Posted on 02/28/2008 12:07:03 PM PST by SmithL
When a conservative talk show host introduced Sen. John McCain at an Ohio rally this week and referred to his possible opponent by his full name - "Barack Hussein Obama" - he highlighted a probable attack strategy, should Obama get the Democratic nomination: American xenophobia.
If the ascendancy of Obama and Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in the Democratic race shows that Americans' attitudes toward race and gender have evolved, the latest round of media images alluding - incorrectly - to an overseas Muslim upbringing for Obama will test the degree to which Americans fear foreigners in a post-Sept. 11 world. Obama is a Christian who never worshiped at a mosque and was raised in a secular household. He attends the United Church of Christ.
Nevertheless, these allusions raise new issues for Americans accustomed to presidential candidates with WASP-sounding names. About 48 percent of the respondents to a February 2007 Pew Research Center poll said they would be "less likely" to support a candidate who is Muslim; 48 percent said it made no difference. The same poll found that 50 percent of respondents would be less likely to support a candidate 70 or older; McCain is 71.
The Muslim allusions "do resonate with people," said Karen Hanretty, an unaffiliated GOP consultant who formerly worked for former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. "The vast majority of voters are Protestant or Catholic, and it is unfamiliar to them."
She predicted that the incorrect Muslim references to Obama will continue, but probably wouldn't emanate from the McCain campaign or the national GOP. Instead, they would flourish anonymously on the Internet or be pushed by independent organizations not connected to the candidates.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
Where’s the Barf Alert?
But it’s his name!
Yeah, having a distrust for Muslims is “American xenophobia”, an irrational fear of others...
this distrust is not based in the knowledge of what Islam is truly about - the subjugation or conversion of the world through force as necessary.
Oh! The Horror!
I guess we will just refer to him as he who can’t be named.
A more important question is if someone with dual US-Kenyan citizenship can be President of the United States.
I think I missed the article from the Chronicle entitled, “Left Wing Plays the Adulterer Card Against McCain.”
If there is one thing the left hates, especially in San Fransicko, it is for the truth to be revealed.
How come the left never has a problem with the middle name “Delano”?
Anyway, aren’t the left supposed to be accepting of all people? Isn’t this an admission by them that there is something ‘negative’ about being Muslim?
Those evil right wingers and their vast conspiracies!
It’s his name and it’s Arabic not moslem.
Well they better not use Sen. McCain’s first name “John”, because it’s makes people think of one who buys services of a prostitute, and was also the name of some bad people like John Dillinger.
Political Correctness is simply the demonization of telling the truth about some person or group.
Hillary started it, along with the “Gay Hooker Drugfest” rumors, they know this, and if they thought Hussein could win in middle America, they would brag about his “Gay Hooker Drugfest” activities. Hillary’s only mistake was not starting those rumors about herself.
“Obama is a Christian who never worshiped at a mosque”
What’s this writer smoking? That’s not even possible...
I’m a born and raised Catholic and I’ve worshiped in a mosque. Of course that was decades before 9-11.
Forbid that someone suggest putting panties on his head.
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