Obama and the Jewish vote
04 November 2008 à 00h18
| Aucun commentaire
The American Jewish community is traditionally Democrat. But Barack Obama could have frightened them, thought some experts at the beginning of the campaign. That hasn’t happened: Obama has won them over and could enjoy the support of this community, in particular in some swing states, even if the power of Jewish voters is often overestimated.
It’s one of the biggest victories of Barack Obama : the Jewish vote. At the beginning, there was some distrust for Obama. In June, according to a poll, the Jewish vote was at 62% for Obama. Today, just before the election, according to a new poll, 75% are supporting him. This evolution shows Obama’s political skills because he started far behind for many reasons.
Firstly, the Jewish Democrat voted for Hillary Clinton during the primaries. 54% for the NewYork senator against 44% for Obama. He wasn’t the first choice.
The support of the very virulent pastor Jeremiah Wright, who officiated at his wedding, didn’t help him. But Obama distanced himself away from Wright and called Louis Farrakhan, loved by Wright and the father of The Nation of Islam, an anti-Semite. On the contrary, some Jewish intellectuals vouched for him with the Jewish community. He received the support of the rich George Soros or Steven Spielberg, two symbolic people who play an important role in this community.
Obviously, McCain, who is known for being very favorable to Israel like George Bush, tried to frighten the American people.
The Republican Party has tried to spread rumors about Obama. On April 25th, McCain called Obama the « preferred candidate of Hamas ». One Republican representative sent emails where Obama is named « Barack Osama ». Some other emails talk about his « hidden Muslim faith ». Seven out of thirteen Jewish senators decided to write a letter to their community to denounce these lies.
But the betrayal sometimes comes from his own party. Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat, for example. He supports John McCain because he finds too many disagreements with Obama on Middle East issues. Lieberman is very popular among the Jewish community and can be a real benefit for the Republican candidate.
Barack Obama, with his balanced declarations, in particular when he visited Israel, succeeded in not frightening but even in reassuring the Jewish community. This support could be very important in order to win, especially in swing states like Florida or Pennsylvania. In Palm Beach County (Florida) for example, 40% of voters are Jewish. But nationwide, the Jewish community, like the rest of the population, is more sensitive to economic issues than Israel (only 3% declare that Israel could influence their vote). The importance of the economy as an issue for Obama would maybe allow him to beat Al Gore’s record in 2000. 80% of the Jewish vote went for him. But he lost.
It’s one of the biggest victories of Barack Obama : the Jewish vote. At the beginning, there was some distrust for Obama. In June, according to a poll, the Jewish vote was at 62% for Obama. Today, just before the election, according to a new poll, 75% are supporting him. This evolution shows Obama’s political skills because he started far behind for many reasons.
Firstly, the Jewish Democrat voted for Hillary Clinton during the primaries. 54% for the NewYork senator against 44% for Obama. He wasn’t the first choice.
The support of the very virulent pastor Jeremiah Wright, who officiated at his wedding, didn’t help him. But Obama distanced himself away from Wright and called Louis Farrakhan, loved by Wright and the father of The Nation of Islam, an anti-Semite. On the contrary, some Jewish intellectuals vouched for him with the Jewish community. He received the support of the rich George Soros or Steven Spielberg, two symbolic people who play an important role in this community.
Republican lies
Obama also has some unusual positions about foreign policy which can worry Jewish voters, especially concerning the Middle East. For example, he wants to talk with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the president of Iran, without conditions, even if this man calls for the destruction of Israel. But Barack Obama is very clear on Israel: « every agreement will assure that Israel stays a Jewish state ». He specified that the return of Palestinian refugees, probably the biggest problem in the Israeli-Palestinian relationship, could threaten Israel. He also swears that he will never talk with Hamas. These declarations were a clear message for the Jewish community.Obviously, McCain, who is known for being very favorable to Israel like George Bush, tried to frighten the American people.
The Republican Party has tried to spread rumors about Obama. On April 25th, McCain called Obama the « preferred candidate of Hamas ». One Republican representative sent emails where Obama is named « Barack Osama ». Some other emails talk about his « hidden Muslim faith ». Seven out of thirteen Jewish senators decided to write a letter to their community to denounce these lies.
But the betrayal sometimes comes from his own party. Joe Lieberman, a former Democrat, for example. He supports John McCain because he finds too many disagreements with Obama on Middle East issues. Lieberman is very popular among the Jewish community and can be a real benefit for the Republican candidate.
Barack Obama, with his balanced declarations, in particular when he visited Israel, succeeded in not frightening but even in reassuring the Jewish community. This support could be very important in order to win, especially in swing states like Florida or Pennsylvania. In Palm Beach County (Florida) for example, 40% of voters are Jewish. But nationwide, the Jewish community, like the rest of the population, is more sensitive to economic issues than Israel (only 3% declare that Israel could influence their vote). The importance of the economy as an issue for Obama would maybe allow him to beat Al Gore’s record in 2000. 80% of the Jewish vote went for him. But he lost.
