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New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, left, shaking hands with Democratic U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama in New York's Cooper Union in March. (AP)
Last update - 19:43 20/06/2008
N.Y. Mayor urges Jewish voters to denounce Obama Muslim rumors
By The Associated Press
Tags: bloomberg, obama 

New York mayor Michael Bloomberg urged Jewish voters to denounce the whisper campaign that for months has pushed the false rumor that Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama is secretly a Muslim.

Bloomberg warned a Jewish group in Boca Raton, Florida, on Friday that the attempt to portray Obama as a shadowy Muslim with a hidden agenda often targets Jewish voters online and with e-mails.

The deceptive campaign against Obama, who is Christian, "threatens to undo the enormous strides that Jews and Muslims have made together in this country," the New York mayor said.
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The lies are "cloaked in concern for Israel, but the real concern is about partisan politics," said Bloomberg, who is Jewish. "This is wedge politics at its worst, and we've got to reject it- loudly, clearly and unequivocally".

Bloomberg, a billionaire independent, had considered making his own run for the White House this year, but decided against it. He has said his endorsement and potential financial backing could still be up for grabs, and there has been occasional chatter about how he might make a good running mate for either Obama or Republican John McCain.

Either way, Bloomberg's passionate defense of Obama in front of a Jewish audience in Florida could help the Illinois senator in the state, which is home to many Jewish voters.

Some have questioned Obama's commitment to Israel; this stems partly from his stated willingness to talk with leaders of rogue nations, which McCain and others have criticized as a sign he underestimates the threat posed to Israel by Iran and others in the Middle East.

There is also uneasiness about Obama among some Jewish people because his former church pastor has praised black Muslim leader Louis Farrakhan, who has made anti-Semitic remarks. Obama has disavowed his pastor and left the church.

Earlier this month in a speech to Jewish activists in Washington, Obama referred to the e-mail campaign against him as one "filled with tall tales and dire warnings".

Bloomberg noted how racial and religious tensions have cooled, and remained calm, in New York City - an achievement for which he is often praised.

One thing he has learned, Bloomberg said, is that one must speak out against those who spread "fear and stereotypes".

"That's why I'm speaking out today," he said, "and I hope all of you will join me throughout this campaign in strongly speaking out against this fear mongering, no matter who you'll be voting for."

