The Republican Jewish Coalition held its quarterly leadership meeting in Las Vegas on Tuesday. As always, it combined a diverse group of speakers united by three common threads: 1) A Jewish perspective…2) A Politically right of center perspective…3) Most importantly, probably due to reasons 1 and 2, a significant and relevant perspective.
This conference may have occurred on March 4th, but it was no democratic primary. It mattered. As a member of the RJC leadership in California, I attend their leadership meetings not just to see old friends and make new ones, but to learn. These meetings are not for the intellectually faint hearted. With apologies to Gertrude Stein, there is plenty of there there.
The gala dinner the night before the meetings was a tribute to Republican Jewish Coalition Executive Director Matt Brooks, who was celebrating his 20th anniversary with the organization. It has often been stated that the number of republican Jews could fit in a phone booth. Apparently that memo was lost on the 30,000 members of this organization. Matt has played an instrumental role in this outreach.
The leader of the California chapter of the RJC is Larry Greenfield, and in a previous life he and I were soulmates. He is a conservative republican with a background in the military and Wall Street, as well as a football fan. I told him I was not going to this meeting because I had more important expenditures at the time. Larry then informed me that former Australian Prime Minister John Howard would be the featured speaker. Knowing that this was the political equivalent of feeding crack to a junkie, I shook my fist to the sky, said, D@ng you Larry Greenfield, and happily attended. With the exception of becoming a liberal, I cannot think of a reason to say no to anything Larry asks me.
Ari Fleischer gave the opening roast of Matt Brooks. As he said, a roast is a way of saying uncomplimentary things in a complimentary way. Ari handled it well, as expected.
John Howard is a legend. Last year the RJC’s featured guest was Vice President Dick Cheney. Like Mr. Cheney, Mr. Howard is an understated man whose significance to the world cannot be overstated. His visit to the RJC conference was his first visit to the United States since leaving his post as Prime Minister. The man is a rock star, and the RJC must be given credit for landing him as the featured guest. Mr. Howard is an admirer of Winston Churchill (his middle name is Winston), and I let him know that as a blogger, in the spirit of Churchill, history would be very kind to him because I would be writing that history. He was thankful and appreciative.
Vice President Cheney’s former Chief of Staff Scooter Libby was in attendance. He received a standing ovation, justifiably so. Given that Jews have suffered much persecution, it is no surprise that Mr. Libby is a sympathetic figure to many. Witch hunts know no bounds, and I hope that if they ever come for me, somebody will be there to speak up. Mr. Libby also has a bond with Jewish republicans, given that Jewish liberals want to destroy Jewish republicans and Bush appointees with reckless abandon simply for existing. I told Mr. Libby that I will continue to pray for him and his family.
Radio talk show Michael Medved gave a brilliant presentation on why Jews are overwhelmingly politically liberal. His message is not entirely new, but it is such an intelligently delivered and relevant message that it needs to be hammered into every person who fails to understand the complicated dynamic that is the Hebrew people.
I had a nice conversation with Michael Medved and David Blumberg, who is trying to singlehandedly turn San Francisco republican red. He has not succeeded yet, but give him time. He is also a Wall Street guy, and wears his Bay Area republicanism proudly. As for Mr. Medved, he interviewed Richard Baehr from “The American Thinker” on his radio program. As always, Richard offered insightful analysis on everything from the 2008 elections to health care issues, his area of expertise.
An energy panel that included Cliff May, Dr. Gal Luft, Dr. Robert Zubrin, and Steven Hantler was simply brilliant. Reducing American dependence on foreign oil is an issue that can unite environmental liberals and national security conservatives. Dr. Luft might be one of the world’s foremost experts on flexible fuel vehicles. President Bush has stated in the past that America is “addicted to oil.” This panel offered a blueprint to break that stranglehold.
David Frum, author of the book about President Bush called “The Right Man,” led a group discussion that was focused on trying to make the republican party the majority party again. From 1980 to 2002, the republican party made gains. In 2002, there was actually party parity with the demagoguic and republican parties. Since then, the democrats now have a 5 to 3 voter advantage, back to the 1980 levels.
Many on the left will theorize that liberalism is simply the dominant philosophy. Of course, this is wrong. The republican party has great ideas, but no matter how good a product or service is, it must be marketed effectively. Mr. Frum focused on how conservatives can effectively mesh sound policy with a winning electoral strategy. One advantage we have is that we are united. The RJC did endorse Senator John McCain for President, and will work tirelessly to help elect this American hero and staunch friend of Jewish people and Israel.
