American Jews predicted to vote Democrat by significant margin

guardian.co.uk

American Jewish leaders yesterday predicted a big turnout among Jews in November's presidential election in favour of Barack Obama, in spite of suspicions about his views on Iran and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Ira Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, an advocacy group with strong links to the Democratic party, said: "I think Obama will win the Jewish vote by a large margin. The question is how much?"

Rabbi David Saperstein, director of the Religious Action Centre of Reform Judaism, said American Jews' political affinity with African Americans, born of a shared experience of discrimination, could outstrip concerns among some Jewish voters that Obama was not pro-Israel enough.

"There is a great deal of pride and excitement about this moment in history as we see this real possibility of seeing a black president," he said.

Obama's visit to Israel was partly to counter criticism from his Republican rival, John McCain, that he lacks foreign policy experience but was also to shore up support among American Jews.

Although they make up only 3% of the US electorate, Jews have been important as activists in the Democratic party and as generous donors.........