Barack Obama holds his own with Jewish voters, poll finds

Here's an interesting finding from Gallup pollsters: Almost as many Jewish voters say they would vote for Barack Obama for president against John McCain as say they would vote for Hillary Clinton in a matchup against the presumptive Republican presidential nominee.

According to Gallup, 61% of Jewish voters surveyed said they'd vote for Obama in the general election, versus 32% who say they'd vote for McCain.

That compares with 66% of Jewish voters who said they'd vote for Clinton to the 27% who said they'd vote for McCain

Gallup suggested the poll indicated that Obama hasn't been noticeably hurt by his past relationship with his former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., who has spoken positively of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and has rebuked Israel for the plight of Palestinians.

Evidence of Obama's concern about Jewish support for his candidacy stretches back to at least January, when he first publicly refuted Web-fueled rumors that he is or has been a Muslim. At the same time, he also disassociated himself from anti-Semitic remarks by Farrakhan and, of course, Wright.

-- Frank James

Frank James writes for the Swamp of the Chicago's Tribune Washington bureau.

Comments

[Thomas J. Donahue, MBA, PhD]

After the Iowa primary Barack Obama and John Edwards talked about how we can work together to make our country great again. Both speeches were about rebuilding America, and helping Americans.

Hillary talked about how she was ready on day one. It was all about her. It's been that way ever since. I'm from Michigan Hillalry was on the ballot, but Obama and Edwards were not. Hillary is simply not a team player, She clearly can't manage a campaign well, even though she's a really good campaigner. I shudder to think what her secrecy and management incompetence would do to our country.

Tom Donahue

[garrett]

Well we Jews have a tendency to follow relevant issues rather than media nonsense such as Reverend Jeremiah's laughable remarks. Yes, laughable. He's saying many people have been saying, it's called conspiracy theories, and they've been around FOREVER. He can say what he wants too. Obama never said this stuff. and the whole Obama Muslim thing is again just...there's really no word for what it is...the dude is wearing clothes respecting another culture...Just like John Mccain wore a yamika when he visited Israel...it's respect, and all these uneducated fools who send chain letters around to other uneducated people are the ones who take this nonsense for "chain letter value" it's not even face value anymore...HE'S A CHRISTIAN MULATTO! He doesn't enjoy bringing up race he wants to discuss politics dude, let him do his thing and stop being hateful people...it's not cool at all...Act like us Jews and read a book...or the newspaper...get involved in things besides people magazine and AOL's Top News of the Day...I bet most people who read AOL news still pay their monthly rate unaware all they have to do is call and cancel it and they don't lose anything but phone service lol...Be smart...
a Jew who likes both candidates, and who thinks Mccain, is just some old version of a false nam-vet...yeah, he was treated in the soldiers hospital when they found out who he was..

[COL.[retd]A.M.Khajawall]

Dear Fellow Americans,

Our Great-grand Nation, the United States of America
is and will face very critical and substantial
"Challenges" in coming,
months, years, and decades to come.
It is very essential that we pick out our next
President on following criteria in mind.

1. A candidate with "Vision and Mission".

2. A candidate with " Stable Character and Integrity"
.

3. A candidate with "Presidential Temperament" and
"stable Judgment".

4. A candidate with "little "Washington" exposure"
and
"real connectedness with New Voters".

5. A candidate who "Inspires us up" rather than
"Tears us down".

6. A candidate not based on sexism, racism, and
ageism.

In my professional and personal opinion, the only
candidate who has the above qualities and
characteristics and is also cool, calm, and collected
is Senator Obama.

As an independent registered voter since 1980. I voted
for Carter, voted for Reagan, voted for First Bush,
and second Bush in 2000 and In the process last
interest in Washington politics as usual and I
stopped voting.Not a good idea under any circumstance
particularly at present.

This time we can not afford to stay on side lines and
let Washington stay the same.We can not afford our
Greatgreat Nation to become less than what we are and
can be.

