Halie Soifer, Jewish Vote Director for the Barack Obama Campaign, talks to Palm Beach County voters at a meeting in Boca Raton, FL. on September 24 2008. Staff Photo/Jim Rassol, South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
by Mark Silva and Bonnie Miller Rubin
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla.--Pearl Saleh is a "snowbird," dividing her seasons between the southern-Chicago suburb of Olympia Fields and a South Florida retreat in Boynton Beach.
Saleh, 75, an ardent supporter of Democrat Barack Obama, is heading south early this year, not only to ensure her vote counts in the biggest of all battleground states, but also to engage her friends in a battle dividing the Jewish community.
"I think some people have been swayed by all the slurs," she said. "They hear something and then their minds are closed."
Winning the minds of Florida's Jewish community, which could account for 6 percent to 8 percent of the vote in this critical state, is crucial in a close contest. Republican John McCain and his allies are attempting to break the 80-percent lock that Democrats hold on this vote, largely by challenging Obama's allegiance to Israel and his judgment on negotiating with its worst enemies.
Holding no illusions about winning the Jewish vote, Republicans are aiming to strengthen their foothold in Florida and nationally. President George W. Bush drew 22 percent of the Jewish vote in his re-election effort in 2004, up from 19 percent in 2000 and 16 and 11 percent for Republican candidates in 1996 and '92. And they believe Obama poses a ripe new reason for defection.
"The fact is that people have problems with Obama in the Jewish community," said Matt Brooks, director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, working to accentuate those concerns.
The group is running alarming ads in Jewish newspapers here and in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and California. One ad, picturing a menacing Iranian Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, warns readers: "Ahmadinejad says Israel won't survive ... . Obama says he would meet with him personally." Another says: "Concerned about Barack Obama? You should be."
See the rest of the story about Obama and McCain and the Jewish vote in today's Tribune and here in the Swamp:
When the Jewish Light of St. Louis ran ads connecting Obama to Ahmadinejad, the newspaper received "a fair amount of animus" from offended readers, publisher Larry Levin said.
"Despite what we may think of negative campaigning personally, we see no reason to refuse to run those ads," he said. "We want to keep public discourse as open and free as possible."
Rabbi Steven Bob of Glen Ellyn, Ill., was so distressed by the perceived fear-mongering that he launched a Web site--rabbisforobama.com--in June. More than 500 colleagues have signed on.
"For people who are hearing slurs from the other side," the rabbi said, "this is a way of saying, 'Here are 562 rabbis who love Israel.' It's like we're giving a hecsher [a sign that something is kosher] to Sen. Obama."
McCain, too, is reaching out to Jewish voters. The Republican candidate is holding a teleconference Sunday with Jewish leaders from across the country. McCain will be introduced by Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.), his most visible supporter in the Jewish community.
The Obama campaign is engaging in the debate with an aggressive ground campaign. Since July, 29-year-old Halie Soifer has served as Jewish outreach director for the campaign in Florida, trekking from living rooms to condo clubhouses statewide.
Obama "has never wavered when it comes to Israel's defense," Soifer told 20 elderly men and women seated around a living room last week in the Wynmoor retirement community in Coconut Creek, with palms swaying in the breeze outside.
Still, there is the racial question, which Jewish comedian Sarah Silverman has raised with a viral Internet video warning that her own people might be responsible for Obama's demise because of racial prejudice. The insinuation angers many.
"It comes out in the paper that Jewish people are bigots and they're not voting for Obama because he's black," Doris Herman complained at the meeting. "It's not true."
"Yes it is," called out another woman. "Wish you were right."
"We as Jews have known discrimination," Soifer softly reminded the seniors. "We have seen the worst of discrimination. Because of that, we should be the strongest advocates for Barack Obama."
That rift has been accentuated in flare-ups over the rhetoric of some black leaders, such as Jesse Jackson.
When a New York Post columnist reported on an interview with Jackson last week--claiming "Jackson believes that, although 'Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades' remain strong, they'll lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House"--both the Obama campaign and Jackson quickly pushed back.
