NYT corrects Obama myths in FL

The New York Times has a nice article today correcting various misperceptions about Barack Obama that were reported by older Jewish voters in Florida:

Because of a dispute over moving the date of the state’s primary, Mr. Obama and the other Democratic candidates did not campaign in Florida. In his absence, novel and exotic rumors about Mr. Obama have flourished. Among many older Jews, and some younger ones, as well, he has become a conduit for Jewish anxiety about Israel, Iran, anti-Semitism and race.

Mr. Obama is Arab, Jack Stern’s friends told him in Aventura. (He’s not.)

He is a part of Chicago’s large Palestinian community, suspects Mindy Chotiner of Delray. (Wrong again.)

Mr. Wright is the godfather of Mr. Obama’s children, asserted Violet Darling in Boca Raton. (No, he’s not.)

Al Qaeda is backing him, said Helena Lefkowicz of Fort Lauderdale (Incorrect.)

Michelle Obama has proven so hostile and argumentative that the campaign is keeping her silent, said Joyce Rozen of Pompano Beach. (Mrs. Obama campaigns frequently, drawing crowds in her own right.)

Mr. Obama might fill his administration with followers of Louis Farrakhan, worried Sherry Ziegler. (Extremely unlikely, given his denunciation of Mr. Farrakhan.)

This kind of journalism is a substantial improvement from man on the street reporting that simply repeats incorrect quotes (like the false claim that Obama is a Muslim) without correcting them.

Comments

[Shinobi]

I think it is great that the NYT is reporting on these misconceptions by the public. Unfortunately their methods are somewhat misguided. It is a common belief among most people that the best way to dispel a myth is to repeat the myth and then show how it is wrong. Unfortunately further repetition of things that are demonstrably false is often ill advised. The Availability Heuristic allows people to remember only what they read, and not necessarily the context in which they read it.

While I applaud the NYT for addressing these myths about Obama and reporting resposibly, even re publishing those myths is continuing to contribute to their spread. People don't always remember the context of what they read, and when myths are repeated enough times they become easier to remember. It is better to simply state actual facts about Obama.

I.e. Obama is a Christian. Obama is an American citizen. Obama has worked with Jewish and Pro-Israel organizations in Chicago, Obama has renounced any association with Farrakahn. Wright was Obama's pastor and that is their only connection.

[David]

I like the Times article and the fact that it corrects these misconceptions. However, there are also some valid reasons for Jews to be concerned with Obama, some of which are mentioned in the article but not in Brendan's excert. E.g., it's false that al Qaeda supports Obama, but it's true that Hamas does. Mr. Wright is not the godfather of Obama's children, but there are valid reasons to believe that the two men have been close for a long time.

Roger L. Simon wrote, "...many emails I have received from Jews and Jewish organizations [about] Jeremiah Wright....[and] the Democratic candidate spending twenty years in the pew of and taking the title of his book from an anti-Semitic admirer (even idolater) of the racist Louis Farrakhan."

http://www.rogerlsimon.com/mt-archives/2008/05/obama_and_the_j.php

[David]

Here's a letter from someone who didn't like that New York Times article at all. The letter is way over the top, but I must admit that it makes some valid points.