Rick Perry: “A Hard Sell among Jews”

David Streeter — August 26, 2011 – 10:51 am | Election 2012 | GOP Presidential Candidates 2012 | Republicans Comments (5) Add a comment

After examining Republican presidential candidate Texas Governor Rick Perry’s (R-TX) recent behavior, The Washington Post’s Jacques Berlinerblau concluded that “Rick Perry will be a hard sell among Jews.” He wrote in his analysis [bolded text Berlinerblau’s]:

Commentators are just beginning to assess Perry’s chances among Jews and it stands to reason that the subject will be revisited many times in the coming months. In fact, the question of ‘Jews in the General Election’ is a staple of Faith and Values journalism, sort of like the classic drenched-reporter-standing-on-the-beach-three-hours-before-the-hurricane-hits segment.

We are just getting to know Cowboy Rick Perry. The Jews, however, we know well. What follows are some general considerations for those wondering about this Aggie’s prospects among the People of the Covenant….

Israel will be Governor Perry’s portal to the Jewish community. Obama’s ‘betrayal of our greatest ally’ will be the central theme of every speech he gives to a Jewish group on the campaign trail. Expect a visit to the Wailing Wall replete with the governor donning a beaming white kipa.

Insofar as Perry has signaled a willingness to contrast his military record to that of Obama’s don’t be surprised if Pilot Perry rockets into Israel on his own private Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor. Hell, he may even volunteer to fly a sortie over Damascus. Such behaviors will be necessary because Perry has huge obstacles to overcome such as. . . .

The Response: Governor Perry’s unecumenical extravaganza of a few weeks back, I believe, was a huge political mistake….

[F]or Jews, it left nearly all of them-including Republicans-with concerns. Note to Perry handlers: Jews love ecumenical America. Jews fear Christian (as in Evangelical Protestant) America. Jewish neo-Conservatives are not an exception to this rule. Mitt Romney can go to town here. Members of the Tribe will feel that he understands what it means to run afoul of the majority.

Buckin’ Off the Fed: The Palin Factor: All things equal, Jews like strong central governments, not a pastiche of local decision makers catering to majorities. Perry’s recent tantrum directed at Ben Bernanke is not the type of thing that wins over most Jews. Indeed, the whole states-rights discourse leaves most on edge (the one possible exception here will be ultra-orthodox Jews). His disdain for ‘ponzi schemes’ like Social Security and Medicare ought make for some interesting back-and-forth with older Jewish voters in the Sunshine State.

Jews are also impervious to the charms of ‘small-town America’ solicitations the likes of which Sarah Palin employed in 2008. Some commentators, I am one of them, believe that such appeals spooked GOP-curious Jewish voters who prefer cities and federal governments to backwaters and volatile statehouses.

Jews, like all minorities, appreciate lawful order and if they are taxed a bit more for the privilege, so be it. Perry’s abhorrence of D.C. is not a winning issue for him among this constituency.

Perry: The Bull or the Rider? Everything we have seen so far indicates that the formidable Perry has more bull than rider in him. He can scarcely go eight seconds without lashing out at someone and he does so with an I’m-strapped-what-about-you? swagger. That may go over well in Dallas but less so among Jewish retirees in southern Florida.

If he does win his party’s nomination, Rick Perry will be a hard sell among Jews.

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