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Title: Obama: America's First Jewish President
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URL Source: http://www.nysun.com/blogs/latest-p ... ama-americas-first-jewish.html
Published: Jun 8, 2008
Author: Josh Gerstein
Post Date: 2008-06-08 15:49:50 by Jethro Tull
Keywords: None
Views: 336
Comments: 19
by Josh Gerstein Bill Clinton was America's first black president. Or so we thought. Until recently, John Edwards was running to be America's first woman president. Now, shocking word that Barack Obama may be in line to be America's first Jewish president. Discussing his affinity for Israel, Senator Obama tells the Atlantic magazine, "I've got it in the gut." He describes his own thought process as agonized (dare we say neurotic?) in a way that some might view as quintessentially Jewish. And he professes an "enormous emotional attachment and sympathy for Israel" that would make an Aipac board member jealous. "Sometimes I'm attacked in the press for maybe being too deliberative. My staff teases me sometimes about anguishing over moral questions. I think I learned that partly from Jewish thought, that your actions have consequences and that they matter and that we have moral imperatives. The point is, if you look at my writings and my history, my commitment to Israel and the Jewish people is more than skin-deep and it's more than political expediency. When it comes to the gut issue, I have such ardent defenders among my Jewish friends in Chicago. I don't think people have noticed how fiercely they defend me, and how central they are to my success, because they've interacted with me long enough to know that I've got it in my gut," Mr. Obama told the magazine. The senator from Illinois and likely Democratic presidential nominee also traced his ties to Jewish writers, thinkers--and even camp counselors. "I always joke that my intellectual formation was through Jewish scholars and writers, even though I didn't know it at the time. Whether it was theologians or Philip Roth who helped shape my sensibility, or some of the more popular writers like Leon Uris. So when I became more politically conscious, my starting point when I think about the Middle East is this enormous emotional attachment and sympathy for Israel, mindful of its history, mindful of the hardship and pain and suffering that the Jewish people have undergone, but also mindful of the incredible opportunity that is presented when people finally return to a land and are able to try to excavate their best traditions and their best selves. And obviously it's something that has great resonance with the African-American experience," the senator said. So, even if Americans are ready for their first black president, are they ready for their first Jewish one? For what it's worth, back in January, a Huffington Post contributor posited this play by Mr. Obama. And even earlier, Mayor Giuliani seemed to be seeking the mantle of the breakthrough Jewish candidate.
Poster Comment: The man knows who butters his bagel.
Obama: America's First Jewish President
Mon, 12 May 2008 at 9:21 PM 
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Begin Trace Mode for Comment # 9.
#2. To: Jethro Tull (#0)
(Edited)
is there any doubt whatsoever who owns obama? i'd really like to know from whom his campaign $$ have really come. surely, we cannot believe that the majority of it hasn't come from the lobby. millions from grassroots individual donors? i think not. now, about that foreign policy "change that we can believe in." ;)
Date: May 22, 2008 Companies mentioned: The Associated Press When Will Obama Stop Denying That He Has Lobbyists Connected To His WASHINGTON, May 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ Obama Has At Least 14 Bundlers Who Were Previously Registered As Federal Lobbyists. "Obama now has 14 bundlers who are also federally registered lobbyists, but they are currently inactive, according to Public Citizen." (Christopher Beam, "Obama's Lobbying Ties," Slate's "Trailhead" Blog, http://www.slate.com/, 5/19/08) Obama's Former Lobbyist Bundlers: Timothy M. Broas, Frank Clark, Howard W. Gutman, Scott Harris, Allan J. Katz, William