Judicial Watch reports:
[January 9, 2007] Hillary Clinton continues to benefit from the loyalty and support of a traditionally conservative religious group whose members were pardoned by her husband in exchange for votes in her first senate race.
Although Hasidic Jews are extremely conservative and Clinton is a raging liberal, quite a few attended her post swearing in reception this week. Traditionally, most Orthodox members of the sect can’t even shake hands with a woman, but those who attended Hillary’s bash—clad in traditional broad-brimmed hats and attire--pressed close for photo opportunities. In violation of their strict religious beliefs, shoulders rubbed and torsos touched for numerous snapshots.
Could it be that the New York Senator has made some kind of back-door deal with the group similar to the one she and her husband made as he left the White House? Bill pardoned four prominent members of a Hasidic Jewish community in Rockland County New York who had defrauded the federal government of $40 million for a fake school.
In return, the community voted overwhelmingly) for Hillary for senate while neighboring Hasidic communities voted overwhelmingly for her Republican opponent Rick Lazio. The scrupulously Orthodox Hasidic Jews have a well-documented record of voting conservative and strong support for a candidate like Hillary is unheard of.
The U.S. Attorney’s office in New York briefly investigated the matter but the Teflon-covered Clintons prevailed and nothing ever came of it. One thing is for sure, however; four men serving prison sentences of up to 6 ½ years for bilking millions from taxpayers were released from jail and Hillary got long term support from a group that would otherwise shun her.
Dr. R-F tells me that this support for Hillary is not out of the ordinary. Why? Democrats support funding for the social welfare and education programs hasidim use and often abuse. Republicans are more likely to be fiscally conservative and to oppose increased funding for these programs.