Poll: US Jews back Democratic candidates over Bush

[kskiska]

U.S. Jews would overwhelmingly support any major Democratic candidate over President George W. Bush if the election were held today, according to the 2004 Annual Survey of American Jewish Opinion.

Joe Lieberman, the only Jewish candidate, would defeat Republican Bush by the largest margin, 71 percent to 24%, the poll found.

In one-on-one matchups with the president, Howard Dean, Wesley Clark, John Kerry and Richard Gephardt would each receive about 60 percent of the Jewish vote, compared to about 30% for Bush, according to the survey conducted for the American Jewish Committee and released Monday.

(snip)

Still, Republican leaders have been courting Jews, and the poll did find a slight increase in the percentage who considered themselves Republican, from 9% in 2000 to 16% in 2004.

However, more than half of those surveyed identified themselves as Democrats. About one-third said they were independent.

more…
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1073881738148&p=1008596981749

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. And this is going to continue as soon as people

realize that Presscott Bush funded I G Farben

[mobuto]

5. That's just ridiculous

George Dubya should be held to account for his own failings, not those of his grandfather. To do so flies in the face of the principles on which are country was built - that we are judged by who we ourselves are, and not who our ancestors were or where they came from.

I have to make this point on pure principle. I have no use for this President. But this claim is totally spurious. And I have to oppose it, just as I oppose those who attack Jack Kennedy because his father was not pure as the driven snow.


((On edit: Not that I think its really relevant, but I might just add as an aside that I am Jewish and that relatives of mine were slave workers for I G Farben.))

[Skip Intro]

7. some things run in a family

simple, I know, but doesn't a doctor ask if heart disease, for example, runs in your family.

bush* has done far enough on his own to deserve impeachment and whatever comes after that, so I agree that judging him by his family isn't right, but the comparision is valid, imho, because some things run in the family, some families have less than laudable agendas. Greed and power can create monsters. Does that apply to bush, or the other one?

Not to mention Camp X-ay (who thought that up?) and free speach zones and patriot act and unprovoked war and... When taken together, his regime's current actions and that of that era, it seems a valid comparison to me.

[mobuto]

21. Guilt does not run in families

We are not stained by the crimes of our forefathers. If we were, I know I for one would be in a whole heap of trouble.

You can quibble all you want, but there are no shortage of substantive reasons for voting against George W. Who is grandfather was is simply not one of them.

[aquart]

9. Yeah, that's my cousin's argument.

I'll just point out that the Kennedys have instilled in their wealthy, trust-funded young a sense of public service. Teddy, who is never going to be president doesn't have to put in all those hours on all those committees. Neither do the sundry other Kennedys who have gone into public service work.

The Bush family, however, has no intention of doing anything for the public good. The record is frighteningly clear on that. They are in government for power and money and it doesn't matter who dies so they can get it.

Me, I detect a subtle difference between the two families and the paths they have taken since their unsavory beginnings.

[noonwitch]

22. I have to agree with the public service mentality being a Kennedy value

and not a Bush one. A lot of the young Kennedys are involved in various public service programs. Teddy's oldest son is an advocate for the disabled, one of Robert's sons is involved in environmental causes, etc.
Granted, some of them have had their problems with drugs and alcohol over the years, but it seems like all of the Bush youngsters are screwed up, at least W's and Jeb's kids.

[PartyPooper]

2. Well, this is great news!

:bounce:

[salinen]

3. That's why

Dennis Preager, Michael Medved, Richard Perle, David Horowitz, Bernard Goldstein, et. al. can kiss my jewish ass.

[bluestateguy]

4. We should do fine with Jews

Clark or Kerry will poll just as well as Clinton or Gore (high 70's) with Jews. Dean? he could put us back into Carter/Mondale/Dukakis territory with Jews (low 60's to 70).

[wildwww2]

10. Let`s see. His Jewish wife going to deflect Jews like you say? I do not

buy that bull manure for a nanosecond. It does not compute. Plus anyone who is not hoodwinked or a neo-con can tell Bu$h Inc. have the muslims to persecute. And most Jews I know believe in freedom of all religions. Bu$h and his maggots want to push their christianity on everyone. And the way my fascist brothers in law have turned my gullible sisters into pickles type stepford wifes. I know that is what they are up to. And so do most intelligent people.
Peace
Wildman
Al Gore is My President

[RogueTrooper]

13. Do you have proof of those voting statistics?

enquiring minds...

