Podcast Summary: In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch – Episode Featuring Matt Brooks and Mark Melman

Podcast Information:

• Title: In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch
• Host: Stephen Wise Free Synagogue
• Episode: Matt Brooks and Mark Mellman
• Release Date: November 21, 2024
• Description: Every other week, Rabbi Ammi Hirsch hosts intellectually honest conversations unpacking current events through the lens of Jewish wisdom and values. Unbound by politics and untethered by party lines, Ammi and his distinguished guests discuss everything from foreign affairs and antisemitism to politics and pop culture. This show is recorded from New York’s Stephen Wise Free Synagogue, a historic Reform congregation deeply rooted in liberalism, support for Israel, and social justice.

Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:01 – 01:10)

Rabbi Ami Hirsch opens the episode with an analysis of the recent U.S. Presidential election, highlighting Donald Trump's clear and comprehensive victory in both the Electoral College and the popular vote. To delve deeper into the implications of this outcome, Rabbi Hirsch introduces his guests:

• Matt Brooks: CEO of the Republican Jewish Coalition and the Jewish Policy Center.
• Mark Melman: President of the Democratic Majority for Israel and CEO of the Melman Group, recognized for accurate campaign polling.

Key Quote:

Rabbi Ami Hirsch: “Donald Trump has been elected President of the United States. Again, for better or for worse, this is the outcome America wanted.” ([00:01])

Initial Reactions to Election Results (01:10 – 03:11)

Matt Brooks expresses satisfaction with the election results, emphasizing the historic nature of Trump's victory and the strong support from Jewish voters for Republican candidates. He points out that economic concerns and issues like border security and drug trafficking influenced Jewish voters' decisions.

Mark Melman, however, presents a more subdued reaction, expressing disappointment that the election, predicted as a 50-50 race, concluded as it did. He underscores the accuracy of the polls, noting that the margins were within the expected range, attributing the outcome to the fundamental issues rather than unexpected political shifts.

Notable Quotes:

Matt Brooks: “Winning is a lot more fun than losing. So, yeah, pleased with the results.” ([01:19])

Mark Melman: “This was an election that could have gone either way. In fact, it's a pretty close election by historical standards, and it went the wrong way from my point of view.” ([02:03])

Mark Melman: “If you look at the average of the polls, you'll see that... it's the margin of error of any poll.” ([03:11])

Analysis of Factors Leading to Trump's Victory (03:11 – 08:43)

Mark Melman elaborates on the poll accuracy, asserting that the results were within expected margins. He explains that swing states tend to trend uniformly, leading to the observed outcome.

Matt Brooks attributes Trump's victory to the American rejection of the progressive "woke" message and a focus on economic fundamentals. He criticizes the Democratic Party for misplaying the campaign by personalizing it against Trump and failing to address voters' immediate concerns.

Key Points:

• Economic factors were pivotal in the election outcome.
• Democrats' strategy to label Trump as a threat to democracy backfired.
• Republicans made significant inroads in traditionally Democratic Jewish constituencies.

Notable Quotes:

Matt Brooks: “The American people have rejected the progressive woke message of the left... the economy, stupid.” ([04:06])

Mark Melman: “Ray Fair's model... predicts her at 48.1% of the vote.” ([06:17])

Debate on Kamala Harris as a Candidate (08:43 – 12:53)

The conversation shifts to the role of Kamala Harris in the election.

Mark Melman acknowledges Harris's strengths as a candidate, citing her strong performances at conventions and debates.

Matt Brooks counters by highlighting Harris's inability to distinctly differentiate her policies from Joe Biden's during the campaign, particularly citing her faltering response on "The View."

Discussion Points:

• Whether different Democratic candidates could have altered the election outcome.
• The impact of Harris's campaign performance on voter perception.

Notable Quotes:

Mark Melman: “She owned Donald Trump in the debate. There is no question the public saw her as the winner of that debate.” ([10:40])

Matt Brooks: “When she did the View and they asked her, how do you differ from Joe Biden? And she couldn't even get an answer out.” ([10:40])

American Jewish Community Voting Patterns (12:53 – 22:16)

Rabbi Hirsch transitions the discussion to the voting behavior within the American Jewish community. Polling data reveals varying levels of support for Harris and Trump, with Matt and Mark debating the extent of any erosion in traditional Democratic support.

Matt Brooks cites the AP Exit Poll as a reliable indicator, showing 32% support for Trump nationally among Jewish voters, a significant increase from previous years. He emphasizes strong support in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Michigan.

