Many seniors in my community, particularly a large group of fellow Jewish seniors ( Hillary Supporters) who have been Democrats their whole lives, are still on the fence agonizing over their dilemma. At this point, these otherwise decent people are stuck in neutral, and cannot bring themselves to vote for any African American- out of tradition, inexperience with minorities, and irrational fears and beliefs in many cases. They indicate they will stay home or defect to McCain. At no point during the spring Primary season did these Democrats believe we had two excellent candidates as many of us did.
This state of affairs has been written about in the newspapers, and tossed around by the pundits, but I and other Obama supporters in my senior community are facing it and living it every day--the irony that one discriminated against ethnic group is discriminating against another. The crude amongst the Obama supporters not only perceive those wary of Obama's charisma and influence as racist and ignorant but have been tactless in saying so to their faces. This shock treatment is not winning them over. On the other hand the subconscious direct racial stereotyping--with nasty perjoratives- of blacks (especially G-d forbid a bright man like Barack) by anxious Jewish voters who worry that any black who can get to the very top of the world will unleash Sharpton and Jackson and Mike Tyson upon us to conduct enslavement--- is mind boggling. It's divided this Jewish community.
Group discussions among retired Northeasterners here on site in Tamarac, Fl seem to reveal that many in the "Greatest Generation" or slightly younger age range most likely never had any significant up close and personal endearing human interaction(s) with black individuals, children, or groups. And now suddenly these little hidden discriminatory agendas are being flushed out. They hoped it would remain dormant once Hillary won, but now what do they do? In many minds, voting for Obama will be akin to inviting him home to dinner on Friday night.
Also not helping is the silence of local Democrat officials (some of whom were Ms. Clinton supporters in the primary) ( as was I), but now are toeing the party line--yet--they dare not address those Jewish voters still on the fence, to educate them on why Obama is credible and worthy, for fear they might offend those on the fence voters who might vote them out the next time. Nor do they know how to accomplish this. Incredible, no?
So, for those from the Obama campaign who are in the neighb, your job is to create a crash course to instill trust among blacks and "greatest generation" Jews. Include some of your Afr Amer campaign workers cut from Barack's mold--and include seniors, not just whiz kids-- who can win over people -to do so formally or on the fly. Perhaps after Obama becomes President he himself will have been that significant human interaction with a black American for those voters in question, if he gets there. For now, we neighbors on location have begun this important work for the O campaign, through discussion, involving this senior community's Afr American club, Hispanic club and Jewish organizations, and lobbying for the exciting America that lies ahead for us and our grandkids if the Democratic campaign is successful. Look for us when you get here to Kings Point.
Joe Morguess
954-724-1815, jmor25@aol.com
Reposting Susan in the OC's post. (links are failing on her account.)
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25281747/
Bloomberg defends Obama before Jewish group Says deceptive efforts threaten to undo strides Jews, Muslims have made
The Associated Press
updated 11:21 a.m. ET, Fri., June. 20, 2008
Richard Drew / AP New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, told a Jewish audience lies about Barack Obama are "cloaked in concern for Israel, but the real concern is about partisan politics."
NEW YORK - Mayor Michael Bloomberg urged Jewish voters to denounce the whisper campaign that for months has pushed the false rumor that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim. Bloomberg warned a Jewish group in Boca Raton, Fla., on Friday that the attempt to portray Obama as a shadowy Muslim with a hidden agenda often targets Jewish voters online and with e-mails. The deceptive campaign against Obama, who is Christian, "threatens to undo the enormous strides that Jews and Muslims have made together in this country," the New York mayor said.
The lies are "cloaked in concern for Israel, but the real concern is about partisan politics," said Bloomberg, who is Jewish. "This is wedge politics at its worst, and we've got to reject it - loudly, clearly and unequivocally."
Bloomberg, a billionaire independent, had considered making his own run for the White House this year, but decided against it. He has said his endorsement and potential financial backing could still be up for grabs, and there has been occasional chatter about how he might make a good running mate for either Obama or Republican John McCain.
Either way, Bloomberg's passionate defense of Obama in front of a Jewish audience in Florida could help the Illinois senator in the state, which is home to many Jewish voters.
Some have questioned Obama's commitment to Israel; this stems partly from his stated willingness to talk with leaders of rogue nations, which McCain and others have criticized as a sign he underestimates the threat posed to Israel by Iran and others in the Middle East.
