Group's internal memo points to Obama's struggle with Jewish vote

[sunonmars]

Just read this on Raw Story, I'd forgotten about this voting demographic, but an interesting one considering the sizeable community.

http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Groups_internal_memo_points_to_Obamas_0122.html

As the Democratic presidential candidates prepare for Feb. 5's "national primary," a leaked memo from a major Jewish organization shows that Senator Barack Obama may have a difficult time winning votes from the important demographic of Jewish voters.

" Feuer takes note of Obama’s presence at a fundraiser headlined by the late Edward Said in 1998, and public suggestions by Ali Abunimah, a Chicago-based Palestinian activist, that Obama was more openly critical of the America’s approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before his first run for Senate," Siegel added.
The report comes on the heels of earlier reports of Jewish doubts about Obama's record and principles. Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen called on Obama last week to go further in condemning the leaders of his Chicago-based church for their praise of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. And an Orthodox Jewish community leader, Mendy Ganchrow, accused Obama of harboring Muslim sentiments that would shape his approaches to foreign policy.

"Voting for Israel a couple of times doesn't constitute enough of a track record on which to make a more favorable judgment," an anonymous correspondent told Shmuel Rosner in Dec. 2006.

And whether or not they share the AJC's apparent concerns about Obama's policy positions, the Senator still appears to be struggling to build a base of support among Jewish voters. Poll results from Nevada showed that Senator Hillary Clinton received a dominant share of Jewish voters in Saturday's Nevada Caucus. And perhaps unfortunately for Obama, Jewish Democrats will likely stand out as important blocs of voters in New York, California, New Jersey, and other delegate-rich states that will be up for grabs on "Super Duper Tuesday."

[ellacott]

1. There was a post last week saying that he had support from some Jewish groups n/t

[Renew Deal]

5. He gets 30%+ against Hillary's 50%+

And Edwards is off the radar. 30%+ is very good considering he's fairly unknown.

[Zynx]

6. Obama is unknown by who?

I have not run into one person in the last three months who doesn't know who he is.

[Renew Deal]

7. As a candidate

His "record"

[msongs]

2. obama's proud christian strategy...may discomfort some jewish people nt

[NYCGirl]

8. As a Jew, I say that's crap. Those people would be called "bigots". NT

[rockymountaindem]

3. That's all news to this Jew n/t

[Howardx]

4. more accurately

"jewish groups take exception to obama's lack of pandering"

[cloudythescribbler]

9. same old story -- Obama getting all of the blame and none of the credit

Usually the faux left (the sort of people lambasting Obama from a supposedly progressive point of view) are MUCH more concerned about this issue (Obama's apparent greater openness to Palestinian rights) but not now. It's a mega-passion of convenience

[MadBadger]

10. Myself and the other Jews I know Love Obama.

[chimpymustgo]

11. If Obama is more inclined to lift the boot from Palestinians' necks, I'm more inclined to like him.

I'd like to have this addressed in a debate.