Bloomberg Defends Obama Before Jewish Audience

NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg today urged Jewish voters in Florida to denounce and speak out against false rumors that paint Barack Obama as a secret Muslim, the AP reports. Bloomberg—mentioned as a potential VP for both White House contenders—spoke out against the campaign that plays off "fears and stereotypes." His speech could give a lift to Obama in the heavily Jewish swing state, the AP notes.

The anti-Obama email campaign is “cloaked in concern for Israel, but the real concern is about partisan politics," said Bloomberg. "This is wedge politics at its worst, and we've got to reject it—loudly, clearly and unequivocally.” (More Barack Obama stories.)