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Poll Shows: McCain Out of Step with Jewish Community Values
When attacking Senator Barack Obama, Senator John McCain and his allies seem to have little regard for the truth. At the National Jewish Democratic Council we fight the right's fear and smear campaign daily. It seems that their rhetoric increases as it becomes more apparent that McCain's values are out of step with the values of the Jewish community. Released today, A National Survey of American Jews shows just how out of line they are.
McCain and his supporters at the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) understand that the Jewish Community is not with them on their issues. In fact, today Gerstein Agne Strategic Communications released a J-Street sponsored poll of American Jews which shows that 90% of those asked think that our country is on the 'wrong track.' The survey also shows that 55% of those polled believe that the economy is one of the most important issues deciding their vote, with the war in Iraq being the second most popular choice at 33% (79% of those polled disprove of President Bush's handling of the war in Iraq.) McCain admitted that he is not very knowledgeable about the economy and he is clearly out of step with Jewish community when it comes to the war in Iraq. In this context, Republicans cling to the two issues on which they feel they are most aligned with the Jewish community -- Israel and Iran.
When respondents were asked how they felt about this administration's handling of the Arab-Israel conflict, 71% said they disapproved. Although, McCain has a generally pro-Israel voting record he has some serious questions to answer when it comes to Iran. In 2005, McCain voted against strengthening sanctions with Iran by closing a loophole that allowed companies like Halliburton to trade with Iran. (Senator Barack Obama voted for it.) McCain also supported a Republican Party and President who presided over more than a tenfold increase of exports to Iran, which included dangerous items like military rifles and airplane parts. Their arguments are getting progressively weaker and increasingly vile.
Republican surrogate, right-wing radio host, and proud RJC leader, Dennis Prager exemplifies the types of attacks that come from McCain's allies as they get further away from victory. Prager seems to imply that Democrats are g-dless individuals who don't hate evil, "If you love God, you must hate evil...The GOP hates evil. The Democrats hate carbon dioxide emissions and DDT." In his speech a few weeks ago, Prager weaved from the offensive to blatant lies when he claimed that, "A President Obama would shut down talk radio."
Republicans, McCain, RJC, and their allies are embarrassing themselves. Someone should remind them that their legacy of ugly attacks and lies will last far beyond November 4, 2008.
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A very nice post--I'm just wondering who's in the Republican Jewish Coalition. My guess is Ari Fleischer and a couple of billionaires, because every election cycle, the local Jewish weekly (which I get at my synagogue) has full page ads exhorting Jews to vote Republican. And guess who is featured in these ads--Ari Fleischer! Perhaps after Mr. Obama returns from his trip overseas (including a stop in Israel) more members of the "tribe" will realize that voting for Obama and for Democratic candidates for Congress is in EVERYONE'S best interest.
See Aaron Keyak's Profile
To answer your question, here's a list of RJC leadership http://www.rjchq.org/Biography.asp.
The extreme right wingers in Israel control the political process in Israel because of the various coalitions They represent a small percentage of the Israelis. The domestic lobbying groups for Zionism also do not represent the opinion majority of Israelis nor even a substantial percentage of American Jews.
It is extremely unfortunate that the right wingers in the US and the right wingers in Israel have contributed to the mess we are in. It is possible for Israel to launch an attack on Iran, for example, but this would be a grave error in judgment.
In my opinion, these elements are using the insecurity faced by Israelis for their own political gains - mainly to hold on to power because of war - and to stifle dissent - the oldest tricks in the book.
False appeals to blind patriotism and nationalism have been used throughout history for this purpose. This conduct endangers Israel because it provokes a counter-response from Iran. The festering sore in the Palestine/Israel and Lebanon has gone on long enough.
McCain is out of step with most of my Jewish friends and associates and my Israeli friends as well. It seems that the Jews are being victimized again. Thanks for your post.
The Jewish Community? MC'Cain is out of step with EVERY community, except the super rich.
