Jewish-American voters not straying from Obama

[aaaaaa5a]

Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution

The AJC — that’s the other AJC, the American Jewish Committee — has just released a new poll of Jewish-Americans. Its findings suggest that GOP efforts to make inroads with Jewish voters are having just as much success as are similar efforts to court black Americans, Hispanics and other minorities.

In other words, a biseleh.

In a similar poll four years ago, 56 percent of American Jews identified themselves as Democrats while 17 percent said they were Republican. Fifty-seven percent said they backed Obama, while 30 percent backed John McCain.

The numbers in 2012?



In other interesting numbers:

– 72.6% approve of Joe Biden as vice president.
– 63.3% disapprove of the selection of Paul Ryan as the GOP veep nominee; 41.4% disapprove strongly.
– Asked to name the most important issue driving their presidential vote, just 4.5% named U.S-Israeli relations. Just 1.3 percent named Iran’s nuclear program.
– 61.5% identified the economy as the most important issue. Health care was second, at 16%.
– 77.8% approve of Obama’s handling of national security.
– 64% would support U.S. military action against Iran if diplomacy and sanctions fail to end its nuclear program; 35 percent would oppose such action.


Read more: http://blogs.ajc.com/jay-bookman-blog/2012/09/28/jewish-american-voters-not-straying-from-obama/

---

Full poll results here:

http://www.ajc.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=ijITI2PHKoG&b=846741&ct=12208961

Notice: 77.8% of Jewish Americans support the Presidents handling of national security.

[Behind the Aegis]

1. No, what is really important for people HERE to notice is this:

Asked to name the most important issue driving their presidential vote, just 4.5% named U.S-Israeli relations. Just 1.3 percent named Iran’s nuclear program.

[Scootaloo]

7. That's never been a question, really.

Nah, American Jews have the worries of every other damn American in the country.

Israel is largely a worry for people who want to see Arabs "put in their place" - i.e., mostly white evangelical sorts. Who tend to have about as much concern for jewish people as their cross-burning forefathers ever did.

[Behind the Aegis]

10. It is questioned here all the time.

[Scootaloo]

11. I must be missing it, then

maybe my common sense just makes said posts not register, for dear of brammaging my dain

[Behind the Aegis]

12. You must be. It is quite common.

[Posteritatis]

14. It's still there, even if it's cooled somewhat

People used to wear it on their sleeve a lot more. There was a brief "Jews, all Jews, everywhere, are the enemy" craze around here in the summer of 2006 that was way too loud, way too ugly, and took up way too large a chunk of the userbase for awhile, as one particularly nasty example, and I'll still see "Jewish = Israeli" tossed around here now and then.

Also, Aegis probably has good reason to be much more readily aware of stuff like that than I (or I presume you) do. I don't see it quite that often, but I also actively avoid a lot of discussions where that sort of thing's likely to show up - there's a certain level of talking-to-the-walls even before the really nasty stuff starts getting flung about. Aegis is very much paying attention to that sort of thing by comparison.

[azurnoir]

31. I was here in the summer of 2006 and I really do not remember seeing much of what you claim

I do remember a lot of condemnation of Israel here though, during its campaign in Lebanon during that summer though and any Jew= Israel/Israel = Jews these days is almost totally in the I/P group and is coming from Israel's supporters many of whom are if their avatars are to be taken seriously are Jewish themselves, that said they represent a tiny minority of Jewish DUers

[Posteritatis]

39. I saw quite a bit of it

A few very adamant discussions centred around the idea that all Jews worldwide are valid military targets, for instance because they could potentially return to Israel and thus join the army - and this was DUers making the claim, not Hezbollah. There was definitely no shortage of collective responsibility being thrown around and in some of the more transparently bigoted manners I've seen in my time around here.