Not to put the other RJC members to shame, but Las Vegas is about gambling, and the money I invested in a one armed bandit before I left Las Vegas yielded a spectacular 75% return. I then invested my $1.75 in a bottle of soda, which was 100% kosher.
While I could have rolled over those winnings another few hundred times, allowing me to be a member of the Chairman’s Council, such economic programs are best left for those that are not burdened by cumbersome concepts such as reality, that being most liberals, especially Jewish ones.
So while my $1 gamble did not allow me to grow rich financially, this conference absolutely nourished my brain, and those of virtually all in attendance.
America is locked in a life and death struggle to save all of humanity. Civilization cannot be rescued with platitudes, or even “solutions” disguised as platitudes. It requires rolling up our proverbial sleeves, and getting down to business. While there was entertaining aspects to the RJC quarterly winter leadership meeting, this was a serious business and policy conference.
I wish the Republican Jewish Coalition continued success, and look forward to a day when the words republican and Jewish become redundant.
eric
How ironic that this is held in Las Vegas. What a huge gamble Jewish people take when they get in bed with American conservatives. Fear, like the rush of rolling the dice, is the motivator for the Jewish conservative. Self-interest, like the pay-off for the lucky roller, is the motivator for the gentile conservatives. It’s truly a devil’s game – fear and greed. I hope one day Jewish republicans learn that lesson, before it’s too late. The American conservative, whatever he says or claims, is not your friend. The Jewish people serve only to further their agenda, and when the day comes that the agenda is satisfied… well, I don’t want to think about it.
There’s a good reason most Jewish people are not rightwingers, ya’ know. I’ll leave it to you to figure that reasoning out.
JMJ
Fear, like the rush of rolling the dice, is the motivator for the Jewish conservative. Self-interest, like the pay-off for the lucky roller, is the motivator for the gentile conservatives.
Says who? Conservative ideas concretely benefit everyone, and not just Jews. It is the self interest of Jews to be conservative.
Glad you had a good time, Eric. I wish I was there! I am a member of the Jewish Democrats, but I joined at a time when I really thought I still was a Dem. I am leaning towards re-registering as a Repub.
“Conservative ideas concretely benefit everyone, and not just Jews.”
Really? First of all, I never said, nor believe, that conservative ideas help “just Jews” at all. Most Jews are not conservative, or at least are not republicans. Now, either you think they’re stupid, or maybe just delluded, but it seems to me that neither is the case. Unlike some antisemites, both liberal and conservative, I do not look at neo-conservatism, for example, as some sort of Zionist cabal. True, they may sometimes wave that banner, but the waver is out for their own interests, and not that of the old diaspora. There is a long history to consider here, and most Jews know it very well. I’m sure Eric knows of what I speak.
Secondly, how exactly do “conservative ideas” benefit everyone? Again, history shows exactly the opposite – conservative ideas only benefit conservatives, and even less, only benefit the conservative elites. Most conservative voters, IMHO, unknowingly vote against their own interests, persuaded as such by apolitical matters such as morality, and matters of our lesser angels such as racism and xenophobia, fear and lust for war. So, neither the ideas nor the methods to which they are achieved benefit anyone but the conservative elites. If anything, these ideas and methods make the world all the worse for their wear.
JMJ
“Unlike some antisemites, both liberal and conservative, I do not look at neo-conservatism, for example, as some sort of Zionist cabal.”
That didn’t come out right…
Let’s try this: “Unlike antisemites, both liberal and conservative, I do not look at neo-conservatism, for example, as some sort of Zionist cabal.”
JMJ
Great report. Thanks.
Jersey, what I wrote did not come out right. I meant to say “conservative ideas benefit everyone, and not just NON-Jews.”
Oh, well that makes more sense. Though I still have no idea what you mean by “benefit”… ;) The only people who seem to actually benefit from conservatism are the wealthy and the unable-to-accept-the-changing-times.
JMJ
And only the poor benefit from liberalism at the cost of everyone.
Liberals do their own gambling. Unfortunatly its with peoples lives by stringing them along with vacant promises.And by gambling with other peoples money and futures by means such as global warming.
Liberalism is huge crap shoot based on nothing but emotion and wishful hopes for euporia based on nothing but idealism.
Please, gimme a break on the gambling analogies.
Liberals are willing risk everything based on an idea instead of whats staring them in the face.
Obama, Hillary ?
Talk about gambling with our national security !
Risk what? What do liberals risk? I don’t see very much risk. In fact, I don’t see very much liberalism! America is probably the least “liberal” (re: socialistic) western nation. And it seems that as we have moved to the Right, we have seen our standard of living, standing in the world, and security all in relative decline. So I will not cede to your point.
