Lieberman was in Florida yesterday, using his "star power" there to campaign for John McCain and the Republican Party because, "The Democratic Party, I believe, respectfully, has left the strongest roots of its foreign policy and national security." While John McCain believes, "Israel is our natural ally, from the beginning of its modern existence to this day in the war against Islamic extremists and terrorists."
Democrats apparently don't support Israel, because they have whined about occupying Iraq, and opposed bombing Iran.
Via TPM read this depressing and eye opening piece in the Miami Herald about Lieberman stumping for McCain, and the rising numbers of Jewish Republicans in Florida, and according to polls cited, nationally.
Is there a growing "Liebercrat" phenomena? And is it going to be enough to throw Florida, and the Presidential election, John McCain's way in November? (Lieberman arguably was the reason Florida narrowly went Gore in 2000.) What are the implications nationally of this "movement," and why is there no response from the Democratic Party to Lieberman's ultimate betrayal?
Joe Lieberman is now so far off the reservation that it's something that MUST be confronted by the Democratic Party. But is this issue so charged with the FEAR of losing Lieberman to the Republicans (as if he isn't there already) and alienating a few people, that it will continue to be avoided?
Hopefully this election will provide the Senate majority necessary to rid us of this jingoistic vermin once and for all. (And we can always hope that CT will be embarrassed enough to remove him themselves next time.)
But the growing participation of American Jews in "Conservatism," and the Republican Party, as highlighted (or lowlighted) in recent years by the whole "Neo-Con" movement, and the Presidential voting trend, is both troubling and depressing. When the American Jewish community, which has contributed so much to making the United States a more just, progressive, and democratic place over the last century, fosters a sub-culture which is trending against these values, it is reason for concern. The Herald article cites a growth, according to Presidential exit polls, of Jewish Americans voting Republican, from 11 percent in 1992 to 24 percent in 2004. That's one in four Jewish voters going for the "born-again" idiot GW Bush in the last election, compared to one of TEN voting for his father in '92.
No one political party can maintain a monolithic hold over any ethic/religious group in America forever. As with other once reliably Democratic demographics that have been assimilated into the broader culture, or simply become more affluent, many formerly staunch Democrats do "go Republican," over successive generations. (First, you get some money and a house thanks to Democratic policies, then you decide you did it "all on your own," and start voting Republican, so that others won't "threaten" your comfort level.)
But the roughly "50 percent" balance in the last several Presidential elections means that further erosion from a traditionally reliable base of one party towards the other party, can be very significant. It really is a zero sum game. Especially in Florida, which is the only big Southern state "in play" for Democratic Presidential contenders, and where Democrats need every vote possible to win.
According to a national 2007 opinion survey by the nonpartisan American Jewish Committee, Giuliani was more favorably viewed than Obama in Florida. "The poll, which surveyed 1,000 self-identified American Jews between November 6 and November 25, presents the Jewish community as being somewhat out of step with the broader American electorate. When compared with a major national poll that was also released this week, the AJCommittee survey shows Jewish Americans to be less likely than the general public to support Illinois Senator Barack Obama but more likely to back Giuliani and former North Carolina senator Edwards."
Where will those voters go in November? Will they stick by Hillary, but go McCain if it's Obama? Will special effort be required this time to win over enough of Florida's Jewish community, or is the horse already out of the barn? Are the "Liebercrats" even reachable by the reality based community?
We will find out soon enough. But these numbers, and the ugly phenomena known as Joe Lieberman, give us reason to pause.
As Joe said in a Dade County deli, "Florida is going to be very important to the nomination. I hope Republican voters keep in mind: `Who can get elected?' I have no doubt in my mind that John McCain is the most electable Republican."
The Democratic Party needs to be clear about this. Joe Lieberman is no longer a Democrat.