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August 20, 2008 4:23:08 PM CDT

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Obama Tries to Shore Up Jewish Support

Posted Mar 1, 08 3:40 PM CST in Politics 

(Newser) – Barack Obama is moving to shore up support among Jewish voters after a series of much-publicized comments and false rumors that have complicated the task for him, the New York Times reports. Obama recently had to distance himself from Louis Farrakhan, clarify comments perceived as pro-Palestinian, and disavow email rumors that he is a Muslim who took office by swearing on the Koran.

“Nobody has ever been able to point to statements that I made or positions that I’ve taken that are contrary to the long-term security interests in Israel," Obama said. His task is complicated, too, by sometimes tenuous relations between African Americans and Jews, the Times notes; Obama used the Farrahkan incident to call for stronger ties.

Source New York Times

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Democratic presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y., left, listens as Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., responds to a question during a Democratic presidential debate Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008,...   (Associated Press)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., responds to a question during a Democratic presidential debate Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008 in Cleveland, with Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, D-N.Y....   (Associated Press)
Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan delivers a speech in observance of Saviours' Day on Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008, in Chicago.Farrakhan has endorsed Barack Obama, who denounced the support.(AP Photo/Jerry...   (Associated Press)
Presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., delivers his remarks at the National Jewish Democratic Council conference Tuesday, April 24, 2007, in Washington. Winning the trust of Jewish voters is...   (Associated Press)
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Barack Obama  • election 2008  • Obama 2008  • Clinton 2008  • the Jewish vote  • Louis Farrakhan


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