Barack Obama, a 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois, shattered more than 200 years of history Tuesday night by winning election as the first African-American president in the history of the United States, according to projections by NBC News.
Obama reached the 270 electoral votes he needed for election at 11 p.m. ET, when NBC News projected that he would win California, Washington and Oregon.
Barack Obama, 44th President of the United States
Barack Obama, a 47-year-old first-term senator from Illinois, shattered more than 200 years of history Tuesday night by winning election as the first African-American president in the history of the United States, according to projections by NBC News.
Obama reached the 270 electoral votes he needed for election at 11 p.m. ET, when NBC News projected that he would win California, Washington and Oregon.
Campaigning as a technocratic agent of change in Washington, not as a pathbreaking civil rights figure, Obama swept to victory over Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona, whose running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, was seeking to become the nation’s first female vice president.
A crowd nearing 100,000 people gathered in Grant Park in Chicago, awaiting an address by Obama. Hundreds of thousands more — Mayor Richard Daley said he would not be surprised if a million Chicagoans jammed the streets — were watching on a large television screen outside the park.
Surveys of voters as they left polling places nationwide indicated the breadth of the victory by Obama, the son of a Kenyan father and a white American mother. As expected, he won overwhelmingly among African-American voters, but he also won a slim majority of white voters. He won among women and Latino voters, reversing a longstanding Republican trend. And he won by more than 2-to-1 among voters of all races 30 years old and younger.
That dynamic was telling in Ohio, which President Bush won in 2004, and in Pennsylvania, where McCain poured in millions of dollars of scarce resources. Obama won both.
Obama also took Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey and New York, all states with hefty electoral vote hauls, NBC News projected. He also won Virginia, reversing 40 years of Republican victories there.
McCain countered with Texas and numerous smaller states, primarily in the South and the Great Plains.
In interviews with NBC News, aides to McCain said they were proud that they had put up a good fight in “historically difficult times.”
A senior adviser said McCain himself was “fine” but that he felt “he let his staff and supporters down.”
Obama will have a strongly Democratic Congress on the other end of Capitol Hill. The Democrats won strong majorities in both the House and the Senate. NBC News projected that the party would fall just short of a procedurally important 60 percent “supermajority” in the Senate, however.
disappointed
what a disgrace
What Now?
There is an enormous amount of screaming on the streets here, what does this mean for our community?
:(
Boruch Dayan Ha’ames
The End!!
this is the end, time to pack up and move to israel. i’m not kidding you heard it here first, the USA as we know it is over, the coming years will be troublesome for the jews!!!
they are already going wild down here on E. NY Ave.
BelleGlade
Sept 11, and obama in one life time. That’s too much!!
Im feeling sick
I feel like I have to vomit…
depressed!!
HELP!! and HELP again!! what is this country coming too!! Moshiach NOW!!!
Reuven
The hand-wringing in our community is absurd and ridiculous. All the really stupid things said about him are from ignorance and bigotry. He is not a terrorist and doesn’t associate with terrorist. He is not a muslim. He does not have secret back-channel connections to the arabs. He is not a communist or socialist. His statements in support of Israel are very strong. He publicaly stated that and undivided Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. He clearly states that Israel’s security is an American priority and necessity.
What good happened under Bush? In the last 8 years, we had the terror attacks of 9/11. Israel GAVE AWAY GAZA under pressure from this administration. And Condy Rice has been in the region trying to get Israel to give away Judea and Samaria and more land.
During this administration we have increased the amount of arab oil we buy. And it is this Republican administration’s Justice Dept that is prosecuting and harassing Rubashkins.
It is a stupid ignorant bigoted myth that the Republicans are better for Israel and the Jews.
Thank G-D we are going to have a change, and Thank G-D for the results of this election!
a concerned citizen
is it ever gonna be safe to walk our streets again?
McCain 4ever!
he is a disgrace to our nation, NObama!!
ADI MOSAI!!!
anon
g-d help us all…
resident
hashem yerachim
S.
This only means what we allow it to mean, and we are only affected as we allow ourselves to be affected.
It is our chance to stand up, not be rolled over and make ourselves heard. Take a PROACTIVE look around, and you will see there is what you can do to ensure that the next few years will not be as hard as you think.
Moshiach Now
Boruch Dayan Emes
Barack HUESSEIN Obama…couldnt get any better. More like Barack INSANE Obama.
CH RESIDENT
all u hear is screaming on the streets.. how bout the sirens..fire crackers.. GUN SHOTS.. yes GUN SHOTS!!
Webby-s Sister
Now that we have a terrible “change” of presidency, what is going on in the jewish community of crown heights?
Al Tishalel Leyom Machar
Watch what you write
the KGB is now Watching
Welcom to the USSA
Lev Melochim Vesarim Beyad Hashem!!!
afraid
We are selling our 5 bed condo & going to Israel ASAP. We are not going to see our hard work go into some lowlife’s pocket, and we’re not prepared to live in fear for the rest of our lives.
C M
Amazing! This is great news for this country. I’m very sorry to see so many people on this site voting with their hearts instead of with their minds.
Get a grip – Obama was not one of the guys rioting here in the 90s!
Geula now
I think that the unity of blacks in voting for Obama is a lesson for us about how we should be united in bringing Moshiach and about being excited about his arrival. The black people of the US feel that they now have a sort of redemption. “ain od milvado”-there’s nothing besides Hashem and the heart of the king is in the hands of G-d-Hashem is running the world, not Barack Obama.
annoyed with others
i may not like obama either, but that’s not because he is black or not. we need to remember that he is president for his views. the problem arouses when OTHERS do not see that and only vote for whom they FEEL would be good and not for the person with the same principals and values.
