Why Jews Overwhelmingly Support Obama

The American Jewish community has a well-documented history of supporting Democratic administrations and 78% of Jewish voters pulled the lever for candidate Barack Obama last November. In the first few months of our new administration, the latest poll of the Jewish community shows that American Jews continue to support President Barack Obama. This should come as no surprise to those who closely follow the political temperature of our community. However, a few activists on the far right of the Jewish community still refuse to accept this reality.

A new poll sponsored by J Street puts the President's personal favorability at 74% and his job approval rating at 73% among the American Jewish community. To put this in context, according to this poll, Israeli Prime Minister-designate Benjamin Netanyahu's favorable rating is 58% and the rating for former Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin is 76%. Those polled also perceive Obama to be honest and trustworthy by 76% and the same percentage believe that the President supports Israel. Furthermore, the Jewish community's approval rating for Obama is nearly ten points higher than that of the general public.

Despite this level of support for our President among American Jews, Republicans continue to spend their time "desperately looking for ways to smear our President." This has led GOP leaders, including Senator John Kyl (R-AZ), to propose legislation and pen opinion pieces based on widely debunked anti-Obama email rumors. The Jewish community's far right wing continues to assert, "President Obama's concerned pro-Israel critics were right, and his defenders, who denied all the warnings...were wrong." Some of President Barack Obama's critics go further and claim that this administration has boosted "[a]nti-Israelism and other forms of latent anti-Semitism." That's only what they say publicly. In private, the anti-Obama rhetoric from this small minority in our community is worse.

These anti-Obama attacks have no basis in reality, and the hysterical accusations represent a very small, albeit outspoken, number of American Jews. Have no doubt, despite this vocal few on the right, the Jewish community overwhelmingly supports our President.

In response to one of the latest anti-Obama smears, NJDC's Ira Forman's Huffington Post piece, "The Dumbing Down of American Politics," aptly captures the proper response to this garbage.

These tactics of smear, distortion and spreading falsehoods can only be used when polemicists have a low regard for their readership. It seems they are not the least bit embarrassed by spreading blatant falsehoods and believe that the citizens of a democracy can be misled with impunity. Let us hope, for the sake of our republic, that these demagogues have misread both our gullibility and our tolerance for the politics of deception.

With the Republican Party, Governor Sarah Palin, and Rush Limbaugh all garnering favorable ratings of 23%, 23%, and 22% respectively from the Jewish community, the President's right wing critics in our community ought to realize that they are not only wrong, but they are wholly out of touch with the values of the vast majority of American Jews.

Comments

[AceInTheHole]

I'M SO GLAD THAT SOMEONE FINNALLY SPOKE UP ON BEHALF OF ALL OF THE AMERICA FIRST JEWS , TO TELL IT LIKE IT REALLY IS. KEEP SPREADING THE WORDS OF TRUTH BROTHER AND NOT LET A FEW TURN THE MAJORITY INTO SCAPEGOATS AS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST.

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

I'M SO GLAD YOU FEEL THAT WAY! REALLY I AM!

[S1m0n]

Besides, now that Madoff stole their money, they're now poor...

[barrycourage]

"Their?" Who are "they?"

If you mean Jews, Madoff didn't steal my money. I don't know other any other Jew who was a Madoff victim.

See my post on this thread, at 06:54 PM on 03/25/2009.

You prove my point.

[Doris]

Many jews and particularly jewish charities were hurt by Madoff. It's a fact.

[DCLiberal82]

You know, for ONCE, I would like to hear my fellow leftists on this site condemn Hamas and the Palestinians half as much as they condemn Israel. This is a deep-rooted conflict that cannot be thought of in such simplistic terms as "Israel is usurping Palestinian land." Did they usurp Gaza when the IDF forcefully withdrew settlers in 2005, many of them leaving their family burial sites, synagogues, and biblical heritage behind??

