Israel doesn't swing Jewish voters

[ellisonz]

By Amitai Etzioni, Special to CNN
updated 7:07 AM EST, Sun November 4, 2012

Editor's note: Amitai Etzioni, professor of international relations and director of the Institute for Communitarian Policy Studies at George Washington University, is the author of "Hot Spots: American Foreign Policy in a Post-Human-Rights World."

(CNN) -- Mitt Romney is trying to cut into the considerable lead President Obama had among Jewish voters by showing that he is even more of a supporter of Israel than his rival.

After suggesting the Obama administration threw Israel "under the bus," Romney made an even stronger warning to Iran not to go nuclear, and pledged to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

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A recent survey shows that Romney will be disappointed. If Jewish votes follow what this survey reveals, Obama will gain somewhat less support from Jews this year than he gained in 2008 -- but the same will be true for other groups of voters, including African-Americans. And most Jews who will change the party they vote for will not "swing" because of his position on Israel.

For the vast majority of Jews, Israel ranks surprisingly low in their considerations as voters. Early in 2012, the Public Religion Research Institute found that among self-identified Jewish adults, 51% of those registered to vote cited the economy as the most important issue driving their voting decision. Fifteen percent cited the growing gap between the rich and the poor, while 10% cited health care and 7% the deficit. Only 4% cited Israel as the most important issue to their vote.

More: http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/04/opinion/etzioni-jewish-voters/index.html?eref=rss_mostpopular

Posting this in advance of any potential non-sense about Jewish voters in Florida.

[marybourg]

1. That doesn't mean that it's not important, only that

it's not the MOST important. Maybe it's the 2nd or 3rd most important issue to many. But that also doesn't mean that they'll automatically fall into line behind an obnoxious hypocrite like Rmoney just because he professes love for Israel.

[Behind the Aegis]

2. It is important, but it is not the factor so many try to make it out to be.

Too many, erroneously, think we are single-issue voters and, likely, think we are stupid. It is as it always has been...Jews are more loyal to other countries (now, Israel), and if "we" lose, it's the Jews fault.

[ellisonz]

3. +1

My Jewish family basically do not care at all about our policy toward Israel because it will not change drastically if Obama or Romney is elected (what happens within Israel is much more important) - we all vote on pocketbook economic issues as we see them (Democrats and Republicans alike).

[ellisonz]

4. I hope you're ready for a long election night.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/1251212533

:facepalm

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Jew-baiting has never been just a "right-wing" thing.

Sadly, some people on the left get sucked in; some go willingly, others are so filled with hate for Israel, they turn a blind eye to anti-Semitism, and others are mislead and express legitimate concerns. Honestly, I am not at all surprised by shit like this. In 2008, but especially in 2004, the left went after the gays. 2004 was really bad because gays got blamed by liberals/progressives and the like. I have seen the writing on the wall for awhile now...it will be the Jews and gays, again.

[ellisonz]

6. I fear you're right.

Anyways, my plan on election night is to drown my sorrow about the state of our human race in cognac and fried chicken. I'll be at the local Hawaiian restaurant/bar.

We, the people of Hawai'i, gave them a President, a wonderful smart President, and the people of this country crapped all over him.

Aloha.

[marybourg]

7. I don't think "stupid" is one of the

stereotypical adjectives used against Jews. Quite the opposite.