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October 20, 2000/21 Tishri 5761, Vol. 53, No.4
Jews see stake in presidential vote on Nov. 7
BARRY COHEN
Community Editor
Though the U.S. major party presidential candidates claim to agree on issue after issue, many topics divide and distinguish their platforms, issues that directly affect the Jewish community.
For this reason, Jews across the nation have a stake in who goes to the White House when the nation's electorate votes Nov. 7.
"Over the next three weeks, especially as we look at the Middle East and at issues that matter to us and our families, I see the election as a clear choice," said Matt Dorf, partner at Rabinowitz Media Strategies in Washington, D.C.
The agency's clients include the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Center for Middle East Peace and Economic Cooperation and the Brennan Center at New York University Law School.
"The Jewish agenda is bettered represented and safeguarded by the Democratic ticket," Dorf said.
Valley businessman Meyer Turken, who calls himself a lifelong Republican, had planned to vote for the Al Gore-Joseph Lieberman Democratic ticket.
"I was upset and appalled by the strength of the Christian right" on the Rebublican party, he said.
What changed his mind, Turken explained, was the "lies Gore tells. ... He has shown me in the debates that he will say what needs to be said to get in."
Dorf said that when viewing the stances candidates have taken on particular issues - Israel, church-state, a woman's right to choose and care for the elderly - "there are real questions about George W. Bush and Richard Cheney," Republican presidential and vice-presidential candidates.
When Cheney was in Congress, Dorf said, he voted to cut aid to Israel and advocated arms sales to Israel's Arab neighbors. In addition, Halliburton Energy Services, where Cheney served as vice chairman, honored the Arab boycott of Israel, said Dorf.
The next president will nominate U.S. Supreme Court justices and many federal district and appeals-court justices, said Dorf. Their rulings will affect social policy, such as "charitable choice" and abortion issues.
Dorf said Bush's plan for charitable choice does not prevent proselytizing, and his pro-life stance is opposed to Jewish law, as it would not protect the health of the mother in all cases.
Lastly, a clear difference, according to Dorf, concerns the care of elderly Americans, specifically prescription drug benefits.
He said the Republicans in Congress have repeatedly cut prescription drug plans, and that under Bush's budget plan, there is simply not enough money to cover the benefits he claims will exist.
Turken disagreed, claiming that Bush and Gore are "pretty close on the 'hot issues.' " He added that the Senate and House of Representatives will almost have equal numbers of Republicans and Democrats, and for this reason, they will have to compromise on issues such as church-state and elder care in order to get any legislation passed.
Sam Coppersmith, former U.S. congressman from Arizona and currently a lawyer in private practice and a columnist for the Tribune newspapers, said he would vote for the Gore-Lieberman ticket.
The Republicans "appear to be attempting to enshrine one version of faith and morals into law," said Coppersmith.
He is critical of the party because its political leaders claim to follow biblical teachings but "follow Newt more than Jesus." Newt Gingrich is a former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Social services were a concern in Coppersmith making a decision.
"I am uncomfortable with politics that says, 'Let's do people a favor by ignoring their problems and wishing them away by faith,' " he said.
Turken said he is concerned about the Supreme Court justices the next president will nominate; however, he added that once a president gets into office, he tends to become more moderate. He predicted that if Bush is elected, his nominees would be more moderate than people think.
Dorf said the fact Lieberman is on the ticket will clearly influence the Jewish vote.
"There is a pride in a Jew making it to the presidential ticket that transcends politics and partisanship," said Dorf.
In the 1996 election, 78 percent of the Jewish vote went to Clinton, said Dorf; this year, the question is whether the vote will be 85 percent or 90 percent.
"I would love to have a Jew as vice president," said Turken. But he added he does not believe he can trust Gore.
Dorf spoke Oct. 16 at a meeting of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater Phoenix. He is the former director of governmental relations and public affairs for the American Jewish Congress and former Washington bureau chief for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency.
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