Israel is a first-world PROGRESSIVE country which tolerates a free press, womens rights, homosexual rights, and freedom of religion. Israel is the only democracy, probably in the WORLD, that would allow Members of Parliament to openly call for it's destruction (see the Arab MPs that Israel allows in the Knesset).

Take off your blinders folks. Not all criticism of Israel is anti-Semitic, most of it isn't. It is Anti-Semitic, or at least smells like it when the only criticism of human rights is directed toward one tiny nation surrounded by some pretty obstructionist neighbors. To hear some of you, Israel is the worst human-rights violator in the world. To condemn Sudan, Cuba, Venezuela, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, would simply be too politically incorrect, so it's easier to knock the state of Israel.

Thank goodness Obama is so supportive of Israel and the Peace Process and doesn't listen to many of you on this issue.

"To be a Liberal is to be Pro-Israel"

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

They really should have re-established Israel somewhere else, perhaps somewhere uninhabited. Israel has been around long enough, it's nto going anywhere, but Jews have about as much "right" to their own country as Methodists do.

[barrycourage]

Hmmm.

Like the British and the Church of England?

[booboo111]

I'll tell you what Herodotus, Your land originally belonged to one Indian tribe or another, before "your people" killed them off or "resettled" them. Why don't you do the right thing, give your land back to the rightful owners, and return to the country your forefathers.

[jemamosa]

I'm not sure how Israel could be established "somewhere else". Texas? Because the area is a "holy land" logic won't prevail. Some right wing Jews are concerned about what would happen to the State of Israel. Yes, U.S. support is strong, but there is a strong faction that sees Israel as too aggressive. The Palestinians have been oppressed (although I believe as much if not more by their own leaders (Arafat and Hamas?) I have always been a left wing liberal but on this issue I am very uncomfortable bashing Israel. Particularly when I see nothing but rockets being fired from an area that Jews left (unwilligly) and gave to them - but instead of building - they destroy. If Israel backs down and gives them everything they want they don't think they will survive. And it is a progressive democracy. I wonder what Palestine would be if they took over.

[barrycourage]

Thank you Mr. Stanley and DCLiberal.

A standard is not "anti-" anyone if it is not a double standard. Unfortunately, I have read many criticisms of Israel on HuffPo comment threads apply double standards to both Israel and Jews. Many critics say their comments are not directed at all Jews. But the fact is Israel is the Jewish state and about 75% of its population is Jewish. Conflation of Israel and Jews--all Jews--is not unusual. Sometimes criticisms of Israel are obviously or blatantly anti-Semitic.

If suicide bombings and other forms of street terrorism hit the U.S., what would our government do? Wouldn't the FBI and CIA target the group claiming responsibility? If the group consisted of one minority, wouldn't that group be scrutinized? If Canada and Mexico exported that terrorism and attacked the U.S. militarily, wouldn't we fight? If Alabama was established as a state for one minority group and terrorists shot missiles into neighboring states would the feds tell those states "just ignore those little scuds?"

Has anyone demanded the redrawing of boundaries of Eastern European countries to their pre-World War I postions? How many countries insist the U.S. return land it seized from Native Americans?

For many , "liberal" means liberally applying double standards to Jews and Israel.

I think American Jews support President Obama because he respects human rights, hates terrorism, and will work to achieve a just peace.

Some people choose not to believe that.

[norkas]

The far right of the Jews i ahve very little in common with except when it comes to Jerusalem.

Jeruslam belongs to all religions. I do not go to any services of any sort and would be considered a liberal but i will tell you for a fact the Palestinians have closed acess to the holy sites many times.

In certain areas Jews are only allowed 45 minutes to pray during high hold holidays.

I never go to services but know that Jerusalem belongs to the world and there religions and the only honest gate keeper is Israel.