JMJ
How liberal america is , is another subject.
I know you dont see much risk because you’re a believer.
Get real dude ! Our security is the best its ever been ! What planet did you shoot off of today ?
Your statement doesnt change the fact that Liberalism is risky business when it comes to our security, economy and and future.
Global warming is a big gamble.
Theres nothing to prove its true to the point that we have to sacrifice like the moonbats say we should.
Pulling out of Iraq is about as risky as it gets !
Bombing Pakistan is taking your chances, as is kissing Irans butt.
Giving free stuff to lazy people is playing roulette with our economy.
Hope ? Sounds like someone at the black jack table.
Change ?
Untill this ” Change” can be defined , its a gamble.
no personal accountability which is almost a liberal trademark is definatly tossing the dice with yours and others lives.
I don’t think you know what real American liberals think about these things. Coming from the Realist camp, both left and right, liberals like myself understand that “pulling out of Iraq” is not terribly realistic for the foreseeable future. As for our “security,” I beg to differ. Our ports and borders are quite open. Our imports, infrastructure, and domestic products are virtually completely uninspected. Arms are as available as milk. No, Micky, conservatism has not only reduced the quality of our lives, but has left us more vulnerable than ever. Remember, 9/11 didn’t happen on a “liberal’s” watch. ;)
JMJ
Please, if you ask anyone which party would bail out of Iraq ASAP they’ll tell you ” liberals” Even Obama cant get it right, Give me a large break.
I dont think you’re very realistic in your abilty to look at things.
yea our borders are as open as they’ve ever been, no kidding ?
But the FACT remains that since 911 security in all areas has been beefed up , no doubt.
So in the over all picture we are more secure. Our airports and screening technologies, survielance here and over seas is trifold since 911. Our ports are surveiled much more than they ever were.
Go take a hike already with the “911 didnt happen on a libs watch” spare me.
Any shmuck who can read knows it was planned in a span of 5 years while Clinton was ignoring the threat. And tolerated the first Trade center bombing anr the Cole and the embassys. That statement was pathetically weak, try again.
If you want to live life like a freeloading liberal, then YES! Conservatism has probably put a damper on your style.
“…Please, if you ask anyone which party would bail out of Iraq ASAP…”
The key expression there is “ASAP.” I would like to think that most people, regardless of political leanings, would want out of Iraq as soon as possible. Now, of course, some people would like to stay in Iraq forever. Follow the money. But good people wouldn’t wish on their fellow American, and American soldier no less, the hell that is the occupation of Iraq.
The simple fact is that we’re stuck there. Brainless shmucks of every political stripe can paint whatever picture they want on that bloody canvass, but the stark image of reality remains. Matters of national security know no political affiliation. We all love our nation and our lives. Conservatives do not corner that market. If anything, they profiteer it. And that really bothers me.
JMJ
eric,
I know you are not a myspace fan but this is neat.
Live from Kuwait-Operation MySpace-March 10th
Body:
On March 10th, 2008 Operation MySpace will bring the troops in Kuwait and all of MySpace a LIVE show in Kulabyte HD that they’ll never forget. Disturbed, Pussycat Dolls, Jessica Simpson, Filter, Carlos Mencia, Metal Sanaz, DJ Z-Trip AND MORE will all be a part of this spectacular event that will be streamed LIVE only on MySpace at 11:00AM PST / 2:00 PM EST at http://www.myspace.com/operationmyspace
It’s 2008 and the world has changed but our troops still need our support. Please drop by and leave a special message for the troops at http://www.myspace.com/operationmyspace .
Good info but ASAP is still not confirm yet.
Anyone who has a clue would know that we are there for quite a while.
We dont want to leave and we are not going to. We are there for security reasons and we’re gonna stay for a long, long time.
But the left keeps telling the lemmings that they will get us out.
They are either lying or stupid.
No one cares if it bothers you or not. They only care about saving your life.
The reality you see is the one you have painted for yourself.
If you could prove any of your points then it would be a honest reality.
Untill then you will have to accept the fact that not all people who see it differently are stupid or mean.
I have seen the threat, it is real, and so is the deserved response.
Plain and simple.
You can hide behind whatever concepts of reality you want. Children use this as a defense mechanism to avoid the truth.
” Matters of national security know no political affiliation. ”
Not really. Cons are better as for the simple reason that we adopted nicknames like “Hawkish”, you guys are pidgeons. Get it ?
Profiteering ?