PLEASE STOP THE ABRUPTNESS ON OUR STREETS by inconsiderate people who don’t care about those with families.
Shmuli
Gee! I didn’t realize that we have so many racists in our community!
Duby
i dont find it at all surprising …. you sit and complain about the issues in crown heights, the vaad, the rabbonim, the lack of community yadda yadda – and now, of course you have something more to complain about … Obama – the black guy, the muslim, the terrorist etc etc…
the same people who complain about the problems in Crown Heights are the same people who will complain no matter who is president, no matter what people try to do. Why? because it is utlimately up to each and every one of US to make the change, to be the change, and to see the positive in every situation. (sadly, that doesnt seem to be many of you at this point)
So for all you out there who have taanos about our new president and the other millions of things to complain about, i hate to break it to you – but moving to israel WONT help… (there are problems there too — or did you not know that?)
Blessed me … you surely need it.
Shliach
All you farmers are Ridiculis!!!
Instead of worrying, do what the Rebbe would of said….
“increase in acts of goodness and kindness!!
Thats all, nothing to worry about!!
”Eynei Hashem Eloikecha Ba M’reishis HaSHana V’ad Acharis…!!
CY
To all those threatening to flee the US, please follow through. The less bigoted people here, the better… there will finally be peace that way.
Reuven — thanks for your comment. Amen!
I’m proud to have contributed my vote to President-Elect Obama!
memyselfandi
tonight marks the first and last day of obamas presedency. tommorow it will be biden
how many shot were fired tonight, so far they all missed…
and if he lastes longer then that all he will do is screw up so bad and in the end he will make a bad example of all the good black people
SHLOIME FREUNDLICH
shehecheyanu v’kiyimanu v’higi’anu laz’man hazeh.
who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this season
I-m disappointed......but moving on
To “afraid”:
Although I am also disappointed that Obama won the election, you are behaving somewhat hypocritically. Yes, Obama made it clear that he will raise taxes on certain individuals, with you possibly being one of them. Did you live in this country during the Clinton Administration? Taxes then were 39%, the exact rate which Obama will raise them to once he assumes office. You are right to be upset about having to pay more money, but if you tolerated it in the 90s and didn’t foment fear about living in this country then,you really have no logical reason for doing so now. Be rational about the issues..don’t run away because you don’t like an election result.
Need change
This country needs change. Let’s observe Obama and hope for the best. Bush didn’t help anyone. It’s time for Democrats to take over and do something right.
As far as all the craziness in the streets of Crown Heights, we have got to get out of this ghetto and move somewhere normal. Gun shots fired is not what goes on in a regular suburb.
concerned Californian
Obama For President. Oy. vey. Change has Come. And what does this mean for us? What will we do now?As of tonight, is our country safe… I’ve never been racist towards black people. Fine, a black president. But MUSLIM on top of that? Give me a break… I’m on the next flight to Israel
n’eNow
May G-D answer us on the day we call.
706EP
Hooray! ;)
How embarrassingly close-minded our community has become… how narrow and unthoughtful. I am so tired of hearing stupidity, gossip, and nonsense. I celebrate that some people in our country have managed to move beyond prejudice and narrow-mindedness and hope for a change, for a better tomorrow, for a way to make our world a truly better place.
We of all people on this earth should appreciate this moment and the possibilities this great country affords its citizens.
CH Girl
I don’t know enough about politics and i’m too young to know yet if this is good or bad for us, but if everyone continues to talk this way, so negatively, we’ll never get anywhere. you are all spreading dread and fear throughout the community. Obama wasn’t my first choice, but now that he is here, let’s accept it, there is no need to freak out. The US is still a democracy, Obama isn’t a dictator, we still have congress that passes bills, that’s why we have checks and balances. Don’t scare everyone, we aren’t doomed yet. The important thing now is to make sure that whatever obama does now will be for the good of the jewish people. We still have a Gd, he’s the one who is running the world, not Obama. Let’s just hope and pray that this will be a good 4 years.
to afraid
“We are selling our 5 bed condo”
Let’s make a deal.
I AIN-T KIDDING
I heard the airports are jam packed, especially the flights to Israel are booked for the next 6 months, hurry up don’t wait.
By the way i think the last time in history, such a big turnout to watch the President’s election was when Hitler was elected.
observe
thank you reuven
someitimes I wonder who is worse red necks or the people in our community.Both are highly uneducated and ignorant of politics.
The reason why obama won is because he took states that john should have taken. – meaning whites, blacks, Asian etc. particularly the intellectual ones voted for obama.
If hillbillys can see a leader when he comes why cant we? are we soo blinded living in a hole?
it shows how far we are from true understanding.
if it were not for people like obama European jews would have had no where to flee from the nazis cv”s jews where not exactly the american way then
vezocharta ki eved hayisa…..
...................
I AGREE WITH YOU!! BARUCH DAYAN HAEMET… TO AMERICA!!
America will never be the same?
While most of us in the Florida voted for John McCain and are very down to say the least about Obamas win, we are not feeling the “dread” and “fear” reffered too numerous times in this post’s comments. Would some one in crown heights elaborate on their thoughts about how obamas victory will affect the security of the Jews in crown heights, brooklyn in general and the possible stronger negative interaction bewteen blacks and jews.
att: rueven
obama does in fact associATE himself with terrorists. his 2 cosest friends are on the “fbi”s most wanted list, one for crashing the twin towers and the other for creating some insane bomb
Palin2012
BS“D
Gam ze yaavor. In 2010 the American people will wake up and have a chance to correct the mistake they made as they did with Carter yms – both houses will go Republican. In 2012 Palin will be elected President.
