A Snapshot of the American Jewish Electorate:

2011 Political Survey

Steven Windmueller, Ph.D.

Introduction:
This political survey was intended to provide a snapshot of a number of Jewish voters. It
offers some interesting insights into the depth and intensity of Jewish political
engagement, but by the nature of this study it does not permit one to make any defining
conclusions.

Further, the findings confirm that from this particular cohort (some 2300 participants)
Jews hold deeply embedded policy positions on key domestic and international issues. In
this particular study one finds a distinctive Jewish conservative voice emerging on Israel-
related matters and an array of domestic social issues. The data also suggests that among
highly engaged Jews, those who are active within Jewish religious and communal life,
there is a sharp divide on political attitudes and policies. This liberal-conservative split
models the current political landscape of the country. The intensity of this political and
social disconnect could also be seen in the additional comments offered by many
participants to this survey. In the statements that accompanied a number of specific
questions and at the conclusion to the study, participants offered a broad range of
personal and policy reflections. These messages in many ways confirmed the findings of
Frank Luntz1 and others who have written about the growing presence of angry American
voters. The focus of many of these commentaries negatively depicted the “other” voting
group (namely, liberals offering viewpoints on conservatives or conservatives providing
comments about liberals).

This particular voter sample demonstrated a high level of Jewish institutional connection.
Similarly, within this sample there appeared to be congruence around shared class values,
educational achievements, income capacity, and institutional affiliation patterns. These
voters reflected a commonality of background, yet highly divergent political outcomes
and social priorities. The data around personal achievement and institutional connection
reaffirmed the extraordinary levels of accomplishment that in many ways have defined
American Jewry. This cohort specifically reflected the perceived make-up and character
of the Jewish communal activist, fully aligned with the “organized” Jewish community
enterprise, while socially linked to the broader society and culture.

Absent from this study were various key “voices” within the community, a significant
body of less-engaged “just Jewish” (individuals who identify as Jews but often don’t hold
the array of affiliations and social connections as seen in this survey), the absence in
reasonable numbers of “millennial Jews” (younger Jewish participants), and “New Jews”
(including those who are converts to Judaism or who have over the past two decades
entered the United States as new citizens from other parts of the world).
1
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Luntz
One of the more intriguing elements of this study dealt with attitudes associated with the
Tea Party movement. Here, one finds a strong impulse on the part of participants to
declare themselves as either highly engaged or “refreshed” by this new set of political
voices or highly “alarmed” or concerned about this movement. This divide among
respondents ought to be seen as the framing statement concerning the overall survey
findings, namely a deep and growing political division among American Jews. Whatever
the actual numerical or even ideological breakdown within the Jewish community, such
conclusions can not be confirmed as a result of this research.

Among the areas of significant disconnect among Jewish voters was the issue of guns,
gun control, and the support of such institutions as the NRA. For the small number of
Libertarians within this sample and for some other respondents, there was a particular and
distinctive emphasis on individual freedoms, which ran counter to the general framework
of the responses received.

Older participants in this survey demonstrated a more traditional connection to liberal

values, candidates, and causes. Younger voters in turn appeared to reflect a more
independent basis related to their party connections and political outlook. This assertion
has been confirmed in other recent surveys. Similar to other studies, younger Jewish
voters would also appear to be less connected ideologically and politically to the case for
Israel.

The “Obama Factor” represented another significant phenomenon within this study.
Fewer participants in this survey endorsed the Obama Presidency than would appear to
be the national percentage of Jewish support for the Democratic standard-bearer, based
on the 2008 election results. One of the unknown elements that may be reflected in this
survey has to with what factors might drive Jews next year to reconnect with the
President or move them away from their traditional base within the Democratic Party?

In seeking to define the characteristics of the voters who elected to participate in this
survey, four distinctive “types” seem evident.

The Red State Jewish Voter: These individuals reflect in their political behavior a
particular commitment to social conservative principles; some within this camp often
demonstrate less of an ideological or policy interest in domestic affairs. This cohort of the
Jewish vote is particularly supportive of a strong US-Israel relationship and values the
importance of a strong American military, along with an American foreign policy agenda
that is specifically designed to respond to international terrorism and the nation’s security
concerns.

