Jewish Democrats Make Last Push For Obama

Jewish Democrat officials are making a late election push to ensure that Barack Obama secures the large percentages of Jewish community support that polls currently portend.

The National Jewish Democratic Council is sending out more than 350,000 mailers to Jewish households in key swing states, re-asserting the Democratic nominees stance on a number of issues, some not traditionally considered of Jewish interest.

The most obvious pamphlet touts the Obama-Biden ticket as one dedicated to the security of Israel and strongly opposed to a nuclear Iran.

"Senator Barack Obama believes that Israel must be preserved as a Jewish state. He recently traveled there to reaffirm his commitment to a secure, peaceful Israel."

The other two, however, play up the Illinois Democrats long-term plans to pursue energy independence and his commitment to protecting a woman's right to choose.

The fliers will be sent to households in Ohio, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and, of course, Florida. They come at a time when Republican Jewish groups -- as well as the McCain campaign itself -- are pushing to present Obama as problematic for Israel's security. This effort has included, among other things, a recent ad by the Republican Jewish Coalition claiming that Obama is "against labeling Iran's Revolutionary Guard a terrorist organization." (Though in that very ad, the RJC cites an article that actually disproves their claim.)

The backdrop to all this politicking, of course, is Obama's growing support among Jewish voters. A recent nationwide Gallup Poll found the Senator with a remarkably comfortable lead among that constituency, favored over McCain by a margin of 74 percent to 22 percent. Should these numbers hold, Obama will have earned the same percentage of the Jewish vote as John Kerry -- a somewhat remarkable feat for a candidate who, early in the general election, was believed to be facing all kinds of problems recruiting this group's support.

Comments

[marshbrown]

10:04 AM on 10/30/2008

As I noted, I'm an Israeli citizen. One of the things that I hope that Barack Obama will do as president, is be more of an honest broker concerning Israeli-Palestinian issues. With Bush's almost unconditional support of Israel, the U.S. lost its image as an objective intermediary.

In fact, Israeli liberal leaders have called upon the U.S. to help it in bringing more reason to Israeli-Palestinian issues, and in restraining the Israeli government from some of the more egregious steps it took. (Like continuing to establish new settlements in the West Bank.) In effect, Israel needed the outside help of the U.S. to accomplish what was clearly necessary, but which could not be accomplished within Israel, partially due to its Byzantine political system. Unfortunately, Bush ignored that need, and instead helped the Israeli right wing become more entrenched, and the Palestinians more extreme.

I repeat, I do not base my vote on one issue. Nonetheless, I must point out that Israel is the U.S.'s strongest ally in the Middle East, and certainly in the U.N., where, AFAIK, Israel has never voted against the U.S. on any issue. In one case, I believe that Israel voted against its own interests, to stand beside its ally, albeit on the minority side of a vote. So to argue that the U.S. should stop taking Israel's side all the time isn't a realistic view of the diplomatic and international situation.

[marshbrown]

12:23 AM on 10/30/2008

I'm an Israeli citizen and have experienced numerous attacks by Israel's really fearsome enemies. On three separate occasions, I have been in a building that was directly hit by a rocket, including my own residential building. However, I am much more frightened of a McCain/Palin victory than anything that our enemies can throw at us now. (I am, of course, very frightened of an Iranian atomic weapon.) I believe that Obama is sincere in his promises to Israel, to ensure that it remains a viable democracy. I resent the scare tactics that Republicans have used concerning Israel, to try and sway Jewish voters. With all of these fear ads, I have yet to hear McCain spell out what his plan is to contain Iran and prevent it from obtaining nuclear weapons.

Also, as an American citizen (both countries do allow dual citizenship in some cases), even though I live in Israel, I'm not a one-issue voter. I think that Obama's position on health care, women's health (including free choice) and many other issues are no less important. Of critical importance, in my view, is the appointment of Supreme Court justices. I'm glad that the campaign, too, sees that, and included material covering at least a couple of other issues in its fliers.

[2PartyDictatorship]

09:52 PM on 10/29/2008

When are Americans going to stop putting Israel's interests above its own? We need a president who will reprimand Israel for its illegal settlements and human rights violations. Stability in this reason is in America's interest. The fact that we can only elect a president who dies not second-guess anything Israel does is nauseating.

[SOLERSO68]

10:33 PM on 10/29/2008

great he hasnt even been elected and the "democracy now" lobby is already protesting. so much for "united for change"

[RTIII]

11:55 AM on 10/30/2008

That's an idiotic response to a reasonable post. I suggest you reexamine your own pro-israel biggotry. What 2PD said was VERY reasonable and yet you attack him dismissively.

Frankly IF we occasionally called Israel out when it deserved it, respect for us around the entire globe would be justifiably improved. AND, it wouldn't hurt Israel, either. It's called "being an honest broker" and justice for all is an important part of what we (used to, before Junior) stand for.

