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'Jewish Republican' Isn't an Oxymoron
Wall St Journal ^ | 6-10-02 | RONALD S. LAUDER

Posted on 06/10/2002 5:27:17 AM PDT by SJackson

Edited on 04/22/2004 11:46:36 PM PDT by Jim Robinson. [history]

Somewhere between the presidential elections of 1928 and 1932, Jewish voters switched parties.

Jews were historically Republicans, and they came, in the 19th century, for the most part from Germany. But the massive waves of Eastern European immigrants around 1900 swamped the German Jewish population, and the big city political machines brought them into the Democratic Party. In 1932, FDR sealed the deal.


(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
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To: SJackson
I am, of course, mindful of the social concerns of many American Jews, which are at odds with the positions of the Republican Party on issues such as abortion, the environment, and taxation.

Jews are, in many ways, no different than their gentile neighbors in the northeast when it comes to liberalism on this issue. The notion of the "conservative white Catholic voter" doesn't exist anymore in NY/NJ.

21 posted on 06/10/2002 7:29:33 AM PDT by Clemenza
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To: sabramerican, rmlew
Ping!
22 posted on 06/10/2002 7:30:06 AM PDT by Clemenza
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To: 1bigdictator
"Only 10% historically vote Republican"
I think this figure may represent registration or affiliation with a party but it seems low to me. As a Jew who was raised in a conservative Republican family I can relate to pressures within my community to support the Democratic party. However, I live in Central Pennsylvania and I know at least 40% of the Jews living in this region are registered Republican.

It strikes me as a little low too, though it's an impossible number to come up with. I've seen 15-20% Rep, 50% Dem and a 35% swing vote used a lot, and it seems to fit with the results.

Of course you've seen some changes lately, notably in NY, ie the mayor's race and Hillary's 58% showing amongst Jews in the bastion of liberal Jewry.

23 posted on 06/10/2002 7:50:59 AM PDT by SJackson
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To: Arthur McGowan
The Republican Party is no longer reliably anti-Holocaust, but pro-Holocaust Jews are going to remain with the Democratic Party, unless the Republican Party can be transformed completely into a pro-Holocaust party.

????????????????????

I'm not aware of either party including the Holocaust in their platform. You may be focusing on the wrong issues.

24 posted on 06/10/2002 7:52:22 AM PDT by SJackson
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To: 1bigdictator
Welcome to Free Republic... click on my profile to see one reason ( ther are more, naturally ) that I support Israel.
25 posted on 06/10/2002 7:53:21 AM PDT by backhoe
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To: uncbob
Kinda sad that Jewish vote is predicated on support of Israel instead of GOP policies in general

Actually, there's been a significant turn in younger Jewish voters based largely on economic and tax issues, and social security.

26 posted on 06/10/2002 7:55:26 AM PDT by SJackson
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To: SJackson
Only about 10% consistently vote Republican in presidential elections.

My family and myself are part of the 10%, except when I voted libertarian against my rino senator dick lugar. My father also admits not voting republican once, by voting for Mcgovern.

27 posted on 06/10/2002 8:00:29 AM PDT by hoosierboy
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To: SJackson
The Jewish people have traditionally supported the causes that have been detrimental to them. They are notorious Democratic supporters and have now been sacrificed in the new liberal cause celebre...the Palestinian state.

It is an opportunity for both Republicans and Jewish people to find common ground but traditionalists on both sides will probably scuttle the opportunity. Too bad that politics and Political correctness will get in the way of reason and justice. Maybe that best summarizes the Jewish attitude anyway.

28 posted on 06/10/2002 8:06:35 AM PDT by pfflier
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To: 1bigdictator
As a long time member of a Reform temple, the question of Jewish support for leftist ideals has long been of interest (and anguish) to me.

