Kind of a big deal, though I’m skeptical about how much it’ll matter in the long run. The bulk of American Jews are psychologically unable to give up on the Democratic Party, which is why that AJC poll has them (a) vehemently disagreeing with Obama’s most high-profile demands and his underlying logic (35/65 on splitting Jerusalem, 20/75 on Palestinian intentions) while (b) still approving of how he’s handling US/Israeli relations (55/37). Politico dubs the contradiction “confusing” but I think there’s probably a more apt description to be had.
Eventually their denial strategies will break down – currently they’re still clinging to the fantasy that US/Israeli relations are positive (73/26) – and then they’ll drift from “Obama supports Israel” to “it’s Israel’s fault Obama doesn’t support them.” Many will self-importantly intone that they “support Israel but oppose Netanyahu,” a sentiment that’s not only incoherent but also flatly contradicts current polling (the split is 57/30 on how Netanyahu’s handling US/Israeli relations). And yet there are already some trends in exactly that direction.
But in the meantime:
In an unprecedented open letter to President Obama, Ronald Lauder, the President of the World Jewish Congress asks the President to stop his public feud with the State of Israel and start dealing with real issues like a nuclear Iran. In a letter that will be published tomorrow in the Wall Street Journal and the Washington Post, Mr. Lauder takes the bold step of standing up for Israel and the Jewish people. With tension growing between the Obama White House and the government of Israel, this is the first time the World Jewish Congress has publicly challenged the conduct of American foreign policy toward Israel.
The full text of the letter is here, and it starts off with “I write today as a proud American and a proud Jew.” Probably a good reminder given the dual loyalty smears that WH staffers have taken to floating.
The One Jerusalem folks also claim that an upcoming McLaughlin poll will show Obama at 42% with Jewish voters. No way that number holds up. It’s not totally beyond the realm of possibility, since per Norman Podhoretz (Omri Ceren Show episode; full One Jerusalem interview) the Democratic bargain with American Jews is based on domestic liberalism. So if the demographic begins to sour on big government you could see a collapse, making that 50/48 split on ObamaCare particularly intriguing. But still – no way.
Even if 42%’s not an outlier – and I kind of think it is – American Jews will inevitably find pretexts to vote for the Democratic candidate. They always do.
References and related after the jump…
References:
* Social Science Confirms: Sheer Stupidity Only Explanation For Democratic Jews (Plus: Joe The Plumber Agrees: “A Vote For Obama Is A Vote For The Death Of Israel”) [Mere Rhetoric]
* 2010 Annual Survey of American Jewish Opinion
* American Jews back Obama on Israel [Smith / Politico]
* MR Has A Question For Democratic Jews [Mere Rhetoric]
* Jewish "undecideds" unhappy with Obama, Netanyahu [Rosner]
* World Jewish Congress Pres Ronald Lauder Stands up to Obama
* Full Text of Letter from Ronald S. Lauder to President Obama [WJC]
* Anti-Israel WH Officials Targeting American Jews With “Leaked” Dual Loyalty Smears [Mere Rhetoric]
* Why Jews Are Liberals with Norman Podhoretz [One Jerusalem Radio's Omri Ceren Show]
* AUDIO EXCLUSIVE :: Norman Podhoretz — Full Interview! [One Jerusalem Audio]
* 70 Percent Of American Jews Ready To Say “We Didn’t Know” When Obama Detonates US-Israel Alliance (Plus: They Most Definitely Know) [Mere Rhetoric]
Related Mere Rhetoric Categories:
* Jewish Politics
* Democratic Politics
* American Politics
