Reagan got 39% of the Jewish vote in ‘80 ONLY because he was running against Carter. Reagan should have gotten 89% of the Jewish vote in that contest. When the Dems ran Mondale in 1984, it was back to business as usual, despite Reagan’s superb performance in the White House. Mondale got 65-70 of the Jewish vote.
Too many older Jews in particular just can’t bring themselves to vote Republican. In 1980, 15% of the Jewish vote went to John Anderson rather than vote Republican. Older Jews cling to the ‘country club’ Republican perception while the younger Jews view Republicans as the party of ‘Bible Thumpers.’ These are generalities, of course, and account only for the 80% who are not Democrats and/or liberals.
But I don’t think anyone can deny that McCain did much better with Jews before he chose Sarah Palin, who scares the hell out of too many liberal/progressive/independent Jews. It’s not a rational fear, but it was played on thru the Fall of ‘08 by Sarah “The Great Schlep” Silverman and the like. I think too many fear an ardent Christian, even an ardent pro-Israel Christian, more than they do an Islamofascist.
You nailed it: “I think too many fear an ardent Christian, even an ardent pro-Israel Christian, more than they do an Islamofascist.”
They are afraid that Palin will turn the U.S. into a reglious state and they are paranoid of religion, Chritianity in particular.