How bout that healthy little surplus Clinton had ? The only reason we had that was because he sat on his ass instead of dropping a buck on defenses that were needed to prevent the death of 3000 plus Americans. Since the first trade tower bombing Al Queda had grown to the 7 headed monster we saw on 911.
Maybe if he’d of done his job we wouldnt of had the economic downfall we had after 911. We wouldnt of had to start using the gaurd because hes the one who shrunk our military to a skeleton.
Dont talk about profiteering ! Our country sustained an incredible loss because of Clinton running around kissing everyones butt.
“No one cares if it bothers you or not. They only care about saving your life.”
LOL! Yeah, right. Iraq was never about that.
“I have seen the threat, it is real, and so is the deserved response.
Plain and simple.”
You have? The threat from Iraq??? In Hawaii????????????
Look man, if there was no oil in Iraq, there’d be no occupation there. Period. Afghanistan was a real threat, and we barely made an effort there. Why? No oil.
JMJ
JMJ;
“LOL! Yeah, right. Iraq was never about that.”
Do your homework and speak from reason.
Clinton let one threat grow to the point that it cost us 3000 plus American lives.
One main reason for Iraq was to deal with another problem Clinton let get out of hand.
Pre emptive attack on a justifiably percieved threat that had broken all the rules of his surrender and all kinds of international laws and human rights violations.
Iraq was and is about many things. You and your like would have everyone believe it was for anything but saving lives.
JMJ
“You have? The threat from Iraq??? In Hawaii????????????”
The reason we are there is to protect all of america. Your arguement is thin and ridiculous.
Its like saying only lower Manhattan is under threat because of 911.
And yea Jersey ! We use oil in Hawaii, believe it or not. And the girls dont run around topless anymore.
If it was only about the oil we could of just done it all in the first gulf war. And there is the oil we are entitled to by trade agreements that needs to be protected also.
Gotta make sure the bad guys dont blow up or take over the oil store, its that simple.
That is how they would love to hurt us.
Your arguements are weak and based on narrow presumptions and positions that I have chewed up and spit in spit in your face before.
But if it please you go right ahead and keep repeating the same old BS if you want.
It must have some kind of sedative effect.
Puh-lease. Iraq was a mistake. How you still can’t see that is beyond me. The only thng that was protected by the war was the profits of friends of the neo-cons. The only victor in this monumental mistake was Iran. This whole debacle was a very sorry testimony about America. I am ashamed of my country for all this.
JMJ
You may think it was a mistake, but the whole thing was very intentional. The beggining was screwed up.
Iraq was one of the best things we could of ever done. The middle east was getting more and more ridiculous. None of these guys could get along with each other if their lives depended on it, LITERALLY !
After watching Carter all the way up to Clinton screw around with all these half ass peace talks it was about time we planted our butts right in the middle of the action.
JMJ;
“How you still can’t see that is beyond me. ”
I’m a three dimensional thinker Jersey.
You play checkers.
I play chess on three levels. Its called complex thinking.
The oil we cant afford to have interupted.
The security issues now and in the future.
Disabling a more than likely future threat.
Trying to show these backasswards folks that religious fundamentalism has been their biggest enemy since its creation.
Slapping the whole middle east with a wake up call that says ” we are tired of your crap !”
The left and all its wishful thinking and kumbaya crap has gotten us nowhere in the last 40 years.
What are we supposed to do ? Sit around in the oval office getting a hummer while we get shot at 1600 times and do nothing ? Maybe launch a couple missles just to make it look like you’re working?
If you’re that ashamed then pack your sh**
It must be horrible to have to live in a place that sucks so badly
Someone else just told me today that Iran was the only victor in this also.
So I guess thats why they’re trying so hard to get us out by sending in their gaurdsmen and supplying weapons to insurgents.
I guess thats why Achmed Amadingdong just went over there kissing butt , hoping to get in on the action eh ?
They know whats coming. And whats going to happen once things start wrapping up in Iraq.
Victors? I hardly think so. More like soiling their shorts
Micky, I think one of your three dimsensions went missing. Iran was the party who brokered the peace with the Shi-a militants, like the Badr militia. They are not supplying insurgents, micky, as the insurgents are disenfranchised, Sunni, former Baathists, not Shi-a. Me thinks you know not of what you speak.
JMJ
Get a newspaper and a clue.
Theres hard eveidence of Iranian weapons being found with insurgents and iIranian gaurd training them.
