Obama Tries to Shore Up Jewish Support

Barack Obama is moving to shore up support among Jewish voters after a series of much-publicized comments and false rumors that have complicated the task for him, the New York Times reports. Obama recently had to distance himself from Louis Farrakhan, clarify comments perceived as pro-Palestinian, and disavow email rumors that he is a Muslim who took office by swearing on the Koran.

“Nobody has ever been able to point to statements that I made or positions that I’ve taken that are contrary to the long-term security interests in Israel," Obama said. His task is complicated, too, by sometimes tenuous relations between African Americans and Jews, the Times notes; Obama used the Farrahkan incident to call for stronger ties. (More Louis Farrakhan stories.)