Jew-Jew-(wanna)bes

Now all the proud sporters of COEXIST bumper stickers really can be proud of the Jewish star. Obama, afterall, is related to a Rabbi.

No highlight that it's by marriage. And second cousin once-removed to Michelle Obama. Somebody's grandfather's sister's grandkid. Say what?

While Obama has struggled to win over Jewish voters, vigorously defending his support of Israel in Florida and other states with large Jewish populations, he hasn't mentioned Funnye on the campaign trail.

Funnye says he hasn't been involved in the campaign, except to donate money. But he speaks glowingly about the Obamas. Maybe because it has nothing to do with Obama's qualifications for President. The Obamas have not publicized the connection to Funnye out of respect for the privacy of their large extended family, said Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokeswoman for Michelle Obama.

Funnye said he sees the Obamas occasionally at family gatherings. The Obamas have never attended services at the stately tan brick synagogue of the Beth Shalom B'nai Zaken Ethiopian Hebrew Congregation in the city's Marquette Park neighborhood.
Funnye's relationship to the presidential candidate has been relatively unknown outside the Chicago Jewish community. The Forward, a Jewish newspaper, first reported the relationship.

"It was a total surprise to me," said Ira Forman, the executive director of the National Democratic Jewish Council. "Despite coming under attack unfairly in the Jewish community, Obama didn't even mention this. I think it's a piece of the puzzle that validates him."

WHO CARES? Would someone please explain to me how this validates anything about the man? It's not even his blood-relation!!

"A rabbi in the Obama family is certainly a wonderful welcomed aspect ," said Rep. Robert Wexler, D-Fla, one of Obama's chief surrogates before Jewish audiences.

Funny...was the Cheney relationship a "welcomed aspect"?