Dems use speeches to hit GOP on Israel
Speaker after speaker at the Democratic convention on Wednesday night in Denver argued that GOP recklessness had emboldened Israel’s enemies.

Not much change in Obama platform
When it comes to the Middle East and Sen. Barack Obama’s Democratic Party platform, things are staying pretty much the same compared with 2004 - which, in this case, is the kind of change pro-Israel activists can believe in.

Obama camp playing up domestic issues
Obama aides say they will be increasingly pushing the idea that Barack Obama, and not John McCain, is in line with Jewish voters on economic policy, reproductive rights, church-state separation and the Supreme Court.

GOP plays Iran card against Biden, Obama
Republicans are hoping to score points on Barack Obama and Joe Biden’s opposition to specific Iran-related measures. But in a bit of political jujitsu, Democrats are painting their candidates as tougher — and smarter — on Iran.

Biden and the Jews
Before he announced his vice presidential pick, Barack Obama said he wanted someone to spar with but who ultimately would be loyal enough to create a comfortable working relationship. No one knew then that he had picked Joe Biden, but his ISO ad fit Biden

A religious Democratic convention?
Jewish voters and organizations are often among the first to object when Republicans and Christian conservatives attempt to inject religion into politics. But this year the Democrats are jumping into the religion game — and looking to rabbis for help.

Obama, McCain spar over Supreme Court
Representatives of Jewish organizations say much is at stake when it comes to the future composition of the U.S. Supreme Court. Which is why they were happy to see John McCain and Barack Obama stake out such clear — and distinct views — on the matter.

A Jewish convention preview
Every four years, the Democratic and Republican conventions provide an opportunity for Jewish politicos and communal figures to flex some political muscle and mingle among the political elite. The only difference this time around is that the traditional g

Jewish rep romps despite anti-Semitic ads
The lopsided primary victory by the Jewish incumbent in the South’s only majority black district represented by a white congressman was a sign that the campaign’s anti-Semitic accusations found little currency among Memphis voters.

Energy debate raises Jewish concerns
Whether one views the presidential candidates’ ideas to solve America’s energy problems through the lens of national security or the environment, Jewish organizational leaders say, neither aspirant’s proposals look very good.

A Jewish VP for McCain?
U.S. Rep. Eric Cantor bridges two unlikely constituencies, say those hoping to see the Virginia Republican on John McCain’s presidential ticket: Jews and hard-core, red state conservatives.

Poll: Jews down on Lieberman, Hagee
If you believe the latest poll of American Jews, they have lost that lovin’ feeling for Joe Lieberman and probably never had it for Pastor John Hagee.

Sderot welcomes Obama
Sderot’s residents expressed optimism about the latest of a series of high-profile visitors to the town, the man who one day may be U.S. president, Barack Obama.

Obama sounds hawkish, dovish themes
During his stops in Jordan and Israel, presidential contender Barack Obama stressed both his backing for tough Israeli security measures and his commitment to advancing the peace process.

Lieberman, Hagee hook up at CUFI parley
The choir danced a hora, the fiddler played a hoedown, Joe Lieberman cited scripture and Pastor John Hagee said his enemies would never draw him away from Israel at a Christians United for Israel conference.

Poll: Obama winning, but trails previous Dems
Barack Obama’s trip to Israel is once again focusing attention on his standing among American Jews. A recent poll found that the presidential candidate is lagging behind his Democratic predecessors when it comes to Jewish voters, despite their overwhelmin

Obama in Israel: What to look for
JTA editor Ami Eden previews Barack Obama’s trip to Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Obama, Clinton on same page at AIPAC parley
After months of seeking to paint each other as opposites on Middle East policy, U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton were on the same page Wednesday at the AIPAC policy conference as they ripped into the Bush administration and John McCain on sever

McCain’s pitch to Jews
No confessional bloc rejects the Iraq war more than American Jews do. But in a bit of political jiu jitsu, John McCain is making the policy his own in his plea for Jewish votes — arguing to AIPAC activists this week that a U.S. defeat there will put Isra

Candidates head to AIPAC conference
AIPAC is looking a strong as ever, with Israel’s prime minister and the three remaining candidates for the U.S. presidency slated to attend its annual policy conference in Washington.