We need to send clear and candid message to the world
and some 24 hour partisan hateful media. These media
outlets are trying to deprive, dupe, and derail us
from getting it right this time.

They are trying there best to deny us better rather
than bitter future. { Our Greatgrand Nations people
are persistently and constantly subjected to
Psychological terrorism" without their knowledge thru
these hateful partisan media outlets.

We Americans are should not and would not to allow
them
psychologically terrorized, traumatized and silence us
this time.

I am sure that we will get it right this
time and elect Senator Obama our next President. let
us not get dragged down into racism, sexism and
ageism.

Let us remember that our Greatgrand is constituted of
family, friends,fellowships, faith, funds,foundation,
fun, and future with fairness and freedom and without
fear or favor.

We can not afford to lose any of above. Let us stand
up, be counted, save, build our Greatgrand Nation for
centuries to come and regain our world economic, and
power status back.

God Bless our Great grand Nation and its diverse
people.

Our Greatgrand nation needs present and future
stability, security, safety,sustained progress and
restoration of our due status in this perilous Global
World at the all levels.

Yours sincerely,

COL.[retd] A.M.Khajawall
Forensic Psychiatrist.
Disables American Veteran.
Las Vegas Nevada.

[Steven Scott]

I look at it this way If Obama wins I cannot vote for him in with a true belief that he can do the job. I remeber an independent that was saying all the same things that he is saying (H Ross Perot ), Change we need change. I haven't heard a complete detail or form of detail of how these changes will come about as I have from the other 2 Bozo's. He is preying on the younger college group using his race to help show that America is finaly getting past the racism stage ( we can only pray it doesn't bring it back into a negative slant) THe lack of knowledge of Undergraduates is realy astounding if you talk to some of them. They are hooked on ideas with no substance or design on how to achieve the goals.

[Jerry Tsai]

Granted that if you subscribe to a particular religion, or be of a particular race, or of a particular social class, that you are more likely to support one candidate or another. But implying that group membership determines which candidate supports completely ignores my independent, individual determination of the best candidate for President.

I don't need to look in a mirror to figure out nor do I need religious counselors to tell me whom i should support. Senator Obama has the most integrity, best judgment, and strongest leadership skills of anybody still running. That is why I support him.

[Clyde Nugget]

The American Jew should be reminded of "be careful what you wish for, you might get it" in their support of Obama. He is no friend of Israel. I always thought that the Jewish people were so intelligent (my ancestors were Jewish) and admire Israel so much for taking no s--- from the countries that wish to destroy them. The American Jew had better think very hard about the forthcoming election. America is now Israel's best friend. It will no longer be that if Obama is elected.

[Erik in Seattle]

"THe lack of knowledge of Undergraduates is realy astounding if you talk to some of them. They are hooked on ideas with no substance or design on how to achieve the goals."

And yet, more college GRADUATES support Obama. He really does have an impressive record (if you care to look at it).

"I haven't heard a complete detail or form of detail of how these changes will come about "

Where have you been? If all you watch are stump speeches, then no, you're not going to find detail. That's not what stump speeches are about.

[Benjamin]

Steven Scott "They are hooked on ideas with no substance or design on how to achieve the goals."

Right, like the working class is a group of thinkers? They watch 4.5 hours of television a day, which adds up to a mind numbing 12 years of television in their life and you're going to accuse the college age group of being the weak minded ones here? The same accusations were made against us Ron Paul supporters and really what it boils down to is ad hominem attacks. Hillary hasn't offered any concrete solutions to the nations problems. A gasoline tax holiday is a real concrete solution? Not even close, unless the problem you're trying to solve is how to put 30 extra bucks a year into the average american's pocket. Yeah, I can use my gas tax savings to pick up an extra 50 pound bag of rice! Let the economic healing begin!

I will give you that Obama hasn't offered concrete plans and I believe part of the reason is he doesn't want to be hog tied by ideas that would be good if implemented now, but may not be relevant by the time he takes the oath of office. I know that the crowd that watches 4.5 hours of television a day has trouble grasping this, but the shifting sands beneath our nations economy right now may well lead to a substantially different and more dangerous situation by the time the election is over.

