Is Israel 'Swing State' That Could Tip U.S. Election?

[Rose Siding]

DEIR DIBWAN, West Bank (Reuters) - In this hillside village known as the "little America" of the West Bank, businessman Abu Mohammed voted for George W. Bush in the last U.S. election but vows not to make the same mistake twice.

On the other side of the Israeli-Palestinian divide, Jerusalem marketing manager Stuart Schnee, a lifelong Jewish Democrat who has never crossed party lines, plans to cast his ballot in November to keep a Republican in the White House.

With little in common but their U.S. passports, Israeli-Americans and Palestinian-Americans living overseas could help tip the balance if the 2004 presidential election comes down to the wire as it did four years ago.
...
Neither party is taking any chances. The Republicans sent California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to woo Americans in the Jewish state. Democratic candidate Senator John Kerry also sent an emissary -- his brother Cameron, a Jewish convert.

The Republicans have signed up dozens of campaign volunteers and are preparing a pro-Bush advertising blitz in Israel's English-language newspapers, but they face steep odds.

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=6198741&src=rss/ElectionCoverage§ion=news

[still_one]

1. bullshit!!!

Most Jewish Americans are supporting Kerry, and most Arab Americans are supporring Kerry. They know the danger of another four years that this reckless incompentent has to offer

[Gyre]

3. B.S. is right!

How do you know this?

I know a lot of Arab Americans in the mid-west and they have a fatal fondness for Bushco. The ones I know will be taking a big step if they just stay at home. They've come to viscerally hate democrats from Mass. (probably too much Limbaugh listening). I know it doesn't make any sense, but that's my experience (frustrating as it is).

I also know a lot of middle-aged Jews. Some really hate Bush and some don't. One thing's for sure; the Palestinian cause has really lost it's appeal in the younger Jews I know in this country. My guess is something like 50/50 for them as a whole. And that's in California.

Gyre

[Hornito]

2. I wonder though, if the whole Israel spy thing was a setup and a

ruse, concocted by the Bushies to intimidate pro-Israel and Jewish voters. In other words, support us, or we're going to ruin Israel/U.S. relations, and hang "spy" tags on all pro-Israel Jews. Something to think about.

I think the whole things smells funny. There's more going on with this affair than meets the eye. They also may have wanted to intimidate the many pro-Israel supporters in the U.S. media, as a way to insure lousy press for Kerry, and good press for Bush.