Romney announces Jewish Americans for Romney coalition
August 1, 2012 4 Comments
By Lauren Appelbaum, Political Director
Mitt Romney and Benjamin Netanyahu meeting at the Prime Minister’s residence on July 29, 2012
Washington, Aug. 1 – Fresh off his trip to Israel, Mitt Romney announced his Jewish Americans for Romney coalition.
“I am proud to have the support of so many distinguished Jewish Americans,” the presumptive Republican presidential nominee said in a statement. “The Jewish community has made contributions to American society that stand in amazing disproportion to its numbers, and I am genuinely honored to have so many of its leading thinkers, diplomats, and political leaders support my campaign. Having just visited Israel at a critical juncture in the history of the Middle East, I am persuaded that now, more than ever, America needs to stand with Israel. I will extend the hand of friendship because our partnership is not merely a strategic alliance but a force for good in the world.”
Honorary chairmen include Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), former Gov. Linda Lingle (R-Hawaii), former Sens. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) and Rudy Boschwitz (R-Minn) and Adam Hasner of Florida.
Cantor, the House majority leader, called for all American Jews regardless of political affiliation to seriously consider Romney’s candidacy.
“Throughout his life, Gov. Romney has been an unwavering supporter of the state of Israel,” Cantor said in a statement. “Gov. Romney understands that peace in the Middle East will only be achieved when Israel is secure within its borders and not the target of violence fueled by senseless hatred. He will leave no stone unturned in the effort to keep Israel secure.”
In a recent survey by the American Jewish Committee, Jewish Americans’ highest priorities in the 2012 presidential election are the economy (80 percent), health care (57 percent), national security (26 percent) and taxes (26 percent). Twenty-two percent of Jewish Americans cite U.S.-Israel relations as the one of the three most important issues in deciding how they will vote in the 2012 presidential election.
| 8. Among the following list of choices, which are the 3 most important issues to you in deciding how you will vote in the 2012 presidential election? | ||||||
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | All | |||
| 9% | 9% | 8% | 26% | National Security | ||
| 29% | 26% | 28% | 80% | Economy | ||
| 20% | 19% | 20% | 57% | Health Care | ||
| 6% | 9% | 8% | 22% | US-Israel Relations | ||
| 4% | 3% | 1% | 8% | Immigration | ||
| 4% | 5% | 4% | 14% | Energy Security | ||
| 8% | 10% | 10% | 26% | Taxes | ||
| 8% | 7% | 8% | 22% | Social Security | ||
| 4% | 5% | 6% | 15% | Iran’s Nuclear Program | ||
| 4% | 2% | 2% | 8% | Church-State Issues | ||
| 3% | 4% | 4% | 11% | Abortion | ||
| 1% | - | - | 1% | No Response | ||
Coleman addressed this issue. ”Like every other group in America, American Jews want an economy that is growing and creating jobs for all who seek them. Given his background and experience, Gov. Romney will succeed in turning around the U.S. economy where Barack Obama has failed.”
About TIP on the Trail
Pingback: Obama for America announces Rabbis for Obama « TIP on the Trail
I am definitely for Romney and Ryan because I support America and Israel.
Now we need sensible rabbis for Romney
A letter to America’s rabbis —
from Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg
letter from Rabbi Dr. Bernhard Rosenberg:
To my fellow rabbis:
I write to you at this time of dire trouble for our country and for Israel.
Last week America was under attack. Our ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were slaughtered by Muslim extremists. This was not a spontaneous “protest” against an admittedly stupid video. This was an organized military assault, coordinated expressly for execution on September 11.
Likewise, the “protests” in Cairo at the American embassy. Where our flag was shredded, and the black Islamist flag of al-Qaeda was raised in its place. Reliable sources say the US was forewarned of both attacks — probably by Israel. But America’s State Department ignored those warnings. Why?
The Obama administration’s reactions to these outrages is sadly typical. The next day, Mr. Obama flew off to Las Vegas to raise funds. And our government still apologizes for that inane video — made by an Egyptian Coptic.
Where is the leadership here? What has such ongoing appeasement gotten us? Mr. Obama once promised a “reset” of America’s relationship with Muslim nations. But the reality is far different. The Islamic world holds us in greater contempt than ever, seeing Obama’s America as weak and incapable, or unwilling, to defend our interests and our friends.
On that note, Obama’s policy toward Israel has been a disgrace from the start. It’s as if his goal is to disenfranchise himself — and America — from the Jewish state. To make clear to the world that Israel, should they dare to defend their very existence, will go it alone. Such signals serve only to embolden Israel’s enemies — who are also our enemies.
The same signal comes from Obama’s latest snub of Bibi Netanyahu — who was told that Obama will not have time to meet with him when the Israeli Prime Minister arrives in America this week. Meanwhile, Obama can regale on the David Letterman. And extend an open invitation to Egypt’s President Morsi.
Such actions say a lot to the world. Can we stand silent any longer?
To the 613 “Rabbis for Obama,” in light of the president’s most recent actions, I ask you: What have you got to say now? What are your excuses for President Obama now?
I say this with all my heart. I cannot keep silent any longer. The voices of my father and my mother, survivors of Auschwitz and Buchenwald, compel me to speak out — with zeal.
I urge you to consider the following:
- Silence did not work in the 1930s, when the looming evils of Nazism could have been stopped in their tracks. Nor will it work today when Islamists, who deny the Holocaust, threaten another one in Israel.
- Why does the United States say nothing about the daily denigration of Jews and Christians by imams worldwide?
- Why do we tolerate an American media that continues to play dumb when our real interests, and our very lives, are at stake?
- Why does America continue to send money (and excuse outstanding loans) to Morsi’s Egypt?
- Why doesn’t America compel Morsi to uphold the peace treaty with Israel? To rein in Hamas? To act like a responsible, civil government?
- And of utmost importance, why don’t we rabbis come together and insist that the Obama administration express — in words and in deeds — their unequivocal support for Israel during this most challenging of times?
I started “Rabbis for Romney” as a counterweight to “Rabbis for Obama.” My message at first was not political. But the situation has evolved — or devolved — into one where the danger to Israel is more paramount than ever. Don’t kid yourselves. We are nearing the 11th hour.
Please join me in my quest to see that America and Israel stay safe from the growing danger that’s all around us.
We can no longer afford to stay silent. Let us make sure that “Never again” means “NEVER again.”
Respectfully,
Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg
Note: To join “Rabbis for Romney,” please contact Rabbi Bernhard Rosenberg at chaimdov@aol.com