Obama assures Jewish leaders on religion, Israel stance

[Freddie Stubbs]

WASHINGTON -- The Sunday meeting with Cleveland area Jewish leaders was not on the schedule Sen. Barack Obama's campaign gave reporters, but the stop in Mayfield Heights, hosted by Ron Ratner, a major fund-raiser for Obama, was one of the most important of the day. More than a year into his run for president, Obama is still explaining his record, relationships and religion to Jewish voters.

Obama and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) have been competing for Jewish support and stressing their pro-Israel credentials.

A Clinton campaign Jewish community organizing guide includes the plea, "Make sure you are registered to vote -- and bring your bubbe," using the Yiddish word for grandmother.

Obama is taking criticism from the left and the right as he is facing crucial votes in Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania, states with significant Jewish populations.

more: http://www.suntimes.com/news/sweet/811251,CST-NWS-sweet25.article

[rockymountaindem]

1. Nice to see n.t

[Iceburg]

3. Did you read the article? /nt

[Iceburg]

2. "Obama also distanced himself from Zbigniew Brzezinski"...

from the same article ...
Obama also distanced himself from Zbigniew Brzezinski, the national security adviser in the Jimmy Carter administration who traveled to Iowa with Obama when he made an Iraq speech.

"I do not share his views with respect to Israel. I have said so clearly and unequivocally," Obama said. "He's not one of my key advisers. I've had lunch with him once. I've exchanged e-mails with him maybe three times. He came to Iowa to introduce ... for a speech on Iraq."

The Republican Jewish Coalition has been critical of Obama's plan, if elected president, to call "a summit in the Muslim world." Executive Director Matt Brooks said he was "deeply troubled" by the proposal.
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Was it only last week that the Obama disciples here were praising Zbigniew Brzezinski and boasting about what an asset he was to the Obama team of wise counselors?