Otherwise, McCain would not have been able to clear the economic mess in time either, and that would have meant Hillary in 2012.
As for E”Y, Obama will put even more pressure on the memsheles zadon (Bibi is no better than the left as we already learned in 1996) to surrender land and endanger Jews. Never mind how frum Yidden are treated there. It is no place of refuge and will not be until Moshiach comes, let it be now.
Moshiach NOW!!!!!
This is the beggining of geula,
yerida letzorech Aliya!!!
lets just hope that this is the last problem we face b4 geula!
Milhouse
Reuven, you can stop lying, the election is over. You know very well that Obama DOES associate with terrorists. He has had a long political alliance with William Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn. Ayers pretty much picked him out and groomed him for office.
He’s also a close personal friend of Rashid Khalidi and was a close friend of Edward Said, both PLO members.
Not to mention his Nation of Islam connections.
So don’t pretend he doesn’t associate with terrorists.
Bochur
This is good for America! Take your head out of the sand!
You guys probably think that Bush was good for the last eight years too.
SF
I’m with Reuven and CM. I’m very excited to see that Obama has won! I hope that his intellegent, fair leadership will help our community overcome the terrible racism that we too often exhibit toward other minorities.
what is wrong with people
what the hell is wrong with all you people?
You’ve got to stop swallowing all t
e crap you here on limbaugh, savage and hannity and
keep your head screwed on tight! if
hannity had been elected now then i would have to
agree with all these negative comments
but in the meantime i think we can wait and see
still afraid
CM…you & your fellow Onama supporters really should look at the issues. Listen to his “speeches’. Look at his ”advisors” & supporters. Look at who/what he has arranged funding for.
Then tell me he’s good for the Jews & for this country.
M oshiach times
Noone is looking at the big picture. This is all part of Hashem’s grand plan. Hashem made this happen and noone else. This is Dor Hamoshiach. It is so clear. A black president with Muslim ties running the most powerful country in the world. Moshiach is coming. This is not just a meaningless statement, this is the beginning of the end.
to Reuven
That is exactly what was said about ELi Cohen in Syria – go read some history…
Mendel
I can’t believe all the trash and nareishkeit on this comments page. Everyone is making a mockery of Crown Heights and showing the sad tragic and inherent racism pervasive in Crown Heights. It’s simply about time to grow up, put the racism and hatred of blacks behind you, and make your way into the 21st century.
Or pack in it and move to Israel or white Russia where “we came from.”
Pro Obama?
To those who think Obama is not a terrorist and has no connections with arabs: #1 Obama is not even legally black (only 6% and legal is 12%). He is more muslim than black. #2 He sat in Reverend Wright’s church for 20 years and looked up to him as a mentor until it came up in the campaign and he had to drop him. (If you don’t know who Reverend Wright is, google him. #3 All the good things he says for Israel and Jews etc., how much of it is true? His job as a politician is to say whatever it’ll take to appease the people aka voters/supporters. #4 Majority of his money came from other countries who are glad to have him ruling our country since he has made so many mistakes in the short time which he has been in government and they’d love to get the upper hand over America. He has raised $600,000,000 more than Bush and Kerry put together in 2004. and CM i’m sorry that you voted with your heart since if you had a mind, you would not have voted for Obama (that is if you voted altogether). I know McCain would not have been the best choice for president. That is the saddest part about this election, but he definitely would’ve been better for this country than Obama. can ever be.
live and see
It wont take long till the democrats start killing each other,
When they get power they loose themselves (like a group of people we know in our community). They wont pass anything.
Watch and see, this will begin even before Obama starts his first day.
America voted with emotion not with Shacol (intellect), let’s wait and see what happens.
It’s going to be a long ride.
Hashem will help.
a person
this is not good
40 YEARS IN THE HOOD
WOW ! YOU GUYS R IN THE DARK AGES .. WAKE UP PUT YR SELF IN G-DS HANDS LEARN TORAH AND LISTEN TO THE REBBA , AND BE A NICE PERSON . TO ALL THE PEOPLE .THE REABBA WAS NOT A RACESEST
Ben
It was a time of major economic failures, a nation that was still paying for a long war… and a bright, charismatic, articulate person appeared… seemingly out of nowhere — to become the new leader… This happened in 1937… we know him as Hitler, Chancellor of GERMANY!
batya
BS“D
i read a poignant comment on the other site
”rosa sat
so martin can walk
so obama can run”…
be real
To Reuven – you said
“The hand-wringing in our community is absurd and ridiculous. All the really stupid things said about him are from ignorance and bigotry. He is not a terrorist and doesn’t associate with terrorist. He is not a muslim. He does not have secret back-channel connections to the arabs. He is not a communist or socialist. His statements in support of Israel are very strong. He publicaly stated that and undivided Jerusalem is Israel’s capital. He clearly states that Israel’s security is an American priority and necessity.”
Were you aware that the day after his talk to AIPAC where he said Jerusalem must remain undivided, he CHANGED HIS MIND, and said it was a “poor phrasing of words.” He has every intention of pushing Israel to give up Jerusalem, and he told that to Muslim groups very clearly.
This has nothing to do with the fact that he is black, and a lot to do with where he stand when it comes to issues important to Jews.
Gun shots all night
Reuvan you have some good points. Bush WAS A DISASTER! McCain came out a disaster!! He was to of a nice guy.
To clarify on some of your points 1. This country WILL turn into a socialist country and yes B.O has been associated with hate mongers!!! Get your facts straight on that.
It seems that 75% of Jews in the US voted towards B.O
If it turns out a good four years then I guess the Jews who voted him did the right thing. If it turns out a disaster- shame on you Jews.