T. Lake, Robert S. Litt, Kenneth G. Lore, Thomas J. Perrelli, Thomas A. Reed, Paul N. Roth, Alan Solomont, Robert M. Sussman And Tom E. Wheeler. (Public Citizen Website, http://www.whitehouseforsale.org/, Accessed 5/21/08) And Obama Also Employs And Relies On The Advice Of Lobbyists: Obama Does Not Ban Current Lobbyists From Providing Unpaid Advice To His Campaign; Advisers Who Are Federal Lobbyists Include Moses Mercado Of Ogilvy Government Relations. "Obama does not ban even current lobbyists from lending advice to the campaign--which could be considered an 'in kind' contribution. Moses Mercado, a former adviser to Dick Gephardt and a lobbyist for Ogilvy Government Relations, volunteers his advice and time for the campaign but declined to be on payroll." (Christopher Beam, "Obama's Lobbying Ties," Slate's "Trailhead" Blog, http://www.slate.com/, 5/19/08) Obama's Campaign Has Refused To Release A Comprehensive List Of Outside Advisers. "There is no full list of lobbyists advising Sen. Obama, and a campaign spokesman declined to release the campaign's list of outside advisers. Some advisers have asked to remain anonymous, citing professional or personal reasons, said Tommy Vietor, an Obama spokesman, who acknowledged that federally registered lobbyists may be among them." (Mary Jacoby, "Obama Campaign Enlists Lobbyists," The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/08) Broderick Johnson, An Informal Political Adviser, Directs The Lobbying Efforts Of Bryan Cave LLP. "Broderick Johnson, a friend and informal political adviser, heads up the lobbying arm in Washington of the Bryan Cave LLP law firm, where he represents Verizon and Shell Oil, among other clients." (Mary Jacoby, "Obama Campaign Enlists Lobbyists," The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/08) "Among Those In Obama's Circle Of Advisers Is Broderick Johnson, President Of Bryan Cave Strategies LLC, And Several Other Well-Connected Lobbyists In Washington." (Jim Kuhnhenn, "Obama Returns More Than $50,000 In Lobbyists' Contributions," The Associated Press, 4/14/07) Johnson Is Currently Registered To Lobby On Behalf Of Multiple Companies And Organizations. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 5/22/08) Former Federal Lobbyists Are On Obama's Staff, Including Deputy Campaign Manager Steve Hildebrand, Teal Baker And Emmett Beliveau. "The Obama campaign restricts current lobbyists from joining the campaign. But a bunch of former lobbyists have helped out--including deputy campaign manager Steve Hildebrand, Teal Baker, and Emmett Beliveau--who could easily slip back onto K Street once the campaign is over." (Christopher Beam, "Obama's Lobbying Ties," Slate's "Trailhead" Blog, http://www.slate.com/, 5/19/08) Jeffrey Berman Currently Serves As The Obama Campaign's National Director Of Delegate Selection. "Berman, Sen. Barack Obama's director of delegate selection, chimed in during a conference call with the media to make an unexpected case: Despite Clinton's popular vote victory in Nevada and an authoritative Associated Press count giving Clinton the edge in the Nevada delegate count, Obama had actually won the state by the only measure that mattered." (Ben Smith and Avi Zenilman, "The Obama Campaign's 'Unsung Hero'," The Politico, 5/11/08) Berman Previously Served As A Lobbyist At Winston & Strawn LLP, Working On Behalf Of Telecommunications Firms. "Berman, despite the Obama campaign's anti- lobbyist stance, has spent most non-campaign time at the Washington law and lobbying firm Winston and Strawn, where he specialized in telecommunications. His main lobbying client, according to federal filings, was the in-flight telecommunications firm Aircell." (Ben Smith and Avi Zenilman, "The Obama Campaign's 'Unsung Hero'," The Politico, 5/11/08) From 1999 Through 2003, Winston & Strawn LLP Reported Jeffrey G. Berman As Lobbying On Behalf Of AirCell, Inc. