Obama's Image Problem In The Jewish Community

In conversations with several Jewish South Florida voters, I've repeatedly heard Senator Obama called 'Barack HUSSEIN Obama', with an emphasis on his middle name that was not endearing. I'm not the only observer of this phenomenon.

Clearly, Obama is having a problem courting a segment of the Jewish population. These people are scared that his time spent in a predominantly Muslim country as a youth means that he is not a friend of Israel.

Add to that the recent controversy surrounding the Senator's spiritual adviser, Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ, and the award to Louis Farrakahn.

Should Jews, defenders against anti-Semitism, and supporters of Israel be scared of an Obama candidacy?

Working backwards...First, the Farrakahn issue. Senator Obama quickly condemned anti-semitism, which satisfied the Anti-Defamation League, an organization that fights against anti-Semitism.

Second, what is Obama's position on Israel? Obama's campaign website says that he supports

• a strong U.S.-Israel partnership: "our first and incontrovertible commitment in the Middle East must be to the security of Israel."
• Israel's Right to Self Defense: Obama cosponsored a Senate resolution against Iran and Syria's involvement in the July 2006 Lebanon war, and "insisted that Israel should not be pressured into a ceasefire that did not deal with the threat of Hezbollah missiles."
• Aid to Israel, both military and economic.

In March 2007 Obama told AIPAC, the pro-Israel PAC, that his starting point in peace efforts will always begin "with a clear and strong commitment to the security of Israel: our strongest ally in the region and its only established democracy."

At least one organization, the American Jewish Committee, has concerns about Obama's candidacy and they should be addressed. But others in the Jewish political establishment seem to approve of the Senator's record on Israel.

When asked about the Obama candidacy, Jennifer Cannata, the AIPAC Press Secretary, said, "Like all the leading presidential candidates of both parties, Senator Obama has a strong record on issues of importance to the pro-Israel community."

He's been endorsed by several Jewish Congressmen (not as many as Senator Clinton.) And Obama counts Lester Crown, a prominent-Jewish-businessman and strong supporter of Israel, among his supporters.

Third, the pronunciation problem with Obama's middle name.

The Obama campaign has addressed the issue of his faith while campaigning in the Bible Belt this week. Obama has repeatedly said that he has never been a Muslim. He says that he's a Christian and has belonged to the same church for 20 years. That's fine and good, but won't satisfy the Jewish voter.

Maybe an open letter to the Jewish community signed by prominent Jewish leaders from The Simon Wiesenthal Center, American Jewish Committee, National Council of Jewish Women and others will be convincing.

Or maybe an open letter by seven unaffiliated Jewish senators will work.

Or maybe a reminder from Simon Weisenthal Center's Founder, Rabbi Marvin Heir will eliminate the vitriolic rhetoric.

Candidates for our nation's highest office must be prepared for debate and challenges to their public record. However, we must have zero tolerance for the slightest traces of bigotry and hatred in our Nation's political discourse

Even better would be for Senator Obama to be loud and clear publicly regarding his support for Israel.

The Florida primary is a few days away and Super Duper Uber Mega Tsunami Tuesday (February 5th) is on its heels and is the date California, Connecticut, Illinois, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey vote. All of these states have significant Jewish populations either percentage wise or in absolute numbers and they vote.

Whomever people vote for, votes should be based on factual information and not out of fear of someone's middle name.

Comments

[TruthLives]

Well lets take it on face value that Obama is a Christian as he says... what of the rest of his family on his fathers side.. his grandmother in Kenya, the mother of his muslim father, and then we have all of his aunts, uncles and cousins... do we know anything about them and since in his case this could be very important, I think we Americans choosing a new candidate and president need to be informed once and forall....

[YankeeCanuck]

While some of these posts indicate otherwise, what thinking Americans of the Jewish faith want is, I believe, freedom and justice for all Americans. After all, they were, as a group, seriously involved early on in the civil rights movement on the behalf of African Americans.

The innuendo emphasizing Obama's middle name, stating that he lived in a predominantly Muslim country, is a transparent scare tactic. His sincerity and authenticity are hallmarks of his campaign and pretty clear to those who listen.

Besides, people of Jewish faith know more than most what it's like to be excluded by innuendo and ignorance.They won't buy into this.

[HAP]

Nice post. The best way to address unstated fears is often through humor. See, e.g.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/harold-pollack/now-it-must-be-told-bara_b_83469.html

[dannyS]

I heard Rush Limbaugh emphasize Obama's middle name also, so maybe its more of a South Florida thing than a Jewish thing. yeah, I'm sure it is.

