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May 22, 2008 11:17 pm US/Eastern
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Sen. Obama Talks To South Florida Jews
Obama Courts Florida Democrats
Obama Visited The B'Nai Torah Congregation In Boca
Later He Attended A Fundraising Dinner In Hollywood
FORT LAUDERDALE (CBS4) ―
Obama continued his tour through South Florida on Thursday, trying to court the Jewish vote in Boca Raton, and dispeling reports that he is anti-Israel.
The Illinois senator on Thursday held a town hall meeting at the B'nai Torah Congregation at 6261 Southwest 18th Street in Boca Raton in the late afternoon. The event was pushed back after Obama had to fly to Washington D.C. to cast a vote on an issue concerning the war in Iraq.
Not everyone at the event was a supporter. Protestors like Karen Albert started lining up in the morning carry signs that read "Obama is Bad for Israel" to express their displeasure at Obama's appearance.
"Show me who your friends are and I'll show you who you are," Albert told CBS4 Ted Scouten. "I know his friends, that's what I do know about him; Reverend Wright, Louis Farrakhan, he went on the 'Million Man March'. He is no friend of Israel."
Indoors though Obama was clear in his message regarding Israel.
"When I am in the White House, I will bring with me an unshakable commitment to maintaining that bond between the United States of America and an unshakable commitment to Israel security," said Obama.
He also forcefully rejected claims that he would sit down with groups promoting terror against Israel.
"We must not negotiate with a terrorist group that is intent on Israel's destruction," he said. "We should only sit down with Hamas if they renounce terror, recognize Israel's right to exist, and abide by past agreements."
"He has denounced Minister Farrakhan, completely disagrees with him," countered Mark Gilbert, a past president of the B'nai Torah synagogue and an Obama staffer.
B'nai Torah's Rabbi David Steinhardt says Obama is a friend to Israel and members of the Jewish faith, but not everyone understands that yet.
"I think there's a lot of misinformation and a lot of fear," said Steinhardt, "You know, Obama is a lot less known than John McCain and his history is a lot shorter."
Steinhardt said the reason for a town hall meeting like this one is for people to ask questions and make up their own minds.
Obama was then scheduled to attend a private fundraiser at the Westin Diplomat Resort in Hollywood later in the evening.
CBS4 Michael Williams has been granted a one-on- one interview on Friday with the senator, which
CBS4.COM will report.
On Friday, the senator will hold scheduled events in Miami and Sunrise.
Obama began his three day campaign swing through the state on Wednesday with a morning rally in Tampa. In the afternoon, he held a town hall meeting at the Kissimmee Civic Center where he spoke with the confidence of someone who has already won the primary vote.
"We now have a majority of what are called the pledged delegates to get this nomination," said Obama.
During his speeches, Obama embraced all Democrats in Florida and expressed support for its primary vote to be counted.
"My hope is, in a couple of weeks time, we've won some more elections; we've won some more delegates; we've got the Florida delegation seated," he said.
Sen. Hillary Clinton also campaigned in South Florida on Wednesday with stops in Boca Raton and Sunrise followed by a large rally at the University of Miami.
This is the first time both candidates have campaigned in Florida since they signed pledges nine months ago that kept them from rallying support in Florida before the January 29th primary. Other than a victory party Clinton held after polls closed that night, neither candidate has campaigned in Florida since the Democratic National Committee stripped Florida of its delegates in September because its primary was held before February fifth. The DNC said Florida, and Michigan as well, violated its rules by holding primaries in January and would not seat their delegates at the national convention this summer.
Gilbert said because the Democratic candidates boycotted Florida, Obama was not able to connect with many voters.
"The senator was not able to come to Florida and spend time talking to people about his views on Israel and his support of Israel," said Gilbert, "I think that's why people have so many misconceptions."
Obama announced last week that he was coming to Florida, the largest of the swing states and a crucial battleground in November. He has to build relationships in both states if he wins the Democratic nomination. They are considered critical battlegrounds for the general election.
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