Republicans gaining support among Jewish voters

Sun-Sentinel (FLA) ^ | January 26 2004 | Buddy Nevins and Lisa J. Huriash

[veronica]

When Dr. Joel Policzer voted for George W. Bush in 2000, the long-time Democrat felt he had done "something forbidden, like the first cigarette, the first drink."

Policzer, an oncologist who lives in Parkland, learned to vote Democratic at the knee of his Jewish father, a union machinist whose shining light was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. "Voting Republican was never an option," Policzer said. But Policzer, 55, did what was once unthinkable because he thought Bush would do a better job on national defense and supporting Israel. He will proudly vote for Bush again in November.

[NativeNewYorker]

I have to confirm the "forbidden fruit" aspect of that first vote for a GOP president.

Here in the Empire State, with our electoral votes always going to the Dim, I voted libertarian for many years, as a "protest".

But after 8 years of DIRT ex-POTUS, I thought the BEST f'ing "protest" would be a vote for W. It felt good, and I look forward to a lifetime of such votes going forward.

...I wonder how I'll feel after voting for Sharpton in the Dem primary...

[lilylangtree]

Realize this is in Florida. However, if this is the trend, then we may assume that when Hitlery runs again in New York the Hasidic Jewish community will refuse to be the swing vote again???

[veronica]

Not me. By the time I cast my first GOP vote I had been reading The American Spectator, thanks to a subscription my uncle bought for me, and I realized that I was a Conservative. Plus the Dems moved so far left. Their refusal to denounce Jackson's "hymietown" remark didn't help either. Now, save for one or two, most in my family vote GOP, and have for a while.

[George W. Bush]

A Jewish realignment to the GOP?

Often predicted, never realized.

I guess it could happen. The prominence of pro-Israel neo-cons probably helps. And the likelihood of a long-term GOP congressional dominance would mitigate toward the smart money (let's include Jews in this group just for fun) aligning itself with the GOP for practical political reasons.

For what it's worth, I think the GOP can get the Jewish vote away from the Dims much more easily than the Hispanic or black voting blocs.

[A Navy Vet]

Oh no!! You're electing a democrat!!

[NativeNewYorker]

The NY primaries are by party registration only. I'm a registered Dem as there's no real GOP party here. So I'll vote for Sharpton to f*** up the Dems!!

[Dr. Eckleburg]

IT'S ABOUT TIME!

[lormand]

Here is one way to look at it domestically.

The further the Republican party moves to the left, the cozier Jewish voters get with the GOP.

[pabianice]

Considering that so many Floridians are too stupid to use a ballot corectly, can we draw any conclusions about for whom they really wanted to vote?

[Dr. Eckleburg]

I agree. I know a half-dozen Jews who voted for Clinton twice; Bush in 2000, and are now vocal supporters of GWB in 2004.

People vote their self-interest. Period. Many Jews are finally waking up to the fact that while democrats might talk a good game, that's ALL they do.

[George W. Bush]

I'll believe if after the November election numbers are known. Until then, this is just more talk, like it has always been.

[Mr. Mojo]

50% of all Jews under 30 voted for GWB in 2000, so the tide is definitely turning.

[Dr. Eckleburg]

And yet the Jews I know who changed votes are the parents, over 30. Their kids, now in college, are flaming liberals or meek get-alongs who don't want to rock the boat.

The fact is the stronger the faith of the Jew, the more likely they are to support Bush.

It's the spiritually-weak reeds who bend with the liberal lies.

[Mr. Mojo]

The fact is the stronger the faith of the Jew, the more likely they are to support Bush.

Very true, but I know a lot of secular Jews voting for Bush. .....like Dennis Miller (although I don't know him personally).

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on or off this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

[George W. Bush]

50% of all Jews under 30 voted for GWB in 2000, so the tide is definitely turning.

Well, the under-30 voting bloc isn't exactly strong. I'll just say this certainly isn't bad news but doesn't really tell the whole tale.

If that's all we have to go on, it could take ten years before we see significant election results on this basis.

[Cacique]

ping

[shhrubbery!]

learned to vote Democratic at the knee of his Jewish father, a union machinist whose shining light was President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Was that the same Roosevelt who turned away Jewish refugees, condemning them to near certain death in the ovens? The same Roosevelt who refused to bomb the train tracks to Auschwitz?

It wasn't Teddy, I know that.