If I dont know what I’m talking about then neither does General Patreaus.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A6395-2004Dec16.html
“Wary of trusting Iraqi Shiites to manage the campaign, the Iranian intelligence service has been pumping millions of dollars and hundreds of operatives into the country. The Iranians have also recruited assassination squads to kill potential Iraqi rivals, according to several Iraqi officials. One Iraqi Shiite tells me the Iranians view the hit teams as a kind of “insurance policy” to make sure they prevail, even if the U.S.-backed election process should fail.”
http://abcnews.go.com/International/IraqCoverage/story?id=2688501
“U.S. officials say they have found smoking-gun evidence of Iranian support for terrorists in Iraq: brand-new weapons fresh from Iranian factories. According to a senior defense official, coalition forces have recently seized Iranian-made weapons and munitions that bear manufacturing dates in 2006.”
“This suggests, say the sources, that the material is going directly from Iranian factories to Shia militias, rather than taking a roundabout path through the black market. “There is no way this could be done without (Iranian) government approval,” says a senior official. ”
“Iranian-made munitions found in Iraq include advanced IEDs designed to pierce armor and anti-tank weapons. U.S. intelligence believes the weapons have been supplied to Iraq’s growing Shia militias from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, which is also believed to be training Iraqi militia fighters in Iran. ”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17097658/
updated 2:36 p.m. HT, Sun., Feb. 11, 2007
BAGHDAD, Iraq – U.S. military officials on Sunday accused the highest levels of the Iranian leadership of arming Shiite militants in Iraq with sophisticated armor-piercing roadside bombs that have killed more than 170 American forces.
Face it dude, you’re wrong again.
Micky,
I’m way ahead of you. I’ve read all that and much more. The US, Israel and Iran have a trilateral balance to keep: Iraq has a Shi-a government, the ex-Baathists have to be slowly let back in but only if they behave, the rest of the “insurgents” have to somehow be tamed. That’s it. That’s the extent of the detente. If Iran gets nervous, they might let the Shi-a loose on the Sunnis – or they may not. Maybe they can’t. Who knows? Maybe they’re just waiting for us to leave. Maybe we know that and will leave and let it happen. Again, who knows? What a horrible gamble we’ve made.
The Shi-a have decided to wait us out and behave, even after the Samara bombing, to this day. We’re trapped, and ironically, we’re trapped protecting the members of the very regime we deposed against a new regime we oppose. What a great idea, invading Iraq. Why didn’t I think of that? Oh yeah, I’m not insane.
JMJ
The smartest people in the world were insane.
If you are so far ahead of me then you wouldnt of said that Iran brokerd anything.
Tthey might of put their two cents worth in .but I’ll bet money the surge was the catalyst that calmed things down.
Nobody is waiting anything out, get real. They realized just like you and I have that the USA aint goin nowhere anytime soon.
You have no idea in the universe what is going on in Iraq.
JMJ
No smarty pants, I just dont see it your way and but half the crap that the media tells me.
Al Sadr got the hell out of dodge because he knew the crap was gonna hit the fan. All your smoke and mirror stories are only there to give credit to anyone but our strategy and American troops.
Your position only reflects the attitude that when something goes wrong its Americas fault. And when something goes right you give credit to the bad guys.
I know all about the balances and complications involved betweeb tribes, honestly.
But these people no matter what affiliation cant even get out of their own way to do squat without killing each other.
Waiting it out ?
Its common knowledge by now that most of the insurgents, no matter what alliance they are have givin up. But of course I’m sure it would pain you or any liberal Bush hater too much to actually give your country and president some credit.
You want to do everything you can to paint everything we do as a failure, to the point that you even try to BS us all into the belief that somehow Sunnis, Shia and Iran have worked it out and it was no result of American strategy.
Its a pretty big insult to our troops also.
Sadr bailed to Iran for the simple reason that he knew he was pissing people off and he called for a cease fire just to take the heat off of him.
If you think any of these slobs want peace you are the one who is clueless.
Micky, the Shi-a want to run Iraq. The insurgents are SUNNI, not Shi-a. Try to get your facts straight. Sadr backed off to wait us out. He doesn’t want to get caught between us and the Sunnis. Oh, and take a wild guess who’s coming to Iraq for a state visit? Guessed it? That’s right – Ahmedinejad.
JMJ
Hes already been there a few days ago Einstien.
get your facts straight.
here ya go.
http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/03/02/iraq.ahmadinejad/
March 2 08
“Ahmadinejad was warmly welcomed in Baghdad. An Iraqi military band played the Iranian and Iraqi national anthems as Ahmadinejad and Talabani stood side-by-side at the end of a long red carpet outside the presidential house. Ahmadinejad then walked down the carpet where he was greeted by two Iraqi children with flowers and a long line of Iraqi officials.”