Days After Returning From Israel Romney Forms Jewish American Coalition
It became clear on Wednesday that, despite an abundance
of meetings with representatives of the Jewish community this week, presumptive
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was not done yet with the 2% of
the U.S. population, when he announced a new campaign group: The "Jewish
Americans for Romney coalition."
Romney said in a statement released on Tuesday, "The
Jewish community has made contributions to American society that stand in
amazing disproportion to its numbers, and I am genuinely honored to have so
many of its leading thinkers, diplomats, and political leaders support my
campaign."
The coalition is co-chaired by the Republican House
Majority Leader Eric Cantor, former Hawaii Jewish Governor Linda Lingle, former
Senators Norm Coleman and Rudy Boschwitz, and Adam Hasner, a Florida
congressional candidate.
The group's advisory board of 39 included top advisers to
his campaign who have served in previous Republican administrations, among them
Tevi Troy, Dov Zakheim and Den Senor.
Romney also referred to his recent visit to Israel in his
statement, saying that, "Having just visited Israel at a critical juncture
in the history of the Middle East, Iam persuaded that now, more than ever,
America needs to stand with Israel. I will extend the hand of friendship
because our partnership is not merely a strategic alliance but a force for good
in the world."
Romney landed in Israel on Saturday evening for a one and
a half day visit. On Monday morning he held a fundraiser for Jewish-American
supporters in Jerusalem, during which made remarks against Palestinian culture
that were interpreted as a racist slur. The event was attended by some 40
wealthy Jewish American supporters.
The House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, co-chair of the
coalition, urged all U.S. Jews, "Democrat, Republican, and independent
alike, to give a serious look at Mitt Romney's candidacy."
Romney, he said, has been "an unwavering supporter
of the state of Israel," who will "leave no stone unturned in the
effort to keep Israel secure.”
It's quite sure that along with the barrage of new
anti-Obama ads produced by the Sheldon Adelson-backed Republican Jewish
Coalition titled "My Buyer's remorse," Romney's supporters will also
leave no stone unturned in trying to make this 2% at least hesitate in polling
stations. To judge by the current polls in battleground states with a serious
Jewish presence, it's an uphill battle. According to the Quinnipiac
University/CBS News/New York Times polls, Obama is leading in Florida with
51%-45%, Pennsylvania 53%-42%, and Ohio - 50%-44%.
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