Democrats and Progressives: Don't Take the Jewish Vote for Granted

[ericson00]

Since 1924, the Jewish vote has voted majority/plurality Democratic in every Presidential election. Jewish voters make up a sizable portion of the electorate in many states, some modern swing states, like OH, VA, FL, and in states that had voted GOP from 1968-1988 but have voted Dem since 1992, such as CA, IL, PA, CT, NJ, MD, etc, which are parts of the Democratic electoral college wall, but all voted GOP by mostly small margins in 1988. American Jews played one of, if not, the largest role of non-black ethnic and/or religious (Jews are ethnoreligious) groups in the Civil Rights movement. Jewish donors have provided a considerable portion of the money needed to compete in modern campaigns, especially when Trump is going to rake in the Wall Street and special interest cash he used to complain about. The Jewish community has also played a large role in the LGBT rights movement.

When I see anti-Semitism here, which usually hides behind anti-Zionism, but frankly, just delves into standard Jews-behind-the-scenes tropes, delegitimization, demonization, and double standards, or uses names and terms and epithets about Debbie Schultz that I don't see other Dems attacked with, I kind of feel like not only am I not appreciated, but that my vote isn't wanted.

I used to think the Democratic Party protected people like me from anti-Semitism. I can't see that much anymore. I still agree on most of the issues with them, hence why I haven't left the party. But if you didn't notice, the 75%+ of the Jewish vote Dems had been getting since 1992 fell 10% in 2012 from 2008. Why might this have happened? Israel/Palestinians was part of it, but its not lost on American Jews the anti-Semitism coming from the far-left these days, being peddled on college campuses, and then being dubbed "progressive." Is it some wonder that of the Democrats who voted with the GOP on Syrian Refugees, that many, if not most of them, came from largely Jewish districts?

Gratitude and loyalty to constituencies matter. Democrats, don't take the Jewish vote for granted, nor think losing it doesn't matter. This country does not need a Labour Party-like situation.

[mucifer]

1. I am a 50 yo Jewish woman and I have to ask you a question:

You do know Bernie Sanders is Jewish?

A lot of us don't like DWS for some of the things she says and does. It's got nothing to do with her being Jewish.

[ericson00]

9. Bernie has been getting blown away in the Jewish vote

as polls have consistently indicated.

Go on Daily Kos, and search around this site; people don't merely dislike her; they call her every name in the book that they don't use for other Dem pols they don't like. Almost like how Ted Nugent called Obama a subhuman mongrel.

[mucifer]

12. I'm confused as to why you think Bernie voters are antisemitic

Why would we be Jewish and vote for someone Jewish and hate Jews?

I understand more of us vote for Hillary than Bernie. But, that doesn't make Bernie voters anti-Semitic.

Did you hear the joke about the Jewish man who spent years shipwrecked alone on a desert island?

When he was rescued he gave his rescuers a tour of the island. He showed them the home he built and where he ate and then he showed them his synagogue. Then he pointed to another building nearby and they asked what it was. He said "That's the other synagogue. That one is no good. I would never go there".

So I guess what I am saying is that many of us Jews are voting for Bernie and have a very strong dislike for DWS. There are also many Jewish people that support Hillary and DWS. They outnumber us. But, we exist and our opinions count, too. We Jews have diverse opinions.

[Wounded Bear]

2. We shouldn't take any voting bloc for granted...

Seriously. But I wonder if someone is misconstruing opinions about Israel with opinions about Jews? I believe we can criticize Israel as a country without being anti-Semitic against our brothers and sisters here.

[ericson00]

8. there's a difference between criticizing a nation, and obsession, and almost Derangement Syndrome

with Israel. The fact Israel/Palestine has its own forum here is a perfect example of that.

[cali]

10. You think even the most mild criticism of Israel is antisemitism

[Violet_Crumble]

11. Yep. Their transparency page is an eye opener n/t

[ericson00]

14. "their?" Are you implying I'm not a person but a cabal?

if you are, its exactly what I'm talking about.

[cali]

17. Absurdly paranoid.

[Odin2005]

3. LOL, standard "criticizing Israel makes you a Nazi" nonsense.

[Cheese Sandwich]

4. "anti-Semitism coming from the far-left these days"

Got any examples?

Doubtful. Much more likely you're calling any criticism of Israel government policy "anti-semitism".

[ericson00]

7. you're clearly not paying attention

when some say stuff like "the Holocaust was largely a white on white crime,", a university banning a Jewish student over a resolution, murals like this, people like Jeremiah Wright (who thankfully Obama ditched), I could go on. And these examples have little to do with Israel.

And I'm not calling simple criticism of Israeli policies anti-Semitism, but the constant Israel Derangement Syndome, or obsession, IS anti-Semitism.

[bermudat]

5. Don't take the Jewish vote for granted? Aren't Jews 2% of the population?

[ericson00]

6. Did you not read the post?

What about their placement in certain swing states, or campaign contributions did you miss? Or that you should be happy such successful people are part of the party.

Also, I don't hear you complaining about the LGBT vote, which makes up a similar portion of the vote.

[Redwoods Red]

13. Criticism of horrid Israeli policies does not equal anti-semitism.

Except in the eyes of zealots.

[ericson00]

15. obsession and blaming the woes of the world on it is tho.

[Redwoods Red]

16. That's your straw man, not mine.