That's what an intelligent non-populist leader would be thinking anyway. That's not what Hillary and McCain seem to be thinking though. A gas tax holiday should come with a free bowl of soup and a $5 Walmart discount card for all the good it would do. Anyone who considers what the other 2 bozos have said to be "complete details" really shouldn't be commenting on what undergraduates or anyone at all do or do not know about ideas with substance. McCain can't even tell you where he will get the funding for many of his proposals without raising taxes, does that constitute complete details? Maybe on television, but not here in the real world.

[dave]

at this point it seems there's hardly anything obama wouldn't vow to be or do for anyone - as long as it serves his ambition to get into the white house. a very dangerous prospect, should this ever happen. especially with people who won't tolerate his 'kol nidre.'

[David]

. . . . . . .O . B . A . M . A . . = . . S . H . A . L . O M . . . . . . .

[peter]

As a Jew, I am appalled that any Jew could vote for Obama. If you think he cares one bit about you, you are wrong. Nobody hangs around that church for twenty years without being a believer. Whites think that voting for Obama will bring racial reconciliation. Blacks know better. They are voting for Obama en masse, for other reasons. Those reasons are power and payback time. Wright was right... Obama is a politician who will say anything. He's also a smooth talker. Don't believe a word he says.

[Young Atheart]

Gov. Rendell and McCain praise Farrakhan! - the Rev. Wright issue was just a media circus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DXum_-8I1TA&eurl=http://www.realclearpolitics.com/video_log/2008/04/rendell_praised_farrakhan.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_Vm_4e-QpA&feature=related

Two days before PA primary, Hillary talks about "totally obliterating" Iraq if they used nuclear weapons to attack Israel. Would her “total obliteration” include 40 million women and children? Ahmadinajad used her statements to get sympathy from the UN and his own people, who generally thought of him as a nut-job. This kind of talk does NOT help Israel's cause - a country that has seen more war than almost any on earth.

[Young Atheart]

Actually, Obama has oferred concrete plans - just not on the TV media circus

To SF Chronicle
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120855939396527767.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

To Wisconsin Auto-workers
http://wclo.com/podcasts/wclo-news-features/2008/feb/13/obama-janesville/

"Of all the leading candidates, he [Obama] is the only one on these issues who has consistently acted like a true American" says Naomi Wolf, the author of The End of America and the co-founder of the American Freedom Campaign.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/naomi-wolf/why-barack-obama-got-my-v_b_89017.html

The change Obama has in mind revolves around ending partisan deadlock. But even then, he's not talking about "some pie-in-the-sky, let's hold hands and sing Kumbaya" transformation of Washington, he says. If the Democrats fail to win a filibuster-proof majority of 60 senators, Obama hopes to peel off Republicans on issues like health care and education. This has always been Obama's approach: he is a consensus politician, not a radical.

Obama has much more experience crossing partisan divides --
From the US Senate --
**the Coburn-Obama Government Transparency Act of 2006 (became law),
**The Lugar-Obama Nuclear Non-proliferation and Conventional Weapons Threat Reduction Act, (became law),
**The Comprehensive Immigration Reform Act, passed the Senate,
**The 2007 Government Ethics Bill, (became law),
**The Protection Against Excessive Executive Compensation Bill, (In committee), and many more.
** Honest Leadership and Open Govt. Act (became law)
** Sponsorship with John McCain (R-AZ) of a climate change bill to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two-thirds by 2050
** joined Chuck Hagel (R-NE) in introducing legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism (partial passage)
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/04/obamas-outreach.html

[carla nasoff]

Hamas has openly supported Obama. And you think that is good for Jews in America????

[Jakub]

Uhhh, SHALOM means "PEACE"

Sounds good to me!

