Obama’s foreign policy adviser, Tony Lake, was at NYU today, talking to students at the Bronfman Center about why he thinks the Democratic presidential hopeful is so great. But before he got into details, Lake, who served as national security adviser in the Clinton administration, described his own history of first being mistaken for, and then actually becoming, a Jew.

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Barack Obama just finished a conference call with Jewish reporters. He took four questions, the first from JTA’s own Ron Kampeas. But while questions dealt with the Middle East, and the recent controversy about Obama’s church, what the candidate really wanted to talk about was the smear campaign that has circulated by email among Jewish leaders in recent weeks.

The allegations — that Obama is a Muslim and took his oath of office on a Koran — have been thoroughly, and repeatedly, refuted. Still, Obama said he wanted folks to hear the refutation from the “horse’s mouth.”

Before the call broke up, Obama urged reporters to use their “megaphone” to let readers know “that there’s no substance there and that my strong and deep commitment and connection to the Jewish community should not be questioned.”

Asked why it was sufficient for him to denounce his church’s recent praise for Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan but not resign from the church itself, Obama repeated his condemnation of Farrakhan’s “reprehensible” anti-Semitic views. Then he added what sounds like a promise: “My church has never issued anti-Semitic statements, nor have I heard my pastor utter anything anti-Semitic. If I have, I would have left the church.”

Obama also took questions on the peace process, the situation in Gaza, and how he would deal with Iranian nukes.

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Arlen Specter, one of only two Jewish Republicans in the Senate, has held back from endorsing a candidate. In a brief interview with JTA Friday, he said the field was too muddled to make a decision so far in advance of the Pennsylvania primary in April. Oh, and by the way, if the Republicans end up brokering their nominee come convention time, Pennsylvania will have way more clout if Specter keeps quiet. Good thinking Arlen!

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Senator Joseph Lieberman, in South Florida this week to stump for John McCain, says he won’t accept a position in a McCain administration — including the VP slot.

Caveat emptor: There is quite a bit of background noise and unfortunately a fair amount of cellphone interference on this interview. After the first minute or so it’s less apparent, but we apologize nonetheless.

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Senator Norm Coleman addressed the Republican Jewish Coalition Friday morning in Boca Raton. Afterwards, he spoke with reporters about why he’s supporting Rudy Giuiliani for president.

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According to Joe Lieberman, John McCain thinks heaven is filled with Jews praying. Lieberman also says Iran’s leaders are modern day Amalekites. Click below to hear Lieberman’s speech Thursday to a Chabad luncheon in Fort Lauderdale.

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In between campaign stops in Florida, Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani talked with JTA about his efforts in the Sunshine State, the religious rhetoric in the GOP race, the Israeli-Palestinian peace effort, changes that he would like to see made in America’s approach to foreign aid and his popularity in the Jewish community.

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You know something must have been in the air yesterday, because not only did Hillary beat that guy from Chicago in the New Hampshire primary, but the Knicks actually went to the Windy City and beat the Bulls in their house to end a seven-game losing streak.

A bunch of months ago, NBC anchor Brian Williams turned heads over at the Forward with his online ruminations on the use of the word “tsoris” in the Sopranos. Then he really impressed us (I was working there back then) when he explained why it was such a bigger deal than breaking out a “chutzpah”:

“That’s pretty entry level,” Williams said. “This goes with ponim, mishpokhe, shpilkes and keynehoreh. This is for the pros. This is Triple-A ball.”

Well, tonight, on a night when New Hampshire saved Hillary Clinton and John McCain, Mr. Williams cemented his status as the greatest Yiddishist in the network news business. Recalling Clinton’s emotional remarks on the campaign trail the day before, Williams noted that she had become “verklempt.”

Of course, he’s the not first NBC icon to popularize the word (wait till 3:03) …

Just wanted to recap Ben Harris’ great coverage from New Hampshire.

His audio reports:

Hanging with the Ron Paul people

Why is the Ben & Jerry’s of organic yogurt supporting Obama? Which campaign is boasting the biggest signs? What’s the pulse of Hillary’s supporters?

The Chabad race in N.H.

The state is buzzing about Obama. Several campaigns make their case to a Reform shul in Manchester. Turns out Nixon was right about Anthony Lake. Hey, was that Sam Donaldson?

His articles:

Jewish favorites down in N.H.

Obama’s secret Jewish weapon (U.S. Rep. Paul Hodes)

Huckabee too big for lobster joint

N.H. shul’s forum draws some big names