This week the Republican Jewish Coalition held its presidential candidates forum, and the visiting contenders engaged in transparently obsequious rhetoric to demonstrate their love of Israel. Media accounts made the event sound rather embarrassing, but it’s almost poignant, if you think about it. Because despite groups like the RJC, the reality is that Jews vote overwhelmingly for Democrats and identify overwhelmingly as either Democrats or Independents. All the groveling about Israel is unlikely to shift the balance if the GOP doesn’t get smart about one crucial issue: religion.

No matter how they try to downplay it with veiled language, the GOP is a Christian party with a Christian message. When pols appeal directly to that base, they may forget (or perhaps not care) that Jews are out there too watching TV and hearing what’s being said.

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