GOP Jewish Forum to Keep Jews Democratic; Harris Available for Comment

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Event Likely to Remind Jews Why They Consistently Eschew the GOP

National Jewish Democratic Council (NJDC) President and CEO David A. Harris will be available on Wednesday, December 7, 2011 to discuss remarks made by the Republican presidential candidates at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s presidential forum in Washington, DC. Harris released the following statement in advance of tomorrow’s event:

All of the Republican candidates appearing tomorrow have made statements regarding domestic and foreign policy matters that expose the wide chasm separating today’s Republican Party from the vast majority of American Jews. These candidates will use their appearance in front of that rarest of audiences—a group that is 100 percent Republican and Jewish—to explain what they offer American Jews beyond Israel-based campaign rhetoric that politicizes the U.S.-Israel relationship.  Most American Jews want to know where these candidates stand on the First Amendment, women’s rights, choice, public education, science, and protecting the environment. And on these issues and so many more, most American Jews believe these candidates are wrong.

Regarding Israel, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, and Texas Governor Rick Perry have some serious explaining to do regarding their support for recalibrating all foreign aid to start at zero— especially so for Perry given his confirmation that Israel’s aid would start at zero ‘just like anyone else.’ Since making their comments last month, not one of them has addressed if they would continue the 10-year Memorandum of Understanding on U.S. aid to Israel that President Barack Obama has implemented and exceeded.  

While the candidates are likely to reiterate their pledges to repeal health care reform,  slash the social safety net, and irresponsibly lower taxes, those policy positions are not shared by the mainstream of American Jewry. Given how previous Republican forums have gone, tomorrow’s event is likely to remind Jews why they eschew the GOP and strongly identify with the Democratic Party and its issue platform.

If you are interested in speaking with Harris, please contact David Streeter at (202)  216-9060 (o), (202) 285-3821 (c), or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

 

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