October 30, 2008
NJ Jewish News is asking Jewish community leaders what issues they would like to hear the candidates address and what questions they want to have answered in a presidential debate. For previous installments in the “What’s at Stake” series, see www.njjewishnews.com/whatsatstake.
“What’s at Stake” will be a regular feature between now and Election Day.
June Fischer, a constituent service representative in the office of Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ), chairs the Union County Board of Elections and is board member of the Jewish Community Relations Council of the Jewish Federation of Central New Jersey:
I have a simple question that I always consider when deciding for whom I will vote: Which candidate is going to represent my views and the best interests of my community? The answer to what is best for the Jewish community is not as complicated as it may seem. The Jewish community’s interests are served when the candidate is most capable of keeping the United States strong at home and respected abroad. A strong America will lead to a stronger U.S.-Israel relationship and the capability of again being a leading voice on the international stage. How exactly will these candidates make America stronger?
Are there specific policies that Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. John McCain will enact to make America stronger? How are they going to help America achieve energy independence? Are the candidates going to protect reproductive freedom? Do they support the U.S.-Israel relationship?
When it comes to reproductive freedom, Obama is a strong supporter of a woman’s right to choose and Roe v. Wade. On the other hand, McCain has clearly said he will support Supreme Court justices who will carry out his philosophy by working to overturn Roe v. Wade.
When it comes to energy independence, both McCain and Obama have declared that they would like to achieve energy independence, but their campaigns stress very different approaches. Obama emphasizes an energy independence plan that includes a wide array of energy sources, including oil, clean coal, solar, wind, natural gas, and nuclear where possible, and his approach includes the importance of conservation and a serious investment in renewable energy.
McCain employs campaign rhetoric supportive of renewable energy, but his campaign continues to advocate for more drilling and unaffordable tax breaks for oil companies. I would ask McCain how he can say he is for true energy independence.
Regarding the U.S.-Israel relationship, some venomous partisans have hijacked the issue in their attacks against Obama. These individuals recklessly damage the bipartisan pro-Israel consensus by using Israel as a political wedge issue. Fortunately, despite these baseless attacks, both McCain and Obama remain supporters of Israel. However, I would like to ask how using Israel as a partisan wedge issue helps the U.S.-Israel relationship?
The heightened rhetoric and vitriol of this year’s election leads us to ask another question. How do these campaign tactics and dishonest attacks help us prepare for what is most important for our community come Election Day — life after Nov. 4?
Meryl Frank, mayor of Highland Park; chair, Obama Jewish Community Leadership Committee of New Jersey; member, Democratic National Fundraising Committee; national president, American Jewish Congress Women’s Division; board member, Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County:
I think the possibilities are enormous for this election because of the economy and global warming and all the things that have been happening the last few years. People are concerned. They can see it’s time and are taking advantage of opportunities to make a change in their lifestyles as far as having a green community. Only last year, people laughed at the idea of carrying those reusable cloth shopping bags back and forth to the supermarket. Now everybody seems to have them.
The issues for the Jewish community are so significant. Like everyone else we have foreclosure and a tremendous sense of insecurity. We are in a recession and people have lost jobs. Here in Highland Park, we’ve had to cut staff back by 10 percent. We have to support our Jewish institutions financially or we are in trouble. As Jews we are concerned about Israel, and that’s legitimate. People are energized by this election because they are looking for hope, comfort, and calm.
Roy Tanzman, president, New Jersey Association of Jewish Federations; member of the national council of AIPAC; and former president of the Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County:
I think people have to consider the social issues when deciding on which candidate to vote for. Jews are concerned about the same issues as other Americans. Israel really has to be taken out of the mix as an issue because both candidates have strong records supporting Israel and neither would sell out Israel down the road. It would be different if one candidate were weak on Israel, but that’s really not the case, and Jews need not be concerned with who would be better for Israel when making their decision.
The Jewish community really has to focus on the social issues and, of course, the economy in particular — and who can do the better job dealing with them.
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