The Tea Party Jewish Voter: This may be the newest classification of the
contemporary Jewish voter. Joining with other Americans who are specifically concerned
with the financial well-being of the nation, these voters reflect a particular commitment to
what they define as traditional values. Similar to other conservative voters, they have

2
embraced the idea of limited government and the affirmation of the rights of the
individual, etc…

The Blue State Jewish Voter: This bloc represents the more traditional democratic
liberal Jewish activist; these voters over the course of decades dominated the Jewish
political scene. Their politics reflected an alignment of their Jewish and civic values on
behalf of an array of social causes.

The Blue-Dog Jewish Voter: This subset of the Democratic Party consists of Jewish
voters whose views on the social and economic agenda tend to be more conservative than
the standard ideological positions of the party and who have adopted a strong defense
policy, a commitment to protect and support American interests, including Israel.

Crossing many of these definitional categories, one could identify a “passionate quotient”
that served to align Jewish participants from a number of these ideological camps. A
shared concern for the well-being and security of Israel and a joint commitment to
national security and to the fight against international terrorism were the core elements
that seemed to engage many of those participating in this survey, regardless of political
party or socio-economic status.

As will be confirmed below, there are distinctive divides along religious movement lines,
by political party affiliation, by gender, and to lesser degrees by age and geography.

Among the long term questions raised by this and other studies, will American Jewish
political behavior change, as Jews move into the fourth and fifth generation of their
American journey?

Unpacking the Results:

The general profile of the respondents to this survey:

Average Age: 56 (17 respondents were under 20 and 5 indicated that

they were over 90).

Geographical Patterns: While every state was represented, of the 923

individuals who responded to this question, nearly
one-half of the sample resided in three states,
California, New York and Florida.

Income Levels: 70% reported earnings of over $75,000

Educational Achievements: Over 90% of the participants held college degrees,

with 51% holding advanced degrees.

Gender: 56% of those surveyed were men; 44% were women

3
Affiliation Patterns: Over 70% of the participants indicated that they held
an affiliation with a synagogue, significantly higher
than the national average as reported in other studies.

As has been reported often, Jews are among the most highly engaged political
constituencies. In this study 99% of the participants indicated that had voted in one or
more elections covering the past ten years. Similarly, one in two respondents had given
money to a political party, and 87% supported Jewish organizational and civic causes
over the past year.

Those surveyed were asked to rank Jewish institutions which they viewed as politically
the “most influential”.
• AIPAC 58%
• ADL 7%
• RJC 6%
• Federations 6%

The primary causes mentioned involved: federations, an array of Israel-based institutions,

AIPAC, and AJWS (American Jewish World Service).

Participants in this survey belong to an array of secular and civic organizations:

• AARP 235
• ACLU 199
• NRA 154
• NARAL 148
• Amnesty International 86
• Americans United for Separation of Church and State 63
• League of Women Voters 62

When asked if they had donated over the past five years to PAC’s (Political Action
Committees), 39% (or some 778 participants) referenced their connections to these types
of organizations. Elsewhere, participants in the study noted that they were supporting
such political causes as Emily’s List, Move-On.com, GOPAC and an array of other
organizations.

4
Political Passions:

Respondents were asked to identify their political “identities”:

Democrats Republicans No Affiliation

Extremely Liberal 171 2 17
Liberal 524 1 27
Slightly Liberal 163 3 31
Moderate or Middle of the Road 141 56 62
Slightly Conservative 57 144 68
Conservative 34 449 67
Extremely Conservative 5 109 13
Total: 1095 764 285

Some 13 individuals identified themselves as “Libertarian”.

More than half of the survey respondents indicated that they had contributed over the past
year to one of the political parties, with 50% from this sample giving to the Republican
Party (some 577 individuals), compared to 48% of Democrats (551). 19 individuals
noted that they had made contributions to the Libertarian Party. In the comment space
provided in the survey in response to this inquiry, some 25 respondents indicated that
they had made gifts to one or more of the Tea Party groups.