I have been there several times and although i repeat have no religion in me other then i believe in G-D very strongly and respect all. On my first trip i was driving there with Isreali good freinds and saw the billborads of a women in a bikini and others like it. Iwent NUTS in the car yelling that how would any normal person allow these signs of disrespect to be the the holies of holies where come for many spritual reasons. Those in the car were also not religious like me and were shocked of what i said. I told them if i lived there i would revolt and every nite club and billboard depicting partial nude women or men would come down in a heart beat.

For any of you have visited this holy land please think about what i said and you will agree

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

Actually, Christians would probably make better gatekeepers for Jerusulem than the Jews or the Muslims. The Christian claim to the so-called "Holy" Land is a lot less strong than that of Muslims or Jews, both of whom think God gave it to them. Palestenian Christians have been about equally abused by their Muslim and Jewish neighbors, and are probably the msot impartial. Religious Jews could never be really impartial, because their entire claim to the land is that over 3,000 years ago their Imaginary Friend in the Sky told them they could have it, no matter who was already living there, and we all know how impartial the Palestenians feel after the Jews came back and decided a 3,000+ year old promise by some spooky heavenly voice is still a valid title to a country.

[norkas]

concerning the right wing Jews who support Palin, Rush and others like them it is because they are ignorant. I work everyday with the religious right wing and i will truly tell you they are very easy to lead into the gates of hell because of there ignorance and at times big time race problems.

Yes we have race issues withing our own kind and has existed since the time of Moses who married a women of darker skin.

I have told them many times that extreme right have big time race issues and they are next if anything happen but they are lead blindly by there ignorant Rabbis at times.

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

Religious fundamentalism always leads people too far right of center, except maybe Buddhist fundamentalists, but I've never heard of such madness.

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

Hamas is a complex and nuanced situation, and if there's one thing people on HuffPo (and their Politicall­y-Differen­t but rhetorically identical siblings at Free Republic) hate, it's complex and nuanced issues. If you can't solve something by calling someone a rethuglican or dumbocrat, chances are the internet doesn't want to talk about it much.

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

One thing I have never gotten about Modern Judaism is...a lot of things really. You don't have to believe in god, follow the moral prescriptions, and to be considered Jewish all you need is one parent. You can be fornicating drug addicted bacon chomping menstrual blood bathing atheist, but as long as daddy was one, still get away with saying "I'm Jewish."

I have nothing against Jews, especially Jewish girls, but I really don't understand it. It's like me saying, because my parents are, I'm Catholic, even though I don't believe in god, don't follow the moral prescriptions, blahblahblah. Sometimes seems like a cheap attempt to grab a hyphenated prefix for being an American, or trying to jump on a cultural heritage you might have no right to, and that doesn't affect you anyways.

I just think if you are going to profess belief in a Religion, and Judaism is a religion, not an ethnic group, a modern American Jew has about as much of the Holy Land in their blood as I do Celtic Warriors, then you should be held to the standards and beliefs of your religion.

If Woody Allen is Jewish, then I'm a Dubliner.

[barrycourage]

Other people's religious beliefs and/or religious group identification are none of your business.

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

I can be as baffled as I want thank you very much.

[LauraD]

"Jewish" refers to both a faith and an ethnicity.

Those of Jewish ancestory are ethnically Jewish, even if they don't practice the Jewish faith.

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

Most American Secular Jews are white. White as the English, Irish or the Welsh.

[SouthJerseySteve]

Actually, it's based upon the MOTHER'S religion, not the Father's, as to whether the child is Jewish.

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

Really? Someone should tell my ex that.

[john456]

The reason it is the Mother's heritage is that so many Jewish Women bore children after being raped during the pograms. Claiming the women's heritage allowed the children to be accepted by the Jewish community.

[libster4]

You have nothing against Jews, especially Jewish girls? WTF?

[Herodotus Shoggoth]

Jewish girls are foxy. I almost married one, but she wanted me to convert, she said I could still be an atheist, but she wanted me to be a Jewish Atheist. I could not fathom the illogic. Judaism is cool as far as monotheistic religions go, but I could not bring myself to embrace a religion I didn't believe in.

