United States Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-Dist. 11) claimed to be an optimist when he spoke Jan. 28 at a brunch in Short Hills for the Republican Jewish Coalition’s New York/New Jersey chapter.

But the picture he painted when talking about the war in Iraq, the nuclear capability of Iran, and the Democrats’ control of Congress was anything but cheerful.

He even compared the way Republicans lost seats in the House of Representatives last November to the Watergate backlash against Republicans in 1974.

“I can tell you right now it’s far better to be in the majority,” he said with a smile that could have been a grin or grimace. “A lot of it has to do with the war. The majority of American people were sending a message to the president and to Congress.”

Frelinghuysen said he didn’t want to use terms like “stay the course” or “victory,” and yet he did.

“I haven’t used the term ‘stay the course’ but it is important to remember we are the liberators. If we remove ourselves from Iraq, without the U.S. presence you would have tens of thousands more killed.”

He expressed his support for the war and the need to present a strong front to terrorists.

“Our enemies are watching us quite closely,” Frelinghuysen said. “I do think what we’re doing over there is extremely important.”

Diana and James Daniels hosted the reception for 75 at their home, as a way to push their personal political agenda — support for Israel.

“The survival of Judaism and Israel is most important,” James Daniels said. “As Jews we need support in both parties. We need to be more active — as Jews we cannot take [support for Israel] for granted.”

Daniels said he wouldn’t call himself a Republican “down the line”; on social issues, he’s “very liberal.”

Daniels said he liked President George W. Bush’s State of the Union speech and called Bush the “best president ever” in terms of supporting Israel.

“Usually people make Israel look like a charity case,” Daniels said. “He was different. He treats Israel as a partner.”

Frelinghuysen touched on a variety of other issues — the 2008 presidential election, prescription drug coverage for seniors under Medicare Part D, illegal immigration, and election reform.

But he eventually came back to the Middle East, expressing his concern over Iran and its threat of acquiring nuclear weapons.

“Some of our people who want us to get out of Iraq want us to get our boots on in Iran. I certainly support doing it right in Iraq,” he said.

Frelinghuysen did not give specifics on what should be done about Iran but said the country should not be allowed to build up a nuclear arsenal.

He also expressed concern over China’s recent successful test of an anti-satellite missile. “The way [China] shot that satellite down should put the fear of God into us,” he said. “I think we’ve got to keep the pressure on.”

Frelinghuysen admitted to the GOP’s internal problems.

“How do we go forward? We have to earn back our majority,” he said. “With the exception of the RJC, everybody’s grey. We need to bring in young people…. The problem is the president’s numbers are so low it’s making us hugely vulnerable.”

That’s one of the reasons the RJC planned the event so quickly after Congress resumed.

“We thought that we have to start working now on issues that will have impact in 2008,” said Greg Menken, director of the RJC’s NY/NJ chapter. Despite the loss of GOP power, Menken said, he is optimistic about the RJC’s fate. “Our numbers are growing. As poor as the election was for Republicans, internally we are encouraged that in such a bad year the Jewish vote helped steady it.”

The RJC’s future is not connected to being the party in power, added Steven Klinghoffer, a Jewish community activist from Short Hills. The RJC is about drawing Jews to the party that supports Israel.

Donald Katz, a Middlesex County GOP state committeeman from East Brunswick, was philosophical.

“You’re up and down in any party,” he said. “You grow based on support of issues. It’s a learning exercise. We have to make [Jews] realize where they stand is where the Republicans stand. We’re optimistic. We’re still in the driver’s seat — the White House; that’s the seat that really matters.”

Two men, who did not wish to be named, walked out after the event and expressed their frustration.

“I listened to [Frelinghuysen] for an hour, and I still feel like I don’t know where he stands on issues,” said one man.

Speaking to NJJN, Frelinghuysen was asked how the new Democratic control of Congress would affect him and his party.

“The Senate is far more dysfunctional than the House,” Frelinghuysen said. “The House has done some good things in the last three or four years. I’m an optimist by nature. We still need to do the business of the country. We have a window here of a year. I hope we can do a lot.”