Barack Obama tried agressive outreach into the Jewish community Sunday. He met with Jewish leaders yesterday in an effort to clear up vakakta rumors. Speaking in Cleveland, he reasurred them of his stance on Israel, his relationship with his controversial pastor Jerimiah Wright, and the “Muslim” emails. Obama’s remarks were likely spurred by the Clinton campaign’s efforts to tie down this crucial bloc.
Obama’s remarks were fairly tame and along the lines of previous comments. Most interesting was his vision of himself. Obama:
So the point I make is this that I understand the concerns and the sensitivities and one of my goals constantly in my public career has been to try to bridge what was a historically powerful bond between the African American and Jewish communities that has been frayed in recent years. For a whole variety of reasons. I think that I have served as an effective bridge and that’s the reason I have overwhelming support among the Jewish community that knows me best, which is the Jewish community in Chicago.
Yet, his duty as a bridge did not seem to preclude him from remaining close with the radical Jerimiah Wright. Obama said
So my general view, and the reason that I raise this, this is always a sensitive point, what you don’t want to do is distance yourself or kick somebody away, because you are now running for President and you are worried about perceptions, particularly when someone is basically winding down their life and their career.
It will be interesting how the Jewish community responds to this.
Update: the complete transcript