Obama strives to overcome doubts among U.S. Jews

By Matthew Bigg - Analysis MIAMI BEACH, Florida (Reuters) - If U.S. presidential candidate Barack Obama's trip to Israel is to be judged a success, one of the things it must do is help overcome doubts about him among some Jewish voters back home. That is particularly true in Florida, a state whose support proved decisive for U.S. President George W. Bush in 2000 and which could help determine November's election. Nationally, 74 percent of Jewish voters backed Democratic candidate John Kerry in 2004, according to exit polls, making them a potential treasure trove of votes for Obama, this year's presumptive Democratic nominee. In Florida Jewish voters make up 5 percent of the electorate. But many Jewish voters have significant doubts about the strength of the Illinois senator's commitment to maintaining the traditional U.S.... [read full story]