The Jewish Vote

Glenn Collins explores whether Jews are more inclined to support Clinton or Obama. He finds that it’s up for grabs.

One attorney says, “I think there is going to be a split between established older voters in the Jewish community, with whom Hillary will do well, and younger and more liberal Jews who see Obama as an agent of change.” So this seems to mirror the general Democratic population.

Each candidate has the support of several Jewish politicians:

Aside from [Ed] Koch, prominent Jewish politicians supporting Mrs. Clinton include New York’s other senator, Charles E. Schumer; Senator Dianne Feinstein of California; and Representatives Gary L. Ackerman of Queens, Eliot L. Engel of the Bronx, Jerrold L. Nadler of Manhattan, Anthony D. Weiner of Queens and Brooklyn.

Among Senator Obama’s political supporters are several Jewish members of Congress: Representatives Steve Rothman of New Jersey, Adam B. Schiff of California, Jan Schakowsky of Illinois and Robert Wexler of Florida.

Me, I agree most of all with Ed Koch, who says, “I don’t speak for the Jewish community, and nobody speaks for the Jewish community. The Jews, individually, speak for themselves.”