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records Website, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 2/25/08) "A Former South Carolina Governor Who Now Runs A Lobbying And Consulting Firm Endorsed Democratic White House Hopeful Barack Obama ... Despite The Illinois Senator's Constant Criticism Of Lobbyists." (Jim Davenport, "Former South Carolina Governor, Head Of Lobbyist/Consulting Group, Endorses Obama," The Associated Press, 1/2/08) "Hodges [Is] A Co-Chairman Of Obama's National Campaign..." (Jim Davenport, "Former South Carolina Governor, Head Of Lobbyist/Consulting Group, Endorses Obama," The Associated Press, 1/2/08) Former Gov. Jim Hodges (D-SC) Was A Registered Federal Lobbyist Until March Of 2008. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records Website, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 5/14/08) Buffy Wicks Serves As A Paid Obama Campaign Staffer And Western Region Field Director. (George Washington University Website, http://www.gwu.edu/, Accessed 2/25/08; CQ Money Line Website, moneyline.cq.com, Accessed 2/25/08) From 2005 Through 2006, The United Food And Commercial Workers International Union Reported Buffy Wicks As One Of Its Lobbyists. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records Website, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 2/25/08) Brandon Hurlbut, Obama Campaign Liaison To Veterans, Union Members And Senior Citizens, Has Lobbied On Behalf Of Several Clients At The Federal Level. "Brandon Hurlbut, Obama's liaison to veterans, union members and senior citizens in New Hampshire, represented clients such as the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and the Allegheny County Housing Authority from January to June, according to public records." (Alexander Bolton and Brittney Moraski, "Lobbyists On Obama's '08 Payroll," The Hill, 12/20/07) "Six Clients Paid B&D Consulting $380,000 For Hurlbut To Lobby Their Causes." (Alexander Bolton and Brittney Moraski, "Lobbyists On Obama's '08 Payroll," The Hill, 12/20/07) Emmett Beliveau Is Listed As Director Of Advance For Obama's Campaign. (George Washington University Website, http://www.gwu.edu/, Accessed 2/25/08) "[Emmett] Beliveau Received A $3,050 Payment From Obama's Campaign For Advance Work On Feb. 21, A Campaign Finance Report Shows." (Alexander Bolton and Brittney Moraski, "Lobbyists On Obama's '08 Payroll," The Hill, 12/20/07) "Clients Such As Oshkosh Truck And Pinkerton Consulting Paid More Than $700,000 For Emmett Beliveau And His Colleagues At Patton Boggs To Represent Them During The First Half Of 2007." (Alexander Bolton and Brittney Moraski, "Lobbyists On Obama's '08 Payroll," The Hill, 12/20/07) Robert Sussman Serves As An Obama Campaign Energy And Environment Policy Adviser. (George Washington University Website, http://www.gwu.edu/, Accessed 2/25/08) Sussman Was A Registered Federal Lobbyist Until February Of 2007, Days Before He Contributed To Obama's Presidential Campaign. "Sussman dropped his lobbying registration on Feb. 28 of last year and made his Obama campaign contribution March 8." (Dawn Reeves, "Former Top EPA Officials Play Key Advisory Roles In Presidential Races," Inside EPA, 1/11/08) Sussman Served As Lead Lobbyist For An Organization Called Energy For A Clean Air Future. "Sussman is the lead lawyer and lobbyist for a group of electricity- producing companies called Energy for a Clean Air Future. That group represents Cinergy Corp., PPL (Pennsylvania Power & Light) Corp., Reliant Energy Inc., Tampa Electric Co., TransAlta Corp., and Wisconsin Electric Power Co." ("Energy- Industry's Links To Regulators, Administration Worry Environmentalists," The Washington Post, 9/10/01) Former Commerce Secretary William Daley Serves As An Obama Adviser For Economic Policy. "At his stop in New Mexico, Obama sought to keep the focus almost exclusively on the economy, appearing with a panel of experts that included William Daley, brother of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley and a former U.S. commerce secretary." (John McCormick and Jill Zuckman, "Rivals Spend Day As Frequent Fliers," Chicago Tribune, 2/2/08) Daley Served As One Of The Leading Lobbyists In An Effort To Bring Funding For A Rare Isotope Accelerator To Illinois. "Before the Rare Isotope Accelerator was put on hold two years ago, Gov. Rod Blagojevich and the state's congressional delegation joined ranks to bring the facility to Illinois. Former Gov. James Thompson and William Daley, former Clinton-era