The news media and pundits love to accuse Barack Obama of having a problem with winning over Jewish voters, though the polls tell otherwise. It's based mostly on those disgusting e-mail smears that have gone around regarding Obama's religion, of course, which makes this story extra curious.
I suppose this is a question of how far someone will go to prove they can be trusted, if it's true.
Obama, in Israel, Bar Mitzvah'd
Presumptive Democratic Presidential Nominee Barack Obama, continuing his high-profile and closely watched tour of the Middle East, was in Israel on Wednesday, where, after meeting with that country’s leaders, was called to the Torah in order to be ordained an adult man in the Jewish religious tradition.
Here are some more of the not so secret details:
Standing at the holy Western Wall, the last remnant of the ancient Hebrew Temple and one of the holiest sites in Judaism, Obama recited a flawless haftorah and torah portion. He then lectured the crowd on the holy scroll’s weekly lesson, which told of the tribes of Reuben and Gad asking for the lands east of Jordan, a request Moses, a shrewd politcal operator, finally acquiesced to after they agreed to help him conquer the Promised Land once again. This, Obama said, was “a true vision for a two state solution.”
Of course, like any good Bar Mizvah, kind words, and some barking from the back:
The event began with a toast from trip companions Sens. Jack Reed and Chuck Hagel, who both said that Obama was turning into a fine young man, capable of tackling the world around him. The challah bread was cut by Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barack, who sliced the traditional rounded bread with the force of an entire check point enforcement team.
The day was not without some controversy, however, as Palestinian government officials who chose to attend were seated far in the back, almost 100 feet from the dessert bar and buffet style happy hour, which featured plenty of lox, bagels, Chinese stirfry, pasta and other tasty treats for gnoshing.
And what would a party be without John McCain complaining:
The campaign of Republican rival John McCain issued a scathing statement, saying that Obama’s Bar Mitzvah was a cheap political trick, and that the Illinois Democrat was both ingenuine with his belief in Judaism and sought only to reach out to Jewish voters, and that he was too naive to be called a full adult.
Obama hit back, saying that “John McCain is acting like a schlmeil, and his campaign is full of schmucks and schmageggies. He should be ashamed for doubting my devotion to my people of Israel, though I believe at some point I may have to sacrifice myself for their sins, much like my role model and predecessor.”
Now, if this is true, I'll be very confused, but at the same time, be even more pro-Obama; the guy knows how to bridge divides.
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