[Chui]

In light of the history of this country, the evolution of its character, it is amazing how misled and gullible this nation is, and to the extend people stick to their bias and prejudices. The conservative republicans, their perverse ideology of inequality and rights only of their kind with propaganda of terror hype, fomentation of hate and fear, republican feeding frenzy has controlled the hearts and minds, to totally destroy the the decent fabric of this nation.

Thanks to the Bush nit wit and his cohorts, the economic terror facing this country is the biggest ever threat, and it is no accident that oil is at $120 a barrel. At this moment we do not need a one man commander in chief as the one sitting in the White House or flying around in that 747 at the cost of over $54,000 an hour.

All these idiots that are putting down the undergraduates that are losing their apathy are just as much to blame then the has been generations that has us in this real dilemma.

[Bob]

Here is an interesting point folks: The mass media tries hard to soil Obama in month-long dirt slinging party but in the clinch, Obama's popularity is largely undiminished.

The mass media likes to justify the yellow journalism by complaining "Well, that's what the viewers/readers want!" Lapel pins? Elitism? A former pastor's more enthusiastic sermons? Yeah, right!

If the trash 'journalism' was really what the viewers and readers wanted, don't you think more of them would be influenced by it? No, what the polls indicate is that the mass media is trying to MAKE the news, not just report it, and, fortunately, they don't seem to be having much success.

[Cary Friedman]

Hilary has done nothing substantial as a senator. It is all about her and her sense of entitlement. She tries to say what people want to hear. Her campaign has been very nasty, similar to that of Karl Rove. She lies has been caught, in the Bosnian fiasco. Look at her voting record, she is a Republican and war monger. Voting for a candidate should be based on facts and not emotions. A Woman deserves to be President but not Hilary

[Hilsonn, MA]

It is hard to quit; hard to concede defeat, specially when you were in a stronger position; it is hard to go and start again. But life is about reality and not dreams. if the Math is against you and there is no way to overturn it with a genius equation, the best thing is to exit with dignity.
John Edwards gave a gentleman's speech when he quitted. He said: "Let history take its course". Why cannot HRC also say the same? She would make history the same way the other candidate might make history. So, please HRC, write a nice exit speech; apologize for any misunderstanding and "let history take its course".

[Xela]

Let me get this straight - As a jew, I'm deluded for supporting Obama because:

A. His former pastor has flattered a man who once called jews diamond merchants

B. There seems to be a slight chance that he might not support every single thing the Israeli government does, no matter what.

C. I, of course, don't care about any issue but Israel.

Any jews who think that way are the ones who are deluded and the obsessive pro-Israeli government litmus tests are a danger to us all.

Go Obama! And don't cave to the fearmongers. Most of us jews are perfectly able to have a rational thought.

[jesse]

It is time for the democratic party to unify.

Statements from Clinton supporters that Obama can not win are incorrect, defeatist, and counterproductive. Obama has an amazing energetic campaign, a true vision for change, vast fund raising capabilities that empower small donors, intelligence, youth, eloquence, charisma, popularity with independents, a record of integrity, etc.

Likewise, I believe gloating and negative statements directed at Clinton and her supporters are not what we need.

Many of the most inflammatory comments on the internet may be either direct attempts to create divisions within the Democratic party, or may be posted by individuals who have been influenced and agitated by what is known as 'project chaos'. I find it sad that some of us believe that the use of deception to create division will benefit our nation in any way. This 'ends justify the means' tactic is destructive and unpatriotic.

Sometimes the means undermine the ends.

Clinton has the right to continue her campaign, but it is time for the democratic party to unite, and that should start with the people. In the likely event that Obama wins, Clinton should be considered as a vice presidential option. Her supporters have earned that much for her. In that position she could continue to fight for them, a promise she has made often. I encourage her supporters to reach out to her and guide her into making the right decision.

Let us do our candidates proud by coming together and restricting ourselves to well reasoned debates on real issues without distractions and flared tempers.

We can not afford four more years of GOP policy. McCain appears to be a decent man, but he no longer seems to know who he is, and his policies will be destructive. I believe that the American people know this.

