Matthew Yglesias credits Kerry with recognizing that the pro-embargo lobby doesn't represent the views or interests of a substantial and increasing number of Cuban-Americans: ...after a brief feint toward trying to out-absurd Bush on Cuba policy, John Kerry has seen the light. Listening to pollsters who tell him that younger generations of Cuban-Americans (see, e.g., me) do not favor absurd, punitive, counterproductive, and stupid policy toward Cuba, Kerry has come out against these latest moves, thus making his Cuba policy marginally less absurd, punitive, counterproductive, and stupid...if Kerry's strategy works, and he managed to become the first candidate since 1960 to win the state of Florida by advocating a less bad Cuba policy than his opponent, then the political power of the hideous CANF may be broken and the prospects for a rational policy will rise significantly. Meanwhile, unfortunately, this Ha'aretz article suggests that Kerry has failed to recognize that the pro-Sharon lobby doesn't represent the views or interests of American Jews: The paper, entitled "John Kerry: Strengthening Israel's Security and Bolstering the US-Israel Special Relationship," was sent in mid-June to a group of people in the Jewish community as part of the Kerry campaign's attempt to maintain contact with Jewish supporters in the United States and to clarify his positions on Israel. Kerry, who previously spoke against the separation fence at a gathering of the Arab-American Institute, is now seeking to correct that impression: "The security fence is a legitimate act of self-defense erected in response to the wave of terror attacks against Israeli citizens." The presumptive Democratic nominee also declares his opposition to transferring debate on the fence to international forums. The paper shows consistent support for Israel on all the issues at hand: Kerry backs Israel's disengagement plan and also the two central points in President Bush's letter to Prime Minister Sharon - the resettlement of Palestinian refugees in the Palestinian state, not within Israel, and recognition of Jewish population concentrations in the West Bank when establishing the permanent borders. "In light of demographic realities, a number of settlement blocs will likely become a part of Israel," Kerry wrote his supporters. He further declared support for Israel's actions against Hamas, Islamic Jihad and other terror organizations and recalled that he was a signatory to the motion of support for Israel passed by the Senate during Operation Defensive Shield.