The NYTimes on Obama's Jewish Problem

You are here: Blog / The NYTimes on Obama's Jewish Problem

Hot Topics:

3:31 PM, May 22, 2008 • By JAIME SNEIDER

Single Page Print Larger Text Smaller Text Alerts

The New York Times is catching on to Obama's Jewish problem, but still manages to miss the point. The article doesn't focus on Obama's desire to meet with Iranian leaders without precondition. Rather, it attributes the lack of support to racism and his lack of experience.

Because Mr. Obama is relatively new on the national stage, his rÃ©sumÃ© of Senate votes in support of Israel is short, as is his list of high-profile visits to synagogues and delis. So far, his overtures to Jews have been limited; aside from a few speeches and interviews, he has left most of it to surrogates.

If Jews aren't supporting Obama, it's more likely explained by his determination to meet with Holocaust deniers who have called for the destruction of Israel without first insisting that they repudiate these views. This issue transcends race and isn't going to be solved by ordering a pastrami sandwich at the 2nd Ave. Deli.