This interview is part of Moment’s Jewish Political Voices Project. To learn more about the project, click here. To see our other participants, click here. To see all posts from Don, click here.
Age: 65
Occupation: Retired Jewish community relations professional
Location: West Bloomfield, MI
Party Registration: Independent
Jewish Denomination: Conservative
2020 Vote: Joe Biden
Current 2024 Vote: Joe Biden
Family: Married, two daughters, one grandchild
News Sources: The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Detroit News, Detroit Free Press, Times of Israel, CNN
How has the October 7 terror attack affected your politics?
October 7 has had a significant impact on me and my family. It’s strengthened my support for Joe Biden because of the way that he has handled things and given support to the Israeli people and spoken clearly and resolutely.
I’m somewhat of an anti-Trump voter, but I’m looking for more reasons to support Biden, and his reaction to October 7 and his continuing support for Israel is certainly a very strong reason.
Are you confident that the presidential election will be a true measure of popular support for whoever wins?
The last election went through the mill and came out clean, and I think our checks and balances system has worked, which makes me, at some level, less worried about Trump coming back in. I think there are going to be challenges, though. I think that’s just the nature of the system these days. But either party is going to look for advantage if they can get it; if things are close, there’s going to be maneuvering to be designated the winner.
What issues are important in your area?
I think the issues in Michigan are basically economic issues. I mean, there are also crime issues and those sorts of things, but they have not changed significantly in Detroit.
We need more security for the Jewish community and other minority communities and for all people. Broadly, I’m concerned about the way we interact with each other, the way we continue to build our country together. Recognition of diverse viewpoints and respect are important. I think the relationship between the security of Israel and the security of our American Jewish community are linked.
Where are you critical of Biden?
The border policies and immigration. I’m so ready for that to be decided and taken care of. And the fact that he hasn’t been able to, I don’t put the blame totally on him—I blame elements on the Democratic party also, as well as on what the Republicans are doing. And to see Biden adopt various Trump policies makes you question if maybe those policies weren’t the worst things in the world.
In terms of Biden’s candidacy, I’d actually like to see somebody else as vice president, but I don’t think we will. I’m concerned about some of the progressive elements of the Democratic party. It’s just giveaways and buys in terms of different constituencies. And it goes to the problem of the party, seeing everybody as a constituency, seeing everybody as a member of a group, rather than going on individuals.