Publisher's Notebook
• 1111 01111
laJ
20 Annual
FALL
FUNDRAISER
Oakland's Political Allure
G
oodbye, Macomb County.
Hello, Oakland County and the "new America."
National pollster Stan Greenberg shared with
New York Times readers last week his post-Nov. 4 research.
His landmark study in 1985 of Macomb County voters identi-
fied "Reagan Democrats:' those who
were largely white, racially segregated,
blue-collar, middle -class, high school
educated and for more than two
decades, a must-have constituency for
either party to win a national election.
As Macomb County went, so went the
nation.
Greenberg is not your run-of-the-
mill pollster. He was instrumental in
navigating Bill Clinton to the presiden-
cy in 1992 and to re-election in 1996,
and Ehud Barak to the Israel prime
minister's office in 1999. Republican
pollster Frank Luntz describes Greenberg as someone who
"scares the heck out of me. He doesn't just have a finger on the
people's pulse; he's got in IV injected into it. He's the best."
So when Stan Greenberg talks, Democrats and Republicans
listen.
N ew Pacesetter
Here are some starters:
• Strengthen our Jewish communal infrastructure. We have
to focus on our own revitalization and the growing needs of
those in our community who are under economic duress. As
we reach deeper into our pockets to provide philanthropic
support for our Federation, its affiliates and others that pro-
vide vital service to the local Jewish community, let's do so
with a core understanding that we need to keep more of our
dollars working right here where the needs are greatest.
• Re-assert our desire and interest to shape and influence
the places where we live, work and play by expanding the
Jewish community's candidate pool. Historically, our commu-
nity had disproportional involvement in the political process
at all levels. But now, we are more apt to write checks than get
our hands dirty by running for elective office at the municipal
and county level. It's time to get our hands dirty.
• Get appointed. General community boards, committees
and commissions, whether governmental or nonprofit, are
looking for talented and dedicated volunteers.
• Build bridges. In addition to the Jewish community,
Oakland County has large concentrations of Chaldean
Americans, Indian Americans, Asian Americans and African
Americans. Get involved with the Jewish Community
Relations Council, the American Jewish Committee, the Anti-
Defamation League and other local organizations that have
established and emerging inter-group programs.
• Focus on 2010. That's when Michigan will elect a new
governor and change the composition of the state Senate. A
more politically.active and engaged Jewish community will be
critical in identifying and supporting the leadership that has
been sorely lacking in Lansing. Without
new thinking-and-doing at the state level,
Oakland County will be diminished.
• Leverage Oakland County's assets in
ways that benefit the entire Detroit met-
ropolitan area. Ultimately, this isn't about
Oakland vs. Macomb vs. Wayne. This is
about building and enhancing models of
collaboration that uplift the entire region.
• Re-populate. Use your powers of per-
suasion to encourage family and friends to
move here. In addition to a great quality of
Jewish life, they will have the very unique
opportunity to help shape the future of the
country by enriching Oakland County.
As the days get shorter, the air turns
frigid and the economic forecast remains
uncertain, let's pledge as individuals, and
as a Jewish community, to do more than our part to influence
the direction of Oakland County, our region, our state and, by
extension, our country. The "new America" hangs in the bal-
ance. Stan Greenberg's spotlight is now on us. ❑
Tf IE UNTOLD STORY
Join us for a
we
.
According to Greenberg, the new national political barometer
in the Barack Obama era is Oakland County. With almost 25
percent of Oakland County residents belonging to various
racial and ethnic minorities, the county has produced "a more
tolerant and culturally liberal population
uncomfortable with today's Republican
Party." Obama, a Democrat senator
from Illinois, topped John McCain, a
Republican senator from Arizona, in
Oakland County, 57-42 percent, a margin
that 20 years ago would have been over-
whelmingly Republican.
"So, good riddance, my Macomb
barometer:' Greenberg wrote. "Four
years from now, I trust we will see the
candidates rush from their conven-
tions to Oakland County, to see the new
America
The "new America;' and we as a Jewish
community are part of its epicenter.
In the midst of economic doldrums
and a shrinking population, we have the
unique and distinctive opportunity to influence the future
of our country. The Jewish communities concentrated in
such places as Fulton County, Ga., Montgomery County, Md.,
Montgomery County, Pa., Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Broward or
Palm Beach County, Fla., Suffolk County, Mass., Westchester
County, N.Y., Cook County, Ill., Los Angeles County, Calif.,
and Essex County, N.J., are active and politically engaged. But
of the 3,086 counties in the U.S., there is only one Oakland
County, Mich.
According to
Stan Greenberg,
the new national
political barometer
in the Barack
Obama era is
Oakland County.
Stronger Foundation
So how do we, the Detroit Jewish community, leverage our
being in the right place at the right time?
or THE WITCHES OF OZ
ed
cod time!
THURS DEC 11
7:30 PM
DETROIT OPERA HOUSE
Since its inception in 1969,
t
ac JARC has gained a national
reputation for providing
warm, loving homes and the highest
quality of services for people with
developmental disabilities.
Now more
than even your support can he keep
the momentum growing so that JARC
will remain strong, forever turning the
cherished dreams of families and
those we serve into realities.
FOR INDIVIDUAL OR CORPORATE
SPONSORSHIP INFORMATION
Contact Carol Kaczander 248538.6610 x 343
Caro I Kaczan d e rOja rc. o rg
30301 Northwestern • Suite 100 • Farmington Hills. MI 48334
Can Detroit Jewry become a national
model for political activism?
What more can we do to bring more young
Detroiters back home?
BUY TICKETS
ONLINE
www.jarc.org
November 20 • 2008
A5