A premature Hanukkah at the Obama White House

A premature Hanukkah at the Obama White House
Andrew Malcolm
Posted 12/08/2011 08:24 PM ET

Twelve days early but better that than late. Especially with the recent strains among Democrats over their once-solid bloc of Jewish voters.

President and Mrs. Obama held a Hanukkah party this evening in the White House, including some buttering up of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg; hey, he's gonna need every possible vote up there come Obamacare Armageddon day next summer.

Scroll down for Obama's full remarks. As the president put it to the Hanukkah observers: "We never need an excuse for a good party." So they lit all eight candles to start.

The eight-day Jewish holiday doesn't really start until Dec. 20. But by then the entire Obama family including his mother-in-law are scheduled to be at a luau -- or at least in Hawaii for 17 days.

The president is talking confidently about his support among Jewish voters. Here's how he modestly put it last week during a Manhattan fundraiser:

"This administration -- I try not to pat myself too much on the back -- but this administration has done more in terms of the security of the state of Israel than any previous administration."

President Obama remarks on Hanukkah, as provided by the White House

THE PRESIDENT:&; Well, good evening, everybody. Welcome to the White House. Thank you all for joining us tonight to celebrate Hanukkah -- even if we're doing it a little bit early. (Laughter.)

I want to start by recognizing a few folks who are here. The ambassador to the United States from Israel, Michael Oren, is in the house. (Applause.) We are honored to be joined by one of the justices of the Supreme Court, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg is here. (Applause.) We are thrilled to see her. She's one of my favorites, I got to -- (laughter.) I've got a soft spot for Justice Ginsburg.

And we’ve got more than a few members of Congress here and members of my administration in the house, including our new Director of Jewish Outreach, Jarrod Bernstein is here. Where's Jarrod? (Applause.) Hey, Jarrod.

I also want to thank the West Point Jewish Chapel Cadet Choir —- (applause) -- the Voice of Tradition -— for their wonderful performance, but more importantly, for their extraordinary service to our country.

And I want to thank all the rabbis and lay leaders who have come far and wide to be here with us today.

Now, as I said, we’re jumping the gun just a little bit. The way I see it, we’re just extending the holiday spirit. We're stretching it out. (Laughter.) But we do have to be careful that your kids don’t start thinking Hanukkah lasts 20 nights instead of eight. (Laughter.) That will cause some problems.

This Hanukkah season we remember a story so powerful that we all know it by heart -- even us Gentiles. It’s a story of right over might, of faith over doubt. Of a band of believers who rose up and freed their people and discovered that the oil left in their desecrated temple —- which should have lasted only one night —- ended up lasting eight.

It’s a timeless story. And for 2,000 years, it has given hope to Jews everywhere who are struggling. And today, it reminds us that miracles come in all shapes and sizes. Because to most people, the miracle of Hanukkah would have looked like nothing more than a simple flame, but the believers in the temple knew it was something else. They knew it was something special.

This year, we have to recognize the miracles in our own lives. Let’s honor the sacrifices our ancestors made so that we might be here today. Let’s think about those who are spending this holiday far away from home -— including members of our military who guard our freedom around the world. Let’s extend a hand to those who are in need, and allow the value of tikkun olam to guide our work this holiday season.

This is also a time to be grateful for our friendships, both with each other and between our nations. And that includes, of course, our unshakeable support and commitment to the security of the nation of Israel. (Applause.)

So while it is not yet Hanukkah, let’s give thanks for our blessings, for being together to celebrate this wonderful holiday season. And we never need an excuse for a good party. (Laughter.) So we are going to see all of you in a second downstairs --

MRS. OBAMA: Aren't we in the Blue Room?

THE PRESIDENT: Or wherever we are. (Laughter.) I think we're downstairs. We are downstairs in the Map Room. So as I look around, I see a whole bunch of good friends. We can't wait to give you a hug and a kiss and wish you a happy holiday. The guys with whiskers, I won't give you a kiss. (Laughter.) Thank you very much, everybody. (Applause.) ####