The recent Pew Research Poll got a lot of publicity because of its findings that the 11% of Americans who believed that Obama is Muslim in 2008, has increased significantly to 18% in 2010. This shift is now probably greater because this survey was done before Obama expressed his opinion on the Ground Zero Mosque.
Because of the “Is Obama Muslim?” question, the press missed another – perhaps even more significant – finding in that study. Recall that when Obama was elected, Jews overwhelmingly voted for him. 78% of Jews the, second largest ethnic group behind only African-Americans, voted for Obama. In 2008, only 20% of Jews identified or leaned Republican.
Back when George H. W. Bush was president, his Secretary of State and advisor, James Baker, famously quipped: “F**k the Jews. They don’t vote for us anyhow.” I suspect, that after the Obama team saw the Jews’ unquestioning support for his candidacy someone in Omaba’s White House must have said: “F**K the Jews. They WILL vote for us anyway.” And, we see the results of Obama’s Muslim outreach (nothing positive) and pressure on Israel (nothing positive). Jews are starting to get it.
A significant change has occurred since 2008. According to this same Pew Research Poll 33% of Jews now identify or lean Republican. Obama has helped increase membership in the Republican Jewish Coalition!
This will affect the Senate race in PA where Democrat Joe Sestak, is being criticized for his pro-Palestinian anti-Israel positions. (His recent endorsement by the former R Senator, Chuck Hagel, who was NO friend of Israel, has further illuminated Sestak’s anti-Israel bias.) Loyal Jewish D’s may stay home in November rather that vote for Sestak. The independent Jews will vote for Toomey. This shift in Jewish party allegiance from D to R will help Pat Toomey win PA’s Senate seat in November.
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ReplyDeleteI am really impressed with your blog, so far. You are making great analysis, and I like your rules on the right hand column. I would suggest you change the background though. The books are kinda ugly. Also, there is too much space between each paragraph.
But other than that, I like it!
I really like the blog too! Not to get into a heated debate with Trevor, but I don't mind the books, and I like the space between paragraphs. It makes it easier to read. I like the analysis and appreciate your attempt to KISS (keep it simple, stupid). As time warrants, I wouldn't mind a little more detail and some discussion on other issues regarding a candidate besides Israel. Not because of the other issues, per se, but to understand the whole candidate's mind set and not just the singularity of one aspect.
ReplyDeleteNice job!