[Behind the Aegis]

38. You are correct.

It is not uncommon to still see AIPAC called the "Jewish" Lobby. You are also correct about 2006. Many of the anti-Israel posters here ignored or dove right into "Jews=Israel" and vice versa. There was almost a daily use of the phrase "chosen people" which doesn't refer to Israelis, but Jews (though the phrase is often misunderstood and used for other nasty things too). Overt anti-Semitic themes are used against Jewish posters, politicians, and Israel. Yet, when used against Israel it "magically" becomes "criticism" as opposed to the actual anti-Semitism it really is. Right after the launch of DU3, a Newsweek article asking if Obama was the first "Jewish" president pretty much summed it up in that a good portion was about his relationship with Israel, more so than with Jews. ("The Tsuris" Why Barack Obama may be the First Jewish President) Of course, it solicited a "that's what I expected. What a pity." remark, which was upheld by the jury, but the poster was sent packing by the admins. When anti-Semitic attacks (from the news) are reported here, it is highly unusual to not see at least one comment about Israel, and usually a very negative one.

Make no mistake, there are those who don't hate Israel with a purple passion who also have done their share of conflating Israel and Jews, the difference is usually they are jumped on like the last plate of catfish at a church fish-fry. These reports have now been coming out for a couple of weeks and posted on DU. They are mostly ignored. Makes one wonder why that is. A few even have some posters still complaining that it's "not enough" (Jewish support).

It will continue.

[Scootaloo]

50. Yeah, I kinda didn't hang out here much, six years ago...

I do see "Jewish = Israel" kicked around quite a bit... but... probably not in the direction you're looking.

[Behind the Aegis]

44. See post #43

[Scootaloo]

46. Seems to be saying Israel doesn't much care about the situation...

Which makes sense to me... And the OP did highlight the percentage there.

Lay it out for me?

[Behind the Aegis]

47. In a thread about Jewish voters? Do you really not get it?

No, you really don't, which explains why you don't see it, because you can't see it.

[Scootaloo]

48. Actually, I do; my reading derp

When I responded, I'd thought the highlighting of "just 4.5% named U.S-Israeli relations" was in aaaaaa5a's OP as well. My fault for just going to "latest posts" from "my posts" I guess

[Behind the Aegis]

49. Good to hear.

[azurnoir]

25. I think by and large people here do know that however if

someone who does not know wanders over to another group here that being I/P we frequently see posts equating Israel with Jews not Israeli's or even Israeli Jews but Jews everywhere and statements such as Jews are only safe because of Israel or in the past on DU2 without Israel Jews would not have self determination ect, it sends perhaps a mixed message. One that could be mistaken for Israel being the most important thing to American Jews, a notion that could be quickly dispelled however if one reads Israeli newspapers especially the talkbacks

[BainsBane]

40. Or imagining all Israelis think like Likud

Which is far from the case.

[azurnoir]

42. very true in fact Likud came in second in the last Israeli election

it was just that Likud due to attracting the smaller rightist parties could former the larger coalition

[hrmjustin]

2. I never had any doubt that Jewish voters would vote democratic in the end.

Jewish voters are progressives.

[begin_within]

3. What is "Jewish-American?"

Do we say "Catholic-American" or "Muslim-American" or "Hindu-American?"

[OnlinePoker]

4. In the case of Jews, people seem to confuse religion with race.

It makes no sense as Jews have come to the States from all over the world.

[Chorophyll]

6. But Jews in America share a common culture.

And I think that culture stems from having been kicked around so much in the countries they came from.

That's why you'll often hear people describing themselves as "Jewish but not religious."

Some things are nuanced, but I think DUers can handle nuance, right?

[11cents]

8. Culture isn't something created by "being kicked around."

Jews share a sense of peoplehood -- of common history and practice passed down over millenia from a people that defined themselves through their relationship with God, what we now call religion. Even those who don't maintain religious practices still have that sense of commonality. A category like "Jewish-Americans" makes more sense than, say, "Asian-American," which lumps together people who don't otherwise have a sense of common identity mainly because "they all look alike" to white people.

[Chorophyll]

9. Well, I'm Jewish-American.

And I do think that, in our case, a history of oppression led us to stick to cultural "Jewishness" even if we threw off the religious dogma.

Sorry if I put it in a way that seemed crass to you in my last post.

[11cents]

16. I'm Jewish too.

It's probably true that to many secular American Jews -- er, Jewish-Americans -- historical oppression has become a central pillar of identity. I just don't think that it's something that comprises "Jewish culture." But at any rate, I take your point now that you've restated it.