I have a proposal:
Let us counter 'project chaos' with our own mission. Let us take stock of our priorities and recognize the great number of issues we democrats agree upon. We should reach out to one another and find a way to work together. We might even consider reaching out to conservatives. Isn't that what our candidates want? Isn't that what is best for our nation and the world? Isn't that the only way we will truly move forward?

We can name this new mission after the man who ultimately inspired it: We can call it 'PROJECT LIMBAUGH'.

[graniteman]

I would like to plead with American Jews to think beyond domestic liberalism and worry about the survival of Israel. The Jews of Israel are surrrounded by Hamas, Hezbollah, Iran and other forces that seek to destroy the Jewish state, if not in a single day then by a thousand cuts. Showing that you are racially tolerant by voting for Barack Obama does not make you a good Jew. Hillary Clinton was correct in threatening to obliterate Iran IF the theocrats of Teheran attack Israel with nuclear weapons. That's called deterrence, folks. Harry Truman and John Kennedy understood the concept. Barack Obama does not.

[Fred Moolten]

Obama has been very specific in his comments about Israel. He has stated (1) that the U.S. must be committed to the security of Israel; (2) A two-state solution is the only viable options for Middle East peace; (3) Israel cannot be expected to negotiate with a Palestinian counterpart until it is clear that the latter is in a position to make good on promises; and (4) The Palestinian "right of return" is not a viable option, because it would threaten the existence of Israel as a Jewish state. Instead, Palestinians must receive adequate territorial concessions to provide them with a viable state of their own.

I have found Obama to be a more honest and credible candidate in general than either Clinton or McCain. Although one can never be certain, I don't find the arguments that "you can't believe him" to be legitimate, not only because of his general willingness to be forthright, but also because of the level of specificity in his comments about Israel. Anyone antipathetic to Israel would have been more likely to utter soothing generalities, while avoiding commenting on such highly charged issues as the right to return.

[S. Wess]

We need experience in the White House, not platitudes and pie -in-the-sky. The platitudes with the 'uhs' in between totally turn me off. Hey, if you read a book you will speak better. Fantasy and idealism left us in 2001 and we need someone who can bring us back to where we were in the year 2000. It will be difficult for some people to come home from work and walk into the kitchen and say hello to their spouse knowing that there is a woman in the White House. Some people are just not ready for that. That's why Hillary Clinton has had such a tough fight. Cheers to Bill Clinton for fighting the good fight, may he live and be well and if not Hillary, maybe Chelsea.

[Eric Shkolnik]

Jews that support Obama remind me of Jews who supported the Communists during the Russian Revolution. They were sorry later but a bit too late. I know this story very well because I was born in USSR and knew many disillusioned jewish bolsheviks.

[diane m]

This election is extraordinary! I always thought a woman would bring the perfect levening to the presidential office. Yet I grew up with an array of ethnicity and knew it was only a matter of time before America would elect a government to reflect their own diversity. To my chagrin, during this election, we now have a very smart experienced savy woman, a charismatic man of color with overall ideas and a man with an incredible life experience in world combat, affairs and politics.
And to boot , during this election, there are more issues than a snake would like to tackle! Iraq, Fuel, Environment, Recession, Health Care, Security, it is coming from every sector! An employment office would look for experience and sound decisions, leadership and a solid track record at making the stock holders happy. Do any of these canidates fit the bill?
My ancestors have been in this country since 1630 and have been involved in every event, election and war and can even count even stubborn John and Samuel Adams as cousins.They have been people who are hard working and of modest means, planters, preachers, farmers, millers, and in modern times self made engineers, doctors, factory workers, and artists. I am very invested in the future of our nation.I do not expect the government to solve all the problems! It has never worked! The government is too big and ineffective at this point.
Life experience and solid judgement should be the measure for a presidential candidate. Smooth words sound good but "actions speak louder than words".
I will choose with with my children in mind and yet the prudence of my forefathers. Choose wisely.

[fred]

to COL.[retd] A.M.Khajawall:

The first item on your list should have been "CHARACTER".

