Jewish Voters Gravitating Toward GOP (Bush approval at 85%)

FoxNews ^ | April 24, 2002 | Katie Cobb

[america-rules]

Jewish Voters Gravitating Toward GOP

FNC
Bumper stickers showing U.S.-Israeli ties were handed out at a recent pro-Israel festival in L.A.

Wednesday, April 24, 2002

By Katie Cobb

LOS ANGELES — Jewish Americans make up only 2.5 percent of the U.S. population but they vote in higher percentages than any other minority group in the country.

Typically, they are known as staunch Democrats, but as more of the traditional left of the Democratic Party gravitate toward the Palestinian cause, American Jews are indicating that they place more trust in the party of George W. Bush.

"Prior to Sept. 11 on my radio show, a lot of people would call and say, ‘Rabbi, how dare you support a Republican,’" offered Rabbi Chaim Mentz, a Los Angeles radio talk show host.

"Now, all of a sudden, after Sept. 11, they notice there is a moral clarity which America never showed, which is an alliance with our brethren that may be living in Israel," he added.

At a recent pro-Israel festival in Los Angeles, Jewish American voters signed up to support the Republican Party.

	AP
	Rep. Tom Delay, R-Texas

"I want to be a Republican. Why? Because I’m disappointed in Democrats," said Claire Shpayer, a Jewish voter.

"The Republican leadership has been standing up for Israel. The Christian Coalition, which is part of the Republican Party, stands up constantly for Israel," said another Jewish voter, Bennett Zimmerman. "I think it’s a matter of saying that on many key issues I agree with them."

Of course, not all Democrats are willing to make the leap across party lines to the Republican camp.

"My issues go beyond support of Israel," said voter Ian Russ. "They’re also a lot of American issues, a lot of economic issues, with which I would disagree."

Politicians from both parties rushed to buoy their support with the powerful Jewish lobby this week at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., told committee members that the United States Senate stands with Israel in these difficult days.

"Israel has always had fair-weather friends. What it needs now are foul-weather friends," Daschle told the lobby group, which held its annual convention in Washington. "As long as I'm the majority leader of the United States Senate, we will be a friend to Israel in fair weather and in foul," he said.

Most notable, however, were speeches by prominent conservatives and members of the administration.

In a speech inspiring a standing ovation, House Majority Whip Tom DeLay, R-Texas, called the Palestinian Authority "a holding company for terrorist subsidiaries."

"Let me assure you this morning, as long as I am in Congress, I’ll use every tool at my disposal to ensure the Republican Conference, and the House of Representatives, continues to preserve and strengthen America’s alliance with the State of Israel," he told the conference.

DeLay also plans to drum up support for a resolution that calls upon the House "to remain committed to Israel’s right to self-defense," and recommends $27 billion for Israel in supplemental aid.

Speaking to an audience of approximately 3,500, White House Chief of Staff, Andrew H. Card Jr. said, "Our differences are differences of true friends — friends who respect each other, friends who share the same values and the same dreams, friends whose affection for one another is genuine and abiding and unshakable."

Gary Bauer, a popular Christian conservative and 2000 Republican presidential candidate, has also come out strongly with pro-Israel statements, as has the conservative National Review and talk show host Rush Limbaugh.

A poll of Jewish voters shows that President Bush’s approval ratings among the Jewish community are over 80 percent. Political analyst Susan Estrich said this is an opportune time for the Republicans to start dipping into the wide support Democrats receive from Jewish Americans.

"Right now George Bush has an opportunity that no GOP president has had in our lifetimes — to change the dynamic of the Jewish vote in America," she said.

[america-rules]

This is amazing ?

[america-rules]

This was in LA by the way !

[eureka!]

Only if it comes to fruition and stays there....

[RooRoobird14]

Susan Estrich worked for Dukakis's campaign and is a RAT through and through. It's hard to take anything she says seriously. It would be amusing, though, if this party-switching of the Jewish vote continues.

[DoughtyOne]

It is interesting to me that the Jewish populace is only just now waking up. When Clinton was sqeezing Barak into giving up the family jewels, and courting Yasser like a long lost piece of a--, the Jewish vote didn't seem to be fazed at all. Witness the support for the bossom buddy of Yasser's wife. Go figure.

