Republican Jewish Coalition

The Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) (formerly the National Jewish Coalition), founded in 1985, is a political lobbying group in the United States that advocates Jewish support for the Republican Party. The RJC states that it is the most important voice on Republican issues for the Jewish-American community. The RJC has 44 chapters throughout the United States.

Purpose

The official mission statement of the RJC is: [ [http://www.rjchq.org/Mission.asp Mission Statement] from RJC website]

"We seek to foster and enhance ties between the American Jewish community and Republican decision makers. We work to sensitize Republican leadership in government and the party to the concerns and issues of the Jewish community, while articulating and advocating Republican ideas and policies within the Jewish community. We are committed to building a strong, effective and respected Jewish Republican voice in Washington and across the country."

The group's policy platform objectives include terrorism, national security, United States-Israel relations, Mideast peace process, The Palestinian Authority, Syria, Iran, immigration, energy policy, education, school prayer, affirmative action, the Workplace Religious Freedom Act, adoption, crime, taxes, welfare reform, faith-based initiatives, health care, Medicare reform, Social Security reform, and government reform. [ [http://www.rjchq.org/PolicyPlatform.asp Policy Platform] from RJC website]

Debate about the Success of the RJC

The success of the RJC has been debated. The RJC has hosted successful activities and events such as the Presidential Candidates Forum, leadership trips to Israel for Members of Congress, governors, and other political leaders, and creating a high-level presence at the Republican National Convention. In 2005, President George W. Bush attended the RJC's 20th anniversary celebration. [ [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/09/20050921-1.html President George W. Bush addresses the RJC on their 20th anniversary] , a news release from the White House]

The RJC believes Jews are increasingly becoming Republican:
*In 1992, George H.W. Bush (R) won 11% of the Jewish vote.
*In 1996, Senator Bob Dole (R) won 16% of the Jewish vote.
*In 2000, George W. Bush (R) won 19% of the Jewish vote (even though Senator Joe Lieberman was selected as the Democrats' Vice-Presidential candidate)
*In 2004, preliminary results indicate President George W. Bush (R) received likely support of 25% (a 32% increase over 2000). [http://www.rjchq.org/News.asp?Formmode=Detail&ID=705]

In certain state and local elections, Republicans have received greater support from the Jewish community:

*In the 2005 election for Mayor of New York City, Republican Candidate Michael Bloomberg, himself Jewish, received 51% of the Jewish vote. [ [http://www.jta.org/cgi-bin/iowa/news/article/JewishvotersinNew.html Jewish Voters in New York] from JTA website]
*In the 2003 Recall election in California, an estimated 31% of Jews voted for Republican Candidate Arnold Schwarzenegger. [ [http://www.jcpa.org/jl/vp509.htm Jewish Vote in U.S. Elections ] ]

The RJC believes that the Jewish Republican movement is growing and that a larger percentage of Jews will vote Republican in the future.

See also

*Jewish right

References

External links

* [http://www.rjchq.org Official Website]