As an answer to Lieberman, Cardin a valuable asset to Obama

Barack Obama has a perception problem with Jewish voters. This largely Democratic-voting bloc is uncertain of the Illinois senator's support for Israel, opposition to Iran and so on. And it does not help to have the former Democratic vice presidential nominee, Joe Lieberman, stumping for the other guy.

Which is why Obama needs an answer to that -- an 'anti-Lieberman,' if you will. We asked in June whether it would be Sen. Ben Cardin, wondering how willingly he would embrace the role and whether he could keep up with the more-media savvy Senator from Connecticut.

The jury is still out on the latter, but Cardin is clearly set on working hard for Obama. He wrapped up a two day trip to Florida yesterday, where he was telling Jewish voters,

I have the utmost respect for Senator Lieberman, but I think he’s just wrong about Senator Obama. His (Obama’s) position on Iran is clear. The best options are strong diplomatic efforts. And even this (Bush) administration is talking to Iran. But Senator Obama has made clear that there can be no negotiations unless (the Iranian government) expresses a stated recognition of Israel’s right to exist and denouncement of terrorism.

Not bad. Cardin cannot command the media like Lieberman though, so he will have to do a lot of his persuading in person. He's lucky there are large pockets of Jewish voters in the nearby Philadelphia suburbs, where he may be spending much of his time.

It will be interesting to see if the national media picks up on the contrast of Cardin and Lieberman, as Cardin's no rookie himself -- more than two decades in Congress with a reputation for navigating rough seas. Imagine a debate? Stay tuned.