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November 21, 2008 3:00:45 AM CST

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Why Obama Has a Jewish Problem

Posted May 22, 08 11:16 AM CDT in Politics 

(Newser) – Why are Jews—especially older Jews, a traditionally liberal Democratic demographic with high voter turnout—reluctant to embrace Barack Obama? The New York Times took the question to Florida’s Jewish voters, who make up 5% of the critical swing state. What they found: Obama has become "a conduit for Jewish anxiety about Israel, Iran, anti-Semitism, and race," with a lot of misinformation thrown in.

He's a Muslim, he's an Arab, he's pro-Palestinian, he’s pals with Louis Farrakhan, al-Qaeda is backing him—the Times heard it all from Democrats who said they were supporting John McCain. South Florida is “the most concentrated area in the country in terms of misinformation” about Obama, said Rep. Robert Wexler, the Jewish co-chairman of the Obama campaign in the state. “His father was a Muslim and you can’t take that out of him,” said one 51-year-old.

Source New York Times

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Barack Obama addresses Jewish community leaders, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Campaign organizers and supporters Ellin Lieberman and her husband, Harry, wait in line at a West Hollywood, Calif., nightclub to attend a fundraiser for Barack Obama, Aug. 9, 2007.   (AP Photo/Gus Ruelas)
Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill. addresses Jewish community leaders, Wednesday, April 16, 2008, at Congregation Rodeph Shalom in Philadelphia.   (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Barack Obama speaks at a reception celebrating the 60th anniversary of the founding of Israel, Thursday, May 8, 2008, in Washington.   (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
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