Jewish voters may be wary of Palin

[babsbunny]

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0908/13098.html


By BEN SMITH | 9/2/08 6:53 PM EST
Text Size:

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Barack Obama has struggled for 18 months to lock down the support of a traditionally Democratic group, Jewish voters.

In the past week, John McCain may have helped Obama with his Jewish problem by choosing Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate.

McCain and Obama are battling over a portion of the Jewish community: older, conservative Democrats, largely in South Florida, some of whom backed Hillary Clinton in the Democratic primary. McCain’s secular, hawkish credentials appeal to many in that group, who are skeptical of Obama’s relatively short record and have been deluged with rumors about his pro-Palestinian leanings.

But Democrats hope Palin’s social conservatism, her paper-thin record on Israel, and — perhaps most importantly — her cultural roots in evangelical Christianity may be a major turnoff to Jewish voters, just as Republicans have tried to reach women disappointed that Obama didn’t choose Hillary Clinton,

Democrats have already begun to to capitalize on the choice of Palin — over Jewish Connecticut Sen. Joseph Lieberman — in South Florida and elsewhere. A prominent Obama backer, Florida Rep. Robert Wexler, has attacked Palin for appearing at a 1999 event with Pat Buchanan — who has attacked the influence of the Israeli lobby in America. And the same factors that are rallying the evangelical base to Palin may push away the Jews.

“There is almost always an inverse proportion between a candidate's popularity among conservative Christians and secular Jews,” said Jeff Ballabon, a Republican lobbyist long active in Jewish politics who supports McCain.

An illustration of that gap came just two weeks ago, when Palin’s church, the Wasilla Bible Church, gave its pulpit over to a figure viewed with deep hostility by many Jewish organizations: David Brickner, the executive director of Jews for Jesus.

[Midlodemocrat]

1. My friend's parents, life long Republicans

in their 80s, heard that thing speak last night and called her this morning to say they are voting for Barack.

[Eric J in MN]

2. A month ago, I might have described "Politico" as...

...a rightwing version of the AP.

But since then, the AP has become rightwing, while Politico has been doing good reporting.

That is a good Politico article which you linked to.

[Ian David]

8. Politico is just waiting to catch us off-guard. n/t

[Eric J in MN]

11. Hopefully, they will continue doing good reporting for at least...

...two more months.

[Ian David]

12. Don't count on it. I trust them as far as I can trust Tweety. n/t

[chelsea0011]

3. If this Jews for Jesus church talk Palin sat through ever gets legs, Fl. will

quickly turn towards Obama.

[demo dutch]

7. I'm sure Wexler is on top of it!

[Eric J in MN]

9. Her pastor has described Jews for Jesus as a big influence on himself.

The appearance of a speaker from Jews for Jesus at their church a couple of weeks ago wasn't random.

[yardwork]

4. Gee, ya think?

[demo dutch]

5. Very weary because of her church affiliation

[jakem]

6. ya think?

[Wapsie B]

10. I cannot imagine how Palin would bring Jewish voters into the gop.

With her fundie background no way!

[TahitiNut]

14. AIPAC will do the work for her.

:shrug: They'll get 10-20% easily.

[Eric J in MN]

15. AIPAC influences Congress, not voters. NT

NT

[democrattotheend]

16. AIPAC does not endorse candidates

Nor do they participate in electioneering. I know Democrats and Republicans who have worked for AIPAC. They score members of Congress on their voting record, but do not endorse candidates or tell people how to vote. And Obama's AIPAC record is probably pretty good, so there's nothing they would put out that would dissuade people from voting for him.

[TahitiNut]

13. D'ya suppose she'll get the Michael Vick vote??

:rofl: