Legalities
Life, Politics and the Law From ABC News Correspondent Jan Crawford Greenburg
Jan Crawford Greenburg is a correspondent for ABC News' bureau in Washington DC. She covers politics, the Supreme Court and provides legal analysis for ABC News. She is a graduate of the University of Chicago's law school and is a member of the New York bar.
RECENT POSTS
- The Fight Over Miguel Estrada Continues
- Sotomayor Confirmation Hearing is Underway
- LIVESTREAMING THE SOTOMAYOR HEARINGS
- Supreme Court Puts Chrysler’s Sale to Fiat on Hold
- White House Contacted Sotomayor Before Souter Announced His Retirement
- Becoming Nominee Sotomayor
- Judge Wood Goes to Washington
- Obama: Fortifying Bush's policies on terror
- The Pitfalls of Politics
MONTHLY ARCHIVES
« Previous | Main | Next »
Obama's "Jewish Problem"
May 22, 2008 4:47 PM
The New York Times has a problematic article on Page One today that suggests some Jewish voters won’t back Obama in part because they’re a bunch of racists. Here’s the problem: The article focuses largely on people in their eighties living in retirement villages in Florida, a state where Jews make up a whopping 5 percent of all voters.
In the article, some of these older Jews freely share their concerns about Obama, saying they worry about his support for Israel and position on Iran. But then the article turns to their “anxieties” about race and why some of them simply won’t vote for an African-American.
This, of course, is now gathering steam in the blogosphere as evidence Obama has a race-based “Jewish Problem” because of a few anecdotes from some old folks in the NYT.
In fact, the real problem is those anecdotes don’t reflect reality.
In all primaries to date, including Florida, Obama has done better among Jewish voters—and among Jewish seniors--than non-Jewish whites.
While the racial views of people over 80 are interesting, they’re also not particularly surprising—or unique to Jews. Talk to any group of people over 80, and you’ll probably find less enlightened views on race. The polling reflects it. Go talk to some Italian-Americans who’ve moved down to Florida for retirement. Or Irish-Americans. Go ask a group of retirees in Ohio or Pennsylvania.
Gary Langer, ABC’s polling director extraordinaire, says polling makes clear seniors across the board are less likely to vote for an African-American as president. When asked whether they would be comfortable or uncomfortable voting for an African-American as president, 12 percent of all voters polled said they’d be uncomfortable. Among seniors, 20 percent said they’d be uncomfortable.
It seems to me that Jews--more than any identifiable demographic group other than African-Americans--would turn out to support Barack Obama in November. Look at the data from the Democratic primaries. Overall, 43 percent of Jewish voters cast ballots for Obama, compared with 39 percent of non-Jewish whites. And focusing older voters, the margin is even greater: 35 percent of Jewish seniors voted for Obama, compared with 29 percent of non-Jewish whites.
That makes it particularly hard to understand casting Jews as atypically racist, based on anecdotal information from the Octogenarian demographic.
Indeed, Obama’s bigger problem in Florida has to do with the large number of seniors who live there of all ethnicities. As Langer points out, polls show seniors (and working-class voters) are much less receptive to themes of change, which of course has been a cornerstone of Obama’s campaign.
May 22, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (50)
You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.
Scoreboard:
Magic needed to win 2025
Obama's state wins 33 plus (*) lost 17, Delegate count 1967 +/-. 59 Delegates needed for nomination
Clinton's state wins 17 lost 33,
Delegate count 1771 +/-.
Campaign War Chest:
Obama 50m or more
Clinton (25m) in the red
(*) Territories
Posted by: lookup | May 22, 2008 5:12:43 PM
I don't see the point in zooming in on why a race votes the way it does. The election should be focussed on issues. How or why people vote based on issues! NOT AGE, SEX, RACE, RELIGION, Education level etc are simply wedge issues! This stuff is going to rip this country apart on ideals. To point it out after the fact is fine but to use it like this is to purposely stir up problems among people. To highlight groups for intimidation and harassment as well as ridicule in the media, is completely irresponsible. It focusses the problem as one of voters rather than the candidate. One needs to be President of America, all of it, if they want you. If not, that is the candidates problem, failing etc.
