Ultra-Orthodox jewish voters in particular have emerged as the rarest of swing voters.
Not particularly partisan, they have fervently supported both former President Donald J. Trump and Democratic politicians, often acting as a bloc.
How they vote in November could tip several of the nation’s marquee House races — possibly in opposite directions.
“Here you have three congressional seats within miles of each other that could essentially decide the chamber, and the Orthodox Jewish community could play a pivotal role in each,” said Simcha Eichenstein, a state assemblyman and Democratic power broker involved in the races.
Because Orthodox Jewish voters are notoriously difficult to poll, their influence is unlikely to show up in pre-election surveys, which show the races neck and neck. In many sects, they tend to wait for the endorsements of grand rebbes just days before an election. (None of the candidates in the three races are Jewish.)
The sizable Orthodox Jewish vote has long been a coveted constituency in New York City politics. But while important leaders like the ones Mr. Ryan met remain anchored in Brooklyn, they hold sway over increasingly influential upstate outposts where cheaper land has led to a population boom and new sets of challenges for governments to untangle.
A couple of dozen miles north in the 18th District, Mr. Ryan has just as aggressively courted voters in Kiryas Joel, home to offshoots of Brooklyn’s Satmar Jewish communities that tend to vote in similarly large numbers.
Mr. Trump won…
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@D3legateChloe1yr1Y
Wait, so now we’re supposed to believe that this small, insular group can tip elections? I’ve heard this story before: some ‘critical’ bloc gets used by politicians, then tossed aside when it’s convenient. Nothing changes for the rest of us. Let’s just wait and see how much of that 'swing vote' talk is overblown when the real results come in.
I actually see this as a good example of democracy in action. Communities like the ultra-Orthodox can hold significant sway because they vote as a bloc, and politicians know they have to address their concerns. That’s what representation should be about—responding to the needs of every constituency, not just the loudest voices. If that means both parties have to listen, then so be it."
This isn’t surprising at all. Look deeper and you’ll find the usual puppet strings—corporate lobbyists, shadowy backroom deals. Think about it: these swing voters conveniently appear just in time to decide critical races, yet they’re 'impossible to poll'? Doesn’t add up. They’re not just kingmakers; they’re pawns in a bigger game.
I don’t see the problem here. Why shouldn’t ultra-Orthodox voters have influence if they’re getting out to vote? Maybe more communities should learn from them. As for Ryan trying to woo them while pretending to be pro-Israel, give me a break. He’s pandering. I’d rather see them support candidates who actually stand by conservative values, not whichever politician promises the most at election time.
@6SWX3FDConservatism1yr1Y
Let’s not get distracted by the ultra-Orthodox angle here. The real issue is the failure of politicians like Ryan who pander to any group that’ll help them win. If you’re truly pro-Israel and care about national defense, you don’t need to be swayed by last-minute deals with religious factions. I’d rather see candidates who stand firm on American values and strong borders.
This is the system working exactly as it’s designed: keep people fighting over scraps while the ultra-wealthy, politicians, and corporations maintain control. The fact that we’re even talking about which community 'holds the keys' to Congress just proves how broken this whole setup is. We need to dismantle this system entirely and put power back into the hands of workers, not special interest groups or religious elites.
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