American Jews, as we all know, tend to support Israel.

Not uncritically (though there are some exceptions) but almost always with conviction. That is especially the case when those Jews perceive attacks on Israel to be threats to their own values, security and identity as Jews.

So that's why right wing strategists imagine that linking Obama to Hamas is a winning strategy. Why else does Hamas matter? Because quite simply, the Jewish vote still matters (as does Jewish support). And while the "Jewish vote" is hardly monolithic, is remains a strategic factor in national elections because of the importance of urban areas and swing states - Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio, for example.

Then why isn't the strategy working?

Even now, more than 60% of Jewish voters favor Obama over McCain (according to the latest from Gallup). Now it's true that's not as high as the support that Gore and Kerry had, but given the Reverend Wright controversy, the alleged Hamas "endorsement" and that fact that many American Jews are disappointed Hillary supporters, you can be sure that many folks are stunned that so many American Jews support Obama.

And I'd be willing to bet that the 60% figure will rise considerably.

What's going on? Well, I think anyone really wanting to understand Jewish support for Obama will be interested in this interview in the Atlantic Online.

<link>

I think it's a remarkalby insightful interview. But there's also two other possible explanations for Jewish support for Obama.

1. American Jews, like all Americans have a host of concerns and issues that matter to them. Israel is only one of those issues.

2. The majority of Jewish voters are very dumb and/or hate America. Of course this latter "explanation" will likely be preferred by certain right wing partisans who would rather engage in their brand of hate politics and phony rhetoric than actually attempt to understand those who disagree with them.

Ummm... all this is good stuff except for a couple of things Davey:

1. Obama did have an advisor resign who was meeting with Hamas
2. Hamas's spokesperson did say they were hoping Obama won

Now, if loyal Obamaists can assign Myanmar to McCain due to his campaign staff, doesn't it seem quite fair that Obama catches his for Hamas due to his staff?

Or is that racist?

Jews will support who they wish. So if you feel really comfortable with that 60% of Jews support Obama figure and that it will rise... then there should be no worries about Yobama and Hamas eh?

Have a nice Globally Warmed day!

;o)

Now, if loyal Obamaists can assign Myanmar to McCain due to his campaign staff, doesn't it seem quite fair that Obama catches his for Hamas due to his staff?

Ah....so it is fairness you are after? Good man. :)

Did Obama's campain ever attempt to link McCain to terrorism because of Myanamar? That's news to me.

I wonder if you guys are actually concnered about Obama's "links" to Hamas or if you are starting to believe your own bullshit. :)

Was that the best reply you could give?

I provided links... to that bullshit (of course his advisor resigned because of those "bullshit links to hamas" you refer to?)

Okay... tell me this, if Obama is so damned smart, why does he surround himself with dubious characters who he claims he doesn't know are racist haters (Wright), terrorists (Ayers), hamas lovers (his campaign Advisor) etc etc..?

Surely you can do better than mutter "bullshit" as you waddle away in a grump eh?

I think Obama has to say a lot of these things, and may very well believe some or all of them. The sad fact is that, to succeed in American politics, you HAVE to kiss Israel's ass. You simply cannot take an equivocal position, even a position as moderate as Carter's, without being seen as 'anti-Israel' and 'anti-Semitic' by the extremists out there...and they are tied in closely with the far Right and with the religious Right, as well as the Jewish vote.

Obama said the right things, sounded reasonable, good for him. I'm glad to hear that many Jews aren't buying the 'anti-Israel' or 'pro-Hamas' propaganda.

...because you and your disingenuous posts are just that...bullshit.

You're a liar, a propagandist, and a troll, andyou have nothing to say here. You have to have some credibility before you can become an upstanding poster who gets serious debate from others, and you have none.

Your credibility dropped into the basement long ago. Go back to posting silly pictures and jabbering about 'Yobama' or something. It's all you really know how to do.

No... he was embarrassed because the links proved what I indicated were factual

As to you and your unhealthy love of Yobama... that's between you and the magic negro

;o)

"Then why isn't the strategy working?"

Probably because a lot of Jews are liberal Democrats, an outgrowth of the ideal of Tikkun Olam. They also realize that Little George is the best friend Iran, Hiz b'Allah, and Hamas have ever had and assume that the minor Hamas official was just trying a little reverse psychology because he understood how gullible the Bushieheads are.

But probably because Jewish support for Israel isn't as widespread as you seem to think. A significant percentage of the Jewish community thinks the Israelis are assholes.

Otherwise, 1 sums it up nicely.

The liberal Jews will vote Obama, the conservative ones will vote mccain, and the retarded ones will vote for Barr.