All well and good but rather than react you might want to consider that you really don't "get" Silverman's comedy. She is alot smarter than you give her credit for and a big element of that intelligence is that she throws the gist of her comedy back on you. I am not saying you're wrong, I'm saying- she's funny and relevant and you're not.

Only 100 or so Jewish grandkids have actually heeded Silverman's call to fly to Boca to lobby their grandparents. (Damien Cave, "Laugh at a Campaign Pitch? Sure. Visit the Grandparents? Not So Much." October 13, 2008). But the Great Schlep phenomenon isn't really about changing Jewish votes. Rather, it's a funny self-deprecatory way for younger progressive Jews to signal African-Americans that they're angry and embarrassed by ugly rumors being chewed over and swallowed by some Jews. And it's not necessarily or even mainly among Jewish grandparents. All the ones I know are yellow dog Democrats -- which helps explain their grandkids' politics. In my experience, it's more hawkish and observant Jews who are more susceptible to this stuff. Hopefully, they'll feel a bit foolish when they learn that Andy Martin, the guy who started the cyber-slanders about Obama, is a hard-core Jew hater. (Jim Rutenbert, "Man Behind the Whispers About Obama comments," Oct. 12, 2008)The Great Schlep is comparable to efforts by African-Americans to convey to Jewish friends and peers their embarrassment at anti-Semitism within some sectors of their community -- only funnier. Whether or not it sways a single Jewish vote, it may serve a significant community relations function.

Lemme tell ya -- I just spent the high holidays with a large bunch of old Jews in Boca Raton, and they ain't voting Obama. I understand what you're saying about the Kennedy generation, but that same generation has at least by half gone Republican. Face it, friend.

Would you mind identifying me for this comment?
Here is my info:

Robert A. Katz
Professor of Law
Indiana University School of Law - Indianapolis

(FYI, my brother Mark reviews the War Room Revisited elsewhere in today's The Daily Beast)

"So if Jews are so unapologetically liberal..." Dude. Seriously. It's rather hard to swallow an argument against gross over-generalization and lack of historical knowledge when said argument uses both itself.

I agree with the first commenter: You don't seem to get Sarah Silverman's comedy. She is wldly popular right now, and there is good reason for it. And Obama is having trouble reaching out to older, Florida Jews. Maybe a visit from the grandkids really would help. We will take what we can get.

A few fairly nuanced and even-handed responses come to mind after reading this column, but let me bracket them for a second and just give you the gut responses that I think are a function of my age (28).

1) Thank you elderly Floridians, Jewish or otherwise, for doing whatever you might have done forty or fifty years ago. But what have you done for me lately?

2) The columnist's detailed explanation of why Sarah Silverman isn't funny seems airtight. And yet, every time I watch this video, I laugh really hard. Which pretty much renders irrelevant any explanation of why this is "bad comedy."

You make a good point, Yankintex. Predicting how a particular voting bloc will swing based on how it swung 45 years ago is silly. Many of those voters could have changed party affiliations over the last half-century. Based on purely anecdotal evidence, it would seem voters of any ethnicity/religion are more likely to move right over time, rather than left. Age will do that. So will money. And living in Boca ain't cheap.

You need to relax.

What a bunch of misplaced anger. First of all, the facts: a recent NPR piece by Madeleine Brand verifies that Obama's support among Jews is only at 57%, compared with 75% and 80% for Kerry and Gore respectively. And while it seems impossible to find exact numbers on how Jews vote by age, I'd be shocked if it isn't the elderly Jews who are a little scared of a "schvartzer" with a Muslim-sounding name. The other thing you seem to forget is that all those liberal, edgy Jews who pre-date Sarah were liberal and edgy when they were young; that doesn't mean they don't often become more conservative and crotchety later in life, as do people of all races and religions. Sarah's not ridiculing elderly Jews, she's challenging them in a humorous way to remember their commonalities with Obama and the black community (you did watch the video, right?). And as far as Sarah's comedy, I don't think she needs to apologize to you or anyone for not being edgy enough; if this piece was a little too "Borscht Belt" for you, it might be because the whole point of it was to appeal to old people. Get it? No? I didn't think so.

In these times of such social apathy among the young, it seems irresponsible to criticize the efforts of anyone who is trying to get people to participate in the political process. To find fault simply shows your lack of understanding that. I think you could find better things to occupy your very probing brain.

I happen to know a lot of those Florida Jews. You obviously don't. If you did, you would be as dismayed as I am how smug and prejudiced they have become in their old age. They made money and now they are Republicans. I always used to thing that it was technically illegal for a Jew tone a Republican.