Posted by: irma | May 22, 2008 5:21:52 PM
Why does Obama refer to himself as "black" if he is half white also? I have never heard him refer to himself as "white". Hmmmmm.
Posted by: endpcnow | May 22, 2008 5:30:37 PM
Why are you blogging about politics? Your stuff about law is VERY good. Politics, not so much.
Posted by: Confused | May 22, 2008 5:58:08 PM
Excellent article. I liked the NYT piece, but now, it seems kind of lame in light of your analysis.
And for endpcnow: why doesnt Obama refer to himself as white? Because nearly everyone in this country, if they just saw him walking down the street, would think he was black. And when folks think you are black, many of them--of all races--treat you in way different from whites, latinos, asians etc. no matter how BO sees himself, he has to cope with how this society sees him. duh.
Posted by: idolworshipper | May 22, 2008 6:59:12 PM
Why is it that blacks can vote for Obama just because he's black and not be racist and I can't vote for Clinton just because she's white without being labeled a racist? I have asked this of many Obama supporters and never get a clear answer. The only answer provided is that blacks get a pass because of mistreatment in the past. I am really getting tired of Obama and the "Lame Stream Media" labeling anyone not voting for Obama a racist. McCain will get my vote if Barrack Hussein Obama is the dem nominee.
Posted by: JRinAZ | May 22, 2008 7:06:46 PM
Obama has many problems with different groups of people, this is just one of them. He has spent most of his adult organizing and working in the S. side of Chicago which is mainly black and attending a church which preaches black liberation theology. He has not represented the interests of all minorities and this is a problem for him.
Posted by: Susan | May 22, 2008 7:11:12 PM
Why isn't the democratic party asking Obama to step down.
He can't win the following:
White votes
Older voters
Lunch Bucket voters
Jewish voters
Swing state voters
Women voters
Michigan and Florida voters
That leaves the elitist and African Americans.
That doesn't sound good to me.
Posted by: Rick from Pa | May 22, 2008 7:45:10 PM
The great uniter is going to blow the democrats winning in November. All he has united is the koolaid drinkers who believe what he says. I am sure the Republicans have dug up a lot of dirt on him and will use every bit of it against him.
Posted by: J | May 22, 2008 7:48:34 PM
Obama could not get the majority of the black vote if he labeled himself bi-racial.
He's already been accused by blacks as being "Not black enough"
The way Obama is having to spend all of his time kissing up to and consoling whites and Jews I'm sure the AA community feels left out.
Hillary/McCain08
Posted by: cindy in nc | May 22, 2008 7:53:48 PM
I can't believe the american people are such fools to buy into Obama and his lies. I don't think any of the 3 running for President should be leading this country. But if I haft to pick one I guess 4 more years of Bush Policies is better than some one that is willing to talk with our enemies He said it I heard it right from the horses mouth. I almost fell into his lies. I Love the Jewish People and Israel, we need to protect them at all cost. All nations will be blessed through them. Jesus was a Jewish man and Our Jewish Messiah.
Posted by: Darla | May 22, 2008 9:01:59 PM
As a Clinton supporter, I believe Obama would receive some sympathy vote from people like me. If it were perceived there were some racial prejudice, that would move me toward Obama, to offset that.
The reason I would be on the fence in a McCain-Obama contest is because Clinton is in the political middle of those two on defense; and that is where I am. I think it would be good if we could salvage a win in Iraq. Obama is a little too lefty for me on defense. If Obama would have had his way, Saddam (who along with his uncle was basically a Nazi) would still be in charge in Iraq.
