Jewish supporters aim at key statesPage 2 of 2 -- The debate over presidential politics has become heated within the Jewish community, Grossman said, as Republicans aggressively go after American Jewish support, turning what was once a Democratic stronghold into a significant battleground in this year's fiercely divided presidential race.
''A significant focus throughout the Jewish community around the country at the moment is this battle and how it is going to play out," said Grossman, who was chairman of the Howard Dean campaign during the primaries before switching his allegiance to Kerry. ''Bush offers very little on every important social issue, but his perceived support for Israel has the Republicans extraordinarily optimistic about cutting into what has been usually rock solid support for the Democratic nominee in key battleground states." ''It will fail, but the fact the battle has been joined shows the competitiveness of this race," Grossman said. Indeed, particularly since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, Bush has benefited from his statements about fighting terrorism and his backing of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in Israel's tough line against the Palestinians. He has called Sharon a ''man of peace" and won accolades from the American Jewish leaders for his Mideast policies. In addition, the Christian Coalition, which has a strong influence over Bush and is a force within the Republican Party, is a steadfast supporter of Israel's tough policies on West Bank settlements and Palestinian rights. The Christian right interprets the Bible to mean that Israel belongs to the Jewish people. A report by the Jewish organization B'nai B'rith predicted a shift among young American Jewish voters away from the Democrats to Republicans, noting that the Jewish vote will be a major battle ground in this year's election. But Solomont and Grossman say the Democrats have strong arguments to make to the Jewish constituencies that are enticed by Bush's policies toward the Mideast. They say the defense of Israel is only one issue of concern to the community and that Democrats offer other policies that they say provide more social and economic equity, traditionally a major focus of Jewish voters. ''I've never seen a candidate like John Kerry more in tune with the values of the Jewish community," Solomont said. He also said John Kerry's record on Israel is ''perfect" and that the senator has traveled a number of times to the region and familiarized himself with the issues and its leaders. ''John Kerry has been as good a friend of Israel as anyone," Solomont said. ''He didn't need to be a candidate for president to become interested in these issues. He already has the deep knowledge and experience in foreign relations. He has a relationship with the region." Grossman said the group selected to campaign for Kerry are people who have known him for many years. ''This team, which knows John Kerry best, will fan out across the country and let people know what John has done for Israel and for the values that we care about," Grossman said.
Those participating in the effort include: state Senator Cynthia S. Creem of Newton; Ruth B. Balser of Newton; former state Representative James Segel of Brookline; former US Attorney Donald Stern; Boston lawyer Richard Glovsky, the former chairman of the New England region of the Anti-Defamation League; Boston lawyer Dennis Kanin; Bob Epstein, part owner of the Celtics and a longtime Kerry supporter; Boston City Councilor Michael Ross; former Rhode Island Lieutenant Governor Richard Licht; and venture capitalist Jonathan Lavine, partner of Bain Capital. © Copyright 2004 Globe Newspaper Company.
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