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.
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.