All indications are that the majority of Jewish voters in this year’s presidential election will support Democrats.
Political pundits tell us that most Jews think the Democratic platform and candidates are more aligned with their way of thinking, more concerned about social issues, more liberal, favoring gun control and supporting abortion rights.
But that way of thinking may not be the best for the Jews.
The two-party system is critical for American democracy. It serves as a check and balance of the party that’s in power.
It’s important that Jews be represented in the Republican as well as the Reform and Green parties, and contribute to their financial support. If either of these parties write off the Jewish vote, our voices will be ignored during the campaign and afterward.
Should George W. Bush get elected, we want him to be a friend to Jews. We want him to continue funding Israel and to try his hand at a peace summit.
There are only 6 million Jews in America. We are a minority. But we’ve managed to keep our concerns and agenda on Washington’s radar.
We always run the risk that a Republican president will pay us little heed if he feels we did nothing to get him elected. So far that hasn’t happened, but it could.
As for the Reform Party, we do not want to see that party develop into a right-wing fringe under Pat Buchanan.
We’re not suggesting anyone change his or her party affiliation. But at the same time, we shouldn’t make any Jew who registers Republican, Reform or any other party feel like an outcast.
Instead we should encourage them to represent Jewish interests and ideas in their party of choice.
May the Jewish voice be heard in every political party this year and in years to come.