Jackson said he had been misrepresented in a column "designed to incite fear and division." Wendy Morigi, an Obama spokeswoman, was even more direct: "Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr. is not an adviser to the Obama campaign and is therefore in no position to interpret or share Barack Obama's views on Israel and foreign policy."
Florida has more than 10.5 million voters, and the McCain campaign allows that the 650,000 members of a Jewish community who traditionally vote Democratic will not move en masse to the GOP nominee. But in a state where polls portray a close contest, every vote counts.
Lieberman is campaigning for him here--though he only drew about 75 people to a recent "Lox the Vote" breakfast in Ft. Lauderdale. "McCain is not going to win there, but we're going to draw votes," said Brian Ballard, a Tallahassee lawyer, lobbyist and fundraiser for McCain. "They're going to be seeing a lot of Joe Lieberman there."
It's not only an ad campaign and ground game stirring concerns about the Democrat in the Jewish community.
"There is a lot of information out there to smear Obama," said state Sen. Nan Rich, a Broward County Democrat. "Everything is innuendo."
Barbara Effman, a Democratic club president and delegate for Sen. Hillary Clinton at the party's convention, said Obama has had to make himself better known in a state bypassed in the primaries because of Florida's rule-breaking early primary vote.
"Even four to six weeks ago, he had a real problem with the Jewish community," Effman said. "It's turning around fast. Most Jews, especially senior Jews, when they start looking at the issues they care about ... the differences between Barack Obama and John McCain are like night and day."
Mark Silva reported from Florida with Bonnie Miller Rubin in Chicago
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Comments
I can't imagine why anyone who supports Israel would support Sen. Obama.
As the election draws near, my worry about America’s future increases. I continue to have faith that American’s will make the right choice (as long as ACORN doesn’t steal it). The article America’s Attachment to the Idea of Change is the Perilous “Will o’ The Wisp” That’s Confounding Voter’s Perceptions sums up my concerns. It is found at:
http://zachjonesishome.wordpress.com/2008/10/19/voters-obama-will-o-the-wisp-change-confounding-voters-perceptions/
Posted by: ZachJonesIsHome | October 19, 2008 9:38 AM
When Swamp reporter Mark Silva writes about politics, he invariably quotes his fellow Democrats more than Republicans.
This column about Florida's Jewish voters is no exception. He quotes 9 Democrats a total of 212 words, but only 3 Republicans a total of 57 words.
Biased reporting is something all readers should be disgusted by.
Posted by: Disgusted | October 19, 2008 9:56 AM
If Comrade Obama is elected---
Watrch our Israel -
Posted by: George | October 19, 2008 10:01 AM
the great schlepp has taken a new turn!
even though sarah silverman is given a negative slant here, it takes us one and all to make this race a victory for Obama!
Posted by: marie countryman | October 19, 2008 10:28 AM
McCain lost our vote when he tried to take us back to the divisive days of the 1960's. That is not putting country first. .............
http://thefiresidepost.com/2008/10/19/the-ayers-of-christian-redemption/
Posted by: Ohg Rea Tone | October 19, 2008 11:31 AM
Regarding the older South Florida Jewish vote and Sarah Silverman...
Although not too many grandkids have made "the great schlep" yet, many older Jewish voters are listening to their kids and grandkids and certainly coming around. More and more of them see Obama as the future and break from the failed Bush policies of the last 8 years.
Bush's name may not be on the ballot, but his policies are. People finally "get it," and they want a change!
Posted by: Mia | October 19, 2008 1:24 PM
Sarah Palin has probably done more than anyone to increase the FL Jewish vote for Obama. Her disdain for intellect, her insinuations that people whose mindset is not small-town are somehow not "pro-American," her evangelicalism (including her attendance at a church lecture by Jews for Jesus, etc.), in short her eagerness to attack people who she considers "different" strikes fear into many a Jewish heart. Yes, the future of the state of Israel is of deep concern to most American Jews. But as a group Jews are also extremely sensitive to intimations of intolerance and nascent facism. So if Barack Obama wins Florida, he may have her to thank!
