Almost half of U.S. voters unaware of Sanders’ Jewishness

[oberliner]

Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders cannot capture a TV audience without being identified as Jewish, or as some tweeps see him as the “Jewish uncle from Brooklyn.” But it seems that despite the chatter, few Americans can identify the insurgent Democratic-Socialist candidate by his religion.

According to a poll conducted by Emerson College Polling Society over the weekend, only 23% of registered voters identify Sanders as Jewish, while 48% were not sure. 1.5 percent identify Sanders as a Muslim.

If elected, Sanders would be the first Jewish president. A Gallup poll released earlier this year showed that 91% of Americans would vote for a qualified presidential candidate who is Jewish.

In several appearances over the past few months, Sanders claimed that his Judaism in the post-Holocaust era has shaped his policial philosophy in a “very deep way.”

http://www.jewishjournal.com/nation/article/almost_half_of_u.s._voters_unaware_of_sanders_jewishness

[JaneyVee]

1. 1.5% think he's Muslim?

[HerbChestnut]

3. No way.

[oberliner]

5. Those responders had to be trolling the poll

Right?

[LoveIsNow]

11. It's happening again!

I bet those people think all Democrats are Muslims.

[PeoViejo]

2. Why, should this be an issue?

I don't think so, unless you're a bigot.

[oberliner]

4. It shouldn't be

But he would be not only the first Jewish president but also the first president who openly talks about being not observant or religious at all. Basically our first Jewish and agnostic president - which would be pretty amazing.

[PeoViejo]

7. Sounds good to me.

Feel the Bern.

[dsc]

9. Thomas Jefferson was pretty open about his non practice

as were Madison and Monroe.

[Eric J in MN]

12. Thomas Jefferson went to church.

"evidence does exist of his involvement with and attendance at local churches throughout his life."

Jefferson also published a Bible with all the supernatural events removed.

The Federalists accused Jefferson of being an atheist.

https://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/jeffersons-religious-beliefs

[tabasco]

6. So?

Who cares? Not me.

[left-of-center2012]

8. identified as Jewish, or ... the “Jewish uncle from Brooklyn

I follow the news on the race all the time and never have heard that.
His faith is rarely mentioned IMHO.
And, who cares?

[beam me up scottie]

10. Thanks for the thread oberliner.

Imo noting Bernie's heritage is important.

[oberliner]

14. You're welcome

I think it is a point of pride for many people who would love to see it finally happen.

[beam me up scottie]

15. I also love the idea of an agnostic/atheist president.

Although Bernie could never answer that question honestly, Americans may be willing to elect a Jew but never an atheist.

[longship]

13. For Christ sakes (so to speak) haven't people heard of Article VI of the US Consitution?

It is succinct:

All debts contracted and engagements entered into, before the adoption of this Constitution, shall be as valid against the United States under this Constitution, as under the Confederation.

This Constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the US., shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the Constitution or laws of any State to the contrary notwithstanding.

The Senators and Representatives before mentioned, and the members of the several state legislatures, and all executive and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several states, shall be bound by oath or affirmation, to support this Constitution; but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

The operative words, in case people do not get it, are the emboldened text, especially the clause, but no religious test shall ever be required as a qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.

This is more important now than just about any Constitutional principle. Especially because of today's apparent GOP theocratic agenda. If that does not scare you, you are delusional.

[elleng]

16. DUers have, repugs haven't,

and even those who have will try to make something of this, if Bernie gets the nomination, imo. (I say this as a New York Jewish woman.) I fully expect it from the despicable ones.