Who loves Israel the most?

What's the deal with Obama and McCain battling to show who loves Israel the most? According to the CIA World Factbook, the US has around 5 million Jews. That's roughly the same as the number of Mormons. So why aren't they fighting about who loves Joseph Smith more? (I know, I know, that would only net Utah's 5 electoral votes. I'm just trying to make a point)

In the debates, each candidate tried to one-up each other in their pro-Israel rhetoric. Palin said, "They are our closest ally in the Middle East and they need us we need them and we shouldn't second-guess them." What happened to the Republican stance of "we do whatever we want and the rest of the world be damned?" After the fake plumber said that electing Obama would mean the death of Israel, Fox News's Shep Smith of all people rushed to correct his comment. So what's going on?

I'm as much of a fan as Israel as the next guy, (I was hoping to land a birthright trip this winter) but I don't see its relevance in the current US election. The economy, health care, taxes, the environment, and energy I understand as electoral issues. But Israel? I don't know, I just don't get it. Any thoughts?