(JTA) Matthew E. Berger - Some groups, like the American Jewish Committee and the Orthodox Union, have received more attention from the Bush White House than from previous administrations. The only speech Bush has given to a Jewish audience was at the AJC's 2001 annual dinner. David Frum, a former Bush speech writer who authored the president's address, claimed many of the out-of-favor Jewish groups have done a poor job in prioritizing their agendas. At a time when most people are concerned about terrorism and Israel, the Jewish community should be focusing on the issues that matter most to them, he said. He says the Jewish community's targeting of Attorney General John Ashcroft for his views on the separation of church and state, for example, has hurt its reputation. "Your friends show respect for your values; you show respect for their values," he said. "It cannot be a presentation of a list of non-negotiable demands."
2003-06-25 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive