Jews Not in the Presidential Running

Posted 1月 14th, 2008 by Mary

in

Source:

TheJewishAdvocate.com

Writer:

The Jewish Advocate (editorial)

Jews Not in the Presidential Running

As the primary elections moved into full swing this week, candidates from both parties are campaigning on promises of change, progress and opportunity.

One can’t help but comment on the unique field of candidates on both sides of the party divide: a pastor musician and governor; a female senator and former First Lady; a business tycoon and former governor of the Commonwealth; a young African American senator from the Midwest; a war hero and former POW; a mill worker’s son-turned-trial lawyer; a former primetime actor; an Hispanic governor from New Mexico; and the former mayor of New York City.

It is a progressive spectrum, indeed. But what’s missing? Well, a Jew, of course. And although Joseph Lieberman came close to being the first Jew to sit at – or beside – the helm of the world’s most powerful nation, contenders for that honor have been too few.

Naturally, this begs the question of why. In an age where Jewish Americans are experiencing the most open and unbiased social opportunities in world history – and emerging as leaders in every social arena – why have so few stepped forward to lead our country as president?

Why are leaders from the Jewish community seemingly so hesitant to utilize their skills and intelligence in a bid for the most influential position in world affairs – a position where Jewish values of righteousness, equality, justice, and Tikkun Olam might be needed most?

The reality remains that Jews make up a very small percentage of the U.S. population, and though we feel comfortable in our insulated communities, we don’t win a lot of popularity contests nation- or worldwide.

Unlike other areas of achievement – business, science, the arts, etc. – politics requires popularity and an ability to sway voters. It may not sound “politically” correct, but a Jew is still unlikely to win broad national support.

In the ’60s, John F. Kennedy, a Catholic, was sharply criticized as he ascended toward the Oval Office. Even today, the widely held sentiment against Mitt Romney is that he isn’t Christian. (And if Mitt doesn’t fit the bill as a Mormon, what chance do we stand?)

Some might call that a copout. And maybe Jews should press forward with the American dream, and press outward from their own communities into the larger American namescape of Kennedys, Clintons and Obamas.

There certainly is no dearth of ambition within the Jewish community, and one would imagine that plenty of Jewish boys and girls grow up with dreams of residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. – maybe some of them even grow up to be federation heads or other Jewish organizational leaders and still harbor presidential fancies.

But maybe it’s wise for our most successful and accomplished Jewish leaders to keep their yarmulkes out of the presidential political arena. Maybe they are too smart to subject themselves to the grueling process of campaigning.

Put bluntly, our country simply isn’t ready to elect a Jewish president, even if that’s not something often said out loud. But when will the U.S. be ready?

source: TheJewishAdvocate.com

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