This week from Israel

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on May 6, 2013

School board race pits unions against billionaires

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on February 20, 2013

Probably the greatest impact of New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s $1 million gift last week to the Coalition for School Reform, an independent political group supporting a slate of three reform-minded candidates for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) board seats, was on the potential for re-election by LAUSD board member Steve Zimmer.

The next four years- more of the same. Thoughts after Israel’s elections

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on January 23, 2013

Computer woes force Likud to extend hours in primary vote

Published on November 25, 2012

Polls will remain open past midnight in Likud Party primary voting following computer malfunctions at several polling stations.

Four more years (of bickering)

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on November 7, 2012

So the Jewish vote didn’t make much difference after all. Not even in Florida. Had Romney taken Florida, had he won this election, we could have argued that the 31 percent of Jews he was able to win over in the Sunshine State played an important role in his razor-thin victory. But he lost the election, Jewish gains notwithstanding. Thus, the first lesson, then, for Jewish Republicans like Sheldon Adelson should be as follows: If you have resources to spend on campaigning, if you are truly committed to the cause, spend your time and money assisting your party in winning over the people without whom elections cannot be won: Latinos.

Josh Mandel falls to Sherrod Brown in Ohio

Published on November 7, 2012

Ohio Treasurer Josh Mandel failed in his bid to unseat Sen. Sherrod Brown.

Netanyahu congratulates Obama on re-election

Published on November 7, 2012

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu congratulated U.S. President Barack Obama on Wednesday for winning a second term and said the strategic alliance between their two countries was "stronger than ever".

Jewish Democrats Grayson and Frankel win in Florida

Published on November 6, 2012

Jewish Democrats Lois Frankel and Alan Grayson won congressional seats in Florida.

True blue Hollywood: movie stars and moguls on election night 2012

By Danielle Berrin
Published on November 6, 2012

George McGovern, pacifist who wanted to bomb Auschwitz dies at 90

Published on October 24, 2012

George McGovern is widely remembered for advocating immediate American withdrawal from Vietnam and sharp reductions in defense spending. Yet despite his reputation as a pacifist, the former United States senator and 1972 presidential candidate, who died Sunday at 90, did believe there were times when America should use military force abroad.

A week on the Florida campaign trail

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on October 24, 2012

Spending a week in Florida on the eve of a presidential election has become a habit for me — one I cherish. Meeting the elderly women who suddenly become interested in politics; attending synagogues, to which the candidates flock in droves to speak.

Engaging Iranian Jews at 30 Years After event

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on October 17, 2012

By the time former Congressman Mel Levine took the stage as an official surrogate for President Barack Obama’s re-election campaign at a gathering of mostly young Iranian Americans, the ballroom at downtown’s Millennium Biltmore Hotel was more than half empty.

Back to the 50’s

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on October 4, 2012

In battleground state Ohio, Jewish voters favoring Obama handily, AJC poll shows

Published on October 3, 2012

An American Jewish Committee survey of Jewish voters in Ohio, a battleground state, has the community favoring President Obama in similar numbers to polls elsewhere.

Republican Jewish Coalition begins $5 million TV ad campaign

Published on September 19, 2012

The Republican Jewish Coalition launched a $5 million television advertising campaign aimed at Jewish voters in swing states.

3 Views on the GOP Hammering Obama on Israel

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on September 5, 2012

President Obama came under attack yesterday for his many sins –as interpreted by ‎GOP candidates – among them the mistreatment of Israel. Senator John McCain, the ‎GOP 2008 candidate, said that the US "can't afford to cause our friends and allies, ‎from Latin America to Europe to Asia to the Middle East and especially in Israel, a ‎nation under existential threat, to doubt America's leadership".

Obama’s “secret message” to Iran

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on September 4, 2012

Adelsons donate to PAC supporting Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s campaign

Published on August 21, 2012

Casino mogul and philanthropist Sheldon Adelson and his wife have contributed to an independent super PAC to support Rabbi Shmuley Boteach’s congressional candidacy.

How Ryan will motivate Jewish voters

By Douglas Bloomfield
Published on August 13, 2012

Mitt Romney's choice of Rep. Paul Ryan to be his running mate on the Republican ticket will help win Jewish votes. For the Democrats.

White House agrees with Netanyahu on sanctions, calls for patience

Published on August 2, 2012

White House officials agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's assessment that sanctions have not set back Iran's suspected nuclear weapons program, but counseled patience.