[MEGoody]

It's about time they woke up and saw who was actually on their side. I can't figure out what took them so long.

[america-rules]

Foxnews played this news clip three times now yesterday and today. It figures nobody else is reporting it?

[NormsRevenge]

Oy Vey! What's Lil Tommy D'a$$hoal gonna do now? I Love It!!

SEMPER FI
Norm

[big bad easter bunny]

Florida.....Florida......Gore put the da in Florida....the Bush brothers are taking it out!

[Coop]

It is interesting to me that the Jewish populace is only just now waking up.

Curious, huh? That's why I'll wait to see the exit polls of the '02 and '04 elections before I believe anything has really changed.

But it is good PR for the GOP. :-)

[DoughtyOne]

Which is all the more reason to wonder what Susan is up to here. She's a shill from the get go. Perhaps she's simply trying to rattle democrat leadership's cage. "Hey, don't let this happen boys..."

[america-rules]

"Oy Vey! What's Lil Tommy D'a$$hoal gonna do now?"

Whine like a little piggy !

[a_witness]

"I want to be a Republican. Why? Because I’m disappointed in Democrats," said Claire Shpayer, a Jewish voter. "The Republican leadership has been standing up for Israel. The Christian Coalition, which is part of the Republican Party, stands up constantly for Israel," said another Jewish voter, Bennett Zimmerman. "I think it’s a matter of saying that on many key issues I agree with them."

Yep

[america-rules]

"Curious, huh? That's why I'll wait to see the exit polls of the '02 and '04 elections before I believe anything has really changed. "

If you watched the clip they showed a whole bunch of Democrat Jews changing over to the GOP at a Jewish picnic--It has to be a stake right in to the Dems hearts to see this happening !

[uncbob]

It's about time they woke up and saw who was actually on their side. I can't figure out what took them so long.

Kinda sad that Jewish support is only dependent on support of Israel

[MickMan51]

Where can we get one of those bumper stickers ??

[america-rules]

"Which is all the more reason to wonder what Susan is up to here. She's a shill from the get go. Perhaps she's simply trying to rattle democrat leadership's cage. "Hey, don't let this happen boys..."

She was just answering a question on camera to counter what was happening?

[DoughtyOne]

I agree. Thanks.

[Howlin]

Don't ever forget Susan is a FOB.

[nickcarraway]

No, no, no. Democrats believe they own their constiuent groups, and they must do whatever the Democrats want, even if it's agaianst their interests.

[wardaddy]

Fox did a thing on this last night. I personally have spoken with liberal Jewish friends in NYC and Miami in recent days who have volunteered the same sentiments to me.

I hope it sticks.

[Howlin]

I bet this will come as BIG NEWS to the Zogby brothers, huh? :-)

[nickcarraway]

No, no, no. Democrats believe they own their constiuent groups, and they must do whatever the Democrats want, even if it's agaianst their interests.

[banjo joe]

Seems as thought American Jews have always been liberal. OTH, go to Isreal and count the liberal Jews there.

[DoughtyOne]

Exactly. My blood has boiled many a time watching this witch rant.

[isthisnickcool]

Susan Estrich worked for Dukakis's campaign and is a RAT through and through. It's hard to take anything she says seriously. It would be amusing, though, if this party-switching of the Jewish vote continues.

Recent Estrich photo.

[Stand Watch Listen]

Sorry, but I am a bit skeptical regarding this 'poll'. Let's wait until the primaries are over and then discern the Jewish voters tendencies a month, a week before the November 2002 elections. Nevertheless, I predict that this segment of the Dem base will return to the fold and again vote their usual, habitual socialistic manner.

[Timesink]

It's nice to see them talking the talk, but I'll wait to see if they actually walk the walk come Election Day in November before actually believing them.

[DoughtyOne]

What's strange is that these folks really do support Israel too. I have never understood this one.

[Howlin]

I'm with you on this one: if she's saying it, it's disinformation.

[DoughtyOne]

Yes you are right, but being the liberal animal she is I'd have expected her to downplay, not build up the potential for change as she did.

[wardaddy]

Estrich is loud and shrill but at least she's self deprecating.

[princess leah]

FOX needs to keep showing the photo of Hillary kissing ARafat's wife and also her taking money from Hamas for the senatorial campaign!

[Pearls Before Swine]

This is amazing?

