When it comes to Israel, Americans are conservative

Israpundit ^ | April 5/08 | Ted Belman

[tedbel]

I have been discussing the Jewish/Israel lobbies in the US.

Today I received the weekly letter from MJ Rosenberg of the Israel Policy Forum entitled After Bush. He advises that notwithstanding how important the resolution of the Arab/Israel conflict is, that "Other than mouthing the usual pieties about standing with Israel, candidates approach the issue with the proverbial ten foot pole." True enough.

He tells why.

Although most voters, and certainly most voters who care about Israel, favor active diplomacy to end the conflict, the loudest voices on this issue tend to be fervent supporters of the status quo. They are single-issue voters and single-issue donors and, accordingly, they have disproportionate influence despite their decided minority status. (That is the way it works in the current system. Those who vote and make contributions based on a full range of issues do not have anywhere near the clout of those who tell a candidate that their support is tied to the candidate’s stand on one issue and one issue only).

I have never seen any polls that support this conclusion. Where I sit, most voters who care about Israel don't want active diplomacy. There is nothing wrong with being a single issue voter and it is wise to concentrate your efforts. He seems to resent the unfair competition. Until I see a poll, I will not accept that those who favour the status quo are in the minority. Quite the contrary.

Apparently Daniel Pipes wrote on the subject just before Annapolis in Polls Together, Polls Apart. Evidently there were two similar polls that recorded vastly different results.

[justiceseeker93]

Ping!

[justiceseeker93]

I don’t have to tell you that the Israel Policy Forum detests AIPAC. If you read between the lines of the Rosenberg quote, you get the impression that they are referring to AIPAC when they cite “fervent supporters of the status quo” amd “single-issue voters and single-issue donors.” It’s simply a matter of envy and frustration on the part of the Jewish Left.

[justiceseeker93]

According to your "friend" Rosenberg, "...mainstream Israelis and Palestinians are almost in agreement as to what the peace will look like."

What an assinine statement! "Mainstream" Palestinians (meaning an overwhelming majority of them) don't even know what the word "peace" means, if a recent poll of Palestinian opinion is any indicator.

[firebrand]

BTTT

[jjr153]

Ted, your material is outdated. The “Daniel Pipes” piece was written in 1997 not just prior to Annapolis. This is comparing apples and oranges in a post 9/11 world.

[no dems]

But, American Jews ALWAYS vote overwhelmingly for the Democrats.

BTW, I am Pro-Israel. I just wish that the young, American Jews were.

[justiceseeker93]

But, American Jews ALWAYS vote overwhelmingly for the Democrats.

As an American Jew, I detest the 'Rats as much you for a whole slew of reasons, including their softness on Islamofascism.

Actually, statistics show that younger Jews as a group vote less overwhelmingly for the Dummies than their parents and grandparents. And in this forthcoming election, I will predict right now that the Jews will vote significantly less overwhelmingly for the 'Rat than in many previous presidential elections. Barring some huge unforseen surprise, I will predict right now that McCain (though far short of an ideal candidate) will get approximately 40% of the Jewish vote, approximately the same percentage as Reagan in 1980. That estimate might be conservative, especially if "Osama" Obama is the Dem candidate.

[Mr. Mojo]

I’d be happy with 30%, but considering this unique set of circumtances it could very well be 40%.

And those circumstances are...

A socially moderate pro-Israel Republican vs. an ultra-liberal with various ties to Islamist loons.

I think a lot of swing voter types who currently support Obama will get cold feet when election time approaches and punch McCain’s chad.

[SunkenCiv]

Thanks justiceseeker93.

[no dems]

Wow!! Thanks for the input in your Post #8. THAT IS SO ENCOURAGING.

Thanks again.

[Convert from ECUSA]

Ping!