Obama Meets With Jewish Leaders

[oberliner]

Barack Obama met with Cleveland Jewish leaders in a private meeting Sunday a few hours before his chief Jewish surrogate, Florida Democratic Rep. Robert Wexler, took questions from a crowd of 500 at a local synagogue.

Obama suggested in his meeting that a driving force in his Jewish campaign was fighting back against an Internet campaign depicting him as everything from a secret Muslim to being surrounded by advisers who are soft on Israel.

“I don’t think that we are in an era anymore where you can just ignore these things and not dignify them,” Obama told the 150 leaders at a suburban meeting hall. “There was a time when they would be amplified as consequence of you calling attention to it. I don’t think that’s the case anymore, because of our media age.”

He added, “You know we saw what happened with the Swift boat situation back in 2004,” referring to false attacks on the military record of Massachusetts Senator John Kerry, then the Democratic presidential candidate. “And so what we’ve done is try to lift it up and actively debunk it and encourage stories about it.”

http://www.forward.com/articles/12797/

[democrattotheend]

1. This Jew is proud to support Obama!

And I loved what he said about Jewish-Black relations in the debate the other night.

[oberliner]

4. He talked about rebuilding that historic relationship in the debate

Here's a part of what he said at the debate:

"And the reason that I have such strong support is because they know that not only would I not tolerate anti-Semitism in any form, but also because of the fact that what I want to do is rebuild what I consider to be a historic relationship between the African-American community and the Jewish community.

You know, I would not be sitting here were it not for a whole host of Jewish Americans, who supported the civil rights movement and helped to ensure that justice was served in the South. And that coalition has frayed over time around a whole host of issues, and part of my task in this process is making sure that those lines of communication and understanding are reopened.

But, you know, the reason that I have such strong support in the Jewish community and have historically -- it was true in my U.S. Senate campaign and it's true in this presidency -- is because the people who know me best know that I consistently have not only befriended the Jewish community, not only have I been strong on Israel, but, more importantly, I've been willing to speak out even when it is not comfortable."

[still_one]

16. I second that /nt

[MoonRiver]

2. My progressive Jewish husband is extremely suspicious of Obama.

Right now he won't vote for him in the GE.

[oberliner]

5. Based on what?

What is he suspicious of?

[mmonk]

8. Code for security threat.

The most vicious of campaign smears with all the crazies out there.

[cali]

11. You won't get an answer

it's a hit and smear.

[MoonRiver]

12. Periodicals, esp. re. Brzezinski/Obama connections, and many Jewish as well as Israeli friends.

Those sources and others are what he bases his suspicions on.

[BeyondGeography]

13. He probably found these words in the debate the other night disturbing as well

==And the reason that I have such strong support is because they know that not only would I not tolerate anti-Semitism in any form, but also because of the fact that what I want to do is rebuild what I consider to be a historic relationship between the African-American community and the Jewish community.

You know, I would not be sitting here were it not for a whole host of Jewish Americans, who supported the civil rights movement and helped to ensure that justice was served in the South. And that coalition has frayed over time around a whole host of issues, and part of my task in this process is making sure that those lines of communication and understanding are reopened.==

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4792083

As you can see from the thread, many people were very upset by it.

[MoonRiver]

14. He did not believe that statement.

Obama's long time association with an anti-Semitic minister, who blatantly adores anti-Semitic Farrakan, makes him (Obama) highly suspicious to Jews.

You may not like this, and obviously don't, but it's a fact.

[BeyondGeography]

17. I'm sure it's true of a number of people

Just as, you can see from that thread and the one below, many others are more inclined to take a more favorable view of Obama:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4794034&mesg_id=4794034

[MoonRiver]

23. Everybody's entitled to my opinion.

:hide:

[BeyondGeography]

29. No...They're entitled to MINE!

:hi:

[MoonRiver]

33. Hey, BG

:hi:

[ExFreeper4Obama]

19. I'm tired of this guilt by association crap

I'm sorry, but your husband is picking up Republican talking points. Obama has consistently had the support of the Jewish community in Chicago. Obama has voiced his support for Israel and the Jewish community of America. Just because an idiot like Farrakhan supports him means NOTHING!!!

Notice how people cant get any real dirt on Obama so they use the guilt by association tactic?


:puke:

[MoonRiver]

21. Tough shit.

That's the way he feels, and I agree.

[still_one]

34. Do you believe that most Catholics are anti-semetic?

The current pope has made certain statements which at best have shown as insensitivity to Jews, and at worst outright anti-semetic

You can read the gospel of John, and find quite a few passages that are quoted in Churches throughout the country which could be considered anti-Jewish. Do you disassociate yourself with those that read from the New Testament

You don't think there are Congregations of any religious group, whose spiritual leaders, including Judism, which do not necessarily represent the Congregation'siewpoint?

Obama has opening critisized wright, and farrakan, who isn't only anti-Jewish, but also racist.

Have you ever heard some use the word "shvartzer"? Did you deplore and reject that person?