When asked to discuss their impressions of the Tea Party, the participants in this study
offered the following reflections:

Refreshing Alarming Neithe Total

r
Democrats 97 805 201 1103
Republicans 672 18 80 770
Independents 137 86 71 294

67% of Orthodox Jews found the Tea Party “Refreshing”; 45% of Conservative Jews
concurred, while 27% of Reform Jews expressed themselves as favorable to this political
movement. Among all of those who identified with the Tea Party goals, 69% were men.

5
The most significant divisions among voters centered around domestic issues, where the
divide among Jewish Democrats and Republicans can be seen most clearly. When asked
about their involvement with “special political and social causes,” the disparity is most
evident:

Issue: Democrat Republican

Civil Liberties 342 74
Church State 417 99
Environment 314 178
Hunger and Homelessness 310 47
Women’s Issues 422 40

In three specific policy areas (same sex marriage, guns, and the Muslim proposal to
construct a community center near Ground Zero), one can identify a sharp political divide
by political party and in some cased by other indicators, including religious affiliation:

Same Sex Marriages:

“I believe that government should permit same sex marriages.”
Agree: Democrats: 947 Republicans: 208
Disagree: Democrats: 97 Republicans: 513

Guns and Jews:

“I support legislation controlling the access to and purchase of guns.”
Agree: Democrats: 969 Republicans: 232
Disagree: Democrats: 80 Republicans: 490

77% of Reform Jews concurred with this proposition, as did 66% of Conservative Jews
and 56% of the Orthodox.

40% of those who disagreed with this statement were Conservative Jews, another 30%
were Reform Jews. 19% of the respondents to this position identified as Orthodox.

It should be noted that of the 105 respondents who indicated that they financially
supported the NRA (National Rifle Association), 43% were Conservative Jews. 32%
were Reform and 15% were Orthodox. A number of participants also noted their
affiliation with Jews for the Preservation of Firearms Ownership (www.JPFO).

Muslim Community Center near Ground Zero:

Another question that evoked strong and divided opinions involved the issue of the
construction of a Muslim community center (mosque) near Ground Zero. Of the 1039
Democrats who responded to this question, 650 individuals endorsed this proposition. Of
the 737 Republicans who responded to this question, 655 indicated their opposition to
this proposal, while only 59 participants approved this idea.

6
When asked to identify the most important issues for voters, the five most prominent
responses were

1549 Policies on the Arab-Israel Conflict

1391 Economy and Trade
1244 Health Care
1233 President’s Record
1116 Homeland Security and International Terrorism

A sixth factor which drew significant reaction involved Supreme Court Nominees (1027).

Snapshot of Other Domestic Issues:

Surrounding several additional domestic themes, there are less defined ideological or
policy differences:

“A woman should have the right to an abortion.”

Agree: Democrats: 1038 Republicans: 504
Disagree: Democrats: 15 Republicans: 205

Libertarian voters overwhelmingly endorsed this statement (11 of 13).

“I support the President’s efforts to create a national health care program.”

Agree: Democrats: 1038 Republicans: 442
Disagree: Democrats: 13 Republicans: 270

Those identifying with the Libertarian Party almost unanimously opposed this initiative
(12 out of 13).

“Government should encourage and support stem cell research for the purposes of
advancing medical knowledge.”
Agree: Democrats: 1038 Republicans: 442
Disagree: Democrats: 13 Republicans: 270

On the issue of providing government funding to parochial/religious day schools both

groups overwhelming opposed such assistance; Democrats by a 3 to 1 ratio and
Republicans by a 2 to 1 margin.

