Ford Supporters Claim at Least 35% of Jews Voted for the President

Supporters of President Ford said today that nationwide at least 35 percent–or about-one in every three Jewish voters–cast their ballots for Ford Tuesday.

In addition to their own surveys of precincts in Jewish neighborhoods, the Ford backers referred to the New York Times-CBS poll that estimated 32 percent of the Jewish vote went to Ford and to the Lou Harris poll showing 45 percent for Ford and 54 percent for Jimmy Carter. According to Carter people, the Jewish vote nationwide was 75 percent for him. NBC also estimated a three to on edge for Carter among Jews who voted.

“Our figures nationwide would indicate the President received at least 35 percent of the Jewish vote,” David Lissy, associate director of the President’s domestic council said. His report corroborated estimates in New York and Philadelphia received from Ford aides who said that Ford did ballet it in other Republican Presidential candidates in the past in their areas. The Philadelphia estimate was 35 percent for Ford.

In New York, a specialist pointed out that it would be a mistake to assume that because the whole of the Boro Park assembly district showed 33 percent of the votes were for Ford meant that figure represented the Jewish vote. The district has both Jews and non-Jews he noted. In some election areas, the vote was 48 percent or even more for Ford, he said.

He also observed that while all Williamsburg was about one in three for Ford, some precincts were evenly split between Ford and Carter. In Nassau County suburbs, the Ford vote was 35 to 38 percent, he observed. “It all depends on what figures you take,” he advised.

“Obviously we wanted to win.” Lissy said. “Nevertheless we are very proud of the support of Jewish voters for the President. I think it is very important that both parties understand the Jewish community provides support for candidates of both parties and gives its support in accordance with the issues and the candidates. The community does not vote automatically one way or the other. It is to the credit of the Jewish community that it had such distinguished leaders active in both campaigns.”