In his article “As Republicans Surge, Party Still Thin On Jewish Muscle” (Jan. 7), James D. Besser voices a cluelessly unfulfilled wish, one that frequently appears in The Jewish Week. Its longing for more Jews to become Republicans will remain unfulfilled for a proper reason, one that was articulated elsewhere in the same issue in the review of the new film about Phil Ochs that talks about standing up to bullies and “the unfairnesses of life.”
Jews are a compassionate and ethical people, and therefore the vast majority votes for the lesser of two evils — the Democratic Party, which stands up more for the poor and disfranchised, abortion rights, gun control and protecting the environment. Jews are also informed enough to understand that despite the negative media dogma, Democrats have been no less supportive of Israel than Republicans.
Cortlandt Manor, N.Y.
Editor’s Note: The story in question expressed no opinion about whether Jews should alter their voting behavior but only reported on the reality that so far they have not done so, at least to any major extent.
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