Romney, Gingrich court Jewish support with barbs at Obama’s policies

[alp227]

Source: Washington Post

The Republican presidential front-runners used appearances before a conservative Jewish audience Wednesday to criticize President Obama’s foreign policy as weak and confused, while pledging to strengthen the U.S. alliance with Israel should they be elected.

Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney told a forum hosted by the Republican Jewish Coalition that his first foreign trip as president would be to Israel. A few hours later, former House speaker Newt Gingrich (Ga.) promised to move the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem — claimed by Israelis and Palestinians both as their capital.

Wednesday’s forum represented an explicit challenge to Obama and the traditional Jewish support for Democratic candidates. Republicans believe that there is an opportunity to peel away some of Obama’s Jewish support, particularly by attacking his policies toward Israel. Obama has argued that he has consistently supported Israel’s security needs and political interests, including his opposition to the Palestinian bid for statehood at the United Nations earlier this year.

Obama’s poll numbers among Jews have remained stable throughout the fall, hovering above his overall ratings nationally. In the latest Gallup poll, 51 percent of Jews approved of the way Obama is handling his job and 42 percent disapproved. But those numbers mark the lowest ratings of the president’s term among Jews.

Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/romney-gingrich-court-jewish-support/2011/12/07/gIQAxybbdO_singlePage.html

[DonCoquixote]

1. Bring on the hate, but

I cannot see how Jews would put the GOP in power. Does making things safer in Tel Aviv make it better when they make your kids pray to Jesus in Texas? I would advise Zionists to read "The handmaid's Tale" to find out what the GOP really has in mind for Jews.

[Behind the Aegis]

4. When have the Jews placed the GOP in power?

Do you even know what the political breakdown of the voting practices of Jews are?! Perhaps if you did, then you might understand the push from the GOP instead of trying to blame Jews/Zionists (look up the word).

[LeftishBrit]

6. It isn't Jews that put the GOP in power.

As far as I know, most vote for Democrats; and there are about 40 Jews in Congress and only *one* of them is a Republican.

I don't think they even make things safer in Tel Aviv - or anywhere if it comes to that.

I think what the GOP want for *everyone* is a sort of cross between 'The Handmaid's Tale' and '1984'.

[LeftishBrit]

12. To clarify if I need to...

'they' in my second sentence refers to the GOP.

[oberliner]

7. Most Democrats are Zionists

Most Zionists are Democrats.

[krucial]

2. How much stronger?

How much stronger support must America give Israel? Surrender all our decision making,rights and policies over to them,change our flag to theirs and call America the United states of Israel?
Thats the only think I can think of thats left for the US to do.
This obsession,which is caused by serious brainwashing and overdosing on God and religion is sick

[Hardrada]

3. I have often wondered about that.

[oberliner]

8. Move the embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem

That seems to be the issue they are bringing up here.

Of course, Bush didn't want to do that either.

[LeftishBrit]

9. Good grief. That sounds as jingoist and xenophobic as anything from the Right

Whatever anyone thinks of Israeli (or American) policies, I don't think that a country of 7 million has that much power of 300 million.

As the old rhyme goes:

Way down south where bananas grow,
A grasshopper trod on an elephant's toe.
The elephant said with tears in his eyes,
'Pick on somebody your own size!'

[No Elephants]

5. If Israel is not safe, Jesus cannot come back and Rapture believers.

I always marvel at how much help from Republicans an omnipotent, omniscent God seems to need.

They are hubris and blasphemy personified.

[Jwpoint]

10. Judaism and Zionism

Its important to know that while Zionists support Judaism, it doesn't mean that all Jews support Zionists; It would probably more accurate to say Jewish politicians support Zionism.

[Behind the Aegis]

11. Nope.

Zionists support Israel, not Judaism. And while it is true not all Jews support Zionism, your assessment that it is "more accurate to say Jewish politicians support Zionism" is not accurate. Yes, many Jewish politicians also support Zionism, so do millions of non-politicians and many politicians who aren't Jews.