Gallup: Jews Still Solidly Back Obama

The latest Gallup poll shows a "solid majority of Jewish Americans still approve of Obama," and they may be his most loyal segment of the population. President Obama’s Jewish approval level was 60 percent in June, about 14 points above the general public. Among Jewish Democrats his rating was 85 percent, compared to 51 percent among observant Jews, who attend synagogue at least once a week and tend to be more conservative than most other Jews.

The survey released last week revealed a drop from prior months but that was consistent with broader patterns for the nation at large, Gallup said. Obama’s bin Laden bump in May seems to have vanished. Gallup also said his May 19 speech on the Middle East that "provoked a highly negative reaction" from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who distorted what Obama actually said about borders, apparently had no discernable impact on the President’s Jewish support.

Approval ratings are a snapshot in time and reflect current events and issues, whereas votes at the polls reflect a broader national perspective and a specific comparison to the candidate and issues of the opposing party.