Gop Presidential Hopefuls Line Up Jewish Supporters

Republican presidential hopefuls have begun to line up Jewish political heavyweights to support their campaigns.

Sen. Bob Dole (R-Kan.) announced last week that Max Fisher will serve as his honorary national finance chairman. Republican insiders called Fisher’s endorsement a major coup because of his potential fund-raising power and international recognition and international recognitions as a major Jewish political player.

Dole called Fisher the “undisputed dean and elder statesman of the American Jewish community.”

The former national president of the United Jewish Appeal, Fisher also served as the founding chairman of the reconstituted Jewish Agency for Israel. Fisher was one of the founders of the National Jewish Coalition, a Republican organization. He has advised the last four Republican presidents.

“I’m hoping to become the fifth,” Dole said in a statement announcing the appointment.

Dole has also gained the backing of George Klein and Sam Fox.

Klein is active with Agudath Israel and with the Holocaust memorial museum in New York. Fox has raised significant funds for the Republican National Committee and is active in Jewish affairs in St. Louis. Both serve as senior officers on the National Jewish Coalition’s board.

Sen. Phil Gramm (R-Texas) has secured the support of Mayer “Bubba” Mitchell, a former president of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Melvin Sembler, a former ambassador to Australia and an active supporter of Jewish Federations in Florida, has endorsed Lamar Alexander, former secretary of education.

Sen. Arlen Specter (T-Pa.), the first Jew to make a major run for president in decades, also has lined up Jewish support. His backers include Herb Linsenberg of Philadelphia, treasurer of NJC.

Sen. Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) has the backing of Robert Mazer, a former AIPAC officer and Jewish activist in Chicago.