New Poll: Israelis Prefer Obama

Even more positive news from Barack Obama's trip to the Middle East: a new poll by Israel Radio shows, for perhaps the first time, Israelis preferring Obama to John McCain.

When asked "who would you rather see elected as the next president of the United States," Obama bested John McCain by a 37-28 margin. While far from a decisive advantage -- 35 percent of Israelis chose "no preference" or some other answer -- the poll reflects a notably different state of affairs from previous surveys, which generally showed McCain with a large advantage over Obama.

Obama's competitiveness spanned the political spectrum across Israel's top three parties. The Illinois Democrat trounced McCain among Israel's most liberal voters, who belong to the Labor Party (44-6), tied among more right-wing Likud voters (28-28), and held a slight edge among sympathizers of the Kadima Party, which is led by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (40-32).

The survey of 600 respondents taken this week, likely before Obama landed in Israel, also found that more Israelis believe Obama would be a better president for the Jewish state, 31-27. (Forty-two percent registered other responses.)

These latest numbers contrast sharply with other recent polls, one of which gave McCain a 36-27 edge, while another showed 46 percent of Israelis believed that McCain would be a better president for Israel.

One other interesting data point from the poll: at least some of the respondents who said they hoped to see Obama elected also believe that McCain would be a "better president" for Israel. Independent analyst and Israeli political adviser Dahlia Scheindlin said that phenomenon can be chalked up to the fundamentally unsettled quality of Israeli public opinion about Obama.

"They love the Israeli-American relationship so much they're slightly afraid for things to change," she said. "So he's trying hard to let people know more about him." Noting that the same rumors about Obama's Muslim "ties" that dog the Illinois Democrat in America also persist in Israel, Scheindlin said, "in the same breath, people can say, 'maybe that's actually a good thing for us.'"

Of course, while the impact of foreign public opinion means nothing to the electoral college, the attitudes of Israel's citizens could potentially impact the way the diaspora views Obama in turn. Since recent polls of have shown Obama with less of an advantage than previous Democratic candidates have amassed among American Jews, Thursday's poll is an event his campaign can be expected to cheer, if cautiously.

Comments

[loax]

McCain has lost his grip on reality. People in the world want to see a change in the pilicies and procedures of the US govt. OBAMA 08!

[Mike4Obama]

Everyone needs to go to www.cnn.com and watch the live feed in Berlin. 100,000 people there I swear.

I understand this should in no way influence American votes. Where this kind of affection for Obama will come into play is later on, when he's president. With the world willing to listen to what you have to say, it will be much easier to gain the support of the world to fight battles with extremists that wish to disrupt western civilization.

[timwilltell]

I found this was a perceptive comment, except for the rhetoric at the end. However, now if you are referring to extremist neocons and international tribunals then your statement is perfect.

[GuyFawkes]

Chris Matthews brought up the poll with McDubya ahead yesterday. Let's see if he'll bring up this poll with Obama now ahead.

[edwarvir]

I hear the makings of a Landslide!!!!

[Researchguy66]

I didn't realize Israelis were allowed to vote in our elections.

[starboymikey]

I didn't realize Israelis were allowed to vote in our elections.
_______________________________________________________________

I care a lot more about the Americans who are not allowed to vote in our elections ... are you listening, Florida and Ohio?

[Viper]

Then you have not heard of dual citizenships...

Regards

[Coinyer101]

"israelis believe obama would make a better president for israelis."?THEY CANT HAVE HIM.HE'S OURS!WE FOUND HIM FIRST!but,we'll be happy to send you a nice surrogate of his to promote his peaceful vision of the future ,for israelis and palestinians ,alike.

[exotic]

the people have spoken....Time and time again this has been stated ........ The majority want peace.

Their government is suspect, not their people. (Just like here).

[mercuryguy]

Good news !!
Any sensible human being can see the difference between O bama and Mc Cain and vote for the best candidate.

Go Obama!!

[CocteausTwin]

L'Chaim

[marymansour]

He sure buttered up the Israelis on this trip. I guess he has to do this to get the Jewish vote in America. I could have done with less and more concentration in Gaza.

[jupitor]

He cannot please all of you marymansour! He can only do the best he knows how! An he's doing a darn fine job of it!

[dsbsh]

If you've been paying attention, you'd know that Obama had a huge lead among American Jews well before this trip. And, for that matter, the Israeli poll was also taken before the trip.

[Liberal2]

Ahhhh, the four year old child killer vote speakth.

[MoeB]

Yet another "D'OH!" for the McFailure campaign.

[DieHardObamaSupporter]

BE CAREFUL FOR WHAT YOU ASK FOR

McSurge calling Senator Obama out by daring him to make this trip may be the single most defining moment which cemented the election for Senator Obama and tanking it for McSurge." Be Careful For What You Ask For" should be the MSM headlines the day BO returns from Europe.

[neesy08]

He da man!!!!! LOL

[TheRebel82]

The trip was a HUGE success!

[AdamWykle]

Of course he worked hardest on Israel, how else is he gonna secure Florida?

[JohnFromCensornati]

SS is a disgrace!

[JohnFromCensornati]

It must be the hat.

[CocteausTwin]

Nope that which lies beneath the hat and within the heart.

[Coinyer101]

it doesnt fit well.doesnt even cover his ears.they better not let him catch cold.i'm sending some chicken soup to his campaign hq ,today.