Gingrich Robo-Call: Romney Took Kosher Food From Holocaust Survivors
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Just when you thought it couldn’t get any nastier, some Florida voters today have been greeted with pre-recorded telephone calls saying Mitt Romney took kosher meals away from Holocaust survivors.
“Holocaust survivors who for the first time were forced to eat non-kosher because Romney thought $5 was too much to pay for your grandparents to eat kosher,” the robo-call said. “Where is Mitt Romney’s compassion for our seniors?” The call ends with these words: “Paid for by Newt 2012.”
When I asked Gingrich about the call, he told me, “I don’t know anything about it” and suggested we “check if the allegation [about denying kosher meals to Holocaust survivors] is true.”
Newt Gingrich himself has made similar allegations on the campaign trail in Florida, albeit without referencing the Holocaust.
“Romney as governor imposed on Catholic hospitals provisions against their religious strictures and Romney as Governor eliminated kosher food for retired Jewish senior citizens,” Gingrich told a crowd in Pensacola, Fla., on Monday. “He has no understanding of the importance of religious liberty in this country.”
It is true that in 2003 Romney rejected $600,000 in additional funds for Jewish nursing-home residents to get kosher meals. The New York Post reported on Romney’s veto of the funds this month. But the Post reported the funds were ultimately reinstated by the Massachusetts legislature. Presumably, some Jewish nursing home residents would be survivors of the Holocaust. But Romney never singled them out.
Gingrich spokesman R.C. Hammond confirmed to ABC News that the robo-call came from the Gingrich campaign. He noted that the call was not “over the line” and added that the Massachusetts state legislature later voted to override the decision to cut funding for kosher meals.
“It’s sad to see Speaker Gingrich lashing out in a desperate attempt to try and save his floundering campaign,” Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul told the Huffington Post. “Speaker Gingrich will say anything to distract voters…His record is one of failed and unreliable leadership and simply one Americans can’t risk.”
According to ABC News pollster Gary Langer, Jewish voters accounted for 3 percent of the Florida GOP primary vote in 2008.
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Well, it isn’t “exactly” a lie. Romney as Governor cut funding but I would not have a problem with this if he actively sought private funding to replace the cut. However, since the legislature had to override him… Hmm… it doesn’t sit well with me.
Posted by: MyTakeOnThis61 | January 31, 2012, 2:56 pm 2:56 pm
So basically Romney rejected the ability for Jewish senior citizens to follow their faith. Thankfully, the legislature over rode his veto. It constantly amazes me that our very religious politicians try to make everyone follow their beliefs through legislation (abortion, gay marriage, rejecting kosher meals for seniors, etc) while criticizing other countries ( Muslim countries to be specific) who do the same. The insenstivity is astounding. Aren’t the supposed to represent ALL of the people? I’m glad they have their faith and moral compasses, but in a plural society, don’t impose them on others.
Posted by: Catherine | January 31, 2012, 2:58 pm 2:58 pm
This is about as importation as the birther issue.
I’d never vote for Romney or Gingrich but Newt had a good idea with the colony on the moon. It would create millions of jobs in the technical sector and the new products developed as a result would be extremely beneficial. It would cost between 250 and 500 billion over ten years.
Newt’s problem was he never had the courage to defend it once Mitt put it down. He would also have to admit that the republicans Congress is more concerned about the meaningless debt and deficit than jobs and our countries future.
Posted by: tmferretti | January 31, 2012, 3:00 pm 3:00 pm
I like Newt’s idea regarding a colony on the moon. We could base ALL our politicians there!
Posted by: Catherine | January 31, 2012, 3:09 pm 3:09 pm
CATHERINE
Thanks, I never thought about that benefit.
All Jewish residents of nursing homes should be able to have Kosher food. This will lose Mitt some Jewish votes, which there are many in Florida, but I’m sure most of these Jewish voters would rather here how these republican candidates are going to address their housing crisis, social security concerns and jobs.
It is unbelievable how the republicans have learned to dodge the issues.
Posted by: tmferretti | January 31, 2012, 3:25 pm 3:25 pm
Shame on ABC. When this article first popped up, it was without “Gingrich Robo-Call,” making it look worse for Romney. While I don’t care for any of the potential candidates from either party, it seems ABC consistently makes Romney look bad, perhaps to give Gingrich a push because if that bombastic ass gets the nomination, Obama is sure to win. The GOP candidates argue about healthcare details and who’s more conservative (WTH?!); and, instead of a State of the Union Address, Obama gives a campaign speech. All the while, Rome still burns. We will continue to get screwed either way, the only difference will be the letter behind the POTUS name.
Posted by: LagunaTriMom | January 31, 2012, 3:58 pm 3:58 pm
Technically it’s incorrect that Romney “took” Kosher food from Holocaust survivors because the legislation never went into force.
Also Reform, Conservative, and Orthodox Jews have different levels of Kosher requirements.
Reform Jews can eat non-Kosher meals.
Most strictly vegetarian food is technically Kosher – as Kosher law applies primarily to the preparation and consumption of wine, meat, and dairy products.
Therefore, if the nursing home provided vegetarian meals – it’s my opinion that the food may have been technically Kosher.
I am quite certain that Gingrich is actually ignorant of Kosher dietary laws and doesn’t give a hoot about the people in that nursing home.
Posted by: Romney Supporter | January 31, 2012, 5:58 pm 5:58 pm