Israel Matzav

How much of the Jewish vote does Romney need?

A new poll, conducted by Knowledge Networks for the AJC, shows the mixed political mind of the American Jewish community as the nation heads into general election season. It reveals Romney making significant inroads in the Jewish community, getting the support of 28 percent, 6 months before Election Day. In comparison, President George W. Bush, considered one of Israel’s greatest friends, got only 24 percent of the Jewish vote in his reelection bid in 2004. Senator McCain, also known as a strong supporter of Israel during his years in the Senate, got only 22 percent.

The poll also shows President Obama getting only 61 percent of the Jewish vote, a decline of 17 points down from the 78 percent he got in 2008. 11 percent are undecided, but when asked whom they are leaning towards, 5% picked Romney and 6% picked the president. Even before the Veep pick, the national convention, and the campaign effort which is expected to be aggressive and carefully targeted in the months ahead, that gives Mitt Romney roughly 33% of the Jewish vote.

Based on this poll data, one could confidentially predict Mitt Romney getting around 39% of the Jewish vote in November. It matches President Reagan’s 1980-1984 support.

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Speaking to the Jewish Voice, Matt Brooks, Executive Director of the Republican Jewish Coalition said the while it’s too early to predict the outcome, “The poll data underscores President Obama’s significant problem with American Jewish voters, and a major erosion in support.”

While expressing confidence in Republican nominee Mitt Romney’s ability to make significant inroads among Jewish voters, Brooks pointed out that in 2000, George W. Bush got only 19 percent of the Jewish Vote and narrowly carried Florida. And by the time of his re-election, with an overall 24% of the Jewish vote, the state of Florida wasn’t even close. However, he added, that “the more votes we take from the Democrat’s core base, the more it will impact the overall competitiveness of this race,” Brooks said.

Labels: Barack Hussein Obama, Jewish vote, Mitt Romney

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 11:18 PM