At long last, the final days of the forever presidential season are here. This two-year national journey has been akin to Disney World’s latest thrill ride. We have had unexpected twists and turns, dark tunnels and frightening apparitions, even long lines and crying babies.

A brief word on the campaign’s exciting historic nature. Marking the strength of our system, serious candidacies were launched by an African-American, a woman, a Mormon, a former ranking Prisoner of War and an Evangelical pastor. A former Democratic vice presidential candidate backed the GOP choice.

Now, at long last, on Tuesday, Nov. 4 we’ll pick our this nation’s 44th President. We do so deeply nervous: U.S. troops are at war in two countries; the economy is in free fall; pitched cultural battles rage; public education is in crisis; the healthcare framework is broken.

In reality, neither Sens. John McCain nor Barrack Obama will be our political savior.

Mr. McCain surely has skeletons in his closet, starting with the Keating Five Savings and Loan crisis scandal of the late 1980s and ties to numerous lobbyists. Then there is his legendary temper.

Mr. Obama, with but four years in the national spotlight, responded too slowly this past spring to the appalling tirade of his long-term pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright. He continually ties Mr. McCain to Bush administration policies – many of which are disastrous in historic proportions. But Mr. McCain should be applauded for differing in key areas with “Bush 43,” particularly on how to wage the Iraq War and policies on torture.

Both have run advertisements about their opponents that are – at a minimum – gross, manipulation.

Yes, I am ignoring whether Mr. Obama “pals around with terrorists,” as Mr. McCain’s less-than-enlightened running mate, Gov. Sarah Palin, declares. She refers to the Illinois Senator’s serving on a board with former domestic terrorist Bill Ayers (along with leading Republicans).

Consider this: Were one to take such claims to their logical conclusion, Mr. McCain would be a communist and torturer. Tran Trong Duyet, former head of the “Hanoi Hilton” and Mr. McCain’s jailer, has said he would vote for Mr. McCain if he could because the American is now his “friend.”
Enough with such garbage. On to the issues – or at least the one that matters to me.

Mr. Obama’s policies are simply more comprehensive and sounder in the long-term. Take, for example, healthcare. Mr. McCain’s idea of $5,000 credit per family could drive up policies by at least that amount and persuade pinched employers to drop coverage. His heavy reliance on the unregulated free market – here as elsewhere – is unrealistic. Need proof? Look no farther than our battered banking system.

Mr. Obama’s plan would mandate employers offering health insurance or to contribute to the cost. A new National Health Insurance Exchange is likely to bring reasonable and stable premiums, deductibles and co-pays. Also, child health insurance would be mandatory. To pay for this, some programs must be slashed; the alternative is worse. And this plan has a better chance of structurally changing our system.

On to vice presidential choices. Many Jews – whom polls show are largely centrists – have been attracted to Mr. McCain’s past bi-partisan policies. Yet he insulted many in this camp by choosing Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. Her inexperience makes Mr. Obama look like Thomas Jefferson. Her reliance on sharp quips and populist rhetoric bring media attention and the cheers of some, but offer no depth. Mr. Obama picked Sen. Joe Biden, long a favorite with a large swath of Jewish voters and one of Washington’s brighter lights.

A President Obama will turn to his number two for advice and deep knowledge of Capital Hill. Mr. McCain must rely on his own valuable experience; his number two is not remotely capable of stepping in if needed.

Obviously I have a special interest in the fate of the State of Israel. The U.S.-Israeli relationship is strong and diverse. Mr. McCain is favored by many Jews living in Israel because of his tough talk on Iran and mocking of Mr. Obama’s desire to speak with such enemies. But Mr. Obama, with the counsel of Mr. Biden and long-time Mideast peace negotiator Ambassador Dennis Ross, will not sell out Israel. There will be disagreements, but none that surpass the hopes of large numbers of American and Israeli Jews.

The latest survey indicates that 74 percent of American Jews will vote for Mr. Obama. These voters are on to something. Barack Obama should be this nation’s 44th president.

When it comes to Evangelical Christianity’s self-professed love for the State and People of Israel, many Jews understandably retain a healthy dose of cynicism. That understandably comes from nearly two millennia of Christian antipathy and violence toward us. With Evangelicals in specific, their heavy emphasis on conversion is anathema to nearly every Jew – secular or otherwise. Others, however, argue that we desperately need friends these days. As Abraham Foxman of the Anti-Defamation League said a few years ago, “This is no time to say `You’re not our perfect friend.’”

One annual manifestation of Evangelical support is taking place in Jerusalem these days. Among the city’s visitors this Sukkot holiday are some 7,000 Evangelical tourists, according to the JTA Wire Service. They were celebrating the 29th annual Christian celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. The event, sponsored by the International Christian Embassy in Jerusalem, was expected to pump $18 million to $20 million into the economy of the Jewish state.

We must keep an open mind to all this while not letting down our guard. In short, we need more dialogue with Evangelical Christians. In doing so, we will learn – mirroring our community – that the Evangelicals are split on how to deal with Jews and Judaism. Some wings continue to single us out for proselytizing; others willingly supplant that to the proverbial back burner, freeing themselves to forge partnerships with us on issues such environmental concerns. Such diversity should not be surprising; there are an estimated 60 million and 80 million Evangelical Christians in this country alone. They are no more of one mind than are some 6 million American Jews.

The process of interfaith dialogue with other Christian groups, particularly the Roman Catholic Church, has brought profound rewards. Likewise with Protestant sects, despite some recent pushes for divestment in companies doing business with Israel – which other Protestants rose up against.
Mainly, in a world where hostile forces seek more than our souls, we need more talk and less preconceived notions.

If every presidential election is historic, this one may be even more so. For starters, there is the obvious reality of an African-American nominee from a major party. Then there is the oldest candidate yet from a major party. Finally, we have the GOP’s first nomination of a woman on the ticket (Sen. Geraldine Ferraro of the Democrats having gained the Democratic tap 24 years ago with former Vice President Walter Mondale at the ticket’s head).

Sadly, the vicious slander campaigns seemingly at the center of this campaign are not a first in the election process. Indeed, the 2008 presidential contest is as heated as any in recent memory in part due to “the sky is falling” accusations. A quick review of the noxious litany includes accusations of anti-Semitism from top policy advisers of both candidates; likewise with ties to anti-Jewish and offensive religious leaders – the latter relating to Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama and GOP vice presidential pick Gov. Sarah Palin. Then there are cries by both sides that their opponent will sell out Israel when it comes to combating Iran’s clear nuclear threat. Finally, there are outright racist and misogynist sentiments that should be immediately combated.

With all that in mind, it’s far from surprising that the passions of Jewish voters in the race reveals all of this and more. So in these days leading up to the vote itself, we urge everyone to base their knowledge not on the plethora of rumors circulating on the e-mail and Internet. Rather, visit the candidates’ websites to review policies, attend an area forum and speak with sources that you trust. (Hint: Talk radio of any persuasion does not fit that last category.) Mostly, figure out what’s important to you and do the research.

There are indeed major issues to explore for us as both Jews and Americans. Some of that boils down to political philosophy; none of it should be based on fear-mongering.

This is the best Italian food in town. We have tried many others and nothing can top Fazzini’s. Everything is fresh, homemade and delicious.

The pizza here was undercooked and really doughy.
entrees on other tables looked good though.

we like fazzini italian kitchen because of good wait staff and consistently good italian food. everything there is homemade; pasta, sauce,bread,pizza dough,etc.  large portions and reasonable prices and no ambiance!