Posted on 02/26/2008 11:01:21 AM PST by Conservative Mother
Obama Pushback On the Drudge Photo Flap
Share February 25, 2008 6:33 PM
ABC News' Sunlen Miller and Steve Portnoy Report:
In a radio interview with WAOI in San Antonio, Sen. Barack Obama commented about the photo on the website Drudge Report showing him dressed in traditional Somali attire.
"Everybody knows that whether it's me or Senator Clinton, or Bill Clinton, that when you travel to other countries they ask you to try on traditional garb that you have been given as a gift," he told WAOI, "The notion that the Clinton campaign would be trying to circulate this as a negative on the same day that Senator Clinton was giving a speech about how we repair our relationships around the world is sad. We are going to try to stay focused on what will make a difference in our foreign policy, including bringing the war in Iraq to an honorable end."
He noted that he believes Americans are saddened when they see "these kind of politics."
"The notion that they would try to use this to imply in some way that I'm foreign, I think is, you know, unfortunate," Obama later told Dallas/Ft. Worth radio station WBAP.
"These are the kinds of political tricks and silliness you start seeing at the end of campaigns," Obama said in an interview with the ABC Radio affiliate.
In addition, Obama campaign surrogates pushed back in a conference call this morning with reporters.
General Gration, one of Obamas foreign policy advisors, was on the trip with Obama in 2006 to Kenya where he donned the garb.
"We try on Christmas gifts sometimes that we may not want to keep but we do it to be a grateful recipient," Gration explained, "Barack Obama did what any leader would do, accept the gift, hospitality and token of friendship."
Susan Rice, anther top advisor to the campaign, recalled that President Clinton had done the same thing in his administration and said this is "ironic" timing on the day that Senator Clinton gives a foreign policy speech.
Rice called the picture's notoriety on Drudge to have the "very intention to be divisive," and says it promotes the idea that that the culture of other parties of the world are worthy of ridicule.
Both surrogates said they have yet to hear a denial from the Clinton campaign that they pushed this photo to Drudge.
Interesting, not even a mention of Jesus who’s birth is the reason for the season. I knew a Muslim family that gave away and got gifts for Christmas.
There is something suspicious about the Obama response to this. They won’t let it die. And, why did Drudge post it?
Why doesn't Hussein (and his apologists) take PRIDE in that picture? It IS a real picture, isn't it???
Are they saying that they are NOT proud of Hussein's background??? Geeeez
Yep, the obama orgasm rama is hitting everywhere. I wish someone would ask him for evidence of of his claims in the ads he is running in Texas.
“There is something suspicious about the Obama response to this. They wont let it die. And, why did Drudge post it?”
There’s no way to ever prove it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Obama campaign sent the picture to Drudge. They’ve certainly gotten a lot of mileage out of something that’s supposed to be negative. Obama plays the race card more often than any politician that I can remember, which is saying something as i can remember Reverend Jesse. I don’t know how he can be a front runner. I would literally eat shards of glass before I would vote for that.
you will ignite a jihad
"Hurry up and take the picture. I'm late for practice with the Rockettes."
Everytime I see that photo, I want to get my order in for lamb with couscous.
Are they ashamed of his background??
Are they ashamed of his middle name??
Are they ashamed of his MUSLIM HERITAGE??
Maybe Hussein will wear that outfit at the inauguration!!
He should wear it tonight at the Dem debate.
I HATE that word “pushback.” Even if Safire likes it. I HATE it.
But just think of how mad Slick Hillie would be if she TOO wore a red and white outfit (her Chairman Mao favorite one) along with him!...lol
The history book my dad used in high school specifically detailed the ways in which "Western Cuilture" is superior to all other "cultures" in the world, especially the backwater ones where you don't know who's going to be in charge tomorrow, they have 10,000% inflation due to government incompetance and graft, and people have to eat the bark off trees to survive at least until the middle of the night where they disappear at the hands of the Secret Police. We used to know that we were charged by God to be a shining light to the world. I miss those days.
Liberals EVERYWHERE should be FLAUNTING that picture--as a way of CELEBRATING Hussein's DIVERSITY!!!!
You know this picture of Obama in the Somalian garb has been on the web for ages. Is Obama chewing the scenery over this photo in order to distract the press? The press can feel gassily smug in condemning the release of a photo that has been out there in the public domain for ages. I swear, with few exceptions, the aggregate press IQ doesn’t reach room temperature.
In one of the Hadithas, the Prophet Mohammed says, “My community shall not fall away so long as it wears turban.” Wearing the turban is a sign of faith.
Few Muslims, except extremists and Sikhs, wear turban any longer.
So, the fact that he dons turban may indeed be proof that he is a Muslim.
“Is Obama chewing the scenery over this photo in order to distract the press?”
IMHO yes. That’s exactly what Obama is doing. As soon as Hillary has been defeated, Obama doesn’t have anybody to fight against that won’t fight back. JMHO again, but I think Hillary screwed this up by trying to be nice and not attack to hard, then when she had to attack because she was falling behind Obama Nation screamed racism every time Hillary showed up at a campaign event. McCain doesn’t have to worry about splitting the GOP in half, hell he already did that. Now he has to try to peel off enough Indies and conservative Dems to swing the election. I think he has a good chance to pull it off. The arrogance of Obama Nation is already putting off voters and the nasty primary fight between Obama and Hillary is ripping the Dems in half. MY parents both early voted in the Texas primary for Obama. They would both eat hot coals before they vote for him in November. Obama thinks he’s doing well with crossover GOP voters but I think he’s deluded. I also believe that as soon he wins the nomination and has to run to the middle for the general election, his young idealists, you know the ones who faint when he speaks, will see that he’s just another slimy politician and wind up voting for Nader, or not voting at all.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.