…………"David Ainsman really began to get worried about President Barack Obama’s standing with his fellow Jewish Democrats when a recent dinner with his wife and two other couples — all Obama voters in 2008 — nearly turned into a screaming match.
Ainsman, a prominent Democratic lawyer and Pittsburgh Jewish community leader, was trying to explain that Obama had just been offering Israel a bit of “tough love” in his May 19 speech on the Arab Spring. His friends disagreed — to say the least.
[snip]
“When Obama was running, there was a lot of concern among the guys in my group at shul, who are all late-30s to mid-40s, who I hang out with and daven with and go to dinner with, about Obama,” recalled Scott Matasar, a Cleveland lawyer who’s active in Jewish organizations.
Matasar remembers his friends’ worries over whether Obama was “going to be OK for Israel.” But then Obama met with the community’s leaders during a swing through Cleveland in the primary, and the rabbi at the denominationally conservative synagogue Matasar attends — “a real ardent Zionist and Israel defender” — came back to synagogue convinced.
“That put a lot of my concerns to rest for my friends who are very much Israel hawks but who, like me, aren’t one-issue voters.”
Now Matasar says he’s appalled by Obama’s “rookie mistakes and bumbling” and the reported marginalization of a veteran peace negotiator, Dennis Ross, in favor of aides who back a tougher line on Netanyahu. He’s the most pro-Obama member of his social circle but is finding the president harder to defend.
“He’d been very ham-handed in the way he presented [the 1967 border announcement] and the way he sprung this on Netanyahu,” Matasar said.
A Philadelphia Democrat and pro-Israel activist, Joe Wolfson, recalled a similar progression.
“What got me past Obama in the recent election was Dennis Ross — I heard him speak in Philadelphia and I had many of my concerns allayed,” Wolfson said. “Now, I think I’m like many pro-Israel Democrats now who are looking to see whether we can vote Republican.”.............. -- Jewish Dems losing faith in Obama
It’s my understanding that Perry is also friends with former president Fox of Mexico who is in favor of open borders. Perry also said that Texas doesn’t need or want the same illegal immigration laws that Arizona has.
A whole tanker load of the wet green stuff, talk about over the top silly.
Do you, or your immediate family, work for the Government or in a political job?
“We are fed up with being overtaxed and overregulated,” Perry writes. “We are tired of being told how much salt we can put on our food, what windows we can buy for our house, what kind of cars we can drive, what kinds of guns we can own, what kind of prayers we are allowed to say and where we can say them, what political speech we are allowed to use to elect candidates, what kind of energy we can use, what kind of food we can grow, what doctor we can see, and countless other restrictions on our right to live as we see fit.”
Loved this quote
I don’t know Rick Perry well enough to know if he’s the real thing or just another Huckabee. Or Jimmy Carter, who was also widely said to be Evangelical when he first appeared on the scene.
But I am persuaded that Sarah Palin is a real Christian. And no question that she is a friend of Israel.
Wonder how all the folks that support Palin and are Perry bashing now are going to react when she endorses him.
Governor and Mrs. Perry to Visit Israel, Jordan
Governor to Receive “Friend of Zion Award”
Friday, June 22, 2007 • Press Release
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry and First Lady Anita Perry today left on a seven-day trip to visit the Middle East nations of Israel and Jordan. In Israel, Gov. Perry will receive the “Friend of Zion Award” from the Global Leadership Council for his leadership in homeland defense, border security and economic development. The award, which is given to “leaders who have played key roles in promoting the close alliance between America and the Jewish state,” will be presented during a ceremony in Jerusalem at the historic Western Wall Square.
Support for Israel definitely goes in Perry’s plus column.
However his stance on immigration and mandated vaccines are still a huge problem.
I’ve stated before that I live across the country from Texas and because we can no longer trust the MSM for anything resembling honest reporting, especially about a Republican running for president, I don’t know that much about Rick Perry. However, he seems to be a fairly solid conservative and says the ‘right things’ I’m concerned with some of his Texas policies, e.g. the Trans -Texas Corridor, mandatory HPV vaccine (overruled by the TX legislature) and the fact that prior to his enrollment in the Republican party he worked for Al Gore’s campaign (1988). I’ve seen too many ‘rock-solid conservatives’ turn into jello-spine liberals when they finally get the office they seek. Perry has time to convince skeptical conservatives. However, for now, I remain a Sarah Palin supporter - because she doesn’t have to persuade me that she won’t ‘go wobbly’ if elected to the presidency in 2012.
Jesus was not a “friend” of any corrupt worldly government, Israel included.
I live in Texas and like Rick Perry a lot. I’m still holding out for my dream ticket, Palin/Perry (in that order) but if Sarah decides not to run, Perry is fine with me. I’d even like a Perry/Bachmann ticket (in either order).
At this stage of the game I’ll vote for just about anyone if it means getting our Dear Leader out of the White House.
Kharis13
***“And his use of public office to promote the Christian event was, to me, inappropriate.”***
I wonder if Ms. Rubin feels it necessary to hold Obama to similar standards. What’s that Jen? Didn’t think so.
can’t say that about ron paul.
Ooookay, then...
I wonder if Zeidman is aware that Romney's religion considers him and all Jews to be gentiles?
Is this true? Michele Bachmann worked in an Israeli kibbutz for a summer.
The fact that Perry supported Giuliani (pro abortion and pro gay agenda) in 2008 makes everything he says suspect to me.
If you’d like to be on or off, please FR mail me.
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