Lost in the Farrakhan flap were some powerful words of reconciliation from Obama

[BeyondGeography]

From tonight's debate:

==And the reason that I have such strong support is because they know that not only would I not tolerate anti-Semitism in any form, but also because of the fact that what I want to do is rebuild what I consider to be a historic relationship between the African-American community and the Jewish community.

You know, I would not be sitting here were it not for a whole host of Jewish Americans, who supported the civil rights movement and helped to ensure that justice was served in the South. And that coalition has frayed over time around a whole host of issues, and part of my task in this process is making sure that those lines of communication and understanding are reopened.==

http://communities.canada.com/shareit/blogs/theelephant/archive/2008/02/26/obama-pressed-on-farrakhan-in-primetime-democratic-debate.aspx

I know I wasn't the only person listening who found the thought of a President with this kind of mindset to be thrilling.

[AtomicKitten]

1. This guy is going to be a spectacular president.

[casus belli]

25. True. n/t

[Cha]

2. Thanks for this, BeyondGeo..

This is what I want to talk about..things Obama said in the debate..not what snark he dodged.

"You know, I would not be sitting here were it not for a whole host of Jewish Americans, who supported the civil rights movement and helped to ensure that justice was served in the South. And that coalition has frayed over time around a whole host of issues, and part of my task in this process is making sure that those lines of communication and understanding are reopened."

[Bread and Circus]

3. My Jewish wife and mother in law gushed over that. My wife's Granpa was a Rabbi who worked long....

and hard during the Civil Rights movement with African Americans. It was one of aspect of his life's work.

[BeyondGeography]

7. I've been watching this relationship fall apart for the past two decades here in NY

I know he will do so much to repair the damage...it's one of the best things I've heard the entire campaign.

[Colobo]

4. Obama just won Jewish votes over that.

[sir_captain]

5. Yep

and he'll have them in the GE too.

[tammywammy]

8. but, but, but, I thought he hated the Jews

:crazy:

[jefferson_dem]

10. and he only said "denounce" and not "reject"...

:crazy:

[tammywammy]

18. Obama will have to come out with a stronger statement on this issue at once!

He'll need the thesaurus.




edited to add:

:sarcasm:

[Hutzpa]

22. I thought he explained the difference

Denounce - distancing yourself from them

Reject - if he (Obama)gets asked by them (Farrakhan) he will reject them.

[tammywammy]

23. He did

:) Sorry I forgot the sarcasm tag.

[democrattotheend]

16. He'd already won mine

but if he hadn't, he probably would have tonight.

[Forkboy]

6. There was agreat PBS show last week about the Jewish people helping the civil rights movement.

I wish i could remember the name of it (I wish I could remember my own name sometimes), but it was excellent. Really went into how the Jewish people helped so much before the split between the two happened. It was fascinating.

You bring up a great point.

[AgadorSparticus]

15. I saw this documentary and it WAS excellent! I found it fascinating as well.

[tammywammy]

19. If you remember the name of it

Will you PM me please. Pretty please. :)

Since my boyfriend got us cable I haven't been watching as much PBS and I'm missing out on all the great specials.

[Behind the Aegis]

26. Jewish Americans

http://www.pbs.org/jewishamericans/

[tammywammy]

32. Thanks!

I'll keep my eyes out for a repeat. :)

[Tarheel_Dem]

21. me too! me too!

as an AA myself, I would like to know why & when the rift came about? I've never understood it, I have always had a great admiration and respect for the Jewish people because from everything I was told by my parents is that they were tireless & relentless in the Civil Rights Movement.

I know there have been hateful things said, by some hateful & divisive people (which makes me ashamed), but I would really like to know the genesis of the bad feelings. I think a Pres. Obama could certainly be a bridge to mending those fences.

[Behind the Aegis]

28. Jewish Americans

http://www.pbs.org/jewishamericans/

[redstate_democrat]

29. You know

I always wondered about the rift myself. I remember learning that the Jewish community actually helped WEB Dubois establish the NAACP. I don't know if that is factual or not, but that is what I learned. I don't understand this so-called rift.

[Behind the Aegis]

27. Jewish Americans

http://www.pbs.org/jewishamericans/

[Forkboy]

31. Thank you.

I was just going to go look it up. You saved me a trip. :)

[donheld]

9. K & R

Thanks for posting this

[NDambi]

11. That was excellent and right on point..it is one relationship that definitely needs mending

[NJObamaWoman]

12. my family has said the same thing about Latinos and blacks as well

that back in the day Latinos Jews and blacks would protest together. That part of the breakdown is due to some of our black leaders such as LF Jesse and Sharpton etc. That they should have strengthen those relationships but didn't. That is why these communities have so much tension. I believe what BO is saying and it is much needed.

[AgadorSparticus]

13. wow, I missed that (was busy putting my toddler to bed). And that is huge.

I saw that PBS documentary on Jewish Americans and it was very interesting. I learned a lot. I am so impressed with Obama. It points out the difference between him and Hillary even more. He is about uniting and Hillary is about attacking. That's the impression I've gotten of their campaigns the last week or so. Anyways....those are very inspiring words.

[democrattotheend]

14. I LOVED what he had to say about that

As a Jew who has done a fair amount of research on Jewish/African American relations, I found his answer really heartwarming. My favorite part was "You know, I would not be sitting here were it not for a whole host of Jewish Americans, who supported the civil rights movement and helped to ensure that justice was served in the South." Gave me a chill...reminded me why I am proud to be Jewish and proud of Barack Obama.

[Danger Mouse]

17. It was huge of Obama.

He had a great night.

[Hutzpa]

20. You are a Star for posting this,

he is going to be an Excellent President.

[Beregond2]

24. Lost...

He has been saying things like this all along, and similar things about gays; which is why I get so angry at the willful ignorance of the people who paint him as some kind of closet reactionary. What more do people want, for God's sake?

[BeyondGeography]

30. Kicking as a companion thread for Mr. Wiggles