For what it's worth, I hear the term "Muslim-Americans" quite frequently. The -American form has simply become standardized, for whatever reason.

[Chorophyll]

22. My first comment might have come out the way it did because

this isn't the first time I've run into the "Jewish is a religion, not a race" thing. And, while I'm not saying that was happening here, IRL I've often detected a bit of... let's just say "resentment" lumped in with the lack of understanding.

And yes, I agree that oppression is not the pillar of Jewish culture, but I think it's always there at the back of our minds. (Which is why I will NEVER understand Jewish people voting Republican. EVAR!)

I see "Muslim-American" all the time too. It's sort of like saying OUR Muslims as opposed to THOSE Muslims. Which is pretty crappy. We could start a whole 'nuther thread about this! Bring the Jewish-Americans and Muslim-Americans together on a DU to complain about everybody else!

(Just kidding, DU.)

[immoderate]

27. It's a TRIBAL identity.

I first got this notion from reading Isaac Asimov's commentaries on the bible. It also got me to notice that most Jews don't care what you believe -- they care what you do!

I call myself a Jewish atheist. Most people don't grasp this. My mother spelled it out for me once. She said, "When the come for the Jews, they don't care that you're an atheist."

Also, you can't beat a lox and bagel!

--imm

[zellie]

30. Your mother is a smart lady.

You're very lucky.

[immoderate]

32. Thanks. That's something I never doubted, though we disagreed a lot.

Mom passed in '03. I took care of her the last two years. There were some rough years, but I always knew she had a reasonable POV. She was a very strong woman.

--imm

[zellie]

35. My bad....I'm sure you inherited her strength and wisdom.

nt

[immoderate]

37. I'd be happy with half of it.

And no bad.

--imm

[immoderate]

45. No bad. I answered myself by mistake.

--imm

[meti57b]

41. That is an excellent and short explanation!!

"When they come for the Jews, they don't care that you're an atheist."

It saves having to explain that it is possible to be a "nationality" or "tribe" without having an actual country.

[Ghost Dog]

18. It is the culture of a people that has chosen to define itself

as having a special relationship with a singular God. This, along with the tides of history, has surely strengthened that sense of 'peoplehood'.

[Walk away]

5. Yeah we do. nt

[Posteritatis]

15. When politically convenient, yeah

Look at the way a lot of DUers talk about Mormons lately, or how Catholics are discussed whenever one has a shot at the presidency, or the really embarrassing idiocy flung around this site during the "ground zero (sic) mosque" debacle.

[Suji to Seoul]

13. I never realized being Jewish meant I was from another country. Do we say Catholic-Americans

or Christian-Americans?

What is the PC bullshit crap? I'm Jewish! PURE AND FUCKING SIMPLE!!!!

And most Jews have something called a social conscience, brought about by centuries of state sponsored oppression. If we were all Republicans and voted Republican, we would be the biggest hypocrites on the planet. Most of us vote Democratic because it's what we believe!

[Behind the Aegis]

17. It doesn't mean you are from another country.

It is, however, a demographic. In an article about gays, it wouldn't be uncommon to see "Gay Americans." The hyphenation often refers to "Jews" as an 'ethnic' group, like Native American, Mexican-American, and the like. It might have been better, way on back in the day, if the ethnic group remained to be called Israeli or Hebrews, but it didn't. So, it isn't "PC bullshit crap" (a bit redundant, don't you think?).

The problem does exist though, that there are those who do treat us as if we are from another country or are more loyal to Israel. This form of anti-Semitism has existed since the early Greeks dominated the region. Our loyalties are often called into question and our voting habits constantly scrutinized. The politicians and the media re-enforce this time and time again, and many gulp down the kool-aid, no questions asked. The most recent event that really stick out for me as an example of this is the Weiner recall election. Pop back over to DU and look at some of the articles posted, and the comments. While some of the worst were deleted, there are more than a few nasty comments still there. Many tried to claim it was all about the votes of the Jews (not true) or their feelings on Israel (really not true). That is why articles like this are akin to reports that "water is wet" to me.