Zak
To Reuven.
You write “He publicaly stated that and undivided Jerusalem is Israel’s capital.”
I find it very disturbing that you neglect to mention that withing twenty four hours, due to pressure from the arabs,
Obama changed his mind.
He publicly rescinded his previous words, and said something lame to the extent of “looks forward to compromise……….”
(And it is very documented, just google it.)
Surprise, surprise, some people actually read the news.
If you want to make a valid argument that he is good for the country, that is fine.
BUT DO NOT USE HALF TRUTHS.
The end.
Gamzu
HEY EVERYBODY! Is it possible for Obama to turn out being a good president? YES (whatever those chances are). I it possible for him to be a bad president? YES. Can he be a good president and still have some whacko terrorist attack on our soil and ruin our country? YES. G-D is in charge! Stop worrying so much.
It-s not about racism
To All those who are defending obama, you have to realize this is not about his race, it’s about his many connections to anti-semites and terrorists. It’s scary to think that the majority of this country turned a blind eye to all of Obama’s associations and that is what we as Jews and as decent Americans have to be worried about. So stop calling those who voted for McCain racists and open your eyes to who Obama really is!
baruch hasem -- thank g-d
you will see how we will prosper.
america was on a downhill slide4. something radical needed to be done. As the Rambam writes that to correct yourself you first have to gop to the othe extreme.
and to all those bigots out there, the nex election will be between cory booker and barack obama (both african americans)
Eye Opener
To all those commentators that believe that Crown Heighters are narrow-minded and working only with emotion, I hate to disillusion you but most of this election was an emotional one for the ENTIRE United States. All the blacks voted for Obama without even listening to his agenda, and the liberals too, who loved the idea of showing how far our country has come by voting in a black president. Where does policies and program come into all their vote???
consider this:
Rahm Emanuel.
Not a Moron
Welcome to the close and small mindedness of Crown Heights. Do you even understand the issues?
Most of the Crown Heights people should be thrilled that Obama is president, increased welfare, unemployment benefits, food stamps, medical care.
Give the guy a chance. For heavens sake.
stop the racism accusations
Why are all the people posting for Obama accusing Jews of racism if that the only reason a lot of people voted for him was to have the first black president. People are worried about Obama’s associations (Wright, Ayers, etc). People do not like his economic changes. His and the democratics policies about marriage are an abomination.Is that the change you want to see? The ones who are racist are the majority who voted for Obama just because he is black and are accusing people who didn’t vote for him of racism. If anyone opposes a black for office, it’s racism?
Shmulie
I do not understand how these comments are any different than looking at the American KuKluxKlan or other hate groups. What is the issue here? Obama is not a Muslim any more than a Lubavitcher is not a Buddhist. Stop it already.
If you continue to print such trash, Crown Heights and all the racists living there should just pack it in and move to Mt. Ararat or some place where you can;t do any harm, except to yourselves. And take enough Rubashkin meat with you since what’s on the shelves at Kol Tuv is probably all you’re ever going to see.
These comments do not reflect the teachings of any of the Chabad Rebbeim. They represent uneducated simplistic bupkes.
LW
Instead of being hysterical, maybe we should just say that since this is the situation, and it cannot be changed now, we should just pray that Hashem points this man in the right direction and hope for the best and Moshiach.
Yossi
TO “afraid” who wrote “We are not going to see our hard work go into some lowlife’s pocket”:
1. It is amazing how we Jews have forgotten how much we benefit from welfare programs and how we were once immigrants with no money. 50 years ago when Jews came to America and were provided with programs and benefits. And now this is our response? What happened to Medina shel chesed???
2. At the end of the day families with many kids will only benefit from his revised medical coverage and other social programs, we won’t have to be receiving letters to help families get medical care because they cannot afford it.
3. If you think that McCain was gong to instantly provide school vouchers, especially with a dem congress, you are mistaken, bush promised it too.
Yossi
What a chillul Hashem.
The rebbe called on CH to be one community.
The African-Americans and the Hasidim need the same social services, food stamps, health care, rent asistence, youth programs etc.
We have been led by political leaders who will fight the local A-A leaders at every step. so that they can missapropriate funds as they see fit.(if we were one community each side would keep the other side honest) our “leaders” work to split us and isolate us.. they use fear and hate.
The chances for john McCane in NY were zero.
so why the “mitzva” to run and vote? to keep you all in fear, and to show the local political bosses that they control YOUR VOTE!!
We would be better off if we listend to our Rebbe, and worked WITH the A-A community, to give their kids HOPE through education.
The election of Obama is the best thing for the safety of CH.
Now the kid that was involved in petty crime, has a role model on living a better life.
We in CH live in a POOR community: whole biuldings are section 8, food stamps are used to mamosh put food on the tables of a large number of our naighbers. without medicare most familys would be with out.
one must be a heartless person to vote republican, in NY.
WEBBY. how can you approve the hate and lies that are writen.
ppl look to your blog to see what CH Jews think..
Wake Up
Hello wake up people!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have lived in other states and I have never seen blacks like the ones in crown heights. Angry, ugly, always looking to start something just to be ugly, like the riots in crown heights, california. Killing just because they have an excuse. Lets say a white person decides to do something about this what will happen? Guess what, we are living right in the middle of them. How soon do you think the police and the community can help out every single one of us. Why do I think like this because i have 3 children THANK G-D, Last year they run up to my son with me right there, 6yrs old and were trying to scare him, because he is a Jew. We have to beaware of everthing. At least we know the Rebbe is with us!!!!!!!!!!
emunah
Where is the faith in HaShem? Think good it will be good.
