUTION PLEDGES TO RESIST FURTHER BREACHES IN WALL

American Jewish Committee Denounces Supreme Court Decision Upholding Cleveland Voucher Program

I'm sure there are more.

[Torie]

Perhaps you folks could chime in as to whether this is a representative list, and whether any major groups have been left out. Thanks Larry for your efforts.

[dennisw]

The woman's group is a nothing org I never heard of until Lied dug them up. The others are fine organizations who do good for Jews and non Jews. They are wrong on school vouchers. Lied would like a world without them while I prefer a world with them.

Are you waiting for his "expose" of liberal Christian and Islamic organizations? You will be waiting a long time. I have never seen Lied comment on CAIR for example. He is Jew obsessed.

[Mamzelle]

Jewish vote going to the GOP)))

Actually, I never thought it would happen. It'd take more than the destruction of Israel to shake the liberal Jews from Temple Beth Hillary. It is ironic to watch the likes of antisemit Cynthia McKinney get kinder words from leftist Jews than the GOP.

I will still support Israel.

[dennisw]

Every major Jewish group in the country came out last week blasting the Supreme Court for the voucher decision. They are also firmly against any restrictions, however mild, on abortions. From gun rights to tax cuts, most Jews vote liberal. Only on Israel does the GOP make gains. when the big donors start supporting Republican candidates, I'll believe this shift everyone is so giddy about is really occurring.

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LOL!!  You are so obsessed with what Jews do. When will you be talking about the liberal organizations that are not Jewish? You are laughably obsessed, so much so it verges on a sickness.

[Illbay]

LOL!! You are so obsessed with what Jews do.

Er, care to read your post again? I think you missed something.

[Torie]

How come no one is making lists of NON-JEWISH LIBERAL GROUPS with the same policies?

It would simply be too long to fit the bandwidth unfortunately. I am interested though in knowing the major Jewish groups that influence the public square. It might assist in getting a more balanced picture. Or maybe it is only liberal Jews that are organized into political pressure groups outside AIPAC or whatever it is called. That would not surprise me either.

[dennisw]

Illbay ...you are not obsessed with Jews. You posts may be of meager value and insight but they aren't just about what the 18 million Jews in this world are up to. You post on many matters unlike LLied.