There is also uneasiness about Obama among some Jewish people because his former church pastor has praised black Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan, who has made anti-Semitic remarks. Obama has disavowed his pastor and left the church.
Earlier this month in a speech to Jewish activists in Washington, Obama referred to the e-mail campaign against him as one "filled with tall tales and dire warnings."
Bloomberg noted how racial and religious tensions have cooled, and remained calm, in New York City — an achievement for which he is often praised.
One thing he has learned, Bloomberg said, is that one must speak out against those who spread "fear and stereotypes."
"That's why I'm speaking out today," he said, "and I hope all of you will join me throughout this campaign in strongly speaking out against this fear mongering, no matter who you'll be voting for."
May 22, 2008As Obama Heads to Florida, Many of Its Jews Have Doubts By JODI KANTOR
BOYNTON BEACH, Fla. — At the Aberdeen Golf and Country Club on Sunday, the fountains were burbling, the man-made lakes were shining, and Shirley Weitz and Ruth Grossman were debating why Jews in this gated neighborhood of airy retirement homes feel so much trepidation about Senator Barack Obama.
“The people here, liberal people, will not vote for Obama because of his attitude towards Israel,” Ms. Weitz, 83, said, lingering over brunch.
“They’re going to vote for McCain,” she said.
Ms. Grossman, 80, agreed with her friend’s conclusion, but not her reasoning.
“They’ll pick on the minister thing, they’ll pick on the wife, but the major issue is color,” she said, quietly fingering a coffee cup. Ms. Grossman said she was thinking of voting for Mr. Obama, who is leading in the delegate count for the nomination, as was Ms. Weitz.
But Ms. Grossman does not tell the neighbors. “I keep my mouth shut,” she said.
On Thursday, Mr. Obama will court Jewish voters with an appearance at a synagogue in Boca Raton, Fla. A longtime Democratic constituency with a consistently high turnout rate, Jews are important to his general election hopes, particularly in New York, which he expects to win; in California and New Jersey, which he must keep out of Republican hands; and, most crucially, here in Florida, where Jews make up around 5 percent of voters.
This is the most haunted state on the electoral college map for Democrats, the one they lost by hundreds of votes and a Supreme Court decision in 2000, and again in 2004.
“The fate of the world for the next four years,” mused Rabbi Ruvi New as his Sunday morning Kabbalah & Coffee class dispersed in East Boca Raton.
“It’s all going to boil down to a few old Jews in Century Village,” he added, referring to a nearby retirement community.
I have received many hate e-mails, smearing Obama's good name and record, that are clearly directed to Jewish voters. I have been trying to put the fires out e-mail by e-mail, but it occurs to me I could share resources that others might use as well.
Yesterday, Jewish senators issued an open letter to the Jewish community to decry these smears. I have the letter in a pdf with signatures, if anyone wants to e-mail me at scsinykin@gmail.com.
But I will paste the text here:
Carl Levin
United States Senator January 18,2008
An Open Letter to the Jewish Community:
Over the pasi several weeks, many in the Jewish community have received hateful emails thai use falsehood and innuendo about Senator Barack Obama's religion and attack him personally. As Jewish United States Senators who have not endorsed a candidate for the Democratic nomination, we condemn these scurrilous attacks.
We find it particularly abhorrent thai these attacks arc apparently being sent specifically to the Jewish Community. Jews, who have historically been the target of such attacks, should be the first to reject these tactics.
Wewon't dignify these falsehoods by repeating them in order to refute them. Instead, we will express our outrage at these tactics, which are being used to demoni/c a good and decent man and our friend and colleague. Attempting to manipulate voters into supporting or opposing one candidate or another based on despicable and fictitious attacks is disgraceful. These false and malicious attacks should not be part ofour political discourse.
All voters should support whichever candidate they believe would make the best president. We sincerely hope that Americans will make that decision based on the factual records ofthese candidates, not false charges circulated by anonymous mass emails.
Sincerely,
It's signed by Carl Levin, Barbara Boxer, Ben Cardin, Frank Lautenberg, Russ Feingold, Ron Wyden, and Bernie Sanders.
10 G Street, ME, Suite 470, Washington, DC 20002 * (2021 682-2202 * (202) 682-1918 FAX Contributions are not deductible For federal Income tax purposes, Paid For bv Friends nl Senator Carl Levin.
_________________________________________________________________________
It is known that Diane Feinstein and Chuck Schumer are aligned with HRC, but one would still expect them to decry this kind of politics. Herb Kohl, my second senator, is curiously missing in the debate.