Montgomery and Troy
Boruch Hashem for sane voices like Reuven. Are these the Rebbe’s people? Is this the Rebbe’s shcunoh? Such medieval bigotry ignorance and perverse poor taste.
Montgomery and Troy
Emmanuel, to be announced as obama’s chief of staff, is an Orthodox Jew. Boruch Hashem a few shluchim endorsed Obama….
I can not vote but...
I can not vote – as I am not an American!
But the fact that Obama won – was obviously something that Hahsem wnted! Hashem runs this world,a nd everything he does is for the good – although sometimes we may not see it…. we should not all be sitting here writing comments on this site instead we should go out there and as the Shliach wrote “Increase in acts of goodness and kindness!” The Rebbe took time for everyone no matter who they were, so should we!!!!
CH Mom
Questioning a candidates inexperience is not racists.
Listening to his statements and deciding you don’t agree with him is not racist.
Examining his past associations is not racist.
Candidates should be rigoursly exxamined and tested before being awarded the highest office in the land. I for one resent being called a racist because I found this particular candidate to be completely unqualified.
b positive
whatever happened to the hearts of kings being in the hands of Hashem, He won’t let us down, just continue to learn torah and do mitzvos. MOSHIACH NOW!!
Stop playing the race card
Some people actually took the time to think about the issues and policies at stake here, and made an intellectual decision that Obama is not a good choice for this country. Why does everyone have to rush to point fingers and call other people racist?? If we’ve “come so far” as a country, it shouldn’t be such a big deal that we have elected “a black president.” BIG DEAL!
YEMACH SHMO V-ZICHRO
What will be???????
thinkgood=begood
Reuven, thank you for your posting. A sane, civil voice in the crowd.
BigBen
Now we can understand what the Frierdicke Rebbe meant when he stated that “Americke is nisht andersh”.
Many who voted for BO did so with total disregard to his questionable connections because they are too young or just don’t care. Any sane person who can evaluate a candidate properly would vote for McCane.
Reuven,Shmueli,Yossi your statements are ridiculous. You are very ignorant of the important issues.
BO is bad news for US and Israel but I’m not running away from US but intend to watch and critisize BO and support the next real Conservative Presidential candidate.
Hashem will surely help because HE is the one in control.
Milhouse
Unfortunately running to Israel is no answer, since the government there is even worse than Obama will be, and there’s little prospect that the next government will be any better. At least here we have a constitution, and – for the moment – a Supreme Court that is sometimes willing to enforce it. Though watch for Stevens, Ginsberg, and Souter to all retire so Obama can appoint 45-year-old far leftists to replace them. He’s already said he wants judges who will ignore the Torah’s command not to favour the poor.
BTW to all the commenters who rant about racism, and to those others who complain about a black president, you’re both off your heads. The country has long been ready for a black president – just not this one. You watch in 2012; my prediction is that there won’t be a white man on either ticket. The Republicans will nominate Palin and Jindal (not necessarily in that order), and the Democrats will nominate Clinton and Harold Ford (or some similar truly moderate black man, not a fake moderate like Obama). I would gladly vote for Jindal.
Yossi
To Reuven
If Obama’s association with Farrakhan doesn’t scare you
If Obama’s relationship with Ayers doesn’t bother you
If Obama’s Mentor William Wright doesn’t worry you
if obama’s friendship with Rashid Khalidi and
Edward Said, both PLO members doesn’t concern you,
then what does?
And speaking of Racism, over 95% of Blacks voted for Obama!!!
so who are the racists?
A lot of us in Crown Heights did not vote for Obama, but not because he is Black, but because he his the wrong Black.
Yanky
I can’t wait until the first Lubavitcher runs for president and gets associated with the racist teachings of certain Israeli rabbis and extremists, like Wolpe and Marzel. For how long after his campaign will the naive American public promulgate that he must be a racist too?
The secret!
The bright side is: when hard times come about for the jews – we jews unite…maybe thats what we need….maybe thats the little secret….
Boruch ben Tzvi(A H)HaKohaine Hoffinger
Dear CY et al. BS”D
Both candidates had virtues and shortcomings; how to choose?
What’s the most important issue? Morals! Not the economy! Not terrorism. We were attacked by terrorists because of our sins.
When Hashem sees this nation is a moral nation and doesn’t, as it has, abort over 40 million fetuses then HE will deal with us with greater kindness.
For a non-Jew to abort a fetus 40 days after conception is considered murder according to The 7 Noahide Laws.
The plants will grow bigger, we’ll find better, less expensive and more sources of fuel, etc.
Tracht Gut Ve Zein Gut
What looks at first glance scary and unnerving, still can turn out for the good. We are a people of Faith and now is the time to daven and turn to G-d, to pray that what might appear not good shoud turn out good. Although we have all ‘heard’ the negative of this newly elected President,lets give it some time. Also, please take heed, that there are non-Jews, including public officials that read this site. It’s fine to express concerns, but we don’t want to make a chillul Hashem and bring animosity to our community. Rather,
like the Rebbe said, focusing on deeds of goodness and kindness can bring the Geula,and bring Rachmanos. I think after this week, we can agree that this is whats needed.
Didn-t vote for him
Hashem runs the world and watches over His people and His land. Obama was clearly placed into this position, not through logic or sense, but by divine intervention. Doesn’t matter who the president is, and your financial situation is dependant on and decided Above, not the tax structure of America or its government. Bush at first did Israel well, but in the end was the same thing we’ve seen no matter who the president is. Hashem should protect us all, no matter who is president. Those going to Israel, good luck with Tzipi Livni!!!
Zvi in Montreal
Aahh, a level-headed and well-said comment. What relief.
