Larry Hogan is counting on winning the Jewish vote in his Senate race.

Don't bet on it.

In his book Why Are Jews Liberals, Norman Podhoretz argued that liberalism has become the true religion of most non-Orthodox Jews. It’s an insight that explains a lot.

I thought of Podhoretz’s thesis when I read this article about Larry Hogan’s attempt to win the support of Jewish voters in Maryland. Hogan seeks election to the Senate. His candidacy has given Republicans hope of capturing a seat in a deep-blue state.

But because Maryland is so blue, Hogan must win the vote of many Democrats. He did so when he was elected and reelected governor of the state, but can he do it in a Senate race?

One way for Hogan to win a large bloc of Maryland Democrats is to appeal to Jewish voters. The appeal is natural. First, many Jewish voters were satisfied with Hogan’s tenure as governor. Second, Hogan has a track record of support for Israel. Third, his opponent is a leftist whom voters rightly fear will follow the path of Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen who has accused Israel of war crimes.

No wonder Hogan says he will win the Jewish vote this November.