[AnnaList]

This is precisely why Obama is gaining such broad support. Americans want someone who represents all Americans and all that is in America's best interest; which Israle certainly is... Obama does that. It appears that when he can't be beaten on the issues or is character, some resort to devisiveness. What annoys me most is when articles are presented as "balanced," yet seem "agenda" driven. Many Americans, blacks, whites, Hispanics and others, have Jewish names; Mary, Samuel, etc, so what's the point?
Obama has already publicly and clearly expressed his strong support for Israel. At this critical time in our history, it is imperative that we come together in order to deal with the real threats in the world.
The idea that a person's name or heritage reflects their politics, or their loyalty, in my judgement, is INcredible.

[darkladyofala]

Let's get it together people; if we have a prayer of rescuing our country, not to mention the rest of the world, we have got to vote for every Dem. we can find!
Even a DINO like Hillary would be better than the fool and Grendel in charge now.
I support Edwards; but, until we can make more gains through the grassroots we have to do what we can with what we have!
So, I will cast my vote for Edwards on Super Tuesday; in November I will vote for whomever the Dems. nominate.

[CWitt]

This campaign has been filled with slander and lies and It is no wonder that it is hard for people to believe what a candidate says. However, Obama is trustworthy and means what he says. He believes Israel's security is the basis for peace negotiations. He understands complexity and speaks to that. He defines himself as an American and has lifted our hopes for a better country and a better world.

[Bettysdad]

It would be interesting to trace back as to how so many people know Obama's middle name.
I only know the middle names of a few of the candidates.

This has the Clinton's finger prints all over it.

[Garvagh]

A true friend of Israel would tell the Israelis they need to end the occupation of the West Bank
and to stop repressing the legitimate national aspirations of the Palestinians. Jewish leaders who do their best to silence any discussion of this issue in the campaign do a disservice to the best interests of the Israelis.

[checkmoot]

And isn't it a damn shame that American politicians are selected, not on their commitment to the best interests of America, but by vowing to put the interests of a foreign nation first. The oath of allegiance that I took in WW-ll was not to Israel, or any country but the U.S.A. And that is as it should be.

[user168]

The Jewish community would have to look into their children's eyes and ask, "Do you want peace or war?"

Obama is HOPING FOR A BETTER, MORE PEACE-ORIENTED FUTURE for your children.

But the Clintons are ingenious. They have come up with this absolutely incredible idea that no scientist could have ever thought of - a 100% effective mass destruction without nuclear weapon - JUST LET THE NEXT GENERATION LIE, HATE, ATTACK, and DO ANYTHING AT ALL COST TO SECURE SELF-GAIN and you will be sure your children get what they want.

[laurenc]

Did anyone think that fighting about anti-Seminism, racism and feminism was good for the Democratic Party's chances in November?

doesn't anyone care if we have the strongest possible nominee? Do Obama supporters really willing to risk the future of the world on their candidate?

I can't believe the idiocy...Obama should have carved out a distinguished career in the Senate for a few more than TWO years before running for the ruler of the world.

[delsop]

Barak's pastor is being villified for giving an award to Farahkhan. How about Bush giving our Nations highest award to Bremer and that ex-cia director George Tenet, both of whom did not deserve it.
As a Jew I really look for who will be best for the United States, Hillary or Barak. Nixon got the Jewish vote because he was an advocate for Israel. It has since been learned that he was an anti-semite. Seems the Jews want to be pandered to with regards to Israel. Listen to how the Republican candidates talk about Israel, yet they would be a disaster if they gained the Oval Office again.

[gernger]

In 1956, when Egypt deceided to close the Suez canal to western nations, the Israeli air force attacked Egypt until they promissed to keep the canal open. In 1981, when Sadaam Hussein was about to finish building his nuclear reactor, Israel bombed it to the ground. Just last year Israel attacked Syrias' nuclear arsenal. All three of these acts were in the best interests of the U.S., which without Israel would have forced us to take costly war like actions. Since Israel is there, and is very powerful, and is a deterent in the area, who knows how many other such situations that we have avoided.? All these anti-Israel people should think about that.

[betz55]

IMPORTANT-Israel is not the 51st state of the Union. Obama knows apartheid when he sees it. I only hope that he has the guts to do the following - the time has come for the US to stop pandering to Israel and it's destructive policies by starting to treat it like any other country that we consider an ally. Cut off aid and stop the loan guarantees. Demand peace and fair settlement with the Palestinians abd extract the US from Israel's damaging, harmful, and negative policies.Israel is no longer a third world country, nor a strategic ally since the cold war ended. It is a functioning democracy that uses our monetary aid, which goes unchecked year, after year, after year with no accountability, to oppress the Palestinians, perpetuate apartheid, and build illegal settlements in the occupied territories. Israeli policies are not longer in line with US policies, and, as a result are making the US more of a target than ever in the Islamic world. The US is a hostage of Israeli policy and it is killing us.
Read:'The Israel Lobby' by Mearsheimer and Walt for all the shenanigans by AIPAC and how they operate. Also read:'Deliberate Deceptions' by Congressman Paul Findley for first hand information about Israel and AIPAC.