Yossi, I can now go have a coffee. Couldn’t have put it better.
A Proud Lubavitcher Republican
DARK AGES?!
It is amusing and at the same time extremely offensive that all you “enlightened” people keep calling Crown Heightsers “small minded” “narrow minded” “farmers” and more such insulting misnomers.
If someone disagrees with your stance, does that make them narrow minded and racist?! Apparently, millions of Americans feel the same way as these “narrow minded” Crown Heightsers!
I would have no problem with a black being president–I have a big problem with a “leader” such as Obama! I appreciate the historical significance of a black attaining such a position–but at what price?
It is a fact that Obama has close associations with terrorists and PLO leaders. It is a fact that he believes in “spreading the wealth” which tears down the entrepreneurial spirit of Americans. It is a fact that he was rated the #1 liberal Senator, after just a few short years. It is a fact that he is a lawyer who knows what to say and when.
To choose this naive, liberal newcomer over an experienced Senator who loves his country and has a proven record of values which are at least more similar to a frum yid’s than Obama’s is choosing with your HEART instead of your MIND. Go watch the gas prices shoot up and people be out of jobs because businesses will start moving their companies–oh, how good for the economy!
And even if he would be good for the economy, I will not sell my soul and my country for my wallet.
When all is said and done, I am so grateful to be a believing Jew. Ultimately, Hashem will protect His people.
I refuse to sit by while people slander the Rebbe’s neighborhood, simply because they disagree with their views. Spoken by someone not living in Crown Heights but whose heart is in the right place.
shmuly
Its too bad Lubavitchers get so emotionally invested in American Politics – A politics that has almost no substantive bearing on their day to day lives.
If only they would get as riled up about the problems facing our own community as they do about the “shvartza”, if only they would invest as much time exposed to decency and kindness as they do wallowing in the shrill of rabid right-wing radio, how different things might be.
The obsession with politics – the taking sides with the “right” team and hating the “wrong” team, is nothing but a manifestation of a culture that has become consumed by hate and division.
It’s time to grow up.
Just an idea...
I am just as guilty as this as anyone else reading these posts, probably even more so, but maybe if we would each dedicate ourselves to learn something for the same amount of time that we just used up reading these arguements,we will merit to have our true leader-moshiach ruling. Then there won’t be any need for elections and arguements again.
On a personal note-can we please refrain from using foul language. Thank you!
n’eNow
Mo Town Mentch
Yossi your post made the most sense.
The scary thing about Obama is not his sklin color!If McCain was black I would have voted for him.
I do appreciate the historic signifigance of this election but I fear for America’s safety.
the reason people are scared about Obama is twofold.
1 his previous associations with known terrorists and anti semites
2. already during his acceptance speech he changed some of his promises. he said change will come but maybe not in the first year maybe not even in the first 4 years, so all his promises of helping everyione are already questionable.
One thing I do think is good though, in such a situation people begin to think Hashem Yerachem and maybe we’ll daven for Moshiach a little bit harder.
fbfbgb
i personally dont like obama not beacause he is black i meen it dosnt help thathe is but…the fact that he is muslim is scary and he is a liar bc he hasnt prooven to us were he is born one brother says he was born in the hostpital and him another
then hawai.,,,so what is it
CSC
The running joke about BO wasn’t that he was black — rather, he was green. (And no, I don’t mean environmentally.)
Barack Obama will be a disaster for this country, let alone Israel. He is knee-jerk left-wing & painfully naive. His views on socialism & global “appeasement” will ruin us politically & economically.
I don’t care if the president is black, female, or whatever, as long as he or she is conservative & shares my values. McCain did. The problem was, he lacked charisma — & picked a poor running mate. It probably didn’t matter anyway, as the Republicans had a lot going against them.
The appeal of Obama is scary to me because of what it represents: a country youth-obsessed & emotionally (& yes, dare I say,erotically) charged. It is a country scarred by liberalism. Many, if not most, of the people who voted for him were young, female, minority, or “different” — immature, non-intellectual, or plain nutty. Unfortunately, they comprise the majority of present-day America.
There is incredible hostility toward white heterosexual males, who are perceived (probably rightly) as the bulk of the Republican party. To an “outsider” or liberal, anyone the opposite of the above automatically wears a halo. It is frightening, the level distorted thinking that is going on.
oy.
its not obamas fault that he has the crapiest name ever!!! he is an african american, and nothing else… how do you see the muslim thing?? his father was a practicing muslem, but obama was raised by his mother and grandmother (who were white-if that makes you feel better) and only met his biological father ONE TIME! i have an IRISH classmate who takes the arabic name tahara!!!….hashem controls the outcome of the world…and even if some disagree…. what ever happened to gam zu letova??? important dictionary words for you to look up- bigotry and xenophobia. its really disgusting what ppl write about others and actually makes me more concerned about this community more than anyone else out there. bec most of you cannot accept change. this is baseless hatred. we should be happy that the african american community will change for the better now that obama is president elect. they have a prestigious figure to look up to for support and aiming for a higher quality of life. there are so many more important things to worry about. mccain is no saint either. the keating five/ayres scandal he got off of….much to do with terrorism .google that!
oy
the only thing we have to be worried about is the fact that there are too many liberal left wing candidates in power now…which will accelerate the rates of abortion and gays and lesbians..and for some the taxes.. the middle class(a lot of us!) should be happy we will get the help we need now. but otherwise israel is in hashems hands always no matter who rules the country and no matter what his name is.
Relax, and smile!
Wow, the sheer absurdness of many people’s views on this is shocking!