However, it WAS first on the list of Presidential requirements specified by the framers of the Constitution.

[Diamond Gallow]

I am simply going to say this, for Jews who wish to say that" OH , WELL OBAMA IS A COMMUNIST< HE DOESN'T CARE ABOUT ISRAEL, AND ISRAEL IS AMERICA'S BEST FRIEND RIGHT NOW", you need to wakeup and be realistic, america has never cared directly about jewish people. When america said oh, it is our "duty" to end communism, they we didn't do it out of the kindness of our hearts, we did it to contain communism, we didn't care about north korea, or vietnam. it was our way of braking the chain so that we could weaken Russia. it was our way to infiltrate them without being hit by nuclear bombs. and when america went in to "stop hitler, it was because we were worried if he would rise against us, not because we cared abou saving 12 million lives, if we cared, we wouldn't have teamed up with the czar of russia, who killed over 20 million people, so when you go and say stupid, uneducated things like that, you hurt yourself, obama is the most cultural, of all the canidates, if us jews have any chance of keeping israel safe, it is with him. the reason why he called hilary Clinton's comments inappropriate, was because 1). it further dwindles our already negative ties with iran, and 2). it is offensive to American-Iranians. most importantly 3). the comment should not have been made without proper evidence, and justification. 67% of the time, news reports are WRONG. Even i know this, and i am only 16.

[Danny]

I am a Jewish convert to Christianity. We do not know what transpired in Obama's church for twenty years. The church has been praised by many Christian leaders for their community service work. I don't think we know the whole story. I am sure that Rev. Wright has good qualities. Even though his theories are flawed. I still think he is an intelligent person. The Jews have always walked hand in hand with the Blacks in the Civil Rights movement. many Jewish merchants relied on black customers. Being a member of a conservative Baptist church I have gotten the impression that it is not the people of Israel that they care about only the holy land itself. The envangelicals still view the Jews as the Christ killer. The Jews have never recognized or accepted Jesus being the son of God or accepting him as their savior. Muslims and Jews war with each other all the time but essentially they are cut from the same cloth. The Jews and Muslims need to accept Jesus as their savior in order for them to receive enternal peace. I am willing to give Obama the chance to be president. We did not think much of Bill Clinton when heran but he turned out to be a good leader but also an adulterer. What sound judgement has Hillary had staying married to a man who cheated on her multiple times. Also all the scandels and lies that they have been involved with. McCain will bring us four more years of Bush. You can't teach old dogs new tricks.
God Bless America !!!!!!

[Mac]

If Obama only carries 2/3 of the Jewish vote, he is in trouble. He needs to at least match Clinton, Gore and Kerry - who carried between 80 to 90% of the Jewish vote. Otherwise, he is in trouble in NJ, CT, OH, MD, FL and more ...

[Elana]

I do not expect my president to "do anything for me as a Jew". I do not expect my president to serve Israel's desires.

I expect my president to do things for me as an American, and to serve the needs and desires of Americans.

As an American, I need and desire that my nation not be agressive toward the rest of the world. I desire that my government seek to ease some of the troubles we have right here. I expect my government not to take side in ancient ethnic squabbles on the other side of the globe.

I feel the Senator Obama shows better potential to meet those needs and desires than does either Senator Clinton or Senator McCain.

But aren't Jews only about 2% of the voting population? Why then should the candidates worry greatly about the alleged Jewish voting block?

[Frances]

It is still amazing to me how the "one issue voter" persists among the public. As an elite, college graduate, daughter of a Holocaust survivor, and Jewish, I am also an Obama supporter. I am quite tired of how some of my Jewish friends bring up Obama's church, and how his church supports Farrakhan. So what!!!!! Where are videos of Obama swooning over a Farrakhan speech? Where are videos of Obama drooling over one of Rev. Wright's speeches? I do not live in Israel, I live in America. I refuse to blindly support Israel, just as I refuse to blindly support America. I want the next president to take care of business here in US, and to repair the reputation of America as it relates to the world. And tikkun olam...heal the world.