Can Republicans Attract More Jewish Voters?

New study suggests it's not even worth trying

Republican activists tried mightily to win support from Jewish voters for GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney - and their efforts basically came to naught. That's the conclusion of a new study, "What's the Matter with Palm Beach County?" by University of Maryland professor Eric M. Uslaner.

"While Obama carried slightly more than half of the national vote (50.9 percent), he won 69 percent of the Jewish vote," Uslaner writes. "Yet some Jewish and many Republicans - " especially Jewish Republicans - " saw 2012 as their party's best chance since 1980 to win Jewish support."

"Obama, Republicans charged, didn't understand Jewish concerns. He had not visited Israel as president. He had a chilly relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and had publicly clashed with the Israeli leader over building settlements on the West Bank and Gaza."

But mattered little. While 69 percent is down a few points from Democratic presidential nominees' usual share of the Jewish vote, there was little shift to the GOP.

"The Republicans gained little traction on Israel for three reasons: First, only a small share of Jewish voters (10 percent) saw Israel as one of the most important issues. Second, where Israel mattered for vote choice, the more dovish positions of American Jews bolstered Obama, not Romney. Third the media blitz directed at Jewish voters had little effect on voters - and may even have backfired."

Via What's the Matter with Palm Beach County?

Do Republicans have a shot at winning more support from Jewish voters?

[Dan_Tien]

"Obama, Republicans charged, didn't understand Jewish concerns. He had not visited Israel as president. He had a chilly relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu, and had publicly clashed with the Israeli leader over building settlements on the West Bank and Gaza."

But only 10% of Jewish voters think that support for Israel is a major concern. Seems like the Republicans are shooting in the dark instead.

[PoliticalSpice]

It is a form of racism, to assume as they do that all Jews are Israel focused to the exclusion of other concerns. Indeed there are large segments of Jewish voters, both in Israel and in the u.s. That oppose nartanyahu and his policies, so assuming they would be opposed to Obama for opposing his policy on west bank settlements is racist because it asumes just because they are "jewish" settlements means all jews would support them. Many jews oppose these settlemdnts.

[fucklaura9]

@PoliticalSpice, you can't really say that MOST Jews oppose the ideas of Netanyahu. SOME may, and MANY "faux Jews" in America may. The simple fact is the majority of "Jews" in America have gone the typical American way and turned away from God, which is evident by only 10% of Jews saying Israel is a major concern. TRUE Jews know that our mother land is and always will be the most important issue at hand. And its not racism, Jewish is not a race, therefore can't be racism. And no true Jewish person is opposed to the new settlements, its another step in the full reclaiming of OUR land. America has tainted the Jewish population residing here, most do not abide by Gods laws, which is evident by voting for Democrats. In no way is Obama in line with our beliefs. We stand on opposite sides on almost every issue. So the basic jist, its not racism, your ignorance is astounding, and those claiming to be Jewish are in large part false in their claims.

[Dan_Tien]

@fucklaura9 Pretty funny seeing a lecture about holiness from someone with a screentag like yours. Trying to set a speed record for getting banned?

[PoliticalSpice]

@fucklaura9 Seeing how 69% of jews voted obama, I think you are the one showing astounding ignorance. I missed the part of the old testament where moses said as he came off mount saini "only @fucklaura9 may determine who are true jews, for she is annoited the decider eho
May separate faux jews from true jews and pnly her judgement shall be worthy, the othet 69% of jews shall be shall bow at bitch lauras feet ad she sets the standard" Could you please tell me where in the bible that appears, my copy seems to be missing it.

[fucklaura9]

@PoliticalSpice for the record this isn't my account, was logged in already on the computer. And you want to say 69% of Jews voted Obama, why not look into the facts, conservative and reform Jews are not considered true Jews, this was a decision by the Union of Rabbis, not myself. Given that these are the two largest groups of "Jews" in America it would serve to say that those numbers are inaccurate when it comes to how Jews TRULY voted. Consider that Orthodox Jews are in direct opposition to Obama's stances would lead one to believe that TRUE Jews would never vote for a President that contradicts the teachings of the Torah. How many Orthodox Jews are pro abortion? Jews have become divided from one another and from God, and have been filled with ignorance from America. When you sit down and look at the Word God has left for us to live our lives no part is in agreement with Liberal stances. And only Jews who are against Zionism would support Obamas lack of support or respect of Israel. These are my opinions and just that but a person of God, no matter the religion, can't agree with liberalistic policies such as Obamas.

[WattheTyler]

Not every Jewish voter is a pro-war monger lunatic like Sheldon Adelson.