Posted by: sherry | May 22, 2008 9:18:15 PM
We're losing our radar on what is true racism. 80 year old Jewish people who worry about Obama's positions on Iran and how well he would defend Israel are expressing opinions and legitimate concerns in a free society. That's all. If a white candidate said he would meet with a hostile nut who wants to obliterate Israel, 80 year old Jewish people would have the same concern.
Posted by: Cherie | May 22, 2008 10:32:49 PM
Sen. Obama, you are not alone. 80% American have a "Jewish Problem." Who does not have a Jewish Problem? Can we, as Americans do more for the Jewish State than we are doing? Then, why do we continue to have a Jewish Problem? Do they have a Jewish Problem in Israel, you better believe that they do have a problem! We cannot do enough for the State of Israel, Why? Sincerely, Lake Hart, a Native American Writer.
Posted by: Lake Hart - A Native American Writer | May 22, 2008 11:10:42 PM
The stronger candidate is clearly the leading candidate. If anyone else was stronger, that person would be leading.
Posted by: Ebony and Ivory | May 23, 2008 12:14:13 AM
Andrerw Segal
It is Obama who has hijacked the Democratic party... the fact reamains most registered democrats have voted for Clinton.. if the primaries/caucuses were closed she would be way ahead... the rules do need to be changed and it is constitutional to seat the FL& Mi delegations as certified! Obama doesnt want that because that means he loses!
Posted by: staniam | May 23, 2008 1:27:27 AM
If Barack H wins, We have hired the wrong person....
Posted by: KURT | May 23, 2008 1:57:49 AM
I am a middle-of-the-road voice from the wilderness, who supports Clinton because she would not hesitate to defend Israel with "massive response" if Iran attacks. Clinton is also a fair compromise between Obama's talks to all enemies/rogue states and McCain's endless war in Iraq with another blank check that will bust the credit line of the next generations to come. My vote will always go to those who support & defend Israel and will never go to those who negotiate with terrorists and normalize relations with rogue states as well as those who borrow/steal money from their grandchildren's piggy banks for an addictive gambling habit in Iraq. Well, borrowing with "your" grand-children's credit is a form of identity theft, isn't it?
Posted by: Voice from Wilderness | May 23, 2008 2:11:20 AM
MANY OF DIFFERENT RELIGIONS, TYPES, AND RACE VOTED, for one or the other... it's not about color for color... It's about the needs of the people,those whom want to work together to maintain some substance and respect!...to pull our country up to a level to be 'proud' of!!...to be 'respected for'!! THERE'S NO COLOR RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT, FOR UNDER THOSE COLOR(S) are 'PEOPLE'. Free your minds of 'race, man or woman,etc., crap'... Free yourselves from tearing others down and Build-Up! ... so you can free and have 'a conscious', - so you can free your heart and have a 'soul'. " Embrace the differences ".
A President can't fix or save americans mind, hearts, and souls...
for purple is a color, green is a color, black is a color, white is a color, beige is a color, bronze is a color, tan, pink, red, on and on ... no ends to 'color' ! *" USA AND AROUND THE WORLD... EACH AND EVERY INDIVIDUAL- ARE PEOPLE OF 'COLOR'... and 'a name'? How many different names, types of people, from different countries, in America?
*Separations- has caused- Devastations., as, Evils begets Evils....
With minds conditioned, buried into such, their can be no time, space, words, nor recognition for anything as 'love, peace and harmony, truth '!... Unless we open/free our hearts minds and souls.... we're 'creating' - Dooms-Day... it won't take any act of nature, or any God.
* Allow the POWER-OF-THE-HUMAN-SPIRIT to make a difference- when given a 'chance'- for change!! Rid your fears! Together with Obama!
Posted by: heartnspirit | May 23, 2008 3:21:17 AM
African Americans are voting for Obama just for race, not on the issues, not on character. But he can not win just with the AA vote and a few nerds.
Posted by: libre | May 23, 2008 4:00:37 AM
Post a comment