My dear man, you obviously have a secret crush on Sarah. We can't have everything.

Adam... Schlep down to Blockbusters and rent Blazing Saddles. That was 35 years ago and went down without Jews getting on Mel Brooks. There is nothing wrong with your content you just need to get the kids around and tell them a few irreverent stories of stuff you did in college.

I have lived all my life in Florida and, as a rabbi, I'm pretty familiar with the Jewish community here. Most of the older Jews I knew here, including all of the octogenarians, are supporting Obama. Who is supporting McCain? Orthodox Jews and those who are on the periphery of Orthodox Judaism (i.e., Chabad involved but not wholly observant and others like them). Israel supporters cover the gamut. There are many, many leading Federation types and AIPAC types that are supporting Obama and about a third who support McCain..

I love Sarah Silverman and I respect her efforts for Obama. (Plus her sister's a rabbi!) But I do disagree that the Jews who will vote for McCain are mostly the older, non-Orthodox, retiree types. Zayde and Bubbie are not the problem.

Nothing worse than a hack ad guy who was handed his father's business AND thinks who believes he has earned the right to be a critic.

Different strokes for different folks. And you sir are no critic.

Adam, how can you say Sarah is recycling an old joke and use Myron Cohen as an example in the same story?

Geez, I dunno, Adam.

Ever watch THE DAILY SHOW or COLBERT REPORT? One of those shows (I forget which) had a secret microphone planted on some senior citizens in Florida. Some of what they said about Obama wasn't so great. Typical? Accurate? Real? Hell if I know.

Get with it, Daddyo! Forty years ago, you'd kvetch about Lenny Bruce's demeaning ghettoization in "Things That Are Jewish". Come back in forty to enjoy Silverman.

I know ancient Jews in Florida who are suspicious of Obama because of the sad souring of Afro-American and Jewish relations since the Civil Rights era. They've recently acquired online access and enjoyed that new playground. As a consequence, many believe Obama is Muslim and anti-Israel.

The Great Shlep is to allay anxiety about Obama among a population that votes in high proportions in a swing state. You should look further into the website and read the Talking Points PDF. The bubbie I sent the link to was entertained my Silverman, fascinated by the PDF, and has sent it on to her pals.

Erm... hang on a minute. In the rush to defend Silverman, others and I have failed, Mr Hanft, to challenge your outrageous claim about "liberal Jews who [...] who created the modern civil rights movement, the woman's movement".

I wish that a hovering multitude that includes John Lewis and Kate Millet is poised to log in and shred this misguided hubris.

Your penultimate two paragraphs outline the basis of The Great Shlep. Then you fingerpoint incrimination where there is none. Is this really the time to be building a ghetto from within?

I appreciate the history lesson. (no, I mean that!) But, ah, isn't Sarah actually doing her own ground breaking?

And, I am right here in the 'mouth of the rat' (that would Boca Raton area) where many, MANY jews are reacting to the neocon schtick that Obama is a A) terrorist type or sympathizer B) against Israel C) going to raise their taxes / cut their medicade. It's all the buzz at Wolfie's in Delray.

Not all are... but it's too true, that significant numbers are.

I just happened to wander onto this site. It seems to me you've got the wrong audience. Nevertheless, if it brings you any joy, rest assured I loved your piece on Sorry Silverman.
HarryO

I disagree with the premise that Jews are liberal into their golden years, just because they were liberal in their twenties. There's a natural and predictable shift toward more conservative views as people get older, and it doesn't exempt Jews. Forget the elections of the 60's and 70's. How did elderly Jews vote in the most recent elections? For that matter, how many of them voted for Reagan, even though he was a McCarthy stooge who helped get a lot of Hollywood Jews blacklisted?

Something else is at play here. The heart of Jewish humor has always been self-deprecation. The best recent example was the group of Jewish editorial cartoonists who rallied together to create "the most offensive, anti-Semitic cartoon ever" after some Muslims overreacted to the Dutch newspaper cartoons and called for anti-Semitic cartoons. The Jewish cartoonists were determined that nobody would be able to beat them at their own game; namely, making fun of Jews.

Excellent article. Sarah disregards the memories of Michael Schwerner and Andrew Goodman who died because the knew what was right. Sarah Silverman is all about dick jokes. I applaud her wanting to get out the votes--but she need not be so crass.

Better late than never: I just watched Silverman on Real Time with Bill Maher and she was painfully unfunny. Who puts these people on and then they get some rep as funny and tada. Man, she is about as funny as catching your prick in your zipper. Again, painfully unfunny.