Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-Minn.) became the latest presidential hopeful to meet with Orthodox Jewish leaders to discuss Jewish and Israel issues.
According to the New York Post, Bachmann spent an hour discussing such concerns as same-sex marriage and Israel security. Rabbi David Zweibel, executive vice president of Agudath Israel, said Bachmann des-cribed herself as “a person of faith,” but he cautioned that could “cut both ways” for Orthodox voters because of the community’s belief that religion and government should be separate.
Bachman, an evangelical Christian, has been quoted as describing herself as “a Christian of Jewish heritage.” In stump speeches she often mentions her time working at a kibbutz in Israel 40 years ago.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, another GOP contender, and President Barack Obama have met with a “similar group,” Zweibel noted. He said the group also will meet with other candidates.
Recent polling shows Texas Gov. Rick Perry surging ahead of Romney, the former front-runner, with Bachmann in third in the Republican presidential field. — jta