7
Voter Preferences:
These voters reflected a far more even distribution than the national polls provided when
noting their Presidential choices covering the past two campaigns:

2004 Election:
Candidate Vote Percentage
Kerry 1052 50%
Bush 929 44%
Nader 15 1%
Total: 2119

2008 Election:
Candidate Vote Percentage
Obama 1077 51%
McCain 948 45%
Total: 2116

Some 2025 respondents noted their preferences at this time for the 2012 campaign.
Among the most significant names referenced were
President Obama 886 (44%)
Another Candidate 244
Mitt Romney 228
Newt Gingrich 119
Rudy Giuliani 114
Tim Powlenty 104

The Obama Factor:

There has been considerable interest in how well regarded President Obama is perceived
among Jewish voters. As Americans prepare for the 2012 elections, the traditional
engagement of Jews with the Democratic nominee has been seen as a given within the
Democratic Party. Since the early part of the 20th Century this particular political
connection has been in place. Will it continue?

Within this study of the 886 individuals who identified the President as current
“preference” for the 2012 elections,

Gender: 499 were women, as compared to 387 men.

Religious Affiliation: 61% of Reform Jews endorsed the President, while 40% of
Conservative Jews did so. Only 17% of Orthodox Jews supported
President Obama.

Region: Jews from the Far West (49.7%) and Northeast (53.7%); in contrast, only 32%
of the Jews from Florida in this sample endorsed the President.

8
Religious Affiliation and Political Participation:
The participants in this study hold a much higher level of affiliation with Jewish
institutions than the norm. For example, some 71% of the respondents (1489) to question
34 which dealt with synagogue membership so indicated their affiliation, while 29%
(594) noted that they were not a part of a congregation.

Reform 645 (39%)

Conservative 567 (35%)
Orthodox 212 (13%)
Other 111 (7%)
Non-Denominational 75 (5%)
Reconstruction 30 (2%)

64% of the Reform Jews in this study identified as “Democrats”, 24% as “Republicans”.
50% of Conservative Jews consider themselves “Democrats,” while 38% noted that they
were “Republicans.” Among Orthodox Jews 51% were “Republicans” and 30% listed
themselves as “Democrats”. The remainder either declined to identify their party
affiliation, classified themselves as “independent,” or indicated a third party, i.e. Green,
Libertarian, etc.

News Sources:
Respondents were asked to identify were they secured their news:

On Line 628 (30%)

Newspapers 542 (26%)
Television 441 (21%)
Radio 230 (11%)
Blogs 48 (2%)

When asked to name the news outlets that were most regularly used, this group identified
the following five sources as the most often “visited”. These included:
New York Times
CNN
JTA (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Fox News
Yahoo

Other publications and news sources that were consistently referenced included:
Israel Sources: Jerusalem Post and Ha’aretz
BBC
Washington Post
Los Angeles Times
Huffington Post

9
Israel and Related International Issues:
Support for Israel, as anticipated, was extremely high among all participants, whether
reviewed on the basis of religious movement or political affiliation. Most of this sample
overwhelmingly endorsed policies and actions designed to re-enforce support for Israel.
However on a series of specific issues impacting Israel, there were significant and sharp
divides among participants based on their party affiliations.

“In dealing with international concerns, the United States should try and work through
the UN and other multinational organizations.”
Agree Disagree
Democrats: 819 215
Republicans: 136 596

“I believe that American Jews ought to support Israeli policies.”

Most of the Some of the None of the

Always Time Time Rarely Time
Democrats: 98 540 379 9 5
Republicans: 259 422 53 2 0
Independents 50 140 67 2 0
:

Of the 1158 men who would answer this question only 8 expressed reservations related to
supporting Israel by indicating “rarely” or “none of the time”; similarly, of the 891
women who responded to this item, only 13 so indicated any level of concern for
endorsing Israel.

When measuring this question through the lens of religion, Reform Jews were more
reluctant to embrace Israeli actions, as nearly 33% of this religious cohort indicated
support only “some of the time”. Only 22% of Conservative and 15% of the Orthodox
participants expressed such reservations. Reconstructionist Jews scored the highest
within this category as 85% of this community of participants either expressed support
for Israeli policies “some of the time” or “none” of the time.