It shouldn't be, but it is. I don't consider myself Jewish, either in attitude or religious practice, but my 88 year-old mother does. And she's a stone Democrat. Jews may be a bit high-brow as a group, but most of them are as habit-ridden as blacks, or whites, or even Arabs. Fortunately, the habits aren't as obnoxious as those of the Arabs. Unfortunately, the habit ridden in the group decided long ago that Nixon was an anti-Semite, Kennedy was cute, and Democrats were pro-Israel. Once a one-issue decision is made, there's rarely a need to reconsider. If it is being reconsidered, it is unusual--and unusual is a big deal. Even amazing.

And America rules, indeed. Nice hande.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

The last thing Daschle should do to attract Jewish voters is to whine "like a pig"!

[DoughtyOne]

Witch...
  

[xp38]

Jackie Mason is in town for the next couple of weeks. Should I go see his show in celebration of this? I somehow feel that if any of my dollars go into politics they won't be to the junior senator from NY's party.

[bulldawg]

America rules - 50% of Jews under 30 vote for the Republicans? Astonishing - where did you get that statistic?

Also, what the news item fails to mention is that many Jews would have probably become disgusted with the Dems anyway because of the increasing numbers of black Jew-haters rising to prominence in the party - the "reverends" Sharpton & Jackson, Cynthia McKinney, etc. I mean, if you were Jewish in NY you'd have to be crazy (like Koch once said) to donate to that party.

Also, in the Middle East, where as the Palestinians used to just throw stones and ululate in protest, now they are well-armed. Who brought that about - good ol' Billy Boy Klinton.

[america-rules]

Thanks, Just before lunch !

[Bagehot]

Susan Estrich has become rather less left wing in recent months - she got dumped/cheated on, or something, and her Clinton infatuation somewhat vaporized.

[TopQuark]

Only if it comes to fruition and stays there.... Oh, it will --- if the Christian leadership continues to do the splendid job of showing that they view the Jewish community as partners and respect their choice to remain Jews.

Of course, the support of Israel is important. But what the papers consistently miss is that people like Gary Bauer not only support Israel but does so for the right, moral reasons. The Jewish American hear that very well.

It is only a matter of time. It has not been long since the Jewish community felt secure in this country. But once secure, they will show a lot more diversity in voting behavior. We should continue to disassociate ourselves from the bigots among us: this is will help with all minorities, not only Jews.

A religious Jew has a lot more in common with a true Christian than with the Leftists. Most Orthodox Jews are Republicans for a long time.

We should and will turn this country around and return it to its moral roots.

[VRWC_minion]

"They’re also a lot of American issues, a lot of economic issues, with which I would disagree."

Ok, fine list them. I myself cannot recall any issues that the RATs are for.

[exmarine]

This will be short-lived. American jews are nothing like Israeli jews. American jews' votes are governed by their pocketbooks (typical hedonistic amoral liberals) whereas Israeli jews are motivated by survival. American jews are liberals through and through. Just wait - the jewish vote will go for the Democrat.

[Bigg Red]

"I want to be a Republican. Why? Because I’m disappointed in Democrats,"

Finally, some people are waking up to the lies in the 'Rats party.

[america-rules]

"They’re also a lot of American issues, a lot of economic issues, with which I would disagree."

The guy who said this on TV was a middle aged grey balding man who looked just like one of the Taliban Lawyers defending them !

[Coop]

If you watched the clip they showed a whole bunch of Democrat Jews changing over to the GOP at a Jewish picnic

Oh, I'm not doubting the registrations occurred. I just want to see if there's a discernible difference in voting patterns.

[eureka!]

"We should continue to disassociate ourselves from the bigots among us: this is will help with all minorities, not only Jews."

So true, as well as everything else you said. Traditional Hispanic and Black families share so much more with the conservatives than the 'Rats. It will be interesting to see if there are shifts, as there should be. If so, we can thank a certain predating perjoring ex-President, his enablers in the presstitution racket and 'Rat supporters...

[america-rules]

"The last thing Daschle should do to attract Jewish voters is to whine "like a pig"! "

Bush will the in Dascholes home state in 90 minutes bashing little Tommy for failing to lead in the Senate. I bet "whine like a pig" will be a mild statement after we hear him after Bush talks !