Which is hilarious because she's also an atheist, just a jewish atheist. I've sort of toyed with the idea of trying to start a movement for Secular Catholics, since any good ex-Catholic knows, we have a lot more weird religious baggage than just about anyone, but we also have an awesome cultural heritage.

[Tuckerndfw]

Judaism is hard to understand because it is nonsensical, as are all bible based religions. (Judaism, Christian, Islam)

"Jews" are also known as the "Children of Israel." (also known as "Hebrews")

"Israel's" biblical name was also "Jacob."

Jacob was (according to the bible) the grandson of Abraham via Isaac.

Allegedly (according to the only known source, the bible), Jacob produced his "children of Israel" (aka "Jews") with four different women, none of whom were directly related to Abraham (who only produced two sons, Isaac & Ishmael).

Yet, today, "Jews" claim matrilineal descent (from mothers) despite the fact none of Jacob's wives or slaves were "Jews" (children of Israel) or directly related to Abraham.

The entire concept of a "Jewish race" or "Jewish people" is idiotic on its face (based on its own recorded history). If "Jews" are a "race," then so are Christians, Muslims, Republicans, Democrats, Communists, Socialists, et al.

Zionism is based entirely on lies, as is are all bible based religions. (Judaism, Christianity, Islam).

There is no such thiing as a "Jewish race." No one knows where "Jews" (Hebrews) came from, but it appears they were known as the "apiru" or "habiru" (Hebrews) in ancient times. The apiru were known to other civilizations as a wandering band of murderers, thieves, common laborers and mercenaries. Which sounds far more plausible than the myth of a a mighty Hebrew empire virtually unknown to any other (known) civilization.

Judaism (Christianity, Islam) is based entirely on nonsense.

[rjmiller]

The ADL really isn't helping either. Last I heard, they still consider any protest of Israeli action as anti-semetic, as if all Jews (really all people) should blindly support the Israeli government regardless of what actions they may take.

[Snuffleupagus]

Right. They got the British peace activist and MP from the UK, George Galloway, barred from entering Canada last week. Canadians didn't fight back or cause much of a fuss.
Apathy is really hurting Canada and the US right now.

http://www.globalresearch.ca/index.php?context=va&aid=12877

[john456]

We need to put the extreme Israeli Lobby on the spot. Ask them what outcome they expect from the current Israeli actions and where and how has this ever worked before?

[Mannycongo]

Thanks for the insight...­......

[Shashi0224]

Count me in the 74%!

[jazzman]

I'm not jewish but from what I've experienced most jews in this country care deeply aobut civil rights and justice and that they desire that the one country in existence based on judaism live up to the highest standards of their jewish tradition regarding the rule of law and justice for all.

Thus, even though AIPAC and neo-cons are able to grab the spotlight and make any criticism of Israel's policies seem like the ravings of anti-semitcs, in my experience I find that most Jews in America are not happy with the way Israel has usurped Palestinian land, mowed down olive groves, constructed settlements in the West Bank and walled Palestinians off as they build luxurious roads for their own people. That is not the traditional behavior of Jews throughout the world.

This country is blessed because of the Jewish influence in our life and culture. I wouldn't be saying that if most Jews behaved like Abignor Lieberman or Benjamin Netyanyahu or even Bill Kristol or Richard Perle. However, they don't and that is why when you get past the propaganda you get a population that loves an Obama much more than a Palin, Jindal, Limbaugh, or a Boehner.

[AnotherMcIntosh]

Well said.

[papapj]

The problem you imply is on of the distinction between Judaism and Zionism.

I find that most Jews in America are unhappy with the defiant nationalism of a Zionist government which is in contrast to the usual, peaceful Jewish co-existence throughout the world.

[IndieBlue]

Now replace the words Jewish and Jews with the words American and Americans and reprint.

[learnsomething]

The author is talking about Jews, American and non-American. Lighten up.