Posted by: gregory | October 19, 2008 3:19 PM
McCain is running 2:1 ahead among Israelis and got 75 per cent approval among English-speakers. We have an existential problem, the nukes in Iran. McCain is trusted, Obama is simply unknown. How can we know him with all his unsavory associations left unexplained?
http://www.root-1.co.il/cynical.htm
Posted by: idov | October 19, 2008 4:10 PM
I don't understand why someone who's #1 issue in this election is the security of a country half the world away is allowed to vote in this country at all.
Posted by: The Gloden Calf | October 19, 2008 5:18 PM
Here is a sweet tribute to Obama for Florida Jewish voters from our cantor.
It is subtle. Listen carefully.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UHc6xcTVi8
Posted by: Jane Bialosky | October 19, 2008 6:44 PM
We Jews have a long history of following along in illogical fashion at times, and especially where politics are concerned.
Perhaps this is why SOME are still refusing to see reality and lining up behind a man with muslim roots, who has long documented associations with Louis "Jews Are Bloodsuckers" Farrakhan.
This Jew backs McCain.
And perhaps before it is too late, some of us will look at what William Ayers has said about the state of Israel.
But then, what wise person would judge a man by the company he keeps?
Posted by: Dave | October 20, 2008 12:38 PM
Jews must get away from their historical roots in the Democratic Party and view this election by reviewing the facts. Obama has a whole cadre of anti-Israel advisers. Also, Joe Biden has not voted pro-Israel recently on issues re: Iran. Any American Jew that votes for Obama does so at the peril of Israel.
Posted by: Steve Weinberg | October 20, 2008 12:41 PM
Dave:
So then you agree with Sarah Palin sitting in church and listening to a Jews for Jesus representative tell her that the reason for violence in the Middle East is because Jews are not believers. That scares me a lot more that a person who could be Vice-President of the US agrees with this guy. After all, did she get up and leave???
Posted by: BobinATL | October 20, 2008 1:05 PM
"Perhaps this is why SOME are still refusing to see reality and lining up behind a man with muslim roots, who has long documented associations with Louis "Jews Are Bloodsuckers" Farrakhan."
See, it is comments like this that make my blood boil. Muslim roots???? Where did you get that, a McCain ad? Have you ever tried doing your own research? Or do you just take the first word you hear as truth?
McCain is, simply, a liar. He has spread lies about Obama's past so that simple people, who can't seek out the truth on these matters, make up their mind to vote for a war mongerer.
If McCain wins this election, this country is doomed.
Posted by: Brian | October 20, 2008 1:23 PM
When we have people counting the supposed positive or negative words in an article,and stating that the media is therefore biased for or against a party, I really wonder at the lack of intelligence of those people. You really must believe there is an editor at the paper saying "We need more negative words about (insert political party/candidate name here) because someone else ran something good about them".
Posted by: Scott | October 20, 2008 1:25 PM
Brian, you do not know what you are talking about!
"See, it is comments like this that make my blood boil. Muslim roots???? Where did you get that, a McCain ad? Have you ever tried doing your own research? Or do you just take the first word you hear as truth?"
In Audacity of Hope Obama says he will side with the Muslims. That's where it came from! Are you saying those aren't Obama's words fairly researched and not from a McCain ad?
Obama is, simply, a liar?
Read it and weep...sucker.
P.S. Oh, yeah, and don't read Dreams of My Father, because that was proven to be written by Bill Ayers. Google it, chump.
Posted by: Michael | October 20, 2008 1:51 PM
It is amazing what some people will believe!
Posted by: Mike | October 20, 2008 1:53 PM
Anyone at this date and time who thinks Barack Obama has ties to the Muslim religion is just a dupe for the Republican party. Wealthy Republicans in this country don't have enough votes to elect a president so they need to find dupes that will help them. That's why the talking heads come up with these "guilt by association", ploys. They need ignorant people in this country to do thier bidding for them. These same talking heads will say and do anything to protect and keep thier tax cuts.
Posted by: mbr47 | October 20, 2008 2:28 PM
These ads don't matter. People gravitate to "info" that helps them rationalize their fears. Both sides are guilty of this.