Dems worry about Obama and Jewish vote
As U.S. Senator Barack Obama inched closer to the Democratic nomination with a solid primary win in Oregon, some Jewish lawmakers and activists are worried that he will lose some of the Jewish vote in November. Those concerns were on full display Sunday a

Obama, McCain camps clash over Israel
The Democratic race may have a few more weeks left, but Barack Obama and John McCain are already waging a bruising battle for Jewish support in the general election.

Jewish poll: Obama just behind Clinton
In keeping with Barack Obama’s comeback narrative this week, a new poll shows that the U.S. senator from Illinois is running about as strong as Hillary Clinton is among Jewish voters — though the survey also shows the Republican candidate poised to make

Wright reaching out to Jews?
The Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr. sounded some conciliatory notes toward Jews in his media blitz this week, but a closer analysis suggests he still has a long way to go.

Clinton stakes new ground on Iran
Hillary Clinton left Pennsylvania this week not only with a solid primary, but also an emerging new doctrine on how to contain Iran.

Clinton wins in Pa., takes Jewish vote
Hillary Clinton won the Jewish vote in the Pennsylvania primary after intensive community outreach.

Obama tackles the ‘pastor’ question again
It’s the question that just won’t go away for presidential hopeful Barack Obama. He tried to tackle the “pastor question” head on in a meeting with Philadelphia Jews.

Obama talks to JTA
In a wide-ranging exclusive interview with JTA, Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama stressed his support for Israel, but said both sides in the peace process must live up to their agreements. The U.S. senator also did not shy away from his insi

Suburban Jews could swing Pa. primary
The Philadelphia suburbs — and its Jewish voters — could make the difference in Pennsylvania’s April 22 primary.

Talking with McCain
In an interview with the L.A. Jewish Journal, John McCain talks Israel and Iran, speaks about endorsements from James Baker and John Hagee, addresses claims that he’s no different than President Bush, and lays out his plans for the U.S. Supreme Court.

Obama campaign embraces Kurtzer
The Obama campaign has sought to bolster its outreach to Jewish voters with Daniel Kurtzer, the first Jewish U.S ambassador to Egypt and the first Orthodox Jew to serve as envoy to Israel. But in some circles he could prove more problem than solution, giv

Op-Ed: Dems not to be trusted on foreign policy
The two leading Democratic presidential contenders advocate a naive and dangerous foreign policy, writes Ed Lasky.

Op-Ed: McCain is Bush on steroids
ohn McCain’s cowboy approach to diplomacy will end up hurting Israel and the United States, says Gidon Remba.

Courting Jewish voters in Pa.
Hillary Clinton’s campaign for president launched a Jewish outreach effort in Pennsylvania, the state that could make or break her bid for the White House.

Clinton on Mideast, Obama’s pastor
U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) said that American efforts to bring Israelis and Palestinians to the negotiating table have often resulted in a reduction in violence, even if a lasting peace has proved elusive.

Poll: Jewish Dems split
Even as conservatives continue to paint Barack Obama as being surrounded by anti-Israel advisers, a new poll shows the Illinois senator and Hillary Rodham Clinton in a close fight for Jewish support.

Obama blasts Hamas op-ed
U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) slammed a Hamas official’s opinion piece that was initially published in The Los Angeles Times and later reprinted by Obama’s pastor in his church’s bulletin.

McCain in Israel stresses ‘deep commitment’
On a visit to Israel, the presumptive Republican nominee for U.S. president burnished his credentials as pro-Israel. Sen. John McCain also reiterated his support for engaging the Palestinian Authority in a peace process.

Understanding Obama’s empathy
Many Jewish voters will be prepared to embrace Barack Obama’s approach to improving race relations in America. The question is how he plans to employ empathy on the international scene.

Obama: Wright has distorted Israel views
In a bid to quell growing unease about his relationship with a black preacher known for strident rhetoric, Barack Obama described the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s views on America — including its relationship with Israel — as fundamentally “distorted.”

Fleischer slams Obama over pastor
One of President Bush’s former White House spokesmen told a gathering of young Jewish activists in Washington that he was deeply troubled by Barack Obama’s relationship with his pastor.

