Reply #78: There are a variety of reasons

[primavera]

Part of it is simple demographics: there happen to be significant Jewish populations located in several swing states, Florida being the most famous example, but also including Ohio and Pennsylvania. Moreover, voter registration and turnout amongst Jewish communities tends to be very high. For instance, in California, Jews make up 2.9% of the state's population, but 6% of the state's registered voters. The Jewish community also has a sizable swing percentage. About 50-55% traditionally support Democratic candidates; only about 10% have consistently supported Republicans. But that leaves about 30-35% that can - and do - go either way and, among that 30-35%, a candidate's perceived support for Israel is commonly the determinative factor. There have been a number of instances over the last 50 years in which, in close competitive races, perceptions of a candidate being too pro-Arab (for instance Jimmy Carter in 1980) or wavering in their support of the Israeli state (for instance George Bush in 1992) ended up costing the candidate crucial votes that might have tipped the scales in their favor.

Another consideration is that being pro-Israel is politically cost free. Most agenda items cannot be capitalized on without alienating the other side of the debate: if you're pro-choice, you'll piss off the anti-choice people; if you're pro gun control, you'll piss off the pro-gun community, etc., etc.. Being pro-Israel costs nothing as there is no electorally significant population of Palestinians within the US to offend. So, if you're a politician, there's no downside to being pro-Israel and, you never know, it just might gain you the extra votes you need in a close contest.