THINKABOUTIT.
.

[Skye]

06:41 PM on 10/29/2008

ANOTHER JEWISH COMMUNITY POINT OF VIEW!

"But one thing Obama has against him is his color. We"re scared how the black population will respond to his being president, when everything has been given to them."

She is also unsure that Obama will live long enough to see the end of his first term. "A lot of Russians (JEWS) believe that if Obama becomes president, he is going to be assassinated. They feel sure that people will not allow a black person to rule a country."

Comment: A mistake could prove the end of Israel, and a race relations meltdown in The United States."




What's your point?

[TRIATHLON]

06:25 PM on 10/29/2008

ANOTHER JEWISH COMMUNITY POINT OF VIEW!

“But one thing Obama has against him is his color. We’re scared how the black population will respond to his being president, when everything has been given to them.”

She is also unsure that Obama will live long enough to see the end of his first term. “A lot of Russians (JEWS) believe that if Obama becomes president, he is going to be assassinated. They feel sure that people will not allow a black person to rule a country.”

Comment: A mistake could prove the end of Israel, and a race relations meltdown in The United States.

[Whinger]

09:22 PM on 10/29/2008

It could be the same situation if he were a Jew, somebody out there wouldn't like him!

On this earth two things that will kill you, if one doesn't get you the other will, that's time or fate!

It's the same for you and I as it is for Barack Obama, what will be shall be!

[hindy]

04:25 PM on 10/29/2008

Great work. As a Jew for Obama, I'm happy that 75% of Jews are voting for Obama. Lets try to get it up to 95%. Forget making it about the economy. Not voting for Obama means crawling into bed with right-wing fundamentalist born-again fascist wing-nuts who are waiting for the rapture so they can all go to heaven while all Jews end up in Hell. A republican Jewish vote today makes about as much sense as a Taliban Jewish vote. If your main issue is Israel, Obama is your man. If your main issue is the economy, Obama is your man. One thing for sure, Palin ain't fer equality or religious freedoms - not for the Jews and not for progressive people of any religion or colour other than pale white creationists who would turn the USA into a theocratic state. Get on the phones, call your friends, go to synagogue and start praying for an Obama win.

[zai]

04:06 PM on 10/29/2008

The Jewish people have my respect and admiration. This ads are a touch of class and I believe the American people is hungry for this kind of clear and concise message. I'm , today more proud than yesterday to be and American, thanks to the Jewish-Americans wisdom. I need to frame these fliers to remind me that not all have been lost.

[boogiestace]

04:00 PM on 10/29/2008

how can you post pieces that don't even look like they were finalized (FPO imagery with stock photo agency watermarks and magenta info on the mail panel), and then speak about them in your article as though they were sent out already? it seems pretty misleading to me. how can you be so sure that all of these pieces were mailed out and when they were mailed out? i question your judgment and also wonder how you got your hands on these.

[Biddy]

04:10 PM on 10/29/2008

I agree. What is delivered to client is never the same as what makes it out.

Spec pieces should not be passed off as what actually will print. Some of those (if any) will NEVER see the light of day.

Design and legal 101: NEVER display images with FPO (for placement only) or watermarks from stock image sites externally. EVER.

[Takae]

05:27 PM on 10/29/2008

That's not necessarily true. Many times our approved final copies were sent out to news agencies and publications, along with press releases by our clients (before they would get their hands on printed copies).

That said, they don't usually include watermarked images, which is certainly an oversight.

[Jules1]

03:59 PM on 10/29/2008

Take that !McCain/Palin/Joe the Plumber/ Gop/RNC/All Republicans , Bam! Bam! Bam! take that!!!

[The Lorax]

05:58 PM on 10/29/2008

AAAAHAHAHAHAHAHHAA! I love the bam bam bam.

[hardesty]

03:57 PM on 10/29/2008

This is a website that shows state laws concerning employers aloowing time off to employees so they may vote: http://www.complianceposter.com/state-voting-laws.aspx

Please pass it around.

[Takae]

03:56 PM on 10/29/2008

Those political fliers are surprisingly good, effective and calming. I'm impressed.

I do hope the pro-choice poster will come through clear. I mean, I'm against abortion and I'm pro-choice. I strongly believe it's not my place to impose my belief on other people. I expect people not to impose theirs on me, too.

[Petey131]

03:48 PM on 10/29/2008

Wow in comparision to the trash the republicans are throwing around these mailers are priceless.

Jewish Democrats are true Americans!

[shel3364]

03:34 PM on 10/29/2008

Very respectful, very informative. Excellent job.

[Opt1musPr1me]

03:27 PM on 10/29/2008

JEWISH DEMS ROCK!!!

[mmgbizgirl]

03:21 PM on 10/29/2008

LOVELY!