The "Israel Lobby" claims yet another victory

Josh Bolten -- a JOOOOOOOOOOO -- has been appointed White House Chief of Staff.

From the Republican Jewish Coalition:

RJC Applauds Josh Bolten's Appointment as
White House Chief of Staff
March 28, 2006 Washington, DC – The Republican Jewish Coalition congratulates Joshua Bolten, currently Director of the Office of Management and Budget, on his appointment this morning to replace Andrew Card as White House Chief of Staff.

"Josh is known for his tireless devotion to public service," said RJC National Chairman Sam Fox. "His broad-ranging work experience in Washington, Wall Street, and in the White House makes him a tremendous addition."

"He is an expert on the economy and has received praise from both Republicans and Democrats," added RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks. "He has the necessary integrity to help implement the President’s policies that make America strong."

"The RJC thanks Andy Card for his leadership and his steadiness during times of crisis. He has been indispensable in keeping America safe and secure. We wish him success in all his future endeavors," Fox concluded.

"It gives us a special sense of pride," Brooks said, "to have Josh, a fellow Jewish Republican, in such a vitally important role, serving at the side of the President."

Next thing you know, Bush will be sporting payos and a shtreimel.

UPDATE (3/30): Further information about Bolten's nefarious plans appears in the Washington Jewish Week:

When Josh Bolten walked into his first meeting as a member of President George W. Bush's Cabinet in the summer of 2003, he was asked to lead the president and the Cabinet in prayer. He chose to pray for the welfare of the American government, both in Hebrew and English, a sign of his strong Jewish identity.

* * * * *

Colleagues and friends say Bolten has been vocal about his religion and willing to participate in Jewish events at the White House. He frequently has been seen at White House Chanukah candlelightings, and participated in a Megillah reading at the White House during Purim this year.

In 2003, he helped light the giant menorah that American Friends of the Lubavitch puts near the White House.

He has also been a quiet advocate for Jewish concerns, say Jewish organizational officials, sometimes bringing issues past the White House bureaucracy and straight to influential leaders, like Karl Rove, the president's deputy chief of staff and political adviser.

"Since the beginning of this administration, he has been a senior-level force for making sure the Jewish community had a voice at the very highest levels of the administration," said William Daroff, vice president for public policy at United Jewish Communities, the umbrella organization of the North American federation system.

"Josh Bolten as chief of staff to the president will open up great opportunities for the Jewish community to make sure we are heard," Daroff added.

Nice to know, however, that some Jews are dissatisfied:

However, several Jewish groups have complained in the past about the lack of White House access for liberal organizations that do not share the Bush administration's mind-set on issues such as the Iraq war and faith-based initiatives.

Maybe it's just a ruse to throw the anti-semites off the track.

UPDATE (4/23): The official "Is Josh Bolten Jewish?" post.