Mark Melman counters by averaging multiple polls, indicating only a marginal increase in Republican support (from 27% to 28%) and maintaining that Democratic support remains overwhelmingly dominant (around 70%).

Key Discussion Points:

• Discrepancies in polling methodologies and sample sizes.
• Interpretation of shifts in Jewish voting patterns over decades.
• The concept of “boiling the frog” – gradual erosion of traditional voting alignments.

Notable Quotes:

Matt Brooks: “There is not one single county in the entire United States in which Kamala Harris outperformed Joe Biden in 2020.” ([05:55])

Mark Melman: “Support for the Democratic candidate among Jews has ranged from 69 to 71%.” ([18:45])

Impact of Identity Politics and Antisemitism (22:16 – 33:01)

The discussion delves into the influence of identity politics and rising antisemitism on voting behaviors.

Matt Brooks argues that increasing antisemitic incidents and societal fears have driven Jewish voters towards Trump, contrary to historical patterns.

Mark Melman maintains that antisemitism concerns did not significantly influence the voting patterns, asserting that voters prioritized views on Israel and other fundamental issues over antisemitic rhetoric.

Key Points:

• The role of antisemitism and perceptions of safety among Jewish voters.
• Differences in polling interpretations regarding the influence of antisemitism.
• Matt Brooks's campaign strategies targeting fear of rising antisemitism.

Notable Quotes:

Matt Brooks: “College students... can't walk college campuses safely or without fear of being either physically or emotionally attacked.” ([27:07])

Mark Melman: “Overwhelming support for Harris from the American Jewish community. Some signs of erosion.” ([22:16])

America First Policy and Its Ramifications (33:01 – 43:55)

Rabbi Hirsch and the guests explore the implications of the "America First" policy under the new administration.

Matt Brooks defends the policy, arguing that supporting Israel aligns with American interests and combats shared threats like Iran and Hezbollah. He distinguishes between "America First" and neo-isolationism.

Mark Melman critiques the policy, highlighting historical connotations of "America First" as isolationist and antisemitic. He expresses concerns about its impact on U.S.-Israel relations and immigration policies.

Key Discussion Points:

• Interpretation of "America First" and its historical baggage.
• Effects on U.S. foreign policy, particularly towards Israel and European allies.
• Contrasting views on immigration and pluralism within the Republican Party.

Notable Quotes:

Matt Brooks: “Supporting Israel is America First. Supporting Israel is supporting America's interest in a dangerous part of the world.” ([37:15])

Mark Melman: “America First... was an anti Semitic movement... nothing positive from the phrase.” ([40:05])

Concerns About Democratic and Republican Parties (43:55 – 48:51)

The conversation wraps up with personal reflections from both guests on their worries and hopes for the future.

Matt Brooks expresses concern over the normalization of antisemitism and emphasizes the need to combat it. He remains optimistic about strengthening U.S.-Israel relations and addressing regional threats.

Mark Melman fears that Trump’s presidency will exacerbate antisemitism by legitimizing hateful rhetoric. He predicts a backlash in future elections and remains concerned about the direction of the Republican Party.

Closing Remarks: Rabbi Ami Hirsch offers a reflective conclusion, emphasizing the complexities facing the American Jewish community and the broader American society. He highlights concerns about democratic institutions, antisemitism, anti-Zionism, and the erosion of liberal values, while encouraging resilience and proactive engagement.

Notable Quotes:

Mark Melman: “Donald Trump did a tremendous amount... to legitimize and normalize hate... that kind of hateful rhetoric.” ([46:17])

Matt Brooks: “We have an infraredly respect and admiration for what he's trying to do... hold people accountable.” ([37:05])

Rabbi Ami Hirsch: “I worry about such rhetoric as enemies within and enemies of the people... the preservation of democratic institutions.” ([48:51])

Conclusion

This episode of In These Times with Rabbi Ammi Hirsch offers a comprehensive analysis of the recent U.S. Presidential election through the perspectives of two prominent Jewish political strategists. Matt Brooks and Mark Melman provide contrasting views on the shifting dynamics within the American Jewish community's political affiliations, the impact of identity politics, and the future trajectory of both major political parties. The discussion underscores deep concerns about antisemitism, democratic integrity, and the role of Israel in U.S. foreign policy, while also highlighting areas of optimism for the future.

Final Thoughts: The conversation encapsulates the tensions and challenges within the American Jewish community and the broader political landscape. It serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilant democratic participation, the need to address and combat antisemitism, and the critical role of informed and principled leadership in shaping a just and inclusive society.