June 15, 2008 | 3:07 pm

McCain or Obama: Who will Jewish Democrats vote for?

Posted by Brad A. Greenberg

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Robert Avrech, an Orthodox Jew and outspoken Hollywood Republican—did you know such a combination existed?—continues to drive the point that Barack Obama, and the political left in general, is tainted by anti-Israel sentiments and Jew hatred. I disagree wholeheartedly with Avrech, who I’ve spoken with several times and often enjoy reading, but here’s what he says:

Obama, like most liberals, wants America to trust his high-flying, utopian rhetoric.

But Judaism teaches that we judge people by their behavior.

And Obama’s behavior is not to be trusted. Not in regard to Israel and America—and not as Iran stands on the threshold of acquiring nuclear weapons. The world is far too dangerous for an Obama presidency and his collectivist dreams.

America needs to pull the lever for McCain in November.

Avrech then quotes and links to this story from TheHill.com about a Jewish Democrat who shifted support to McCain.

Stephen Muss, the Florida developer, is the biggest Democratic donor and fundraiser to pledge his support for McCain and the Republican National Committee, said a GOP official. Muss has given tens of thousands of dollars to help Democratic candidates in recent years, including $80,000 to the Democratic National Committee (DNC) in 2000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics and CQ MoneyLine.

Muss did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday afternoon.

“Many Jewish Democrats are sensing there is such an existential threat to Israel that you have to vote for an individual who strongly supports the U.S.-Israel relationship,” said Rep. Eric Cantor (R-Va.), chairman of the GOP’s Jewish Victory Coalition.

This defection surprises me about as much as the fact that Obama’s critics keep recycling rumors for political purposes. McCain has long had the support of quasi-Democrat Joe Lieberman and, even though Obama did fine among Jewish Democrats, I wouldn’t be surprised if a lot of those Hillary Clinton supporters who said they would vote for McCain are, in fact, Jewish.

Why? Israel.

Compare what McCain said at AIPAC’s policy conference to Obama promise to keep Jerusalem undivided, something even President Bush wouldn’t say, and then quick retreat.

It’s improbable that McCain will corral the majority of Jewish voters, but he needs much less than that to win a state like Florida, which, as we know, can swing an entire election (and country’s future).

What would happen if McCain made huge inroads with Jews while Obama captures a larger proportion of evangelical voters? I think the score goes back to zero and both candidates await results of the Latino vote.