Though many explanations have been advanced, my pet theory is that Jewish "liberalism" persists because it is based in long standing tradition. Just as American and English political tradition is derived from Anglo Saxon roots which valued the individual, freedom and personal liberty, Central and Eastern European political tradition has its roots in the birth of socialism. And the great influx of Jews into the United States in the early 20th century came from central and eastern Europe, so they would have been carrying this leftist political tradition with them. Their political tradition has deep roots, it continues to be handed down, generation to generation.

I have at least a little hope that things may change, I personally belong to both Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership and the Jewish Republican Coalition. I have a close buddy (Jewish) who has seen "the light" and become a conservative. Though intellectually conservative, emotionally he still retains "liberal" instincts...tradition.

29 posted on 06/10/2002 8:26:54 AM PDT by Sam Cree
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To: Sam Cree
Excellent comments. Jews were not the only group to bring leftist traditions with them (Finns, Swedes and the German '48ers come to mind), but due to slower assimilation, never gave them up. Then again, even the Finns and the Swedes have never fully "left the Left," as evidenced by Minnesota and Wisconsin.
30 posted on 06/10/2002 8:46:57 AM PDT by Clemenza
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To: Clemenza
I love obnoxious goombahs LOL.
31 posted on 06/10/2002 9:11:34 AM PDT by weikel
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To: Clemenza
"bring leftist traditions with them

Thanks for your reply, I've given alot of thought to it over the past couple years.

Recently I've spent some time on the Reform Judaism official websites and am sort of stunned over the lefist philososphy that seems to be embraced by their (our) leadership.

Hard to figure out what to do about it, it doesn't get mucn discussion, folks don't want to be accused of anti-semetism.

32 posted on 06/10/2002 9:50:59 AM PDT by Sam Cree
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Comment #33 Removed by Moderator

To: Sam Cree
I hope you didn't take my post as a slam against "Reformed" congregations, as I too and a member of both a conservative and reformed temple. My anscestors came from Eastern Europe as well... I have no idea what thier political ideology was back then.

But I promise you that the greatest threat to world Jewry does not come from fascism on the right (i.e. Le Pen in France)but rather from socialists on the left. The French government refused to label the recent burning of Synagogues in France as terrorism or hate crimes because the perpatraitors were arab citizens who aligned themselves with socialist factions of the government-- and the government qualified its condemnation of these acts by stating the hostility was understandable in light of Israel's "occupation" of Palistinian territory!

What does attacking French Jews have to do with Israel? On September 12th, had French Jews gone out and burned down Mosques in retaliation for Arab-backed terror against the U.S. and U.S. Jews how quickly would the French government condemned this hypothetical retaliation? The fact is there was no backlash against Muslims after Sept. 11th because civilized people don't scapegoat a whole race or culture based on the deeds of a minority of them. But the French and the arab terrorists they sympathize with are not civilized; and liberals are not capable of making this distinction.

34 posted on 06/10/2002 10:05:13 AM PDT by 1bigdictator
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To: one_particular_harbour
Phantom Lord <---- Vacuums once a week and cooks dinner every night. Not to mention lets out the dogs and feeds them.

What else could she ask for?

35 posted on 06/10/2002 10:05:20 AM PDT by Phantom Lord
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Comment #36 Removed by Moderator

To: Phantom Lord
Phantom Lord <---- Vacuums once a week and cooks dinner every night. Not to mention lets out the dogs and feeds them.

I hope she at least "thanks" you every night for your hard work, if you know what I mean. ;-)

37 posted on 06/10/2002 10:07:34 AM PDT by Clemenza
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To: Clemenza
I hope she at least "thanks" you every night for your hard work, if you know what I mean. ;-)

Your not married are you.

38 posted on 06/10/2002 10:12:24 AM PDT by Phantom Lord
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To: one_particular_harbour
Your free to eat her cooking if you want. I prefer not to.
39 posted on 06/10/2002 10:13:03 AM PDT by Phantom Lord
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To: SJackson
SauronOfMordor's wife <---- Jewish Republican
40 posted on 06/10/2002 10:13:15 AM PDT by SauronOfMordor
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