DAILY MAIL: Barack Obama explained the roots of his unusual name, listed some of his Jewish friends and voiced support for Israel during a synagogue visit designed to shore up Jewish support for his U.S. presidential bid.
Mr Obama, an Illinois senator and the front-runner for his party's White House nomination, has battled concerns among some Jewish Americans about his race, religion and views on Israel.
He addressed those issues in a nearly two-hour meeting with Democrats and Republicans at a Jewish temple in Florida, a state that will be key to winning November's general election.
"There is not a single trace of me ever being anything more than a friend of Israel and a friend of the Jewish people," Mr Obama said, telling the crowd not to believe fliers and e-mails that suggested otherwise.
"Judge me by what I say and what I've done. Don't judge me because I've got a funny name. Don't judge me because I'm African-American."
Critics have raised doubts about Obama's commitment to the Jewish state and have floated rumors that he was a Muslim. Barack Obama Hunts Down the Jewish Vote ... by Explaining the Roots of His 'Blessed' Name >>> | May 23, 2008
The Dawning of a New Dark Age (Paperback - UK)
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