Many are socially liberal and have progressive views on economics and individual freedoms both of which Republicans oppose.

My message to Republicans: If you want people to vote for you lose the insane social conservative and neo-con crap.

[CaryNickel]

In other words, Republicans should become Democrats? No thanks. If that's the only way we can gain votes in a nation full of socialists, I'd rather we just go down swinging while leftists destroy our constitution and our nation, and the lemmings follow. Then we will still have our rock-ribbed conservatism (not to mention spines) with which to pick up the pieces and rebuild after socialism fails here, just as it's failed, and is failing, everywhere else.

[Myopinion69]

Great post Watthe and so true.

[marine1]

@CaryNickel excellent post, I would only add that self responsibility is the biggest culprit for the republican party. A willingness to do for ourself and maintain a value in ethics would seem to be beyound the comprehension of progressive liberals.

[martydotcom]

@CaryNickel How's that going down swinging working out. Your guys (funny spell ck brought up goys) are totally dysfunctional at the moment. McConnell filibusters his own bill, Boehner has lost control of the house. With leadership like you have now you'll continue to lose every demographic. Long term who's your best candidate? Jeb Bush? married to a Hispanic, popular ex Fl gov. with all demographics, but he'll be cast as a bleeding heart liberal socialist. Hope the canvas is padded when you go down

[SmedleyButler]

Really? Because Ron Paul was clear on that pro-war issue. He was the only one pointing the failure of our foreign policy (Israels). What happened? The neo-con Christian/ Jew Zionist cult were vicious to him and his supporters, and labeled "crazies". So much for peace and liberty. Toooo much influence IMHO. Corrosive force. His words, not mine. http://www.youtube.com/watch...

[Keyjo]

The Republicans have continued to grow increasingly out of step, out of touch with modern Americans.
Hey G.O.P., we have indoor plumbing these days!

[CATTLEPROD]

I would hope so. you libs are hedonistic. I am sure you need that plumbing to hose all the lube out of the mosh pit after a hollywierd style roman orgy. We may still HAVE an outhouse down yonder, but I aint afraid to sit on the seat.

[jessejaymes]

@CATTLEPROD Specifically what would constitute a "hollyweird style Roman Orgy"? I've lived near Hollywood for over 40 years and I have yet to hear about a Hollywood Style Roman Orgy. Other than from the right wing of course. The only "Hollywood style roman orgy" that I am aware of taking place was at some "BDSM themed club" in Vegas when all the Republicans got embarrassed by dropping a couple of hundred grand on a party there. I think you need to check a map. Hollywood is a tourist destination. No movie studios operate these days within what is known as Hollywood and even the name is just a name. It's part of Los Angeles and not a city of it's own actually. No "stars" I am aware of live in Hollywood although the Hollywood Hills are a prime destination for the wealthy in and out of the industry. Malibu and the Malibu Colony have far more "star power" than Hollywood. The right wing certainly loves their stereotypes. They're wrong but hey why quibble over facts?

[Republican5001]

@CATTLEPROD here here.

[Keyjo]

@CATTLEPROD
You're just jealous!

[Keyjo]

@jessejaymes
He's just jealous!

[Bobolinsky]

Are we supposed to gather from this that Republicans care more about the fate of Israel than typical American Jews?

I do think that the Republican Party can attract more Jewish voters if the Republican Party survives the next decade.

If the Republican Party survives the next decade they will have attracted more voters from every ethnic and religious identity group. That's because the only hope the Republican Party has of surviving the next decade is if it can break through the Left's Fear Tactics that keeps it's minority groups marching to the party line.

[dances-weebles]

the LEFT'S fear tactics? now that's funny.

i stood in the middle listening to everyone talking during the last election and never once did i hear anyone on the left say anything about 'a thousand years of darkness', and i don't hear the left saying that same sex marriage will lead to extinction, or even to the destruction of family values. i don't hear anybody saying that gays only want to get married/adopt children so that they can get their hands on kids. i don't hear anyone on the left whining about mr. obama's birth certificate even though the matter has been cleared up and the man showed us his birth certificate... and i don't hear anybody on the left whining about 'fiscal cliffs, slippery slopes, smoking guns, or any other ridiculous cliché.

one thing that i HAVE noticed is that those on the left don't have to continuously lie to try to make themselves look better at someone else's expense.

[CATTLEPROD]

@dances-weebles I dont beleive that gay couples are adopting kids to get thier hands on them. But I do think it is an unhealthy and abnormal upbringing that will leave them confused and end up batting for the other team later in life, which to me is the real reason behind it. Gays cant procreate, so they recruit.

