Français
Español
English
Portuguese
Republicans are hopeful that concern over Obama’s deal with Iran will translate into increased support by Jewish voters in 2016.
Former Texas Gov. Rick Perry speaks at the Republican Jewish Coalition spring leadership meeting. (John Locher/AP)
Republican luminaries and 2016 presidential hopefuls reiterated their support for Israel and skepticism about President Obama’s proposed nuclear deal with Iran as the Republican Jewish Coalition gathered Saturday in Las Vegas at the casino of mega-donor Sheldon Adelson.
Two Texans, US Senator Ted Cruz and former governor Rick Perry, spoke to an organization that’s boasting of growing membership but also anxious about an Iran deal that was repeatedly described as a threat to Israel’s existence.
“Will the subsequent maps of the world show a nation of Israel?” Cruz asked the crowd during his speech. “That’s what the stakes are.”
Republican Jewish Coalition Chairman David Flaum kicked off the morning meeting calling on President Obama to “hit the pause button, negotiate a better deal.”
Cruz, famous for triggering the 2013 government shutdown, vowed to do “everything humanly possible” in the Senate to stop the nuclear deal. Perry said he also wants to stop the agreement, and he called for expanded defense spending, troops on the Polish border to contain a newly-aggressive Russia and a clear posture against Islamic extremism.
“This isn’t a call to war,” Perry said. “It’s a call to the type of strength that prevents a war.”
The coalition says its membership has more than doubled in the past two years, and donations are rising fast enough to guarantee its 2016 spending will exceed the $4.5 million it spent on ads opposing Obama’s re-election in 2012.
“Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton are our best recruiters,” spokesman Mark McNulty said.
Republicans are hopeful that concern over Obama’s deal with Iran will translate into increased support by Jewish voters in 2016. “The political climate right now is very strong for us, and everybody here feels that opportunity,” coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks said.
Democrats contend otherwise. “Jewish voters would be more receptive to Republicans if the party stopped trying to politicize the U.S.-Israel relationship and started focusing on economic and human dignity and service issues important to American Jews,” Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz said in a call with reporters Friday.
The gathering, which ends Sunday, has also included sessions with House Speaker John Boehner and former President George W. Bush.
By: Nicholas Riccardi, AP
Send Passover Packages to Needy Israeli Soldiers - Bring Them Joy!
We are honored to thank the young men and women of the IDF who risk their lives every day to protect the citizens of Israel. Since October 7th, soldiers have been on the battlefield for months - many are hoping to come home for Passover.
Join us in sending Passover food packages (and personal notes) to Israeli soldiers and their families.
Many soldiers spend the Passover holiday with needy families back home. The soldiers greatly appreciate your love and concern. Bring them Passover joy!
CLICK HERE TO SEND YOUR PACKAGE AND NOTE TO ISRAELI SOLDIERS!
