Election Reactions

People from all walks of life are weighing in on the 2008 Election. What are they saying?

Alan—Reporter

What kind of reactions did you see after Barack Obama won the election?

Alan: Well it’s—almost a cliché—I really get a sense that there is a lot of hope and sense of joy and sense of possibilities at least here in St Louis—seeing people out on the street last night and middle age white guys giving fist-pumps to seventeen year old black kids down on Delmar loop—I think, on a lot of levels it transcends the election and it really shows that there is a thirst and a hunger among people to really have something to look forward to. For just a moment in time for a couple hours last night there was really a sense of this country and the possibilities that it offers as opposed to the problems.


Rachel and Elaine—Seniors

How did you feel when you woke up this morning and realized the US had a new president?

Rachel: When I woke up this morning I was glad that the election went the way it went. I certainly did not want Sarah Palin, and this is why I voted for Obama.

How will the United States change?

Rachel: Time will tell. It’s a little early—I mean, it has changed in itself that an African American has been elected president—that in itself is amazing, I mean, unbelievable, whatever adjective you want to use. What’s going to happen? We're going to have to wait and see. It’s too early to tell.

Elaine: I think young people are going to be more impatient for a turnaround, and as we’re a little bit older I think, you know, we can be a little more patient but there will be changes, and we’re encouraged by that

Rachel: We are looking forward to the changes—and they are very badly needed. I think the world view of America now, has already changed—

Elaine: Much much improved—

Rachel: And it has already changed with the exception of Israel—Israel is my concern to be honest. And Israel wanted McCain because he has been a very good friend to Israel, and that was one of the reasons, before he took Sarah Palin, that—he was in my mind—whether I would have voted for him or not I don’t know, but he was still in my mind because I’m definitely concerned about Israel.

Elaine: It remains to be seen what’s going to happen as far as the Israel situation—how supportive people will be of Israel, but we’re hoping for the best.

Rachel: We’re encouraged.


David Kramer—Student

How did you feel this morning when you woke up an you realized that Obama will be the next—the 44th president of the United States?

David: I was super happy. I just felt really good. I think there’s change on the way. I was really happy with the people of Ohio…the elderly of Florida decided to go with Obama over John McCain.

Why did the older Jewish generation in Florida vote for Obama?

David: I really think that the elder Jewish US population—their major concern was which candidate is going to support Israel the most? If Iran attacked Israel and [McCain] was asked 'what would you do' his answer would be ‘I would attack them with force.

Obama, in his very nature, is the type of person that thinks things through. So he’s not gonna say, 'I would just attack them.' He’s going to say look, ‘I am going to take the steps to prevent something like that from happening. I am going to form these international alliances…’ And he will engage in diplomacy...people don’t understand, these countries are upset about something, and if you don’t talk to them you’ll never actually know why that is.


Josh, Elan, Shmuli—Block Yeshiva High School

Obama is the new president. How do you feel?

Elan: It’s a very exciting time…it’s very interesting to wake up and be a part of history.. It’s a momentous time in history; he is the first African American president to be in office. It’s an exciting time to be alive and to be able to tell future generations that I was here when the first African American actually was in office.

Josh: I am a little bit disappointed with the results of the election; I would have preferred Senator McCain to win. I think he is more supportive of Israel and he’s shown his support more in the past, and his friends that he associates with tend to be more pro-Jews and pro-Israel than President Elect Obama. But at the same time it is a historical landmark that an African American was elected into office, and that’s a huge step for America, because quite a few years ago black people couldn’t even vote, and definitely couldn't be president.

Shmuli: It’s exciting to be alive during a time when you have the first African American in office because again., there was segregation in the Unites States until very recently...it’s exciting to be alive during this time, and we can say ‘I remember when the first African American was elected to be the president of the United States'—it’s a cool thing to say.

How should Obama focus his foreign policy?

Josh: I think that Obama’s perspective on how to deal with issues such as Iran is rather dangerous—because there are certain countries that people can sit down with and talk to—but as Jews and in personal experience, we have seen that Iran and groups like radical Islamists are the type of people you cannot sit down and talk to. We’ve seen that over and over again, and we don’t need any more lessons to show us that. So I think Obama’s view is very dangerous.

