Pact with Sharon Could Help Bush Among Jewish Voters

[DaveSZ]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12952-2004Apr14.html


What do you guys think about this?


Al Gore probably won Florida last time due in large part to Holy Joe working those Jewish retirement communities.

Would Jewish voters break ranks from the Democratic Party and vote for the Fundies who laud the 'Passion?' It's hard for me to see this happening.

Personally Israel has been really pissing me off lately with their human rights violations, but I blame Sharon and not the Israeli people.

[rockymountaindem]

1. My ass.

I'm Jewish and let me tell you it won't happen. Even if you think that Israel is our number one issue, then Bush still doesn't look good. He's the only one who tried to get Israel to restrain it's reaction to terrorist attacks. His record on everything is just pitiful.

[DaveSZ]

3. You're probably right

It will be a cold day in hell when you see a Streisand/Falwell aliance.

:P

[physioex]

4. LOL!!!

As a jew I hope you have some understanding for the Palestinians and their cause. It's just terrible that Israel gets billions of dollars in US Aid yet no politician from both parties talk about this money. The Palestinians get nothing and are forced to throw rocks at Apache Helicopters and M-1 Tanks. I also feel that the suicide bombers are the symptom and occupation the diseases......just my 2cents :)

[aquart]

9. The Palestinians get nothing?

Have you examined Arafat's bank accounts?

Not to mention the money that comes rolling in from the oil wealthy Arab states contributed by indignant concerned Arabs loyal and eager to support their aggrieved and mistreated kinsmen. I mean, they do, don't they? Oh, of course they do. With a cause so just?

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

22. I'm also Jewish, and I agree with you 100%. Plus, considering how

he is so closely aligned w/ the religious Christian right, I can't see this happening.

[Name removed]

2. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[aquart]

11. Ah, I know you now.

The Arab-American community supported Bush last time out.

Wow, their choices just suck this year. Maybe Nader?

And you really should try to read some history that is not on the KKK's best books list.

[Democat]

5. I think this was possibly the primary motivation

Bush was happy when he thought he had Jewish support before things went really bad in Iraq.

I think it's possible he's trying to win those people back over to his side.

[aquart]

12. BushCo is delusional.

Jews come in all denominations, like Christians, and don't vote as a bloc.

Since most of us are pro-Labor Democrats, however, tough luck, Georgie.

[IndianaGreen]

6. There are plenty of Sharon panderers on our side of the aisle

Notice Kerry's silence on the Bush/Sharon deal.

Notice also that when Lieberman and Hillary went to Israel over 2 years ago, Joe met with all the leaders there, including the Palestinians. (Kudos to Joe for that one!).

Hillary refused to meet with any Palestinian representatives.

[eileen from OH]

14. I don't call this "silence"

Within the linked article. . .

"That Bush's move was good politics was evidenced by Democratic rival John F. Kerry's quick move not to let Bush outflank him among pro-Israel voters.

"I think that could be a positive step," the Massachusetts senator said, approving of the Bush-Sharon action regarding both refugees and Israel's borders. "What's important obviously is the security of the state of Israel, and that's what the prime minister and the president, I think, are trying to address."

I think all of it - from both of them - is pandering of the highest order.

So much for the laughable "road map". I'm guessing the Brits will not be too happy about it at all as Blair pushed for the US to get involved. Don't think this is what he had in mind.

eileen from OH

[IndianaGreen]

15. The Sharon plan is a recipe for permanent war in the Middle East

It also violates UN resolutions going back to 1967.

Shame on all politicians that endorse this travesty!

BTW, Blair is being the good poodle. He has already attached his lips to Bush on the Sharon plan.

[sangh0]

21. So what do you suggest Kerry do to help stop a permanent war in ME?

You're very good at complaining, but I have yet to see you offer a reasonable idea as to how Kerry can stop Sharon's planned pull out from Gaza. IMO, if you put just half the effort thinking how Kerry might help achieve peace as you put into criticizing Kerry, you might come up with a clue.

[NEOBuckeye]

7. Sharon represents the absolute worst of Israel

...Along with Paul Wolfowitz and Richard Perle of the Neo-Cons in this country. I'd like to think that most Jews in America have already long ago seen these men for who and what they are, and won't fall for such a cynical ploy by the ever-cynical Bush Administration.

As I've said many times, it's a shame that a good man like Yitzak Rabin, who was genuinely working towards peace between his people and the Palestinians, gets assassinated for trying to do the right thing.

Meanwhile, much like a bad movie, Sharon's time in power doesn't seem to have an end.

I guess it's true what they say; The bastards always linger.

[DaveSZ]

8. I liked Rabin and Barak

Sharon is a wingnut who believes in killing over diplomacy.

[Jim Sagle]

10. Bush ain't nuthin' but shit. IOW, hell no!

[sir_captain]

13. There's not a snowball's chance in hell

First of all, you are, as many do, conflating American Jews with Israel. There is something ethically dubious about that.

Second, if you care to go back to the 2000 Presidential election results, you will notice that out of every possible ethnic, religious, age, gender, etc, breakdown, two groups stood out as very solidly supporting one candidate.

The first were Mormons, who voted 9 to 1 for Bush. The second group was the Jews, who voted by 80%! for Gore! Jews have always been, and will always be, one of the backbones of the Democratic party.

[DaveSZ]

16. Yes I realize I was speaking in generalities, but then again so was the WP

That entails some measure of ethical dubiousness to begin with, but as I am Hispanic, I'm a bit used to being lumped into some brand of stereotypical demographic.


The Democratic Party does welcome everyone, and we should celebrate that.

[MallRat]

17. Speaking as a American Jew...

...he hasn't won my vote. In fact, I think his endorsement of Likud strongarm tactics is repellent.

I think the best thing America can do is act as a mediator. The way this Administration has taken sides with Sharon portends very bad things in the future.

1. I fear that siding with either party in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict undermines America's role as a fair-dealer.

2. I fear that the pendulum is bound to swing the other way. The US has always had warm relations with Israel, and Israel serves a strategic purpose for the US. I'm a firm believer in the carrot-and-stick philosophy- if you want the PA and Israel to come to an agreement, make it worth their while (i.e. financial aid).

If the Bush administration is so visibly biased in favor of one party, future administrations may be very likely to cut off aid to Israel altogether. That would be just as wrong. Israel desperately needs the aid, and the US would lose all diplomatic leverage in the region.

I really miss Clinton. I miss Rabin, too. :-(

-MR

[newyawker99]

18. Hi MallRat!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[rockymountaindem]

19. Sound analysis.

Welcome to DU!

:toast:

[DaveSZ]

20. Well said Mallrat

I also favor the balanced approach that Clinton and Carter once took to the Middle East.

[pstokely]

23. aren't fundies more pro-Israel than Jews

nt

[Classical_Liberal]

25. More pro-Sharon yes

.

[fujiyama]

24. I find it unlikely

that it will sway greatly. It's true that say 5% or so could sway. If that 5% or so is in NY, it won't be a big deal.

However, if on the other hand, that 5% or so is in FL, then it poses a bit of a problem.

Ultimately, only a very small percentage of Jews will make "Likud Friendliness" their number one issue for voting. A large majority are more concerned about how Bush has handled the economy, the war in Iraq, the environment, and other issues. Bush is helped most greatly by strengthening his support among the so called Christian Zionists (the psycho Pat Robertson, Palestine shouldn't exist crowd).

[MAlibdem]

26. It's possible...

Jews are clearly very concerned about Israel.

Jews are also a high income group.

Put those together and you get some Lieberman dems who could go to BushCo.