How to ignore the campaign

By Marty Kaplan
Published on July 30, 2012

Congratulations. You’re about to prevent hundreds of hours of your life from going down the rat hole between now and Election Day.

Sarah Silverman's 'Indecent Proposal' and what that means for modern politics

By Rob Eshman
Published on July 17, 2012

By the time you read this, you probably will have watched Sarah Silverman in her underwear, demonstrating a lesbian sex act with her dog. Because that’s the way politics works these days.

Sheldon Adelson gives Romney super-PAC $10 million

Published on June 13, 2012

Sheldon Adelson gave a pro-Mitt Romney super-PAC $10 million.

In primary battle, Sherman edges Berman by 10 points, setting up a Nov. rematch [UPDATED]

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on June 6, 2012

Rothman defeated in primary battle

Published on June 5, 2012

Rep. Steve Rothman (D-N.J.), a veteran Jewish member of the U.S. House of Representatives, lost his primary election bid against another incumbent, Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.).

Israel’s approach takes a 180 degrees turnaround

By Noga Gur-Arieh
Published on June 5, 2012

Paul winds down campaign but keeps delegates

Published on May 16, 2012

U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has effectively given up his presidential campaign but will not yet give up his delegates to Mitt Romney.

Susan Shelley: Berman-Sherman’s Republican Jewish opponent

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on May 15, 2012

Earlier this month, when the Los Angeles Daily News announced its endorsements in the San Fernando Valley’s 30th District Congressional race, the newspaper tapped two Jewish candidates — but not the same two candidates whom voters have been hearing so much about.

Berman snags newspaper endorsements, Sherman files complaint against Berman campaign

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on May 9, 2012

With California’s congressional primary election scheduled to take place on June 5, Rep. Howard Berman (D-Van Nuys), has won endorsements from the editorial boards of the Los Angeles Times and Los Angeles Daily News.

In Jewish election season, old themes and new concerns about Iran

Published on May 8, 2012

Simmering beneath the presidential season’s familiar refrains of support for Israel is a passionate partisan argument over how best to confront Iran and deal with the new Middle East.

Jewish reaction mixed to Hollande victory in France

Published on May 7, 2012

Jewish reaction was mixed to the election of the Socialist Party's Francois Hollande as the president of France.

Hopeful Dems eye top committee spots

Published on April 17, 2012

Amid the election season tumult, behind-the-scenes campaigns are also under way for who will be the next top Democrats on two key congressional committees — with Jewish lawmakers in the running for both leadership slots.

Adelson donates $5 million to Republican Super PAC

Published on April 17, 2012

Casino mogul Sheldon Adelson, a major giver to the Newt Gingrich presidential bid, has donated $5 million to a Super PAC supporting Republican candidates.

Canada mounted intensive campaign against U.N. Palestinian statehood vote

Published on April 10, 2012

Canada mounted an intensive lobbying campaign last year to persuade other countries to oppose a United Nations vote on Palestinian statehood, a Canadian newspaper reported.

You don’t mean a thing if you ain’t got that swing

By Marty Kaplan
Published on April 9, 2012

If you’re reading this, your vote for president won’t count. Don’t get me wrong. Everyone should vote; I think it should be compulsory, as it is in Australia, with fines for no-shows. Too much patriots’ blood has been spilled to protect our right to vote for America to be soft on civic deadbeats. Voting is the minimum price of admission to democracy.

Santorum’s Southern sweep mars Romney’s front-runner status

Published on March 14, 2012

Rick Santorum swept two Southern states in Republican primaries, complicating Mitt Romney's status as front-runner and all but burying Newt Gingrich's chance for the nomination.

Mitt Romney narrowly wins Ohio in Super Tuesday split

Published on March 6, 2012

Super Tuesday Republican primaries were a race between Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum, Republicans selected a Jewish veteran for Ohio's senate run, and Dennis Kucinich lost his bid for reelection.

Adelson reportedly gives ‘substantial’ new donation to Gingrich PAC

Published on February 28, 2012

Casino and hotel magnate Sheldon Adelson reportedly has given a “substantial” new donation to a group supporting Newt Gingrich for the Republican presidential nomination.

Gingrich, Romney blame Palestinians for lack of peace

Published on January 27, 2012

Mitt Romney and Newt Gingrich put the blame for the impasse in Middle East peace talks squarely on the Palestinians.