[azurnoir]

23. well with regard to the Weiner recall election it could on the surface appear that way

as you had two candidates one the winner a Republican who was like Weiner very vocal about his support of Israel and a Democrat who was not quite so vocal about Israel, however the district is not majority Jewish is it, so there might have been other factors including disillusionment with the Democratic party over not supporting Weiner more or Obama for suggesting Weiner step down, we'll see how it goes this election cycle, I suspect there will be a change

[oberliner]

19. Obama got 78 percent of the Jewish vote in 2008

Last edited Sat Sep 29, 2012, 10:16 AM - Edit history (1)

65 percent would be a fairly significant drop-off.

Hopefully the undecideds will break for Obama.

[aaaaaa5a]

20. If you look at the polling at this time in 2008 to this time 2012

Fifty-seven percent said they backed Obama, while 30 percent backed John McCain.

Today's poll:

Obama 64.9%
Romney 24.1%


At this time in 2008, 56% of Jewish Americans identified as Democrats. 17% were Republicans

Right now (2012) 55% identify as Democrats. 16% are Republicans.

[oberliner]

21. 2008 Jewish Vote for Obama Exceeds All Expectations

When the general election campaign began in June of this year the consensus opinion among political pundits was that Barack Obama was going to underperform among Jewish voters. In the four presidential elections between 1992 and 2008 the Democratic presidential nominee averaged 79%.

The Republican Jewish Coalition and other Republican spokespeople were quite confident that McCain would outperform past Republican nominees in the Jewish community. A few even predicted that McCain would surpass the 39% of the Jewish vote that Reagan received in 1980.

The chart below highlights how the national and state polls of Jewish voters progressed over the course of this election.

http://www.njdc.org/site/page/jewish_vote_for_obama_exceeds_all_expectations

The Gallup poll from this time in 2008 (10/1) had Obama at 74 and McCain at 22 (as indicated on the chart at the above link).

[muriel_volestrangler]

26. The numbers come from the equivalent poll last time

The Consumer Opinion Panel has served and continues to serve as the primary sample source for the survey. Panel members are recruited to join the panel and participate in surveys conducted by Synovate. Several times a year, the panel is screened for religious self-identification. In 2008, the sample source was broadened by including a sample from a distinctive name list supplied by Scientific Telephone Samples, Inc. This decision came about as Synovate panel recruiting methods moved more towards supporting online interviewing capabilities in addition to phone and mail. It was felt a broader base would help insure more reliable results.

http://www.ajc.org/site/c.ijITI2PHKoG/b.4540689/

Which sounds like they are asking religious Jews, not non-religious ones. Having said that, in question 18 this year 32% said they never attend services at a Jewish temple or synagogue apart from weddings, Bar Mitzvahs etc.

[oberliner]

34. Good point

In any case, I think more should be done to counter Romney's aggressive play for this demographic in Florida.

[azurnoir]

24. Interesting post pointing out how much Jewish support for Obama has fallen on a thread that states

states the opposite, last I believe (in the I/P group) it was a comparison to Jimmy Carter, I must ask why are you making such posts, why do you wish to highlight how much Jewish support for Obama has fallen inbcluding a comparison to Jimmy Carter?

[oberliner]

28. More work is needed

This could be a crucial demographic - especially in the critical state of Florida.

We cannot be complacent.

[azurnoir]

29. No we cannot be complacent about the election on any front

but IMO in the end we'll find Jewish voters going for Obama in about the same numbers they did in 2008

[oberliner]

52. Hope you're right

Last edited Sun Sep 30, 2012, 07:19 AM - Edit history (1)

Especially now that Florida looks like it could go to the Obama column!

[treestar]

33. How can that be? I thought Bibi said vote for Mittwit?

[DCBob]

36. This totally confuses the RWingers.

Most assume all American Jews are in the tank for Israel so how could they support Obama-the-Muslim-lover. Shows how out of touch they are with reality.

[elbloggoZY27]

43. Who Cares

Israel can take care of Business As Usual in the Middle East.

Shalom & Happy New Year

[Posteritatis]

51. And yet another "American Jews are really Israelis" post. (nt)