Jewish Democrats Push Back in Swing States
The National Jewish Democratic Council is launching a bid to push back against GOP attacks on President Obama in Jewish communities in swing states.
“The Republicans are going to spend a boatload of money trying to swiftboat the president and we will amass whatever resources we can get to rebut these lies and distortions of the presidents record on Israel,” Marc Stanley, the NJDC chairman, told JTA.
He said he was reaching out to fundraisers who have expressed an interest in recent days in such a counteroffensive, sparked in part by news this week that the Republican Jewish Coalition was launching a $6.5 million TV ad blitz in swing states featuring Jewish voters who are switching from Obama to Mitt Romney, the presumptive Republican presidential candidate.
Stanley said he would need to raise at least $1 million for the counteroffensive, and did not expect to match the RJC coffers, especially because the group is backed by Sheldeon Adelson, the casino magnate who has already funneled tens of millions of dollars into the Republican campaign.
“The truth is we won’t have the resources the Republicans have because we don’t have a Sheldon Adelson – yet,” he said.
Stanley said the campaign would target Jewish voters in Florida, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Nevada, Michigan and Wisconsin.
He said the effort would encompass social media, polling, mass mailings and get out the vote, as well as videos.
Harvey Weinstein, the cofounder of Miramax films, had pledged to assist in producing video for the web and for TV, Stanley said.
Separately, the Forward Thursday that two major Jewish Democratic donors, Haim Saban and Irwin Mark Jacobs, were collectively donating $3 million to political action committees backing Obama. Saban, who has criticized Obama for some of his Israel policies, had suggested in the past that he might not donate to Obama’s campaign, although he would continue to donate to Democrats.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
