Obama strives to overcome doubts among U.S. Jews

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (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. Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (L) stands with U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama during their meeting in Jerusalem July 23, 2008. (REUTERS/Tara Todras-Whitehill/Pool) 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... [read full story]