We're here at the King David Hotel where Mitt Romney is holding a fundraising event. Couples inside are paying USD 50,000 to hear the Republican Presidential the most important person inside is Sheldon Adelson, the American-Jewish businessman who has donated millions of dollars to bankroll Romney's campaign. The billionaire casino owner known for his right wing views on Israel brought some of his high-rolling friends to the Romney fundraiser...like New York Jets owner Woody Johnson. The intimate breakfast for about two dozen supporters reportedly raised USD 1 million for the governor's campaign...
Not surprisingly, many in this crowd feel Romney's success as a business man make him qualified to sit in the White House. American Shmuel Wasserman is an Israeli-based venture capitalist. Romney's business smarts appeal to these American voters more than usual given the economic challenges facing America. But they also see it as a sign of authenticity and pragmatism they say is lacking today... Romney consistently delivered a promise of unwavering support for Israel during his trip, culminating in a speech he gave overlooking Jerusalem's old city. President Obama was not directly criticized, but jabs were there between the lines...
On how to cope with what the West fears is Iran's nuclear weapons program, Romney took a strong stand a day after his top adviser indicated the governor would back a unilateral Israeli strike on Tehran to stop the program if necessary... Romney's message of solidarity came across loud and clear for those shelling out the big bucks at his fundraiser... But the Middle East is riddled with political minefields and so it's no surprise that Romney would stir some controversy... Israeli conservatives were delighted with Romney for calling Jerusalem Israel's undivided capital, but it drew sharp criticism from Palestinian leaders.
They also responded with anger to what they called Romney's unfair comparison of the thriving Israeli economy and the sluggish Palestinian one. Saeb Erekat chastized Romney for failing to mention that the Palestinian economy functions and competes at a disadvantage given Israel's checkpoints and its control of parts of the West Bank and Gaza's borders. How do supporters describe Mitt Romney up close? He's often perceived as stiff and unemotional. Phil Rosen has known Romney for more than 6 years and is on his campaign finance committee. Political analysts say that warmth and approachability needs to be communicated to the general voting public, not just close friends. The voting litmus test for many Americans remains: do I want to sit down with the guy and have a beer?
There was a lot of enthusiasm and support for Mitt Romney at this fundraiser. His views appeal most to politically conservative American Jews here in Israel and the U.S. The challenge for Romney will be getting Jews in the middle and left to vote for him. That task awaits him when he returns to the US. He has less than 100 days left before election day in November if he hopes to unseat the sitting President, Barack Obama.
Jordana Miller, JN1, Jerusalem.
