Posted on 06/02/2009 4:25:37 PM PDT by markedmannerf
Edited on 06/02/2009 4:52:25 PM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
June 02, 2009 6:58 PM
ABC News' Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller report: The other day we heard a comment from a White House aide that never would have been uttered during the primaries or general election campaign.
During a conference call in preparation for President Obama's trip to Cairo, Egypt, where he will address the Muslim world, deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Denis McDonough said "the President himself experienced Islam on three continents before he was able to -- or before he's been able to visit, really, the heart of the Islamic world -- you know, growing up in Indonesia, having a Muslim father -- obviously Muslim Americans (are) a key part of Illinois and Chicago."
Given widespread unease and prejudice against Muslims among Americans, especially in the wake of 9/11, the Obama campaign was perhaps understandably very sensitive during the primaries and general election to downplay the candidate's Muslim roots.
The candidate was even offended when referred to by his initials "BHO," because he considered the use of his middle name, "Hussein," an attempt to frighten voters.
With insane rumors suggesting he was some sort of Muslim Manchurian candidate, then-Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his campaign did everything they could to emphasize his Christianity and de-emphasize the fact that his father, Barack Obama Sr., was born Muslim.
The candidate's comment at a Boca Raton, Florida, town hall meeting on May 22, 2008, was typical: "My father was basically agnostic, as far as I can tell, and I didn't know him," he said.
In September 2008, candidate Obama told a Pennsylvania crowd, "I know that I'm not your typical presidential candidate and I just want to be honest with you. I know that the temptation is to say, 'You know what? The guy hasn't been there that long in Washington. You know, he's got a funny name. You know, we're not sure about him.' And that's what the Republicans when they say this isn't about issues, it's about personalities, what they're really saying is, 'We're going to try to scare people about Barack. So we're going to say that, you know, maybe he's got Muslim connections.'...Just making stuff up."
Back then, the campaign's "Fight the Smears" website addressed the candidate's faith without mentioning his father's religion:
"Barack Obama is a committed Christian. He was sworn into the Senate on his family Bible. He has regularly attended church with his wife and daughters for years. But shameful, shadowy attackers have been lying about Barack’s religion, claiming he is a Muslim instead of a committed Christian. When people fabricate stories about someone’s faith to denigrate them politically, that’s an attack on people of all faiths. Make sure everyone you know is aware of this deception."
The website also provided quotes from the Boston Globe and Newsweek mentioning his father's roots.
Since the election, however, with the threat of the rumors at least somewhat abated, the White House has been increasingly forthcoming about the president's roots. Especially when reaching out to the
Muslim world.
In his April 6 address to the Turkish Parliament, President Obama referenced how many "Americans have Muslims in their families or have lived in a Muslim majority country. I know, because I am one of them."
- Jake Tapper and Sunlen Miller
What does this mean? He's nuts... We can't even put a creche on the lawn anymore and now we are one of the largest muslim countries in the world? This guy is delusional...
We need dulpicate posts on this important one for people who are coming in late.
I haven't seen much of this yet. I have noticed that the Obama bumper stickers have all but disappeared. Lots of glum faces at the local liberal coffee house lately...
I haven’t seen an Obama bumper strip in over a month and used to see them even here in OK. I talk regularly with a Dem here that voted for McCain and he said going to their meetings has been interesting of late. They used to come after him for not supporting Obama but now have backed way off and are talking about how they didn’t know who he was and this was not what they expected.
That may be happening sooner than you think. I think he leaves for Saudi this week!!!
Pretty soon, one or more reporters/papers/networks is going to grab for the gold to break some stories of major consequence that will bring down obi. I HOPE that CHANGE will come soon!
Apparently little or no regret here in NC. I still see stickers all over.
Y'all ain't seen nuthin' yet! When Mossad leaks the data heads will spin!
No one expects a “counter revolution” more than Obama.
This won’t be pretty no matter what happens.
This is the money quote. The vast moronic majority... We knew. Anyone on Free Republic, Drudge or any of the conservative sites knew. Even the iffy Fox Cable let it slip a few times. But, NOOOOOOO, the morons voted for him because he was the ULTIMATE fashion statement. "I voted for the black guy! I'm SOOOOO Liberal..." Makes me want to puke. The folks who voted for him should be punished...
I used to see them here — in fact I was always getting behind a particular car that was going down a street I use to get home. I live on the outskirts but noticed when I was behind him last week — all three bumperstrips removed. You could still see where they had been on the window. I chuckled when I saw them removed. My neighbor up the street also finally took down the Obama sign from the campaign which he had next to his porch and the bumperstrips on his car are gone.
Keep a watch and see if it changes. Since OK counties all went for McCain, Obama bumperstrips all stick out like a sore thumb. We still have people with W stickers and some took off McCain and it says Palin only.
I couldn’t agree more! Oklahoma Governor Doofus was a big ZERO supporter and I keep telling people he will join his Administration and leave his family in Shawnee. Then he will be free to skirt chase once again. He was a huge Clinton fan as well. Reason I think Henry is headed to DC is the fact he votoed so many bills this time including ones that had bi-partisan support. Never did that the last time.
Guess he figured with Dr. Coburn running for reelection, he wouldn’t stand a chance.
Cannot wait until he is out of office. His comments on ZERO made me want to throw up as he idolized him.
I don’t know.
I have a friend a black woman ex Navy who is gaga over the website where “regular people” can email the WH and tell them what they think and make suggestions. She thinks this is historic. I just bite my tongue, because I gotta work with her.
The ones I know that voted for the jerk would say I don’t agree with his ideas but he will be the first black President and we owe that to them for slavery. First time I heard, I did a doubletake.
I had one person tell me there is nothing he agreed with him on philosophically but he was voting for him because he was black. Then he said it is like me voting for McCain because he is white. I said the only reason I am voting for McCain is that he will be strong on national security and not a Muslim. The guy looked at me and hasn’t talked to me since.
I think you are right...collecting valuable data on this guy surely wouldn't be a very difficult task for such an agency. Hell, there was information right out here on FR that could have sunk his campaign had there been a media that would have done its job.
The proof of what he is lies in his choice of names. He used to be Barry Soetoro. He chose the full Muslim name. That speaks volumes of where his heart is. There is no doubt that he belongs to the dark side. His betrayal of Israel will stamp him as the anti-christ. He has been supported and advanced by the dark side. Soros (spelled backwards Soros) may be the Beast who controls the anti-christ. Better stay prayed up folks.
Same here in the SF East Bay. Plenty of them: on cars, in windows. I'll let you know when I start seeing them disappear.
Incidentally, the vendor of BO paraphenalia (T-shirts, etc.) has apparently left our local transit station for greener pastures.
The college town shops which cater to undergraduate youth still have plenty of BO books, trinkets, etc. Only flattering, of course.
(Why is it that in these gift stores[1], all the Democrat Presidents get "isn't he cool" toys and books made about them, and all Republican Presidents get "isn't he a stupid dangerous fascist" toys and books made about them?)
In one particular gift shop, a refrigerator magnet with BO's image states: "It's not a Messiah complex if he really can save the world." HUH?
______________
[1]
The persistent theme of these stores is "I need cheap stuff to decorate my dorm, and hey, I'm away from home for the first time, I get to have sex and do drugs, and I think I'll become a vegan, and I have no idea how to cook, and I need childhood toys."
\ Also, notice how, after Clinton, the Republican states became Red? Before that election, the Republican states were blue. Red is for communism and now the Republicans refer to themselves as "Red" states. Incredible power in the hands of our national media. They just redefined Republicans as Red. And the Republicans don't even notice...
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