Warm feelings for Spitzer’s successor
Even before New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer resigned in the aftermath of a sex scandal, Jewish leaders were kvelling over his successor, Lt.-Gov. David Paterson.

Israeli twist in Spitzer scandal
A fast-rising Democratic governor, an out-of-control sex drive and an Israeli enabler — it feels like deja vu all over again on the Hudson.

When Hillary’s Josh met Obama’s Eric
The Jewish liaisons for the Obama and Clinton campaigns shared an apartment during the summer of 1998, when both were summer interns at AIPAC. And, no, it wasn’t a case of one being the sweeter talker and the other hitting the books a little too hard.

Sorting out McCain-Hagee flap
Both sides are guilty of hypocrisy in the flap over John McCain’s acceptance of an endorsement from a controversial pro-Israel pastor, JTA’s Ami Eden says.

Foxman: Obama settled Farrakhan issue
Barack Obama did a good job of renouncing Louis Farrakhan at the debate Tuesday night, several Jewish observers said, but predicted that the Democratic candidate would still face tricky questions about his pastor.

Clinton’s Jewish backers press forward
Hoping to prove that reports of Hillary Clinton’s demise have been greatly exaggerated, several of the New York senator’s top Jewish supporters say her fund-raising efforts are proceeding apace and the campaign remains energized heading into next week’s p

Obama fights for Jewish votes in Ohio
Cleveland’s Jewish community has all the characteristics of what should be Clinton country, but Barack Obama and his surrogates are waging a tough fight.

Elections dominate talk at policy parley
With the approach of the pivotal March 4 primaries, many of the roughly 400 people attending the JCPA conference, a bastion of liberal Democrats even among Jews, were grappling with the political endgame.

Obama’s advisers drawing scrutiny
Even as U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) solidifies his status as the Democratic front-runner with victories Tuesday in Wisconsin and Hawaii, he is facing a new line of attack from some Jewish circles regarding his advisers on foreign policy.

Maya Rubin: Obama’s Hebrew voice
Israeli-born actress Maya Rubin has offered Jewish Obama-ites a new rallying cry: ‘Kein anu yecholim.’

Clinton, Obama fight for Potomac Jews
The Obama and Clinton campaigns are squaring off in Maryland, the next state with a sizable Jewish population to have its say in the fiercely contested Democratic primary. Meanwhile, an endorsement in Virginia has the Obama camp racing to reassure Jewish

Clinton wins N.Y. Jews, faces fight elsewhere
Hillary Rodham Clinton scored a major victory among Jewish Democrats in New York and New Jersey in Super Tuesday voting, Barack Obama won a majority of Jewish support in Connecticut and Massachusetts, and the battle was close in California.

Obama highlights differences on Iran
In his speech Tuesday night, Barack Obama played up two differences that he has with Hillary Rodham Clinton over U.S. policy toward Iran.

UJC slams speaker for Obama attack
The United Jewish Communities condemned a speaker who told the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County that U.S. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) is an anti-Semite.

Kristol: Lieberman is McCain’s top pick
At a recent gathering of Israel supporters, Weekly Standard editor William Kristol said that Joe Lieberman was John McCain’s top choice for a running mate. Some observers, not to mention Lieberman himself, say it won’t happen.

After Rudy: Jewish GOPers mull next step
The implosion of the former New York mayor’s once promising bid for the presidency probably hit no constituency harder than Jewish Republicans.

Ex-Israeli envoys debate Obama
The debate over Barack Obama has spilled beyond the borders of American Jewry, drawing several Israeli diplomats into a public spat over the candidate’s attitude toward the Jewish state.

Op-Ed: Why Clinton is good for Israel
Hillary Clinton’s record proves that she will be a staunch defender of Israel, says U.S. Rep. Nita Lowey.

Op-Ed: Why Obama is good for Israel
Barack Obama will do more than any other candidate to heal America’s relationship with the rest of the world — and that’s the best thing anyone could do for Israel, writes Jay Michaelson.