Posted by: Steve | October 20, 2008 3:04 PM
That is not Sen. Joseph Lieberman on the stage at every McCain appearance; It is really a cardboard cutout that they carry around with them to prove that McCain can get along with the other party only Lieberman is not a member of the other party.
Posted by: larry | October 20, 2008 5:05 PM
It is my intention, as a Jew and as an American, to vote for the person who is the most articulate, intelligent, and the one who cares about the issues which affect our country today. In my mind, there is no doubt that that man is Barack Obama.
Posted by: Maddie | October 20, 2008 5:43 PM
Listen, I am an American Jew, in 150% support for Obama.
For me, my family and friends, it's the thought and commitment for what is best for OUR Country and Allies. We have the power to ignore all religious innuendos set by many ignorant people, and make a choice based on pure fact and sound insight.
McCain is NOT fit to be our president. People who vote for this man have no vision, no commitment for a better future. Can't anyone see what a joke this all has come to be?
Regardless, you have millions of Mid West Jews who are going to lay their faith and hearts on the line for Obama. Let's try something different for once, and support him.
Posted by: Yarden | October 20, 2008 5:46 PM
In every election, including the last, those of us on the losing end feel upset, angry, in peril. Sorry, Republican people, but its finally your turn. Most Jews support Obama.
Posted by: Susan | October 20, 2008 7:23 PM
America is in decline. It is in decline not because of its economy or military. But because high layers of society aren't interested in patriotic agenda. So it opens gaps and opportunities for junk like Obama.
It is notoriously remarkable that his primitive narrative, worth of degenerate crowd of disgusting swamp of Chicago's Sought side makes such an impression on american public. What is especially troubling, is how assimilated american jews, married with "goim", forgot who they really are to the point they up to black racist, muslim, lier, "terrorists' best friend", "mister" Obama. Do you really, really want him to be your face, your voice and your representative? Do you really want this demagog, who starts every sentence with " we have to understand" to be your president?
If Obama wins this election, it means many things, among them that any cheap bullshitter can run this country.
Posted by: Bob | October 20, 2008 10:22 PM
This "Michael" above blows vile lies out of his horn:
"In Audacity of Hope Obama says he will side with the Muslims. That's where it came from! Are you saying those aren't Obama's words fairly researched and not from a McCain ad? Obama is, simply, a liar?"
Here's what Obama does say in the "Audacity of Hope" in the chapter "The World Beyond our Borders":
"As difficult as the work may seem, I believe we have an obligation to engage in efforts to bring about peace in the Middle East, not only for the benefits of the people of the region, but for the safety and security of our own children as well."
But really this "Michael" betrays himself as a clown when finally he says:
"Oh, yeah, and don't read Dreams of My Father, because that was proven to be written by Bill Ayers. Google it, chump."
If you insist the world is flat you may find evidence of that too - just Google it.
Posted by: Anthony | October 20, 2008 11:24 PM
The Jewish community needs to web search "Wisconsin School Texbook on Obama."
Sounds a lot like Hitler's indoctrination of Germany's Youth.That is real scary to me.
Posted by: Connie McDonald | October 21, 2008 10:39 AM
Brian is a perfect example of "un-informed" Or "A typical Jew for Obama" He insist that there is no evidence Obama has Muslim roots???? How can you say that? He does! His father was a muslim, his fathers whole family are muslim, He went to an overwhelmingly Muslim school growing up. Now we hear Obama was at a pro-palestine PLO leader, and praising him on tape, while Jews were compared to Terrorist? I hope my bretheren do not fall for this man.
Posted by: DannyB | October 30, 2008 11:23 AM
I thought the selection of Biden as his VP was big in silencing concerns Jewish voters had about Obama. Even Israeli press talks about Biden historically as a positive for Israel-the pieces that attempt to bring into question the size of Biden's support fail to bring a counterargument to the table.
Posted by: Rick | October 31, 2008 1:54 PM
hi there
I have a burning desire to have a question answered that is really a very simple question but I seem to not be able to get an answer. The question is simply "Why would the most oppressed people in the history of the world support a socialist? Can anyone give me a cogent rational answer. Thankyou.
Posted by: sarah | November 4, 2008 12:43 AM