David A. Harris, who is a native of Indiana and current President and CEO of the National Jewish Democratic Council, opines that "Republicans have a major Jewish problem".His two reasons?Paul Ryan "has been criticized" for his plans, supposedly to end Medicare as we know it and gut the social safety net. And, the Republicans'' "2012 official party platform took policy stands that are the opposite of those held by most Jews."He also throws in the Rep. Todd Akin statements on rape and the skinny-dipping of Rep. Kevin Yoder which Harris calls, being quite silly, as "less-than-kosher".Harris, of course, does not mention Israel, or Iran, or Islamism.Now, that is his quite major Jewish problem.
Harris'' background could clarify that problem. He has served as the director of governmmental and public affairs for the American Jewish Congress and as the Washington representative for the Israel Policy Forum. He was a congressional fellow for the late Sen. Paul Simon.
With my experience and background, I can easily say that those positions of his in no way permit him to speak (or even know) what most Jews think. Simon''s earlier staffer was Rahm Emanuel. And although Simon had close links to AIPAC, his policies were liberal.
Jews are changing their perspectives, slowly. That is an observation. I would suggest Harris be less of a cheerleader and more a c oncerned Jew.
What he is missing in those ther "I"s is quite important not only for Israel and the Jews but for the world.
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