REPUBLICANS AND ISRAEL, MAYBE: REPUBLICANS AND JEWS, NOT SO MUCH!

There has been some mention during the 2012 presidential campaigns that Republicans have attempted to make inroads into reducing the 70-75 percent Jewish vote that Democrats usually receive. Behind this thesis is the Republican generated myth that they have a stronger position pertaining to the issue of Israel, and that making that argument could result in attracting certain Jewish voters to the Republican side.

Of course, in reality, the Republicans do not have a stronger position pertaining to the issue of Israel than the Democrats and President Obama, where the record shows the provisions of more support and aid to Israel than any prior administration. The Republicans, as demonstrated by Mitt Romney during the debate of foreign policy, do not have any clear policy differences with the Democrats and Obama when it comes to Israel. In essence, there appears to be no real issue here.

What should be more important to Jewish voters, and something that has not received adequate attention from the media or the Democratic campaign strategists, is the demonstration by the Republican party of a pattern of insensitivity, disrespect, neglect and disdain of American interests and values of Jews. This contention is supported by a broad scope of evidence that includes the following.

Part of the evidence consists of the beliefs of conservative Republican advocates like Pastor Hagee and his ilk who believe Hitler was God’s agent to get the Jews to go to Israel. Additional evidence consists of the comments of various Tea Party citizens and elected officials, like Republican Tea Party Congressman West of Florida who have used Nazi and Hitlerian epithets in referencing President Obama and/or Democrats.

In the same light, we have newly crowned “holocaust historian,” Republican candidate Joe the Plumber (remember him?), speculating that any gun control in the America would be bad as evidenced by the gun control that occurred in Germany and allegedly contributed to the holocaust.

Further evidence consists of all the preaching of the Republican presidential primary candidates, including Romney, that Jesus had messaged them to run for president or that they were the best candidate to bring the teachings of Jesus and Christian interpretations of the bible to the White House. Paul Ryan, Republican VP nominee, clearly stated that his Catholic faith shaped his proposed government budget priorities. And, the Republicans in the Texas State House started a movement to remove their fellow Republican Speaker because he was Jewish and not a Christian.

From a more direct political standpoint, the facts show that Romney has stated that his model Supreme Court judge would be like a Roberts, an Alito, a Thomas or a Scalia.

Of the three Supreme Court judges currently serving who are Jewish, no kind words from Romney or Republicans. This coincides with the fact that Republicans have not appointed a Jewish judge to the Supreme Court since the term of Herbert Hoover.

Republican spokesperson Pat Buchanan has bemoaned the fact that the numbers of Jews on the Supreme Court far outnumber the Jewish population of America, about 2%. Buchanan didn’t comment on qualifications nor did he comment that men on the Court also exceed their representation of the population.

Last, the evidence is clear that voter suppression legislation enacted in a host of Republican run states not only affects African American, Latino and poor voters, but also Jewish voters. This impact results because the enacted laws and voting requirements also make it more difficult for elderly individuals and students to register and/or vote. While all of the elderly and students are potentially affected by the laws, the disproportionate number of elderly and college students making up the Jewish population will have a disproportionate result with voting by these individuals reduced.  It should also be noted that Republican plans to reduce Pell grants and other college student loan programs would also lead to hardship for the Jewish college student population.

Consequently, based on the foregoing, it could be concluded that any informed Jewish voter would not, in their own best interest, vote Republican, especially if they are basing their vote on the issue of Israel and other ethnic related issues. But then again, Republicans have been somewhat successful in the past in convincing people to vote against their own self-interest or that of the country. Finally, it might also be noted that conservative Republicans who so adore Israel appear to be unaware that Israel has universal healthcare, access to reproductive and other health care services for women, and legalized abortion.  One could question whether the so-called conservative Republican support for Israel would continue once they became aware of these Israeli programs that they so detest in the U.S.A.