WASHINGTON — Joe Biden, all wrong on Israel? Sarah Palin, a Jewish woman’s worst nightmare?

Republicans and Democrats campaigning for the Jewish vote have flipped the traditional role of the vice-presidential candidate from “attack dog” to fresh meat.

Campaign attacks typically focus on the top of the other side’s ticket, with the vice-presidential pick often leading the charge while the presidential candidates remain above the fray.

But this year, about half the Jewish-themed campaign attacks are aimed at the VP choices instead of US Senators John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.).

During the Democratic convention in Denver last month, Republicans attempted to paint Biden, a longtime Delaware senator, as soft on Israel.

I returned from the Democratic National Convention in Denver with the announcement of Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.) as the Democratic vice presidential nominee, the memorable acceptance speech by Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and the announcement of Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as the Republican vice presidential nominee.

It was the most momentous week of this, or perhaps any, election cycle.

Yet with all the excitement, I must admit that this last week has left me disappointed with our level of political discourse — particularly in the Jewish community.

When the Biden vice-presidential nomination was announced on Aug. 23, Republican voices in the Jewish community called his selection by Senator Obama “risky” and talked about his inconsistent support for Israel and his “wrong” views on Iran.

These people must be talking about a different Joe Biden from the one I know.