Jewish Republicans
 

Are there any?

A long time ago, I heard someone say "Being a democrat is like a second religion to American Jews."

It's always been in the back of my head, but I don't really pay it much attention.

I have a lot of Jewish friends and I know a lot of Jewish people. And <b>all</b> of them are either democrats or very left leaning.

I know we've got a couple of you on the Cellar, which serves to make me wonder -

Where are the Jewish Republicans?

Now, see, I find it kind of... <b>weird</b>. Most of the Jews I know support Israel pretty strongly. Only a few are foaming-at-the-mouth rabid supporters of Israel.

Yet it seems to be the Republicans that are supporting Israel. The Democrats don't seem as ardent with regard to support. Why is this? Bush and Sharon are all buddy-buddy, yet I don't know a single Jew who's chanting pro-Bush slogans at protests or has the Bush/Cheney bumper sticker. What's going on here?

I understand that support of Israel isn't the number one issue for a lot of American Jews... so I don't expect it to be the only factor.

This isn't meant as a troll; I'm really looking to explore this issue. So, those of you that can offer input... step up! Let's figure this out. Why do most Jews identify with Democrats? Or is this just a right-wing myth? (Hint: No, it's not.)

I believe our Republican mayoral candidate is Jewish--Sam Katz.

I'm a non-Jew, and this is just theory, but...

Like with some African-Americans, I sense it's partly a loyalty issue: A Democrat was president during WW2; another Democrat was president during the formation of the State of Israel; a Democrat helped forge the peace treaty between Egypt and Israel; another Democrat helped Israel and the Palestinian Authority start down the path to peace. Not to mention the protections afforded under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, approved by a Democratic president.

Beyond that, Jews have always come across to me as more liberal than folks in other religions (other than the food issues). They seem more engaged in social causes and concerns, which tend to be the bread and butter of the Dems.

I would suspect, based on who I know and what I've seen, that most Israelis would be willing to live side-by-side with the Palestinians. I also suspect they would be willing to let the West Bank and Gaza go without too much ballyhoo. I've always gotten the idea that the settlements in the occupied territories are much more a bastion of the right-wingers over there. Which tells me that maybe the majority of Israelis are center or left of center, which might explain why many Jews here in the States are Dems.

Of course, if the latest peace plan works out well, it could very well turn more Jews into Republicans.

Re: Jewish Republicans
 

His name is Joe Lieberman.

Sure there are Jewish Republicans. Those I know of have been more moderate, liberal, drawn by primarily by the fiscal platform. The strong hold and bigotry of the Christian Right, though, tends to turn most of the Jews I know right off.

Isn't Ari Fleischer (White House Press Secretary) Jewish? I seem to remember reading that he became a Republican to rebel against his parents.