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.
When I went to vote for President Bush in November 2000 I engaged a poll worker (who was a Jewish lady) in a conversation-- my registration had been changed to a different location since the address on my license changed & I wasn't sure where to vote. I commented in passing that my candidate needed every vote if he was to win Pennsylvania. This lady told me to go to the court house in case I needed an expidited registration. I thanked her and told her W needed every vote from Central PA since Philadelphia and Pittsburgh are Democratic strongholds. She then told me she hoped that I wouldn't find the correct polling place, thereby missing my opportunity to vote, and I was wrong to vote Republican. Needless to say I lit her up.
I have lived in New York City and the institutionalized liberal Jews there make me sick. They are the worst kind of socialist lemmings; worse than the Blacks who blindly follow Jesse "Hymietown" Jackson down the road of government funded entitlement. I could care less that Lieberman was Jewish-- he was not as competent as either Bush or Chaney when it came to Domestic policy, and now we have learned with foriegn policy as well.
I believe Jews who continue to support the Democratic party invite anihilation of our faith. The Talmud does not support the principles underpinning the planks of the Democratic party. Homosexuality, Pro-Abortion and limiting the right to defend ourselves are not part and parcell of our religion. The recent reformation in Judaism over the last century has diluted and misrepresented our identity as a culture. Liberal Jews cringe at the mentioning of "Family Values", yet it is precisely these Values which will help to preserve Judaism for our descendants.
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.
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.
Great post, I too believe that if the Jewish people continue to support the liberal (Dems) it will be the end of a people chosen by G-d to show all nations godliness. They must never waiver from the scriptural teachings, family values and a strong religious commitment to absolute right and absolute wrong.. Shalom