President Obama: 2012 State of the Union [FULL VIDEO]

Published on January 24, 2012

The online-only enhanced version of President Obama's third State of the Union Address features charts, stats and data that helped inform President Obama's policy decisions.

What Can the Adelsons Buy Next ? (Newt?)

By Susan Freudenheim
Published on January 23, 2012

Gingrich blows open GOP race with S.C. romp

Published on January 22, 2012

Newt Gingrich won the Republican primary in South Carolina by a wide margin, throwing open the race for the party's presidential candidacy.

Opinion: Obama haters beware... The facts

Published on December 12, 2011

This past week a people who pride themselves on how smart they are instead showed how stupid some of us Jews can be when it comes to political candidates pandering to us on the subject of Israel.

Marty Kaplan: Newt winked at me

By Marty Kaplan
Published on December 12, 2011

Did you see how Newt Gingrich kept winking during the Dec. 10 Republican debate? I’ll bet you $10,000 I’m the one he was winking at.

Ad campaign flare-up obscures bigger challenge: Luring home Israeli expats

Published on December 6, 2011

A few different sparks led to last week’s flare-up over a two-month-old Israeli ad campaign to lure home expatriates in the United States.

Cain suspends campaign

Published on December 5, 2011

Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain suspended his campaign following allegations of sexual misconduct.

If you don’t come back to Israel you’re going to lose it

By Shmuel Rosner
Published on November 30, 2011

Opinion: Warning -- Political ads make you stupid

By Marty Kaplan
Published on November 28, 2011

This is the disclaimer that Britain’s Public Interest Research Centre recently proposed for inclusion on billboards:

Republicans’ ‘Starting from zero’ aid proposal startles pro-Israel community

Published on November 15, 2011

"Starting from zero," the foreign assistance plan touted by leading Republican candidates at a debate, is getting low marks, and not just from Democrats and the foreign policy community. Pro-Israel activists and fellow Republicans also have concerns.

At least 3 GOP candidates say war with Iran is an option

Published on November 13, 2011

Three Republican candidates for president said they would go to war if Iran obtained a nuclear weapon.

Two super PACS set to support Howard Berman campaign

By Jonah Lowenfeld
Published on November 11, 2011

Opinion: The case for Newt (and against Herman)

Published on November 11, 2011

By now it is abundantly clear that Newt Gingrich is the best debater among the Republican Presidential Candidates. Some of Newt's critics will grudgingly acquiesce to this fact, but still brush the legitimacy of the Gingrich candidacy aside, noting that he is an unserious candidate. However, Newt's magnificent debating skills, his unmatched knowledge of American and political history, his tremendous command of the issues and his eloquent oratory skills should not be taken lightly.

Opinion: Obama’s numbers could swing 30th district race

By Bill Boyarsky
Published on September 28, 2011

Rep. Brad Sherman doesn’t intend to follow Rep. Henry Waxman’s advice to give up his San Fernando Valley congressional race against Rep. Howard Berman.

Kate Winslet’s Fight Against Plastic Surgery

By Julia Bendis
Published on September 20, 2011

Perry criticizes Obama for ‘dangerous’ Mideast policy

Published on September 20, 2011

Rick Perry accused President Barack Obama on Tuesday of not standing behind Israel as the Texas governor sought to draw Jewish voter support in his bid to win the 2012 Republican U.S. presidential nomination.

Obama outreach launching with phone call

Published on September 19, 2011

The Obama re-election campaign is launching its outreach to Jews with a mass conference call.

In tapping Ira Forman to be Jewish point man, Obama campaign goes with an insider

Published on August 23, 2011

The fight for the Jewish vote in 2012 is expected to be a tough one.

New U.S. envoy to Israel: Obama hoping to visit

Published on August 3, 2011

The new U.S. ambassador to Israel, Daniel Shapiro, said President Obama hopes to visit the country.

Romney’s deal-closing skills appealing to Jewish Republicans

Published on July 5, 2011

For all the talk among pundits of Mitt Romney’s charisma problem, Romney’s Jewish supporters say what’s most inspiring about the Republican presidential candidate is that he actually does rather than just talk.

Obama to donors: Israel and the U.S. need ‘fresh eyes’

Published on June 21, 2011

President Obama told Jewish donors to his reelection campaign that Israel and the United States must assess the new Middle East with "fresh eyes."