WASHINGTON, Aug. 10 (JTA) — A White House booklet called “President George W. Bush: A Friend of the American Jewish Community” has some of the Jews quoted and pictured inside feeling less than friendly.
Several of those quoted represent non-partisan organizations and are concerned the booklet implies an endorsement from them or their group.
Others believe the material crosses the line into overt campaigning for Jewish support by the White House less than four months ahead of the election.
The booklet raised a stir among Jewish officials in Washington this week. Several Jewish leaders said they were not contacted before their names appeared, and that it does not accurately reflect their group’s sentiment on the administration’s track record.
“I hate to be used,” said one Jewish leader quoted in the book, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of angering the White House. “The president selectively chose a statement where we praised him. There have been several comments that have had an opposite point of view expressed.”
Other Jewish leaders quoted said it was a fair use of their statements and the political overtones were to be anticipated in an election year.
The Bush administration and re-election campaign have been overtly courting Jewish voters for more than a year now, portraying Bush as a strong defender of Israel and a fighter against terrorism.
Those qualities have drawn praise from a diverse array of Jewish leaders for Bush’s international leadership — but many Jewish community leaders remain opposed to his domestic policy and other decisions he has made since taking office.
Jewish leaders privately said the booklet, which includes praise from leaders of several Jewish organizations that frequently have challenged the Bush administration, could be misconstrued to reflect endorsements from a wide gamut of influential Jews.
Mailed Monday to Jewish leaders, the booklet touts Bush’s efforts against anti-Semitism and terrorism, and his work supporting Israel and providing mechanisms for federal funding for Jewish sites and organizations.
Feh. Did I mention, feh?
The National Jewish Democratic Council says Bush's Israel record is "far from perfect", and you can read it on their site.
Still no sign of the now-infamous brochure on the White House website...