[stepped_in_it]

@CATTLEPROD "Gays cant procreate, so they recruit.". Wow, you really think that sexual orientation is "recruit-able"? If that was the case, how did the "gay lifestyle" ever begin?

[CATTLEPROD]

@stepped_in_it How should I know. Numbers of gay people in general are overinflated, giving the false impression to young impressionable kids that they could really go one way or the other at that point, half of society is that way anyway according to tv, movies, etc. It is an attempt by the militant gays to keep the next wave of rainbow flag wavers on the way.

[dances-weebles]

@CATTLEPROD half, no... but 10% of over 1500 species of animal studied display same sex disposition uniquely... and 8% of all females. this includes the species homo sapiens-sapiens...(that's us, by the way)

and it's not a problem for anyone except for a few people who are terrified by it.

[TheJimmy]

Republicans should be more focused on trying to gain the Muslim vote since they tend to be much more Conservative than even your typical Red Stater.

[PNWest]

That was a very, very astute observation. The GOP and the Taliban share many of the same ideas on issues like women's rights, abortion, gun control, crime and so on and so on. Heck, The Taliban is even more anti-gun control than the the GOP. But to be fair the GOP bitched more when Obama killed Osama bin Laden than the Taliban did. This looks like a match made in heaven.

[TheJimmy]

@PNWest
If Islam is, as they claim, the fastest growing religion in the world then it would be logical for the Republican Party to court Muslims. In fact, Muslims could well be the future of the GOP.

[PNWest]

@TheJimmy As funny as it sounds this is true. Of course they'll have to get Fox News and the right wing talk radio hosts to change direction and start talking hate against the jews instead of the muslims but that shouldn't be much of a problem. It's not like their audience has the ability to think for themselves.

[PoliticalSpice]

@TheJimmy well then they should support obama, since they all think he's a muslim...

[jessejaymes]

Day after day we read about the "groups" that the GOP can't get a majority of their voters. We all know who the majority base of the GOP are today. Low information, highly religious, poorly educated, low income Southern and Midwestern white people. Which is both tragic and amusing if you think about it. Dumb poor white people supporting smart rich white people who are raping and looting the dumb poor white people. That would be excellent if not for the fact the smart rich white people are raping and looting everyone else as well. The GOP base is the only electorate I've ever seen in my life cheering on those who are stripping their bones clean.

[CATTLEPROD]

My biggest surprise this election was around 60% of american jews voting for obama. He is no friend of israel, I was sure we would get 99% of thier vote just on the clear differance between barry and mitt on that subject. I have never understood why jews vote democrat. And why multi millionaire jews like babs feel the need to inflict thier liberalism on everyone else. And why jewish owned media were in the tank for obama. He can do no wrong in the eyes of the press and if he does it is called un-newsworthy, so we wont print it, we are so impartial and unbiased. I may be starting to beleive things I have heard about a jewish conspiracy to dominate the world.

[jessejaymes]

This is something I've long wondered about. By "Babs" I assume you are referring to Barbra Streisand. I live in Los Angeles. I have worked in the entertainment industry most my adult life. I have never met Ms Streisand nor have I ever seen her in the Mall or on the Street or on the Beach. She lives in virtual seclusion. I have never received any mail bearing her name or endorsement from the Democratic party. The ONLY time Ms Streisand's name comes up in political discussion is when the right wing brings her up. Is she a Liberal? So you tell me. Does she support liberal causes by??? Singing??? By donating money??? She has sang to raise money for a Democrat twice in my and her lifetime that I am aware of and I'm pretty aware of what Entertainers do for political causes. She has not given the sum total of money in her entire lifetime that Sheldon Adleson gave in one year to the GOP. You people trot out "Babs" at every opportunity. Why? Is she not entitled to her political beliefs? I actually don't know what Streisand's politics are these days. It's been so many years since she made them a part of her public persona and people change as they age. I know her reputation for being domineering, for being a diva, for being hostile to "the little people" but I've never experience it because she seldom works, seldom ventures off her estate. Her current movie is her first in some time since the "Fawkers" and that was not a spotlight role for her.

But I only know of her "liberal involvement" for the past 10 years because YOU people on the right never shut up about her.

[kathwynn]

your comments just proved why the republican/tea party can not get a majority of the Jewish vote and why it lost seats and the presidential election. The sad part is I do not think you even realize it either.