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      1.   For the first time in 25 years I will use my right to vote 18:34  |  Genuine Tosefta 20/06/08
      2.   To Tosefta.... 18:51  |  Meir Moses 20/06/08
      3.   #1 18:51  |  Reuben 20/06/08
      4.   Tosefa #1 - So who are you gonna vote against??? 18:51  |  Greg 20/06/08
      5.   Bloomberg`s Galut mentality 18:55  |  Steve 20/06/08
      6.   Is saying someone is Muslim as bad as saying he is Jewish? 19:03  |  Curious 20/06/08
      7.   Only Americans should vote 19:04  |  America 20/06/08
      8.   Steve#5 - Evidence is a fact, not your wishful thinking 19:17  |  Greg 20/06/08
      9.   Right On Mayor Bloomberg! 19:17  |  Raphael 20/06/08
      10.   Obama has proven who he is - Muslim or not! 19:19  |  Christopher 20/06/08
      11.   Bloomberg is a republican mayor 19:24  |  Robert G 20/06/08
      12.   Obama 19:28  |  Another America 20/06/08
      13.   Jewish voters are irrelevant -- why anybody need to ask Jews 19:31  |  Sal 20/06/08
      14.   Reply to # 6 Only if it is secret 19:36  |  Joe 20/06/08
      15.   Reply to # 7 dual loyalties 19:40  |  Avi 20/06/08
      16.   Smear campaign - likrabid anti-semitism in reverse 19:51  |  David 20/06/08
      17.   # 7 America....must win? 20:01  |  Lynn 20/06/08
      18.   Avi - Difference 20:15  |  American 20/06/08
      19.   Greg - Very funny post (and true!) about #1 20:15  |  Comedian 20/06/08
      20.   His Father was Muslim, does that makes him a Muslim doesnt it? 20:18  |  Avram 20/06/08
      21.   # 10 asking Muslim women to move 20:19  |  Lynn 20/06/08
      22.   Bloomberg is afraid of riots after election 20:25  |  Tomas 20/06/08
      23.   Tosefta - Right to Vote 20:26  |  MIKE 20/06/08
      24.   N.Y. Mayor urges Jewish voters to denounce Obama Muslim rumors Th 20:27  |  schlash 20/06/08
      25.   The Jewish use of Muslim slurs against Obama will be remembered 20:35  |  Pablo B 20/06/08
      26.   Lynn #21 - stop being a hypocrat 20:54  |  Greg 20/06/08
      27.   It doesn`t matter 20:56  |  utagawa 20/06/08
      28.   Disgusting 20:57  |  Martin 20/06/08
      29.   Avram, #20 - religion or nationality??? 21:00  |  Greg 20/06/08
      30.   BLOOMBERG; OBAMA INDEED IS A MUSLIM, DON`T IGNORE FACTS!!! 21:02  |  David P 20/06/08
      31.   Sorry,the mere thought of a President B Hussein Obama scares me + 21:20  |  Alan SA 20/06/08
      32.   Gaddafi says Obama is a Muslim! 21:28  |  Maya 20/06/08
      33.   American Idiots 21:29  |  C 20/06/08
      34.   Greg, are you an Obama staffer? 21:38  |  Maya 20/06/08
      35.   Gregg oBamas half brothers are Muslim s Father was not an athiest 21:38  |  Avram 20/06/08
      36.   In your face detractors I will vote against Obama=Osama 21:47  |  Genuine Tosefta 20/06/08
      37.   David P - you give Santa Cruz a bad name 21:49  |  New Yorker 20/06/08
      38.   Avram - Do you judge yourself by Koranic law? 21:51  |  Question 20/06/08
      39.   Is Bloomberg from mars? 22:02  |  Satly 20/06/08
      40.   Closest ally is Israel? 22:21  |  Tug 20/06/08
      41.   # 26 Greg who is being the hypocrite? 22:24  |  Lynn 20/06/08
      42.   Facts 22:26  |  Mike 20/06/08
      43.   Question, I appreciate your view however I think its somewhat, 22:34  |  Avram 20/06/08
      44.   Satly - He doesnt need jewish money 22:51  |  Shylock 20/06/08
      45.   Avram - You do not believe in Christ 22:56  |  Question 20/06/08
      46.   Question. I don`t trust him because he has ZERO experience. 23:21  |  Avram 20/06/08
      47.   The billionaire Bozo Bloomberg 00:01  |  Charles Martel 21/06/08
      48.   Obama 00:03  |  Dave 21/06/08
      49.   IT`S A CHOICE OF THE NEARLY DEAD OR HALF BRED. 00:16  |  petra 21/06/08
      50.   # 17 LYNN, AMEN, AMEN, ONE ONE MORE BIG AMEN! 00:18  |  petra 21/06/08
      51.   #45 00:20  |  Jane 21/06/08
      52.   # 23 MIKE, SHE MAY HAVE DUEL CITIZENSHIP. 00:20  |  petra 21/06/08
      53.   # 38 QUESTION IF HE WERE A `CHRISTIAN` HE WOULDN`T HAVE WRIGHT TO 00:24  |  petra 21/06/08
      54.   When lies about religion exist 00:27  |  Mark Lincoln 21/06/08
      55.   Question 00:35  |  chuck 21/06/08
      56.   Avram: "His Father Was a Muslim..." 00:39  |  CHGODMK 21/06/08
      57.   i WISH he was a Moslem 00:41  |  andrew 21/06/08
      58.   Rogue nation 00:50  |  christa 21/06/08
      59.   Greg #29 re: Avram + Obama 00:54  |  CHGODMK 21/06/08
      60.   David P in Santa Cruz #30 00:57  |  CHGODMK 21/06/08
      61.   "Shadowy Muslims with hidden agenda" behind Obama campaign 01:08  |  JM 21/06/08
      62.   STILL UNDECIDED 01:12  |  Mark of Lewiston 21/06/08
      63.   Who cares 02:17  |  Tarzan 21/06/08
      64.   #45 02:23  |  Tarzan 21/06/08
      65.   #1 You, sir, are no American patriot 02:38  |  Aphemia 21/06/08
      66.   WHAT PATRIOTIC AMERICAN IN THIS FORUM 03:08  |  indrajaya 21/06/08
      67.   40 03:25  |  Jane 21/06/08
      68.   GT 03:37  |  Axel 21/06/08
      69.   to Christophwer on #10 05:23  |  Shmuelshachor 21/06/08
      70.   only in America... 05:30  |  Rob of melbourne 21/06/08