Muslim Voters Detect a Snub From Obama

New York Times ^ | 6/24/08 | Andrea Elliot

[Winged Hussar]

As Senator Barack Obama courted voters in Iowa last December, Representative Keith Ellison, the country’s first Muslim congressman, stepped forward eagerly to help.

Mr. Ellison believed that Mr. Obama’s message of unity resonated deeply with American Muslims. He volunteered to speak on Mr. Obama’s behalf at a mosque in Cedar Rapids, one of the nation’s oldest Muslim enclaves. But before the rally could take place, aides to Mr. Obama asked Mr. Ellison to cancel the trip because it might stir controversy. Another aide appeared at Mr. Ellison’s Washington office to explain.

“I will never forget the quote,” Mr. Ellison said, leaning forward in his chair as he recalled the aide’s words. “He said, ‘We have a very tightly wrapped message.’ ”

...While the senator has visited churches and synagogues, he has yet to appear at a single mosque.

[Winged Hussar]

Of course, not all my conversations in immigrant communities follow this easy pattern. In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific reassurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.

Barack Obama “The Audacity of Hope,” page 261 (paperback version)

It seems that Obama doesn't want to stand with his Muslim supporters until after the election.

It won't cost Obama any votes if it stays at Free Republic. Take it to your Web sites, blogs, and local papers.

[darkwing104]

I don't care what the muslims have think or say. They are going to vote for Obama regardless.

[darkwing104]

I don't care what the muslims think or say. They are going to vote for Obama regardless.

[Williams]

The article is BS, the real story is Obama is telling this moslem congressman that he has a "tightly wrapped" message, meaning "I can't let it be known that my policies will be pro radical moslem, but they wiill be"

This article is misdirection to make you think Obama insults moslems. If we elect Obama there will be a horrible rude awakening.

[twigs]

They voted for George Bush in a block in 2000 because Al Gore snubbed them. You’re probably right that they will vote for Obama. But this could be an opportunity for John McCain. We’ve heard that the Iraqi’s favor him. And the one Muslim I know well can’t stand Obama.

[DrC]

Of course, for anyone paying attention, this is a dog bites man story. The real news would be if there were just one single major issue on which Obama had NOT flip-flopped for political convenience.

Obama’s message of change is that his positions and actions change the instant he detects a shift in the political winds.
Reverend Wright
NAFTA
Public financing for the general election
.
.
.
Yada, yada, yada...

[shineon]

He’s a mush ball.

“Oh you don’t like this about me? Hmmm let me see how many of my current voters will desert if I reject it? Ahhh, they trust me and have given me license to say what ever I want at this point.”

Ok I reject and renounce, if it makes any difference to you.

Now vote for me, I did it.

[Free ThinkerNY]

Last week, two Muslim women wearing head scarves were barred by campaign volunteers from appearing behind Mr. Obama at a rally in Detroit.

The two Muslim women who were asked to remove their hajibs are radical Muslim activists.

Hebba Aref, was an official of the Muslim Students Association (MSA), in charge of proselytizing. The Chicago Tribune identified the MSA as part of the American manifestation of the Sunni terrorist group, Al-Ikhwan Al-Muslimeen--The Muslim Brotherhood. Aref served on the executive board of the University of Michigan-Dearborn's MSA, which demanded and obtained tax-funded Muslim foot baths at that university.

Shimaa Abdelfadeel, the other woman allegedly excluded by the Obama campaign, was chair of SAFE, a University of Michigan-Ann Arbor group that hosted the 2002 Divestment Conference against Israel at which "Annihilate the Jews!" was chanted and Islamic Jihad founder Sami Al-Arian was keynote speaker. She's the author of vehement anti-Israel propaganda.

[Roccus]

Hey muzzies! It’s a black thing. You can’t understand. Deal with it.

[Tex Pete]

This is nothing but an Obama-Ellison scheme to make us think Obama is not down with his own people. He’s just trying to separate from his own reality.

Don’t fall for it.

[Minn]

<Getting the Muslim vote isn’t nearly as important to Barry as making sure the vast majority of other voters don’t stop to consider why he is getting it.