78% of American Jews Voted Obama

Israel’s leaders extended congratulations to Sen. Barack Obama after he won the U.S. presidential election Tuesday (Nov. 4).

Said Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, “America has once again proved that it is the greatest democracy, which sets an example to all the other democracies in the world. Obama has proved to the world his abilities and leadership skills.” [1]

Israeli President Shimon Peres hailed Obama’s victory as an end to racism and a symbol of change. “I want to congratulate the newly-elected President: young, fresh, promising, representing a change and introducing change. The changes that I can mention – it is an opportunity to escape the present world crisis and enter into a new era of cooperation, of productive economy and of human solidarity. In a way, it is an end of racism. There is no longer any way that any white man can claim superiority, nor any black person feel discrimination. We are the same people, and this election is a great statement to that effect. For us, America is a great friend and a great hope…Nobody should look at whose side the President is on – he just has to be on the side of peace.” [2]

Israeli Foreign Minister and Vice Prime Minister Tzipi Livni also praised Obama: “This is a mark of merit for American democracy. During Barack Obama's recent visit to Israel, and especially during the tour we conducted together in the city of Sderot, the people of Israel were impressed by his commitment to the peace and security of Israel. Israel looks forward to continued close strategic cooperation with the new administration, the new president and the US Congress, in order to continue to strengthen the lasting special relationship between our two countries.” [3]

According to exit polls, 78 percent of American Jews voted for Obama. [4] American Jews have long been supporters of the U.S. Democratic Party, turning out 80 percent for Bill Clinton in 1992 and 78 percent for him in 1996. [5] In the two most recent presidential elections, 79 percent of Jewish voters cast ballots for Al Gore in 2000 and 74 percent for John Kerry in 2004. [6]

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No one needs another George Bush.

Republican Jewish Coalition Hating On Obama

It always strikes me as odd that Jewish people would be hating on anyone. They love Ms. Mooseburger, though. Have people just lost their minds? This election is wacky.

Politico: A Republican group is taking responsibility for a poll that has roiled the Jewish community by asking sharply negative questions about Senator Barack Obama.

The Republican Jewish Coalition, which is launching a campaign against Obama on behalf of Senator John McCain, sponsored the poll to "understand why Barack Obama continues to have a problem among Jewish voters," the group's executive director, Matt Brooks, told Politico.

The poll asked voters their response to negative statements about Obama, including reported praise for him from a leader of the Palestinian terror group Hamas and a friendship early in his career with a pro-Palestinian university professor. Some Jewish Democrats who received the poll – including a New Republic writer who lives in Michigan – were outraged by the poll, describing it in interviews as "ugly" and disturbing. A group that supports Obama, the Jewish Council for Education and Research even staged a protest outside the Manhattan call center from which the calls originated Tuesday.

Update 9-17

NYT: A Caucus reader in Florida tells us that she too was called by a research firm that has been telephoning other Jewish voters and delivering negative information about Senator Barack Obama.

After readers reported to various Web sites — including Politico, The New Republic, and Talking Points Memo — that they had received offensive calls, Politico reported that the poll was sponsored by the Republican Jewish Coalition, which is working on behalf of Senator John McCain.

Matt Brooks, executive director of the coalition, told Politico that the firm was trying to “understand why Barack Obama continues to have a problem among Jewish voters.”

What this Jewish group has been telling voters about Obama;

Obama has had a decade long relationship with pro-Palestinian leaders in Chicago

the leader of Hamas, Ahmed Yousef, expressed support for Obama and his hope for Obama's victory

the church Barack Obama has attended is known for its anti-Israel and anti-American remarks

Jimmy Carter's anti-Israel national security advisor is one of Barack Obama's foreign policy advisors

Barack Obama was the member of a board (sic) that funded a pro-Palestinian chartiable organization

Barack Obama called for holding a summit of Muslim nations exlcuding Israel if elected president