Obama Pushback On the Drudge Photo Flap

ABC News ^ | 2/25/2008 | Sunlen Miller and Steve Portnoy

[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 Obama’s 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.

[Pinetop]

Thanks for your analysis. You might enjoy the Rezkowatch blogspot. Quite the compendium...

[theshadow3581]

Does anyone know if Michelle Obama was ever an atheist.... I’ve read that mother was??
But I also read that Barack Hussain Obamas’ father...stepfather...uncles and cousins etc. wear/are muslims......but he’s a Christain???

[airborne]

So Obama is saying that it’s a smear to look like a Muslim?

Well, isn’t that terribly insulting of BHO.

Muslims should insist he apologize for insulting them!

[snarkybob]

“You might enjoy the Rezkowatch blogspot. Quite the compendium...”

I’m very much looking forward to Mr. Rezkos trial. I know it makes me a mean SOB, but idiots really get on my nerves, and IMO Obama has gathered way too many idiots in one place. I’m afraid it’s going to upset the Idiots to Normal People Continuum. It’s like a Star Trek convention, only they’re trying to choose the leader of the free world, as opposed to trying to decide what happened in “The Trouble With Tribbles” episode.

[snarkybob]

“Does anyone know if Michelle Obama was ever an atheist.... I’ve read that mother was??
But I also read that Barack Hussain Obamas’ father...stepfather...uncles and cousins etc. wear/are muslims......but he’s a Christain???”

I’m not 100% sure so don’t take it to the bank, but I believe Barack has tried to cover all his bases with regard to faith. He says that he’s a Christian, but some of his family are Muslims father or stepfather, not sure which. I’m sure he’ll be Jewish next if that’s required. As for Michelle, I really don’t know anything about her except for her unfortunate comment about having never been proud of her country, which BTW is all I need to know about her.

[zimfam007]

I am sure you have seen this...but a good outline to look over

http://www.freedomsenemies.com/_more/obama.htm

[wideminded]

But his headgear seems to be a topi or kopiah or kippah, which is worn by Muslims.

IIRC a kippah is another name for a yarmulke, so it would seem odd that Muslims would use the same word.

[Roscoe Karns]

[urtax$@work]

why did Drudge post it?

Drudge did post that pic AND other pics in the same space- of other US leaders in native attire to show everyone does it. I thought at the time it was good-will on Matt’s site.

ABC seems to be megaphoning Obama’s claims.

[urtax$@work]

“bringing the war in Iraq to an honorable end.”

uh-oh..... i heard that when i was in jr.high about
ending of Vietnam. A few yrs later we left South Vietnam
hanging !! I think Nixon said “honorable” and Ford was forced
by a dem congress to forget the whole thing when NV invaded.
I could be wrong on exact timeline...

[Miss Didi]

Bo Snerdley, certified black enough to criticize Obama.

SNERDLEY: This is Bo Snerdley, Official EIB Barack Criticizer, African-American, certified black guy, black enough to criticize. I have a statement: "Senator Obama, your reaction to the release of the picture showing you in native garb with your extended family in Africa was...regretful. While the motives of the Clinton camp in disseminating the image are clear, your response was baffling. Instead of acting wounded, whining, and like you're ashamed of the photo in the first place; it would have been wiser for you to take pride in the photo. Explain that world leaders, such as yourself, often wear the traditional garb when you visit foreign lands -- especially if you're visiting your family! You could have also dug up the pictures of both Bill and Hillary Clinton attired in similar African garb while they were pretending to be the black president and first lady. Bad form, Mr. Obama. You need to develop a much thicker skin, and not fall for Clinton tricks."

Now, the translation for EIB brothers and sisters in the hood. "Yo, oh! What's up with you acting dissed when they only rolled out a shot of you with your African garb. Yo! You were in the mother land with the peeps. That was lame, yo! These are your peeps. You were stylin'. Instead of acting dissed, you shoulda rolled out large and told Clinton and everybody else what was up. This is what the big dogs do, yo, not like Bill faking it, putting on some kente cloth when he goes to Africa, then forgetting all about the home boys when he comes back home. Like that. You shoulda also told Hillary: 'Yo, baby, maybe if you dress up in some costumes and get out of that bumblebee outfit, you might keep your man at home for a change.' Okay? You feel me? Don't fall for Clinton 'trickinology,' bro." That concludes this statement.

RUSH: That's Official Obama Criticizer Bo Snerdley, ladies and gentlemen, here at the EIB Network. Bill Clinton also wanted to weigh in today...

Bill Buys Ad: Conservatives for Hillary | Shanklin

[SlapHappyPappy]

To be fair, I doubt your visits were quite as high profile as Obama’s. Bush has worn local garb, as do lots of foreign dignitaries.

[Dacula]

I hear you.

I am an angry white man and I vote!

[syriacus]

No, I hadn’t see that. Thank you for providing the link.

[zimfam007]

You are quite welcome....hagn