Op-Ed: Obama vs. Hillary is good
Menachem Rosensaft argues that Democrats have two great options — and Jewish voters should be sure not to base their decision on a negative campaign of personal attacks and destruction.

Edwards fared worse among Jews
John Edwards finished a distant third in Florida’s Democratic primary among Jewish voters — a far cry from two months ago, when a poll had him slightly more popular than Barack Obama among Jewish Democrats.

Jews vote Hillary in Fla.
Jewish Democrats and Republicans voted heavily in Tuesday’s primaries. Hillary Rodham Clinton won big among Jewish voters, but her margin of victory was virtually the same as it was among all whites.

Seeking the Jewish edge on Super Tuesday
With nominations from both parties still up for grabs, Super Tuesday results could well be shaped by the groundwork the campaigns have laid in building their Jewish outreach operations.

Voters sort our their choices
In dozens of interviews with Jewish voters in states with primaries on Feb. 5, Hillary Rodham Clinton was the clear choice among Democrats. But many said they were still unsure how they would vote in the end.

Rudy’s Jews expected to back McCain
Many of Rudy Giuliani’s Jewish backers are defecting along with the former New York mayor to the presidential campaign of U.S. Sen. John McCain, one McCain official said.

Florida boosts Hillary, knocks out Rudy
The Florida primaries appear to have boosted the fortunes of the most favored candidate in the Jewish community — and dashed the hopes of its most popular Republican one.

Obama seeks to quell Muslim rumors
As a packed waited for Ted Kennedy to endorse Barack Obama, the Illinois senator was delivering a auditorium special message — to the Jewish community.

Hollywood conflicted on candidates
In Jewish Hollywood, the stars don’t seem to be aligned with any of the presidential candidates — but the donations are being spread around.

Stern, Grossman: Why we back Clinton
Hillary Clinton backs up words with action when it comes to supporting Israel and fighting for domestic causes that matter to American Jews, Jewish communal leaders Steve Grossman and Susie Stern say.

Wexler: Why I back Obama
Barack Obama is a staunch supporter of Israel and knows how to work across the aisle to produce results, U.S. Rep. Robert Wexler says in making the case for the Illinois senator.

Stanley: Why I back Edwards
John Edwards is the presidential candidate most dedicated to confronting poverty and injustice in America and around the globe, says attorney Marc Stanley.

Mel Sembler: Why I back Romney
Mitt Romney is best equipped to change Washington for the better, says Mel Sembler, the former U.S. ambassador to Italy and a supporter of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Lieberman: Why I back McCain
John McCain is the only presidential candidate who will not require on-the-job training when it comes to serving as commander-in-chief in a time of war, says Joe Lieberman.

Jason Bedrick: Why I back Huckabee
Mike Huckabee’s record as Arkansas governor makes him the best pick, says Jason Bedrick, a member of the New Hampshire House of Representatives — and Jews have no reason to fear his religious values.

Norm Coleman: Why I back Giuliani
Rudy Giuliani is the candidate who best understands the Jewish community and has demonstrated the resolve to get things done, U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) argues.

Obama criticized on ‘Christian’ flier
Just a week ago, Jewish organizations stepped up to defend U.S. Sen. Barack Obama against an Internet campaign smearing him as a radical Muslim. Now the Democratic presidential candidate is drawing criticism for touting his Christian bona fides.

Dems skip Fla., but voters still engaged
The Democratic presidential candidates are vowing to skip Florida over a primary scheduling dispute — but their absence doesn’t seem to have dulled the enthusiasm of Jewish voters for the race.

Lieberman, Coleman join GOP’s Fla. fight
As Florida voters prepared to cast the final ballots before the 24 state primaries and caucuses slated for Feb. 5, the Republican campaigns stepped up their pitches to Jewish voters.

The Jews Defend Obama
Efforts to turn American Jews against the presidential aspirations of U.S. Sen. Barack Obama elicited a stinging protest from a diverse group of Jewish organizations.

Lieberman stumps for McCain
U.S. Sen. Joseph Lieberman is stumping for John McCain, the Republican candidate he argues is best equipped to lead the battle against Islamic radicalism.

