Mr. Brooks,

I am a Los Angeles-based writer and have a question about your remarks in the Op-Ed titled "Tough Questions about Obama..."

I am planning to comment on your thoughts and hope you can clarify your thinking so I don't inadvertantly misrepresent your remarks.

What most caught my attention was this sentence:  "Obama was unable to exceed Bill Clinton or Al Gore, and only slightly improved on John Kerry's support in the Jewish community."

To my eyes, such a result is a huge disgrace.  Bill Clinton, Al Gore and John Kerry didn't have Obama's long record of associations with anti-Jewish preachers and other hateful leaders.  That the Jewish community actually voted Democratic in numbers similar to past Presidential elections sets off five-bell alarms with me.

What am I missing?  If the Jewish community didn't abandon the Democratic party in 2008 with Obama at the head of its ticket, what would it take for them to vote Republican?  

I'd welcome your elaboration/s for publication.  If you prefer to speak by phone, please do call.

[Note: I am not sure where my comments will appear.  At the least, I plan to post them on one or more blogs that I author.  I am also likely to submit them for consideration to various Jewish and secular publications.]

Thank you in advance,

DEAN

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Suzanne Kurtz's Reply
Friday, Nov 14, 2008  11:49 am
From: Suzanne Kurtz skurtz@rjchq.org

Thank you, Mr. Rothbart [sic].  I read your piece.  It was a tough year for the GOP all around.  Obama picked up gains in all constituencies, but less so in the Jewish community, actually.