[Marian]

17. Yeah, you're right

We need to prove our loyalty

It's not enough to be the preponderance of the civil rights movement, including the non-African American deaths; including in 1979 when only Jews and African-Americans were murdered by KKK and police in Carolina.

Schumer, Boxer, Wellstone, Feingold; you're right; we are suspect. Especially when Nixon was so anti-Semitic!


It's obvious to any thinking person that only Jews must go through the inquisition again.

[RogueTrooper]

25. I beg your pardon

What do you mean?

I just wanted to know if the poster could back up their assertions, regarding Jewish-American voting patterns with facts.

[a_random_joel]

28. Jews have CONSISTENTLY and HISTORICALLY

voted Democratic/Progressive.

The facts are out there.

[ikojo]

34. An article on Jewish voting trends from a Jewish

source...

I post only the first three bullet points...

http://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp509.htm

An overwhelming majority of American Jews - 73 percent - describe themselves as moderate or liberal; 23 percent label themselves as conservative. Only 19 percent voted for Bush in the 2000 elections, but there are indications that Jewish support for the Republican Party is on the rise.

The growing Orthodox communities in the New York metropolitan area and elsewhere are distinctively Republican. In addition, Jews raised in households with a non-Jewish parent and who identify nominally with Judaism also tend to vote Republican.

Among Jewish voters polled during the 2002 New York governor's race, 47 percent indicated they would consider supporting George W. Bush. A Luntz Research Poll in April 2003 showed that 48 percent of Jews surveyed said they would consider voting for Bush in 2004.

[rumguy]

6. Suck on that Brooks!

[jeter]

8. A 7% difference among 3% of the population

IS insignificant. I mean what is that 0.21% over all?

Remember that Muslims, who make up about 3% of the population as well voted 60 - 40 for the GOP in 2000. Those numbers will probably be reversed this time (or worse for the GOP) so the difference is much greater.

All in all, I say we pick up 1% or so from these two groups combined.

[BenFranklinUSA]

11. Sampling Small (1,000), But Probably Okay

...seems inline with what we usually hear.
I wouldn't bet my paycheck on the numbers, though :)

[sendero]

12. most national polls...

... use a similar sample size.

[cally]

20. It matters in many states

Since Jews make up a significant proportion of the population in several states. If it is so insignificant, why do you think Rove has spent so much time courting the Jewish vote. This poll is great news!

I haven't seen a poll in a long time, but I predict Muslims will support Democratic candidates in both Presidential and other races. In tight races, these shifts will matter.

[Marian]

30. Hi, cally!

www.jews4clark.com

[NNN0LHI]

14. Jews in America have always led the way in liberal causes

They have been at the lead for civil rights reform in this country for as long as I can remember. That is just the facts.

Don

[rman]

15. then again: are civil rights in need of reform?

it doesn't look like the reform that's taking place now is for the better.

[Marian]

18. Right!

Remember Thurgood Marshall's assistant Greenberg while they fought for Brown v. Bd of Ed?

Remember the 2/3 of Goodman, Schwerner and Cheney?

There were more Jews in the NAACP than any other group for years.

Take a look at the ACLU as well.

Damn fine legacy!

[NNN0LHI]

19. "The Chicago Seven"

http://www.law.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/Chicago7/chicago7.html

[Marian]

16. Here are the 3 paragraphs most important to me:

U.S. Jews would overwhelmingly support any major Democratic candidate over President Bush (news - web sites) if the election were held today, according to the 2004 Annual Survey of American Jewish Opinion.


Jews also overwhelmingly oppose government funding for social service programs operated by religious groups, the survey found. Allowing faith-based organizations to compete for such funding is a top Bush initiative.

and

Nearly 70 percent said anti-Semitism was a greater threat to Jewish life in the United States than intermarriage, and said that among U.S. religious groups, Muslims and the "Religious Right" were the most anti-Semitic.


Thank you for the post!!

[Muddleoftheroad]

23. Another way to look at this

Only 60% of one of our strongest support groups backs any candidate other than Lieberman. That transfers not just into votes, but candidate funding. The Jewish community has always been a strong supporter of our party. But as our support for Israel declines, so appears does their support for most of our candidates.

