Jewish supporters buying ad for Obama

May 01, 2008
Categories: Barack Obama

Jewish supporters buying ad for Obama

A group of Obama's Jewish supporters are raising money for a supportive ad in The New York Times, according to a copy of an email from an Obama backer, Chicago lawyer Jack Levin.

"A group of Jewish Americans all across the U.S. believe Barack Obama would make the best president and hence are in the process of preparing a full-page New York Times ad — to be signed by all of us who would like to be included — showing the U.S. Jewish community?s widespread support for Barack," Levin writes, adding that the ad's sponsors will be known as "American Jewish Patriots."

The need for such an ad is a mark of Obama's continuing struggle to secure the allegiance of Jewish voters — typically a solidly Democratic group — in the face of often inchoate concerns, urban legends and viral e-mails that he's worked hard to rebut.

Full e-mail after the jump.

From: Jack Levin
To: Jack Levin
Sent: Thursday, May 1, 2008 12:25:53 PM
Subject: Obama New York Times advertisement


A group of Jewish Americans all across the U.S. believe Barack Obama would make the best president and hence are in the process of preparing a full-page New York Times ad — to be signed by all of us who would like to be included — showing the U.S. Jewish community?s widespread support for Barack.
We would like you to join us by (1) agreeing to have your name (and home town) listed in the ad and/or (2) by contributing between $500 and $5,000 towards the cost of the ad.
So please now notify either me (email address above) or Nancy Grant (vascodegama@comcast.net) that:
(1) Yes, include my name (and home town) in the ad, and/or
(2) I agree to contribute $______ (maximum per donor is $5,000, which amount is separate from the $2,300 maximum primary and $2,300 general election donations to Barack), or I am sending my check, payable directly to New York Times, to Nancy Grant at 429 Provident Avenue, Winnetka, IL 60093.
If you would prefer to wait until you see the draft ad (which is in preparation and when published will appear under the umbrella name American Jewish Patriots), please so notify Nancy or me and we will send the draft to you as soon as ready.
Please help us show our community's solidarity with Barack by responding ASAP.