Texas Gov. Rick Perry is "more Jewish than you think," according to an interview he gave to the New York Times over Reuben sandwiches at a Jewish deli.
Perry, a likely presidential hopeful and longtime supporter of Israel, is positioning himself as an honorary member of the tribe, according to JTA:
While enjoying a Reuben sandwich at a Jewish deli in Beverly Hills, the Texas governor apparently told New York Times Magazine writer Mark Leibovich: "I’m more Jewish than you think I am."
"I read the part of the Bible that said the Jews are God’s chosen people," he told the magazine and added ("boasted," according to the article) that he has been going to Israel since 1992.
One of several high-profile speakers at Shmuley Boteach’s gala Champions of Jewish Values Awards dinner last month, where he cozied up to Republican Jewish mega-donor Sheldon Adelson, Perry is clearly scoring all the Jewish points he can, short of discovering a Jewish ancestor or actually converting.