Lou Weiss (63), a Republican from Pittsburgh, PA, grew up a Reform Jew in a “McGovern liberal family” in Pittsburgh. His conservative political views took hold in a college freshman political science class. Today, he belongs to four synagogues. He was president of Congregation Or L’Simcha, the synagogue that merged in 2010 with the Tree of Life congregation. He occasionally writes op-eds for The Wall Street Journal.
We are providing the unfiltered opinions of voters interviewed for this project. Those views are based on their understanding and perception of facts and information from a range of sources. In some cases, that information may be misleading or incorrect.
What are your reactions to the protests occurring across the country? Non-Violent protests are totally justified. The murder was one of the worst things that I have ever seen, following the shooting in GA which was sickening.
What are your reactions to the looting, curfews and the police response of pepper spray, rubber bullets and arrests? Looting and violence are totally unjustified and incredibly counterproductive. Police response should have been faster and stronger. Ask the minority owners of small businesses — 360 small businesses that served the black community in Minneapolis were damaged. I’ve seen this movie before in 1968 and after Rodney King. Nothing good will come of this.
What do you think about the call to “defund” police departments? What planet are these people on? Read Heather McDonald in the Wall Street Journal for the real numbers on police shootings.
Have you participated in any demonstrations? Please tell us about your experience. I did not march.
How do you think the president has handled this crisis? How has Joe Biden handled this crisis? Stylistically this president handles nothing well. The mayors and governors whose job it is to enforce local security were feckless. They wouldn’t call out the national guard because Trump said that they should.
Have the events that have taken place over the last week changed your views on the upcoming Presidential election? No. Trump is a buffoon who has stumbled into some good policies. Biden is confused and spends his time going through his binders of qualified women. We deserve a better choice. I can’t see voting for either.
Do you think recent events will push people to one candidate or the other? Yes. I think that they will help Trump. Every conservative source that I have read, heard, or seen has strongly condemned the murder. Can anyone defend it? But the riots really scare people, scare me. Law and order are attractive things to most people.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us? Totally despondent at the current state of affairs.