Posted on 05/15/2008 3:33:35 PM PDT by forkinsocket
William Daroff is vice president for public policy and director of the Washington office at United Jewish Communities, an organization representing America's Jewish federations. In other words, he's a lobbyist. Daroff is also one of the country's better-connected Jewish operatives. In recent months, he has been called upon to moderate dozens of panels aimed at Jewish activists and professionals, dealing with the hot topic of the day: the 2008 election and the Jewish community.
This election has reignited an old debate: Which party is better for Israel—the Republicans or the Democrats? Assuming that Jewish voters care about this question, the parties have to make their case if they want Jewish voters to support them.
Jewish representatives of the Democratic and Republican parties are invited to most of the panels Daroff moderates. After a long string of forums, Daroff has noticed that the two parties' line of argument is markedly different.
The Democratic representative will often say: Both parties are good for Israel; it's a bipartisan issue; let's move on to discuss health care or the mortgage crisis.
The Republican will respond: Not so fast. Democrats are trying to avoid the issue because they recognize their weakness and know that Republican support for the Jewish state is much stronger than theirs.
It's a cyclical debate with no end and little meaning until you define what it means to be pro-Israel. Historically, Israel has relied on support from both sides of the aisle, and it would clearly be better off if that situation continues. But at the root of the Republican claim is a niggling kernel of truth: Democratic voters do not side with Israel at the same rate and with the same enthusiasm as Republican voters do.
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
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Obama does not like the "pro-Likud" approach, but he wants the benefit of being seen as a pro-Israel candidate. ...In political life in America today, everyone says they're a friend of Israel...If you lower the bar enough, everybody is a friend; everybody is "pro-Israel" as long as they don't actively agitate for Israel's demise.
That about sums it up. Doesn't want to be seen as pro-Likud, does the moron know the Likud doesn't run Israel.
4 years of Sharon, 3 of Bibi, about 10 years of Shamir (wonder if Obama knows who that is) back in the early 80s. Out of 60.
Good to know that at the top of his agenda is not only talking to terrorists, but promoting a left wing agenda throughout the world, starting with our allies. Presuming he considers Israel an ally, should those nasty right wing Likudniks be in charge.
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