Rabbi Blau on Jewish Insecurity

Rabbi Yosef Blau is president of the Religious Zionists of America, an organization that is conventionally right-wing and supports the Israeli settlement movement.

He opens with praise for George W. Bush, then says explicitly that Jews should feel safe with Obama. Excerpts:

Obama’s association with The Rev. Jeremiah Wright and other controversial figures who are part of the South Side of Chicago community has been subject to far greater scrutiny than questionable pastors and extremists of the right or left with connections to Senators Clinton and McCain...

There is an inverse relationship between the acceptance of Jews in American society and the Jewish sense of insecurity. Basically satisfied with the status quo, the Jewish establishment is apprehensive about a person they do not know well and who represents change. However, America does not appear to be content with the present political leaders. Foresight should lead to establishing ties and making new friends. Barack Obama’s personality, record and policy proposals reflect a candidate with whom the Jewish community should be comfortable. The best way to test this hypothesis is to increase direct contact and open dialogue.

His full text: Obama And A Wary Jewish Establishment, by Rabbi Blau, an opinion piece in the New York Jewish Week.
Wikipedia on the Religious Zionists of America