Geller's fear seemed, as least in part, to be based in fact: Polls at the time showed Obama struggling in comparison to earlier Democratic candidates. A poll from May showed that Barack Obama would receive merely 60 percent of the vote in a then still hypothetical match-up against John McCain--a far cry from the 75 percent that John Kerry enjoyed in 2004. In private, some Jewish Democratic leaders feared the final Obama numbers would be even worse. Smear campaigns involving "Barack HUSSEIN Obama" e-mails frightened off some Jews, and fears that Obama would be dovish on Israel (heightened by e-mails that named "Zabrinski" as one of his closest advisers) alienated others.
Now, however, with the election only days away, it's clear that Jews have come home. According to Gallup's latest numbers, 74 percent support the Illinois senator. It's true, of course, that Jews generally vote Democrat in the end, and reports of their party-switching are almost always exaggerated. But Obama has been especially savvy about keeping the chosen people on his side--a strategy that could prove very helpful next Tuesday.


Comments: 12
Jack - yes it is interesting. I believe that Obama is absolutely the best choice for those interested in peace in the middle east, which to my mind is an essential goal for anyone with Israel's best interests at heart. It will take years to dissect the intricate interplay and nuance that race, religion, self-identity has played in this election. I see very hopeful signs in the electorate that people are starting to think a bit more and not just accept talking points, stereotypes and conventional "wisdom" when making up their minds. Of course, as we write, the election is not over. It remains to be seen (and analyzed) how closely people are paying attention. There is always so much slight of hand in politics. We have seen all too often the truly amazing way that one party can convince large segments of the population to vote against their self-interests. I hope we are smarter this time.
If Obama stops setting up puppet leaders like Bush has done then we are off to a good start.