Cabinet member, signed on to head the Illinois lobbying effort." (Jon Van, "Isotope Project Back On Track," Chicago Tribune, 12/9/06) While Serving As President Of SBC, Daley Also Led A $40 Million Lobbying Effort For Industry Deregulation. "Last week those three companies, led by SBC President William Daley, summoned chief executives of several large vendors, including Christopher Galvin of Motorola Inc., to a Washington dinner where they outlined plans to launch a $40 million marketing and lobbying offensive to abolish industry regulations." (Jon Van, "SBC Competitors Seek Congress' Help," Chicago Tribune, 11/1/03) "Daniel Shapiro, Who Advises Sen. Obama On Foreign Policy Issues, Is Registered To Lobby On Behalf Of The American Petroleum Institute And Other Corporate Clients." (Mary Jacoby, "Obama Campaign Enlists Lobbyists," The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/08) "A Campaign Spokesman Confirmed That He [Shapiro] Remains An Unpaid Adviser On Middle East Issues." (Mary Jacoby, "Obama Campaign Enlists Lobbyists," The Wall Street Journal, 3/1/08) Cassandra Butts, Senior Vice President For Domestic Policy At The Center For American Progress, Serves An Obama Campaign Education Policy Adviser. (George Washington University Website, http://www.gwu.edu/, Accessed 2/25/08; Center For American Progress Website, http://www.americanprogress.org/, Accessed 2/25/08) In 2005, Butts Was A Registered Lobbyist For Civil Rights And Civil Liberties Issues For Center For American Progress Action Fund. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records Website, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 2/25/08) Lois Schiffer Serves As An Obama Campaign Energy And Environment Policy Adviser. (George Washington University Website, http://www.gwu.edu/, Accessed 2/25/08) In 2001 And 2002, Schiffer Served As An Environmental Lobbyist For National Audubon Society. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records Website, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 2/25/08) Eric Holder Serves As An Obama Campaign Legal Policy Adviser. (George Washington University Website, http://www.gwu.edu/, Accessed 2/25/08) "An Adviser For The Campaign, He [Holder] Was Registered As A Lobbyist In 2003 But Does Not Currently Lobby, Records Show." (Jim McElhatton, "Obama Takes Funds From Lobby Partners," The Washington Times, 2/22/08) Holder Was A Registered Lobbyist With Covington & Burling LLP And Lobbied On Behalf Of Several Organizations. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records Website, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 2/25/08) Stanford Ross Serves As An Obama Campaign Retirement Security Policy Adviser. (George Washington University Website, http://www.gwu.edu/, Accessed 2/25/08) In 1999, Stanford Ross Was A Registered Lobbyist With Arnold & Porter LLP. (U.S. Senate Office Of Public Records Website, sopr.senate.gov, Accessed 2/25/08) Obama's Campaign Advisers, Who Are Considered "K Street Players," Include Former Sen. Daschle, Mark Keam, Jimmy Williams, Thomas Walls And Francis Grab. "Other K Street players working to build momentum for Obama are former Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.), a consultant for Alston & Bird; Broderick Johnson, president of Bryan Cave Strategies LLC; Mark Keam, the lead Democratic lobbyist at Verizon; Jimmy Williams, vice president of government affairs for the Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America; Thomas Walls, vice president of federal public affairs at McGuireWoods Consulting; and Francis Grab, senior manager at Washington Council Ernst & Young." (Alexander Bolton, "Obama's K Street Project," The Hill, 3/29/07)
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Top • Page Up • Full Thread • Page Down • Bottom/Latest"I've got it in the gut." He describes his own thought process as agonized (dare we say neurotic?) in a way that some might view as quintessentially Jewish. And he professes an "enormous emotional attachment and sympathy for Israel" that would make an Aipac board member jealous.
#9. To: Obama, bought and paid for (#2)
From: US Newswire
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