There are enough Jewish supporters, including me, who do not believe in guilt by association, and do not believe Obama is anti-Jewish.

[still_one]

27. Well I can personally tell you as a Jew, there are just as many supporting Obama

and if he wins in the general election, the majority of the Jewish vote WILL go for Obama, just as they would go for Hillary if she gets the nomination

The only ones that will vote for mccain are those that believe in Project For A New American Century, and endless war

[GarbagemanLB]

6. I'm sure that has nothing to do with you.

[MoonRiver]

9. I'm not Jewish, but we do agree on this issue.

Guess that proves we're soul mates. :loveya:

[Forkboy]

20. I bet he his.

[still_one]

22. He can vote for whoever he wants, but if he believe mccain is a friend of Israel

I would like him to look at exhibit A, gw bush, and ask how much worse they have made it for Israel, the Palestinians, and the entire region

In fact, when Clinton left office, bush refused to continue the talks beetween Israel and the Palestinians. In fact, he did just the opposite, encouraged the hard liners to look the other way as illegal settlements were still allowed to move in.

mccain is much worse than bush, and no favor will be done to either side if he gets in

[MoonRiver]

28. Where did I say he would vote for McCain?

He might write in our cat's name. He's done it before.

[still_one]

35. You didn't, but not voting has its consequences also

Please understand me, I actually believe that not voting or voting for a write-in that has no chance is quite acceptable, if the person believes in that statement

For me I will vote for whoever the Democratic nominee is, but if Roe is overturned, prayer in schools becomes mandatory, and a barber has a right not to give a haircut to someone because of his race becomes law, so be it. Sometimes the only way we people realize what they really have is if they lose it

FYI, the haircut remark is based on bork's view on the subject. bork is part of a group of judges who belong to the federalist society. Those in the mold of scalia and alito. That is the agenda of those who have taken over the republican party

A book I recomment is The Nine, by Jeffrey Toobin. Brings to light some very interesting facts, and what we may be faced with

[mopinko]

26. the funny thing about chicago.

i keep telling people little things about obama that i know because i live in chicago. one of them is that the neighborhood that he lives in has had a strong jewish presence for a long, long time. one of the big hospitals is mt. sinai. he would not have been state senator without the trust of the jewish community in chicago.
i honestly don't know what the population is these days. but it is an incredibly diverse place, lovingly referred to as "the people's republic of hyde park". many of the upper class african americans in the city have lived there because of the openness that has characterized it for so long. (mohamed ali has a home there. harold washington lived there.) but it is also home to progressives of all colors and faiths. the black-jewish alliance is not some hypothetical thing here.
i think that where a person raises their family ought to tell you something about them. what your neighbors think of you should, as well.

[madaboutharry]

3. Sen. Robert Wexler is a great representative

and will be very helpful to Sen. Obama on this issue.

[FrenchieCat]

15. That's right! Wexler endorsed Obama quite a while ago.

Wexler is right up there for me!

[Hawkeye-X]

7. My dad fell for the Obama=Muslim meme...

but I corrected him, but he still won't vote for Obama, but won't vote for Hillary or McCain either - he might just sit out.

I'm trying to convince him to get on board. Mom's already on board - she'll vote with anyone with the D next to their names in the GE. She WAS a Clinton supporter before she realized that she wasn't everything that Hillary was perceived to be for a long time.

Dad's a conservative Jewish Democrat, but Mom is a liberal Democrat.

My sister did work for the Clinton White House, and currently lives aboard.

Hawkeye-X

[rockymountaindem]

10. Keep working on him

Gotta make Colorado blue. At least get him to vote for Udall!

:hi:

[sanjiadem]

18. How about worrying less about the Jews or any other segment

and worrying more about what is just, fair, and Constitutional for all?

I know the Jews are a big voting block, but so what? Doesn't mean you pander, at the expense of what is right, does it?

[FrenchieCat]

25. But it means that you give everyone a fair shot to have a seat at the table.....

we want to encourage everyone to vote......and to try and shed the biggotry that has been encouraged over years.

At some point, folks have to realize that their unhappiness has very little to do with those who may be different from them, as much as those who rule things and pit one segment of a population against the other in order that they, who rule, stay on top.

What is a sad thing is that folks should be clear headed enough to understand this; blaming one's neighbor for one's condition doesn't make one condition any better. :(

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FrenchieCat]

36. Nope....I'm talking about all groups, period.

[Behind the Aegis]

37. Learn the difference between "Jews" and "Israel."

Do not conflate the two or you will find yourself in an indefensible position.

[CyberPieHole]

24. This Sephardi doesn't trust Obama...

I find his relationship to Jeremiah Wright to be a dangerous link to Louis Farrakhan. Louis Farrakhan is disgusting and should be spat upon.

[FrenchieCat]

30. The politics of hate always works well for those who find it easy

to hate. I find that Farrakhan would say the same as you just did...which makes you no better than he is.....but Hate on with your bad self.

[BeyondGeography]

32. You're obviously just as hateful

so who would want your vote anyway?