Elan: I think you can really go either way. It’s true that we do need to see some force but we also need to show some diplomacy. Diplomacy can be dangerous at times because some, like Ahmadinejad has been shown to be somewhat unstable, and although it could be good to sit down with him, it could also be dangerous because we need to have action. So, Obama’s plan in theory sounds good—you want to sit down with people—but you have to have err on the side of caution…you have to be ready to take action.

Shmuli: It could obviously, go either way, sitting down with foreign countries. But I also feel that you have to take what they say a little bit with a grain of salt, because you’re dealing with people who are not necessarily true to what they say in public, as to what to they believe in private, as to what they say to their own citizens, as what they say to other countries.

You have to be careful with them, and it might be a good idea to try to negotiate with them, but again there have been leaders in the past who have tried to negotiate with them and have failed and not succeeded—so it can be an exercise in futility but it could work out.

You never know.


Thanks to all participants; you were fantastic.

Local Response to the Election

In the light of the elections, I am proud and filled with a spirit of optimism. My eyes filled with tears to see the people of America elect someone to the highest office in our nation's government on the merits of leadership, vision and values, without regard to race. I was moved by the historic significance of an African American being elected as president. The American dream and the values we cherish as Jews seem possible. I am overcome with hopeful anticipation, and pray that all Americans will continue to seek the common ground that will move us ever closer to the fulfillment of these dreams.

Rabbi Jim Bennett
Congregation Shaare Emeth
11645 Ladue Road
St. Louis, MO 63141

Local Response to the Election

So as a Jew -- and an American -- what is my reaction to the election results in a 100 words or less (79 words left - oy!)? Pride...pride is my overwhelming emotion....pride in America for transcending - in this one election - the toxic myopias of RACE, SEX and AGE...and pride as a Jew knowing that this kind of "advanced thinking" emerges organically from the very first chapters of our foundational text - the Torah. As my 8 year old son noted: "Abba - your very emotional about a BLACK MAN moving in to a WHITE HOUSE". And of this sensitive observation I am most proud...Shehecheyanu VeKeyemanu VeHegeyanu LaZman Hazeh...Thank you God for enabling us to experience this auspicious moment!

Rabbi Carnie Shalom Rose
Senior Rabbi
Congregation Bnai Amoona
324 South Mason Road
Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Local Response to the Election

As a Jew and an American I have never been more hopeful and more proud. I am hopeful that the grassroots movement for change engaged by President elect Obama's campaign will continue to grow and support the ideas and policies that will bring healing to our nation at home and abroad. I am proud that so many cared enough to engage in debate over serious issues and show up to vote. I believe with all my heart that this new administration will have new energy to invest in a peaceful solution for Israel and her neighbors, access to quality health care, energy alternatives and relief for those living in poverty. I was proud to belong to Rabbis for Obama during the campaign and I will continue to be a rabbi for Obama as long as he is my president.

Rabbi Susan Talve
Central Reform Congregation

Local Response to the Election

The definition of the cultural mainstream changed forever when our country elected its first African-American president. It’s broader and more inclusive than ever before, and that’s a very good thing for the Jewish community. For the last century, Jews sought success in American life by concealing our ethnic differences. We are now discovering that in order to thrive as a community, we must celebrate our uniqueness and affirm what makes us distinctive. In a country that values every color of the rainbow and affirms each creed, Jewish pride is just one more addition to a rainbow whose appearance has been long overdue.

Rabbi Allen Selis
Head of School
The Solomon Schechter Day School of St. Louis

Local Response to the Election

As a Jew and as an American, I am greatly pleased by the results of the election last night. America was heading in the wrong direction in many ways, and as the founders of this nation intended, the people exercised their power to change the direction of the country. We will now have a president who embodies so many of our sacred values as Jews, caring for the poor, healing the sick, lifting up all people and seeking out peace and righteousness. It is my prayer that all Americans rally around our new president to make sure that the changesin this country will leave a better nation and a better world for our children.

-Rabbi Daniel Plotkin

B'nai El Congregation
11411 N Forty Dr.
St. Louis, MO 63131
314-432-6393