Obama, Hillary reach out to Jews
Democratic front-runners Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama have intensified outreach efforts to Jewish voters in advance of primaries in key Jewish states on Jan. 29 and Feb. 5.

Nevada’s Shabbat caucuses slammed
Some Nevada Jews and at least two national Jewish organizations are upset over the decision in Nevada to hold this year’s presidential caucuses on a Saturday morning.

Rudy hits Fla., offers mixed Mideast picture
As Rudy Giuliani launched an intense campaign this week in Florida in an effort to keep his presidential hopes alive, the GOP candidate praised the leaders behind the current U.S.-backed peace push — but voiced skepticism over whether it would work.

Footlik plays Jewish card in Ill. race
A key congressional Democratic primary in the Chicago suburbs is playing out like an off-Broadway version of Hillary-Obama — with a Jewish twist.

Israelis keeping eye on U.S. elections
With a mix of concern for their future and some bemusement at the sometimes hokey style of American electoral politics, Israelis are following the U.S. primary campaigns.

Clinton, McCain win in New Hampshire
New Hampshire voters confirmed their reputation for independence, defying the polls that had predicted a resounding defeat for the presidential candidate most favored by American Jews, Hillary Clinton.

McCain enjoys diverse Jewish support
As John McCain claims victory in New Hampshire, his reputation as a maverick holds true in the Jewish world, where his list of supporters spans the political spectrum.

Clinton’s journey to Jewish favorite
Even before her comeback win in New Hampshire, Hillary Rodham Clinton had polled most favorable in the presidential field among American Jews.

Obama and the Jews
At every stage in his political career, Barack Obama has reached out to the Jewish community.

Hodes: Obama’s Jewish booster in N.H.
Paul Hodes spent most of the day before the Granite State’s primaries talking about Barack Obama. It’s a subject the freshman New Hampshire congressman, and the state’s first Jewish congressional representative, has been addressing a lot lat

N.H. shul’s forum draws some big names
In a sign of how intensely the presidential campaign is being fought in New Hampshire, three candidates and surrogates for three more appeared at a Manchester synagogue’s traditional candidates’ breakfast.

Jewish votes could change primaries
As the nation moves from the Iowa caucus to the New Hampshire primary and beyond, the Jewish vote could play a role in deciding the Democratic nomination.

Clinton leads in Jewish backers
Hillary Clinton has attracted the most endorsements from Jewish members of Congress — but John McCain and Barack Obama also have landed some key lawmakers.

Immigration rhetoric sparks worries
The overheated rhetoric against illegal immigration has dominated talkcradio and some television news programs, spilling into the GOP presidential race. The trend is increasingly arousing concern from national Jewish groups.

McCain-Lieberman ticket is buzz at O.U.
A political debate between Michael Medved and David Luchins at the Orthodox Union’s West Coast Torah Convention turns into a rally of sorts for a John McCain-Joe Lieberman ticket.

Huckabee rise puts focus on religion talk
Can a Republican candidate who wants to “take this nation back for Christ” ever win over Jewish voters — or at least allay their fears?

Faith proliferates in ‘08 race
The many intersections of politics and piety this time around seem more frequent, detailed and, often, exclusionary.

Jews favor Clinton, Giuliani
It’s still a Hillary vs. Rudy race for American Jews, but national polls suggest that their top challengers are rapidly gaining ground.

Jews and Zionists for Ron Paul
Most Jewish organizations reject Ron Paul’s call for an end to foreign aid. But a small contingent of Jews see it as an important step in making sure Israel isn’t pushed around by the United States.

McCain: Peace in Israel rests on Iraq victory
Stability in the Middle East, including Israel, rests on a decisive American victory in Iraq, GOP presidential candidate John McCain told Jewish leaders.

For candidates, Iran talk is cheap
Beyond the campaign rhetoric, the differences among presidential candidates start to disappear, pro-Israel lobbyists and political observers say. And that’s a cause for concern.

Jewish GOP donors go for Rudy
Former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani is emerging as the clear front-runner among top Republican Jewish activists.

Candidates talk tough to GOP Jews
Each of the leading GOP presidential candidates to some degree has run away from the Bush legacy. But this week they made their case before one of the president’s most loyal constituencies: Republican Jews.