General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Al Franken Would Make a Great President [View all]MrPurple
(985 posts)It appears that we're both Jewish, and part of this may be that we've had different experiences with it. Living near the city around Boston/NY, I've seen it mostly perceived as another ethnicity in multiethnic areas. If I lived in rural Michigan or Ohio (not counting the deep southern states that a Dem President couldn't carry), I'd probably have a different perspective.
I remember Farrakhan & Jesse Jackson calling NY hymietown and know that it's not just the right wing that has anti-semitism. But, also, even though Trump played to antisemitism, he said that he likes his accountants to be little guys who wear yamulkes. There are positive stereotypes of competence that offset some of the negative ones. Some people disliked Romney being Mormon. Not saying anti-semitism doesn't come into play for politicians, just that I think it's less of a factor than you do.
And I don't think Seinfeld & support for Israel are meaningless examples. Other than Israel, the US is probably the least anti-semitic country in history.