JDCA Weekly Wrap Up – The Facts Speak For Themselves
Friends,
This week, a non-partisan national poll of the Jewish electorate found that Jewish voters remain overwhelmingly supportive of Democrats, and that a strong majority of Jewish voters see the Democratic Party as pro-Israel. The poll also found that the Jewish electorate is voting on a wide range of issues including – but not focused solely on – Israel. The poll found that 74% of Jewish voters will vote for Democratic candidates in the midterms, which proves why JDCA’s mission is critical: Jews turning out this election means that Democrats will win. Support JDCA today to help us Get Out The Jewish Vote and turn red seats to blue. We have 18 days left until the midterms! Keep reading to learn more…
Polling Indicates Overwhelming Disapproval of Trump Among Jewish Voters
A new poll commissioned by the non-partisan Jewish Electorate Institute (JEI) and conducted by pollster Mark Mellman found that 76% of Jewish voters disapprove of Donald Trump and 74% plan on voting for Democratic candidates in the midterm elections. This is higher than the total number of Jews who identified themselves as Democrats (68%), demonstrating that some support for Democrats from Jewish voters in this election cycle stems from Independents or even Republicans. Moreover, party identification with Democrats is over 20 points higher in the Jewish community than among the American electorate generally. Jewish voters are Democrats, and that’s not changing.
An overwhelming 71% of Jewish voters said they will not vote for Trump in 2020 because Trump is on the wrong side of almost every issue: 70% or more of Jewish voters disapprove of his handling of anti-Semitism, the Iran nuclear deal, foreign policy, immigration, Supreme Court nominations, gun safety, the environment, and healthcare. Regarding Trump’s policies on Israel, a majority of Jewish voters (56%) disapprove of Trump’s handling of the U.S. Embassy move to Jerusalem, his withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal (70%), and U.S. relations with the Palestinians (62%). When asked about these numbers by the Washington Jewish Week, the Republican Jewish Coalition had “no comment.” Clearly, there’s nothing for Republicans to say – the facts speak for themselves.
Additionally, the poll demonstrated that there has been no change in support for the U.S.-Israel relationship among Democrats, and JDCA is advocating for bipartisan support of Israel to continue. We are deeply concerned, however, about ongoing Republican attempts to use Israel as a political wedge issue for their perceived political gain. Not only is this politically dangerous for Israel, but the evidences proves that it doesn’t work. The facts are clear: Jewish voters will reject Trump, Republicans, and the GOP agenda overwhelmingly in the midterms because Democrats are the only party that shares their values and policy priorities. Read JDCA’s statement on the poll, and watch JDCA Executive Director Halie Soifer explain the poll – and debate the findings with a Republican – on Israeli news channel, i24.
Why Won’t Republicans Oppose Nazis and White Supremacists?
That’s the question JDCA Board Member Dan Berger and I asked last week in an article published in the Washington Jewish Week and the Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle. An unprecedented number of Nazis, neo-Nazis, Holocaust-deniers, white supremacists are running for office this election cycle, all under the Republican banner. President Trump refuses to unequivocally condemn the hatred in his own party and among his own supporters, which is an unacceptable abdication of moral leadership. Most glaringly, Republican members of the House and Senate have refused to endorse the Democratic candidates, which is nothing less than moral bankruptcy. The American public — and particularly the Jewish community — will not forget the silence of Republicans in the face of rising anti-Semitism and hatred, and will judge them harshly at the polls in November.
Jewish Dems Demand Twitter suspend Farrakhan
Louis Farrakhan, leader of the fringe group Nation of Islam, posted a clip on Tuesday in which he compared Jews to termites. Dehumanization is a classic trope in many forms of hate speech, including in anti-Semitism. While we strongly support the First Amendment, Farrakhan’s post violates Twitter’s proposed new policies around “dehumanizing” tweets. Since those policies haven’t yet taken effect, Twitter is refusing to suspend this blatantly anti-Semitic content and are therefore playing a role in normalizing these hateful messages. Farrakhan has a long history of posting anti-Semitic, anti-LGBTQ, and misogynistic hate speech, and isnoted as an anti-Semitic extremist by the Southern Poverty Law Center.Join JDCA in calling on Twitter to suspend Farrakhan’s account.
Take Action with Jewish Dems Today
Jews overwhelmingly support Democrats, but that support means little if Jews don’t get to the polls. We have two-and-a-half weeks to Get Out The Jewish Vote. Between now and November 6, take action by joining a JDCA canvas or phone bank. You can even make calls from the privacy of your home. Sign up to volunteer online or email [email protected]with “Volunteer” in the subject line. If the fate of the country is not motivation enough, don’t forget that all volunteers, as well as JDCA supporters who contribute $100 between now and November, will receive a Jewish Dems t-shirt and button. With just 18 days left, don’t forget to talk to your friends, neighbors, parents, siblings, and children about the importance of their vote and how every vote counts.
Here are some upcoming events!
10/21 Virginia canvass for Jennifer Wexton 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm>
10/22 DC phonebanking for Tom Malinowski and Rep. Jackie Rose 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm
10/25 New York panel discussion on the Jewish vote featuring JDCA Executive Director Halie Soifer 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
10/25 Massachusetts phonebanking for Kathy Manning 6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
10/28 Michigan canvass for Haley Stevens 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm
10/28 Colorado canvass for Jason Crow 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
10/29 Michigan canvass for Elissa Slotkin 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Shabbat Shalom,
Ron Klein
Chair, Jewish Democratic Council of America