Firstly, Where is Emunah here? Did everyone forget that this is Hashem’s plan, not us as individuals? It is because Hashem wanted it to be, so I am confident he knows what he is doing. are you?
For all those hopping on a plane, going to Israel, go! That is where a Jew belongs anyways. Is it a threat to us that your leaving? No! Your making a big deal, of something you should do anyways!
For all those who are too close minded to accept the change. Don’t be racist, and so close minded. It will get you no where, and is a major Chilul Hashem. Please think of what you are saying before you write it out. You are coming across as major bigots.
By the way, I voted for McCain, in case you were going to start calling me any names :) Simcha Peretz Geder
Resident
While I wrote “Hashem Yerachim” above I hope to G-d that this weekend we as CHer’s can keep our mouth shut about this election.
Tons of college students, most who voted for Obama, will be here. They will NOT come to get lectured by us about how stupid they were to vote for Obama, even though most live in Blue States anyway. They are coming to experience, in most cases, for the first time a visit to a frum Chasidic community. I worry that people here will truly SCREW THIS UP for the Campus Shluchim just like last year with the umbrellas.
The main goal is to inspire, not put down, to make feel good, not bad. Please for this one weekend coming up, let it go. Remember that these college students are not Islamists, bigots, communists, self hating jews, etc. After all, they are coming to experience yiddishkeit. Our “glorious” Bush will still be President this weekend so if you must obsess over this, fill your mind with that thought.
Do you want to be the one who ruined it for these people, or do you want to be the bigger person? Avoid using the “N” word this weekend. Instead focus on the nice things about Crown Heights and Judaism.
In 2000, I was put down for having voted for Gore. I was new to being frum, and my main focus at the time was observing Judaism and mitzvos properly, not Sean Hannity, Fox News, Drudge Report, or Rush Limbaugh. Needless to say that attitude still affects me a bit to this day, I’m over it, but I dont want others going through this idiocy
I beg of us all to chill out for one weekend
MOSHIACH NOW!!!!
b4 MOSHIACH COMES THE MUSLIMS WILL RULE RULE THE WORLD WE ARE IN MOSHIACHS TIMES!!!
CURIOUS
HOW ODD IS IT THAT OBAMA WANTS TO APPOINT RAHM EMANUEL (A YID) AS PART OF HIS CHEIF OF STAFF? COINCEDENTAL?
McCain vote=Racist? Why?
What bothers me is that people who voted for McCain are automatically labeled racist. Did it ever occur to you that some people actually make educated votes? They vote with their intellect for the candidate whose values and morals are somewhat in line with their own. Oh, and btw to the person who said that Obama only met his dad once, he actually spent a few years in school in Kenya where his father lives. Just fyi.
mccain rox
omg what is this world coming to?!
boruch dayn emes
the great america has fallen
nehedar
oh. my. G-d.
GET A GRIP :)
you don’t sound ok, maybe all the really really worried people should move to israel, the moderates should go do some mitzvot and get back on the side of good, and the happy people :) well, lets just try our hardest to be contagious…
anyone who wants to predict the “beginning of the end” needs to get their head examined.
seriously, why would you want to have a war gog u magog if we can instead bring moshiac (back? hey i’m not judging) in a peaceful way.
if you’re worried about your money, fine, i’m sorry, bush should never have given you those tax cuts in the first place, i’m sure he’d apologize if he could (think) for creating such a sense of entitlement.
but all of you who believe that obama is a muslim and/or terrorist and to that sick and twisted %^@^@ who threatened his life..
you have a responsibility to yourself to try to get out of the sick mindset you are in. you are the biggest threat that i see to our nations security at this time.
dig deep, deep in your soul and try and find your happy place.
and i think torah and mitzvot is a great idea!
rebmoshe
Obama is the best thing that ever happened. The world was about to explode and here he comes, promising change! now whats better than that?
Jewish American Pro Israel Obama Support
Some of the reactions to the election of Obama is what you should have been saying for the last eight years.
Bush was no friend to Israel:
Under his watch Israel was pressured to give away land and if Condy Rice had her way it would have been more!
9/11: Enough said
Two wars that have done nothing but rack up debt and needlessly waste lives of American soldiers and innocent Iraqis and Afghans
The Economy: Speaks for itself Doubled the debt your grandchildren will be paying off!
His best friends the Saudis:
19 of the 9/11 Highjackers were Saudi; we’ve nevr investigated any Saudi Citizens
Almost $5.00/ gallon for these @$%&* at the height of the manufactured “shortage”
The Patriot Act: Should be called the un-patriotic act
Convinces the American paople to virtually suspend the Constitution “for our own good”
Illegal wiretaps, secret police, secret prisons. TORTURE!
War on Kosher: You think Republicans love Jews? have you ever been in a room full of WASPS?
History will bear this idiot and his evil masters (Cheny, Rumsfeld, Wolfewitz) out in the same light as Stalin and his thugs and maybe even Hitler, yes that’s right.
We may never know the scope of their criminal activities.
Where were your comments then! Bottom line, all you really cared about was avoiding your rightful share of taxes.
If another Republican never sits in the White House THAT would be the best thing for the Jews, and the nation.
Wake Up It’s the nightmare that’s over The Dream has Begun
Hmmm
I love the way all these people are calling everyone else but themselves,“bigots!” A bigot is one who is strongly partial to one’s own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ. Why do you feel that you are more correct? Everyone has his/her own opinion, and that’s the way the world is. Have a good life!
EVERYBODY BREATH....
HELLO CROWN HIGHTS!
give obama a chance and stop being so narrow minded….
did he do anything yet?
has he had time to prove himself as president?