Regarding concessions related to the status of Jerusalem, both Jewish Democrats and
Republicans oppose this proposition. Republicans oppose this principle more definitely
than Democrats. Some 427 Democrats reject concessions, while some 660 Republicans
do so. Independent voters also affirm this position related to Jerusalem.

Regarding the support for the creation of a Palestinian State, within the context of a two
state solution, Democrats by a five to one majority endorsed such a proposition. Three of
every five Republicans who answered this particular question opposed the creation of a
Palestinian State.

10
Overwhelming numbers of both Jewish Republicans and Democrats embraced the
proposition supporting United States military action in order to prevent Iran from
securing nuclear weapons. Of 750 Republican respondents, 655 endorsed such a notion.

Regionalization and Political Patterns:

The survey included participants from all 50 states and the District of Columbia as well
as a number of American citizens living abroad. In most areas, geography or region was
not a particular determinant or key characteristic of political behavior.

West2 East3 All Others Total

I am a registered member of Democrat 277 357 498 1132

one of the Political Parties: Green 1 0 4 5
(Select One)
Libertarian 6 1 7 14

Republican 169 157 462 788

Other 3 6 11 20

Currently, I have no political

62 70 176 308
party affiliation.

Total 518 591 1158 2267

West East All Others Total

Recently the Tea Party has Refreshing 204 210 519 933
been in the news. Among the Alarming 222 295 400 917
principles of the Tea Party are
Neither 91 84 183 358
fiscal responsibility, etc…
Total 517 589 1102 2208

As demonstrated elsewhere, the particular interest in and support for Tea Party ideas was
significantly high; in this particular sample, participants from all regions of the country
exhibited such sentiments.

In the slide below, the distribution of support for 2012 candidates is provided by
employing a regional framework:

2
“West” here includes Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington
3
“East” refers to Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York

11
 West East All Others Total

At this time I am considering Michele Bachmann

supporting for the 2012 (Congresswoman from 18 9 24 51
Presidential Election the Minnesota)
following individual. Haley Barbour (Governor of
3 3 13 19
Mississippi)

Jim DeMint (Senator from South

3 7 18 28
Carolina)

Newt Gingrich (Former Speaker

29 28 62 119
of the House)

Rudy Giuliani (Former Mayor of

31 29 54 114
New York)

Mike Huckabee (Former

5 31 39 75
Governor of Arkansas)

Barack Obama (44th President

245 280 374 899
of the United States)

Sarah Palin (Former Governor

9 18 42 69
of Alaska)

Ron Paul (Congressman from

8 3 15 26
Texas)

Tim Pawlenty (Former Governor

19 25 60 104
of Minnesota)

Mitt Romney (Former Governor

55 57 116 228
of Massachusetts)

Donald Trump (New York

12 10 27 49
Businessman)

Another Candidate, please

52 67 125 244
specify:

Total 489 567 969 2025

12
Some Reflections:
All errors in the design and operational elements of this survey are my responsibility. I
am most appreciative to many of you for your thoughtful comments and suggestions, as
well as your critical eye and input. This was in many ways a learning process for those
of us engaged in this work. My special thanks to those persons who reviewed the survey
instrument in advance, offering their helpful comments concerning its design and
distribution. I am appreciative to the many Anglo-Jewish newspaper editors who carried
the link to this study and to wide range of organizational and community professionals
who shared this questionnaire with their lay leaders and colleagues. I am particularly
grateful to Kenna Cottrill for her patience and her wisdom in helping me to implement
the survey and to analyze the resulting data.

We were impressed by the significant numbers of individuals who elected to participate,

sharing their passions, interests, and information. Hundreds of you requested that the
data gleaned from this survey be shared with you, and we are committed to honoring
your request.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Steven Windmueller is the Rabbi Alfred Gottschalk Emeritus Professor of Jewish

Communal Service at Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion. He teaches at
Hebrew Union College-Jewish Institute of Religion’s Jack H. Skirball Campus in Los
Angeles. To read more of Dr.Windmueller’s work, see: www.thewindreport.

13