George Bush Has Kept His Promises and Been Tested in Times of Crisis

In any election campaign, the voters must weigh both tangible and intangible factors: Who has a solid record on the issues? Whom can we trust?

We believe that the men running for president this year provide the voters with a very distinct choice on both counts.

George Bush has an impressive record of achievements in both foreign and domestic policy. He has been tested in times of international crisis and has proven himself to be an effective and trustworthy leader.

He has also proven himself to be sincerely committed to the security of Israel, to promoting democracy abroad and to empowering individuals in this country to build better lives for themselves. He has kept his promises to the American people and to the Jewish community.

Bill Clinton, on the other hand, has been untested, and his contradictory responses on questions about policy and his past actions create doubt as to whether he can be trusted.

George Bush promised to help Jews in lands of oppression reach safety in Israel. Hundreds of thousands of new immigrants from the former Soviet Union, Ethiopia and other countries are making new lives in Israel because of Bush’s commitment to their welfare.

The president, following through on his longstanding commitment, asked Congress to authorize $10 billion in loan guarantees, which Congress has approved, to help Israel absorb its new citizens.

Every American president since 1948 has tried to solve the complicated dilemmas of the Arab-Israeli conflict. While many previous administrations have tried, it was the Bush administration that brought Israel’s neighbors to the negotiating table for substantive, serious peace talks – on the terms sought by Israel. He should be given the opportunity to complete his efforts to bring about a real peace agreement between Israel and its neighbors.

President Bush has exercised his diplomatic skills to break the walls of isolation around Israel, urging dozens of countries to offer diplomatic recognition to the Jewish state. He persevered for years to build a coalition in the United Nations to rescind the Security Council resolution defining Zionism as racism.

He also built a historic coalition of Western and Arab states, unified against the naked aggression of Saddam Hussein. In addition to protecting the United States and its allies by keeping the vast Saudi and Kuwaiti oil fields out of Saddam Hussein’s control, the United States destroyed Iraq’s chemical and nuclear weapons capabilities, saving Israel and other Middle East countries from possible annihilation.

President Bush has kept his promise to strengthen the U.S.-Israeli strategic relationship and to maintain Israel’s qualitative military edge over its adversaries. He has initiated and institutionalized many programs for U.S. – Israeli military cooperation, provided state-of-the-art armaments to Israel and has sought to maintain the current levels of military and economic aid to Israel.

He has provided close to $14 billion in all-grant economic and military support to Israel during his term in office.

At home, the Bush administration has stressed the theme of empowerment – giving individuals greater control over their own lives. New housing initiatives and welfare reforms have helped the poor and the working poor become more independent.

Education reform and school choice empower parents to acquire the best education for their children, while at the same time making it easier for Jewish families to send their children to Jewish day schools.

As Jews who have long been active in Republican affairs, we have been privileged to work with President Bush and his administration on the issues that concern our community. We have seen firsthand George Bush’s real concern for the plight of Soviet and Ethiopian Jews, and his sincere commitment to a safe and secure Israel.

In private meetings, his compassion and conviction have been clear to us. Yes, we have disagreed with the president in the past – sometimes very strongly. But we have had disagreements before, with presidents from both parties. In George Bush, however, we have found a man who has kept his promises and earned out trust.

What does Bill Clinton have to offer us, as Americans and as Jews? Questions, mostly, because he has made conflicting statements on so many issues – both on personal and policy matters, including support for foreign aid. More to the point, the questions of Clinton’s experience, of his commitment to Israel, to a strong U.S. defense, to lower taxes, to greater freedom for individuals – these questions concern us deeply.

The world is a complex and changing place. There is no doubt that there will be domestic and international crises in the next four years. Whom can we trust in a crisis? Who has the experience, the international stature and the commitment to guide our country’s policies during decisive moments of history?

George Bush has a strong, documented program for health care, job growth, education and economic revitalization. He has earned our trust through actions, not words. For the quality of his character and the quality of his achievements, he certainly deserves our support.