[Marian]

24. Thanks, MuddleoftheRoad;

I think that's why I did single out the following to be be 1 of the 3 paragraphs which stood out most for me:

Nearly 70 percent said anti-Semitism was a greater threat to Jewish life in the United States than intermarriage, and said that among U.S. religious groups, Muslims and the "Religious Right" were the most anti-Semitic.



:pals: :yourock:

[The Stranger]

27. When Israel's policies become supportable, (Is a Labor Government

too much to hope for?), then it will receive more support from the Democrats. Don't forget that the right wing is in power not only in the U.S. but in Israel as well.

Let there be change in both places. I don't think support for the Democrats should be tied to support for a right-wing government.

[Marian]

35. I'm sure you realize the modern

state of Israel was founded by socialists. Israelis still have universal health care, even under their present r/w govt.

However, I can't see Israelis voting Labor back in when they have a darn good chance of not returning home whenever they go out. Can you imagine what it might be like if every time you took the bus to work, you might be blown up? Can you imagine that if you ate your lunch in a public place or coffee shop, you might be blown up? Can you imagine what it might be like if every time you took the bus back home from work, you might be blown up?

With some empathy for a nation in fear, one can more easily see why they are voting their fears and not their principles.

Hopefully, one day, they will not have to vote on the level of pure survival. I'm certain you are aware of Maslow's hierarchy of needs: one cannot develop w/o having basic needs met. Therefore, it only makes sense that if one fears for one's life 24/7; one would be voting r/w.

Sad, but true...

[The Stranger]

37. Agreed, except that these questions could be more tied to a Sharon-led

Likud and Settler government than a Labor-led coalition:

Can you imagine what it might be like if every time you took the bus to work, you might be blown up? Can you imagine that if you ate your lunch in a public place or coffee shop, you might be blown up? Can you imagine what it might be like if every time you took the bus back home from work, you might be blown up?

[Muddleoftheroad]

38. Israel had a different government

Arafat and the terrorists caused the change. Israelis simply REACTED.

[westman]

26. Is this moving in the wrong direction?

70% sounds overwhelming, but hasn't the Democrat-voting percentage been higher in the past?

[ikojo]

31. Yes, while Jewish support of the Democratic party

remains high, there is an increase in the number of Jewish Republicans. There was a saying that went "Jews live like Episcopalians but vote like Puerto Ricans" but that is proving less and less true.

I think as Jews move further and further from their immigrant roots and up the income and corporate ladder they tend to identify with the Republicans around whom they live. I think the primary thing keeping Jews Democratic IS the antisemitism of the religious right.

That being said, however, the orthodox Jewish community which is the fastest growing segment of American Jewry, tends to support Republican policies primarily because the pugs support vouchers and the orthodox tend to send their kids to private religious schools.

[Marian]

33. okay, as another posted above

but coming from the other side:

provide links, not empty assumptions, please.

thx

[ikojo]

36. Here's a link

http://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp509.htm

From http://www.ajc.org/InTheMedia/Publications.asp?did=468&pid=1102

Voting Patterns

22. In politics, as of today, do you consider yourself a Republican, a Democrat, or an Independent?
Republican 9
Democrat 59
Independent 30
Not sure 2

23. I'm going to read you a list of political views that people might hold. They are arranged from extremely liberal to extremely conservative. Where would you place yourself on this scale?
Extremely liberal 4
Liberal 23
Slightly liberal 18
Moderate, middle of the road 36
Slightly conservative 9
Conservative 8
Extremely conservative 1
Not sure 2

[Marian]

32. Yes!

IMHO, it's due to fear of the anti-Semitism so prevalent at so many otherwise progressive demonstrations, etc.

The last one I attended had people with signs of a Star of David with a Swastika superimposed over it.

People's hatred for Israel is overlapping and Jews sometimes see anti-Semitism as = to anti-Zionism.

[Muddleoftheroad]

39. Not sure how well I would have handled that

But if I saw some asshole walking around with a star of David with a swastika over it, we'd have words, that's for damn sure. And I'm not Jewish.

[GRClarkesq]

29. Good News? 9% to 16%?

Repubs show a significant increase in a traditional bastion of Dem voters. How many states would this have made a difference in 2000?

Why are Jewish voters trending away?