Gee. Is there a chance that Obama would shut down talk radio? That would be wonderful. The Rush Limbaughs of this world have done irreparable damage. We would be so much better off without them.
Neither I nor any of my Jewish friends and family are for McCain. We have always declared we will vote for the Democratic nominee.
The Bush administration insisted on the right of business to sell RIFLES to IRAN?????
See Aaron Keyak's Profile
It's pretty ridiculous. Check out my last blog for more on the trade with Iran since Bush took office: "Republican Hypocrisy, a Tenfold Increase in Exports to Iran" - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aaron-keyak/republican-hypocrisy-a-te_b_111463.html
Haliburton sold them Nuclear technology while Cheney bangs the war drums that Iran has.....
You guessed it, Nuclear Technology.
I'm glad somebody else was surprised by this, so I don't feel so stupid. I guess I need to stop following all these sub committee hearings so closely. I'm missing the forest for the trees!
Bush41 sold WMD's to Iraq. Bush41 & Bush43 plan: Let's sell them weapons so we can invade and force democracy and steal their oil.
Because of these two sons of Bushes, Americans will have to look over our shoulders for decades. They've made radicals HATE us.
Thanks for this great post. It's great to remind everyone that all American Jews are not agents of Likud and AIPAC. My NY Jewish girlfriend and all her Jewish friends and relatives are normal Jewish liberals, and thus strongly for Obama. Let's hope that American Jews of good will can successfully join the rest of us liberals doing all we can to drive the neocons completely out of power, by first defeating Hillary and next defeating McCain. Beyond that, we desperately need an antiwar movement bigger than any protests preceding the proxy war for Israel Bush's neocons waged in Iraq. We've all got to do all we can to warn Israel that if it is crazy enough to bomb Iran--thus tripling the price of oil, wrecking the world economy, and driving the world into Depression--Israel will not only NOT be supported in this action, but will be held accountable by the American masses for destroying the life savings in the stock market of their supposed friends. Israel and the neocons have already tripled the American price of oil since Bush came in, because of the huge deficits the neocons spent in Iraq, and the crushing of the dollar these deficits caused. The public is already furious about this. If Israel triples our gas prices in Iran, the politics of Israel in America will get very ugly indeed.
You present the "truism" of Iraq being a proxy war for Israel without a shred of proof. I can think of over 10 strong reasons for Bush to invade Iraq that have little or nothing to do with israel. Just on the face of it, it seems that destabilizing Iraq would immediately strengthen Iran's hand... this has obviously come to pass in a very big way. In whose imagination would that be a benefit to israel? Your incindiery post is not very well thought out, IMO.
McCain continues to take more Jewish votes everyday from Obama. The McCain Jewish gains are dramatic,. Obama next week is visiting the West Bank and meeting with Hamas. This will swing a huge chunk of Jewish voter to McCain.
In your dreams.
HuffPost's Pick
According to the J-Street survey Mr. Keyak cites, Obama is leading 62-32 among Jews. That's actually a smaller margin than in recent presidential elections-- for example, I think Kerry received 75-76%. But the survey is also on the heels of the tough primary fight, Obama is not nearly as well known as McCain, and the generation gap among Jews is even greater than among the general population. I suspect we'll see similar numbers by November-- upper 70s or higher for Obama.
not THIS Jew!
NONE of my Jewish friends, including solid Republicans, will vote for McCain.
NOT A SINGLE ONE!
AND THAT IS SAYING "SOMETHING" AS WE LIVE IN A VERY REPUBLICAN COUNTY!
Right on! Great to hear! It's time for the liberals in the Jewish community to drive the neocons into the sea, thus saving both America AND Israel.
Not this Jewish vote!
Have you heard that Israel has had a prisoner exchange, have you heard that Bush and co. have been following Obama's leads on negotiations in other parts of the world?
Facts, please. Cite a source. That is the opposite of the breakdown I've read in every poll.
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