Carter and the Jews I. The Campaigner

...But of course none of these questions left my notebook Strauss only got to hear "Carter and the Jews " I wrote in my notebook "For a campaigner from Texas, does working for the first mean avoiding the second...

...By contributions ? By some other means...

...Do you feel satisfied that you'll get the support of the Jewish community?' How do you measure results...

...The subject," 1 told Vera Murray, Strauss' executive assistant, "is Carter and the Jews " She sounded wonderfully neutral, like a person who has never heard of Jews "Callback,' she advised I called back I called back again Her voice was becoming less neutral, as if she had heard of Jews The last five times I called, her secretary explained how busy Mr Strauss was, what with running the campaign and all, and how busy Ms Murray was, what with being in there with Mr Strauss and all I quit trying...

...Are you making inroads...

...Since most Arab leaders don't favor the creation of a Palestinian state, shouldn't Israel and the U S be closer than they seem to be...

...I. The Campaigner When I first thought of writing about Jimmy Carter and the American Jews, Robert Strauss, the President's Texas-born Jewish campaign manager and reliable friend, seemed like just the right person to speak to He is an outstandingly important Democratic figure, a terrific fundraiser, himself a millionaire He was, for a short time, the President's negotiator in the Middle East, helping out with the Palestinian autonomy talks The instructions he brought with him from the White House-so the story goes-made both Israel's Prime Minister Menachem Begin and Egypt's President Anwar Sadat frown Strauss was embarrassed, piqued, he is not the kind of man who wastes time with useless effort It is success he is famous for He pulled out and came home to run the campaign...

...What was it that happened out there with you and Begin and Sadat anyway...

...The questions I had hoped to put to Strauss were these Why do you think Carter deserves the support of the Jewish community...

...This was a nicely-in-tended offering, to give the head of the campaign a chance to campaign ) How do you account for the present Jewish tension and concern over Carter, right in the wake of early enthusiasm about the Camp David peace agreements...

...Last November, when a New York Times reporter asked how come he was so skillful at collecting money, Strauss said "Credibility with all political people and all business people in the country They've worked with me, they were never cheated on I produced for every one of them They saw performance I worked hard They all relate to me That's why they call ". Well, I called Strauss, too I worked hard at calling him I tried to relate to him I never saw performance A multitude of pleas could not bring Strauss to the phone for this article...