America is so amazing….this guy came from nothing, hes not form a rich famous family, but America gave him an oppurtunity…stop and wait a few minutes to make your conclusions!! let him prove himslef! open your minds…(but not so much that your brains fall out)
OBOMINATION
It feels like when Dinkins won the mayor’s office and everyone said the same thing. “lets give him a chance…What could happen?” Eccept this is on a international scale. Hold on, its going to be a bumpy ride.
Mush
To Reb Moshe:
What exactly is the change that’s going to happen? What did he say? Did I miss something? It’s good that he has promised change, but have you heard what he has already said in his speech the other night? Do you hear what he actually does say?Whatever, as long as it makes you happy.
Elchanon Stuben the 44th
McCain associates with current active terrorists. He has people praising the murder of doctors and the bombing of medical clinics. These are sickos.
Ayers is reformed, he paid his debt to society and is a teacher. You are grasping at straws in an attempt to legitimize your bigotry. But you will still do better and gain more tax benefits under the Obama tax plan, despite yourself.
a bissel seichel
Racist ? if alan keys (a black republican) ran for president, I bet that all those scereeching at obama would have voted for him!
Perhaps there are a few racists down south.
The real racists ? are those of you playing the race card.. frankly its disgusting that we cant harbor alternate views and that if we dont like obama we are automatic racists ?!?! YOU are the ignorant fools..
On sep 11 the ny times published an article with william ayers who thinks back nostalgically to his days as a terrorist and says he’d do it again (still a terrorist) so 20 years after he was still supporting his actions.. you think a few years later he changed ?
You tell me that youve sat through your rabbi’s drashos for 20 years and have no clue of ANYTHING he said ? then your less intelligent than the democrats attempt to paint bush!!
Give him a chance ?!? are you retarded ?!? this is the office of the president for heavens sake.. he didnt run for mayor!!
Bush had way more experience than obama when he ran..
BTW the tax bracket keeps going down.. bill richardson says 120k for tax raises.. and this isnt like the clinton years.. btw it was clinton that got us into the housing mess.
See I dont defend McCain frankly because I dont like much about him.. but you obama nuts are impartial to criticism or if we say anything you call us bigots..
BTW to shliach who called ch residents “farmers”
#1 your quote is in reference to eretz yisrael.. why arent you living there ? 2nd of all dont hack non shluchim.. i’m a non shliach businessman who donates a large amount of money to the shliach here and help him do mivtzoim on all yomim tovim.. after all is said and donbe.. i give more to tzedaka then I use for myself.. please get a life
Moshiach is comin and were gona be saved
(Do you know that where gonna get saved and Moshaich is) COMING because when the sun was created it never goes in a spot when it was created like it always does it can go in that spot
3 times and the 3rd time is PESSACH this coming up pesach
it went when the jews where about to be slives on pesach
than the next time it happend when the sun came out yo be
in the same spot as it was created the next it was PURIM
and it can only come out 3 times so the next time is this
pesach and OBAMA INSAN’TY Got in and thats how where gonna
be SAVED from OBAMA and his evli decree!
He”s Like Hitler Re Mach Shmon)
Some of my best friends are Lubavitchers
(OK, not literally.)
Will everyone please calm down?
1. No, voting for McCain doesn’t mean you’re a racist or a bigot. Far from it. But when the election of a black president makes you think the literal end of the world is at hand and it’s time to leave the country, I gotta wonder. One thing I gotta wonder is whether we’d see quite this level of hysteria if Al Gore or John Kerry had been elected, however distasteful that would be to you.
2. Speaking of whom, can we drop this phony blacks-are-the real-racists bit? Blacks voted overwhelmingly for Gore and Kerry, perhaps because they suspected (correctly, as it turned out) that Bush would be mainly concerned with improving life for the rich. They came out a little more heavily for Obama, just as Jews would/will in a similar situation.
3. Obama is not a Muslim. Obama is not a Muslim. Obama is not a Muslim. By the way, Muslims are allowed to run for President, and some of them are off fighting terrorists in Afghanistan right now while we sit at home. Same for Jews. Isn’t this a great country? In spite of the bigots?
4. Ayers and Dohrn are not terrorists, they’re ex-terrorists. They are not close friends of Obama, though Rahm Emanuel is. This idea that O’s just waiting for Inauguration Day to blow up the Capitol or something is simply demented.
5. If you’re worried that Obama will raise taxes on the rich, you’re right to be worried. But did you know that in the 1950s and 1960s,economic good times in the US, the top tax rate ranged from 75% to 90%? I don’t think there’s ever been a tax increase on the rich that wasn’t predicted to destroy the economy, and yet it never happens.
6. Finally, as someone pointed out above, not only the non-frum but non-Jews may read these posts. Please don’t lead them to believe that a group of people that I’ve found to be pretty nice are a bunch of rabid maniacs.
3.
a visitor
some of you people ought to be ashamed of yourselves to write such things in a public place. Have you learned nothing from your own history about the need for tolerance?
By the way, the first person Obama hired was a Jew…
yechi monster
Everyone wake up and see how close is Moshiach the whole world is economic crises and we are blind the world finnaly eye witnesing change in the world the whole idea of Obama is unbelievable but all this is happening if you want it to or not. The Rebbe promised us that Moshiach is here and all we have to do is open our eyes and see it and gam zo latova
MOSHIACH NOW AD MOSAI
YECHI ADDONEINU MOREINU VRABEINU MELECH HAMOSHIACH LOLAM VOED
Shvartza against Hussein Obama
It was quite surprising that the very Reverand Wright didn’t speak during today’s festivities.
A friend in shul said that he strongly doubts that B. Hussein Obama will fill out his term without being assisaated. It would be cool if a Muslim did the deed lol