Jewish vote key in election

In 2000, only 19 percent of Jewish voters cast their ballots for George W. Bush. This year, both the democrats and the Republicans have focused on getting the Jewish vote. \nIn this presidential election, Bush and Democrat Sen. John Kerry have targeted different groups of the Jewish population by age, geographic location and scale of religious affiliation. \nThe Jewish community vote is united by perpetual concern and interest in the American-Israeli relationship. Both Bush and Kerry boast solid records and support for Israel to enhance national security and terrorist protection. The two candidates' relationship with Israel is essential, however, Israel is only one issue in the political spectrum upon which Jewish voters reflect. Domestic and foreign policy issues are also chief concerns for American Jews. \n"Jewish voters need to balance and prioritize their individual issues and concerns to distinguish which candidate will enhance their needs, hoping Kerry means what he says, while looking at Bush's great record with Israel," said Foreign and Israeli Policy Professor Dina Spechler.\nRecent polls and surveys published in October show a small bump for Bush in the American Jewish vote. Energetic campaigning on Bush's part has brought only a small increase of support among the Jewish community, according to a nonpartisan poll commissioned by the American Jewish Committee. It also found Jews backing Democratic presidential candidate Kerry over Bush by nearly a 3 to 1 margin. \nJews comprise less than 2 percent of the national population. At the same time, they are a much higher percentage of the population likely to vote. In the last several decades, the vast majority of Jews have voted for the Democratic Party, with some 80 percent of voting Jews supporting Democrat Al Gore in the 2000 election. This is why the Jewish community can get a lot of attention from Democrats, at least in states with large Jewish populations such as New York or New Jersey. These two states are an important part of the Democratic base, as consistent as or even more so in their support than other core Democratic groups like blacks and Hispanics. \nAlthough Bush received a minority of Jewish votes in 2000, he has made an effort to appeal to Jewish voters, but it remains to be seen if that effort will be effective. \n"I don't claim to be objective, but Republican efforts to reach out to Jews have largely failed and that in line with 2000, the vast majority of Jews will vote from the Democratic ticket, turned off by Bush's efforts to ally himself with evangelical Christianity," said Professor Steven Weitzman, director of the Jewish Studies Program. \nThe Republican Party seeks to improve the Jewish vote and support by targeting Orthodox Jewish voters and young Jewish voters, Spechler said. Orthodox Jewish voters are increasingly likely to vote Republican, he said. The American Jewish Committee found 60 percent of Orthodox voters supporting Bush. \nOrthodox Jews are "Issue folks and like Bush's seriousness and his religious stance," Spechler said. They are extremely religious and participate in one of the highest forms of Judaism practice. Orthodox Jews are also socially conservative, and Spechler said they are less worried about separation of church and state, they don't mind "putting God back into the classroom."\nYounger Jews are more likely to vote Republican than their parents. Erica Maurer, a New Jersey resident and junior, is part of the Jewish population who does not support the Democratic Party. \n"I can understand why most of my Jewish community at home and here at IU would vote democratic, however, I strongly support Bush's war on terror," she said. "Israeli concerns are of interest to me, but my main concern is switching presidents in the middle of the (war on terrorism)."\nThe American Jewish Committee poll reports that one-third of Jews under the age of 40 support Bush. Another study found that 26 percent of Jews under 35 identify themselves as Republicans compared with only 11 percent of Jews above age 65. Jews are geographically concentrated. Eighty-five percent of them live in just 20 metropolitan areas. Winning votes in those areas is critical to any presidential candidate's election prospects. \nThe only state with a large Jewish minority is Florida. In 2004, even a small shift of Jewish votes to the Republican Party in states such as Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania could spell the difference between a clear Electoral College majority for Bush and another election cliffhanger.\nHowever, the highest overall percentages of Jewish voters come from New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Maryland and Connecticut. In 2004, key battleground states with large Jewish populations such as Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania are of particular concern. Knowing this, both parties have redoubled their efforts to win Jewish votes in certain geographic locations. \nOne issue in this election overwhelms all others: the Bush Doctrine. The president stands by his commitment to fight international terrorism regardless of how long it takes or how much it costs to achieve victory. The Bush Doctrine has a special meaning for American Jews. Jews, like most American voters are interested in candidates' plans for the economy, health care and social security. Another concern is the United States' special relationship with Israel. Like Maurer, who is focused on conflict in Iraq, many Jews vie the 9-11 terror attack against America in the same light as terror attacks against Israel. \nSpechler said Jewish voters must look past Bush's foreign policy and response to 9-11 because it is very easy to think in terms of the war on terror in Iraq and Afghanistan as the defining events of Bush's term in office. But Bush's entire record is one of a leader who, through executive initiatives, has produced real results and support for Israel.\nAfter seriously considering the records of both Bush and Kerry, many American Jews tend to agree with the Democratic issues such as reproductive choice, civil liberties, environmental protection, selection of judicial nominees, support for public school system and separation of religion and state.\nIn particular, many Jewish voters trust that Kerry understands that terrorism is a threat the United States and Israel share in common, experts say. As a decorated war veteran, Kerry knows the right of Israel to defend itself against threats. He supports Israel's right to build a security fence and to allow its Supreme Court, not the International Court of Justice, to address the issue of its location. Achieving long-term security of Israel will require sustained engagement by the United States with any elected president, according to the Jewish Virtual Library. \nAnother issue is advocating a peaceful settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict that will enhance Israeli security. Kerry has rejected Palestinians' right to their own state. Spechler said there is a difference between Bush and Kerry in this sense. Bush strongly appeals for a Palestinian State, while Kerry does not. However, both Bush and Kerry are sympathetic to Israeli's needs and policy changes. Both candidates support Israel's government and the Gaza withdrawal plan.\n-- Contact staff writer Julia Schneider at julschne@indiana.edu.