[CATTLEPROD]

@jessejaymes OUCH!! The way you kept reffering to MS. Striesand, makes me beleive you are an employee or related. It has been known for a while that some people who may be neutral politically but like her music wont go pay money to listen to a diatribe instead of "the way we were". It is also a fact that people from hollyweird are mostly big libs and they would like everyone else to be also. They use thier influance with gullable people who value the opinion of people who make me laugh when I hear the term "hollywood marraige". They live by certain values and think everyone else should too. Media and hollywood in general if not owned by the "jews", is certainly majority operated by jewish people who have a definate left wing agenda, who then going about shaping public opinion with movies, tv shows, music, etc. So go tell Ms. streisand to have a merry christmas. OOPS, I forgot. Happy holidays.

[jessejaymes]

@CATTLEPROD I just told you I never met Streisand so what is the likelihood I work for her? And I never liked her music. I'm an old rocker turned film and music editor. Streisand hasn't done a concert tour in over 30 years. Her appearances are rare and limited. I bet I know more "Hollywood People" than she does. And some of them are Jewish. No doubt about it. And most the NBA players are black. And I follow the NBA. I don't get your point? I've worked on two "Christian movies" in the past. I'm an atheist but nobody ever asked me. They just told me what they wanted and I did what I do to pay the bills. In the words of the Beatles my friend "Everybody's got something to hide except me and my monkey". The movie industry is what YOU make of it. You don't go to see the movie, don't rent the movie, don't watch the movie then you control what you see. I don't like dramas generally speaking and what I call "stoner comedies" so I don't watch them. I control that. So do you.

[Myopinion69]

Kattwyn you hit the nail on the head. The guy is another just echoing right wing radio word for word, without an original thought. Besides that , he is stereotyping Jews and wants them to see things his way. It is absolutely revolting on every level. I thought he was gonna say.. " I am not prejudice, I have a Jewish friend". By the way I am surprised Obama did not get more then 60, but that could be a lie by Cattleprod too.

[Republican5001]

I think the better question should be is why would want to attract more Jewish voters?

[Myopinion69]

The GOP keeps getting more into Xian issues and alienating any non Christian. They truly need to step away from religion.

[twinertia]

"Oy gevalt!" Since a regressive's "divine command" seems to be converting every Jew (and everyone else, apparently) to their own goofy cultist ideas, it should be little wonder why this question is an exercise in futility.

[CommonSense]

Republicans make oversimplified assumptions about groups of people. They assume that more support for Israel will make Jews happy. Of course most Jews support Israel's right to exist, but most Jews I've met have been very critical of Israel's policies regarding Palestine, regarding nuclear weapons, and on human rights. As it is Obama does support Israel, but he the difference between him and Romney is that Obama is willing to be critical. Romney would have us blindly allied to everything the Israeli government wants, which is not good for us, the world, or even the best interests of the Israeli people. Most Jews just want there to be peace in Israel, and they realize that's not going to happen if America has a hawkish enabler as president.

[RobertJHarsh]

Jews are one of the few groups whom have survived repeated multiple extinction attempts. You have crack open the history books for this one but the Republican party during 1930s were very supportive of Hitler and anti-Semantic. Why do you think most Jews support Democratic causes and run for office as Democrats in this country? They haven't forgotten and they keep the holocaust industry going (not saying it didn't happen...but it is a for-profit industry at this point) in order to keep the issue alive so they can as well. But current events are suggesting Obama might not be all on board with the Israel apartheid plan and the continual funding of it. Things might be changing.

[DARSB]

So long as the GOP represents conservative white Christians it will have limited drawing power.

[FollowTheMoney]

More partisan BS. When will people realize the power parties share the same agenda, self preservation. Christians, Jews, Atheist, Scientology, Mormon etc...all share the same agenda...The United States of America. The professional politicians have us divided against one an other. The parties are the common deliminator in every problem our country has.

[truthsayer]

@FollowTheMoney It would be my guess people will never realize what we are allowing to happen. I've been thinking lately something must be causing a total lack of hindsight in this country. One party's platform is based on arrogant pious prejudices and the other on some utopian dream. Both of which have the same goal; total compliance in thought and actions to government.

[KyleMFb]

Hey the GOP has a chance to win jews blacks Mexicans and all other none whites if they would just kick their racist homophobic useless evangelical Christians to the damn curb were they belong and say enough is enough if they chose not to take evasive action to get away from the extreme right wing nut jobs then the GOP will die and drawn out death but a much need one ain't nobody for time for them right wing communists

[PattyD]

I never got why any Jew would ever support Obama when Hamas endorsed and financially supported him but than I personally think the Jewish religion is cockeyed and demented ! LOL

[ConserveUSA]

Jewish People ought to be alerted that Obama is aligned with these infamous Anti-Semites: Louis Farrakhan, Jeremiah White, Al Sharpton, and Malik Shabazz.