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 Baracks religion, claiming he is a Muslim instead of a committed Christian. When people fabricate stories about someones faith to denigrate them politically, thats 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
it’s all smoke,mirrors&teleprompters- I am but yet I am not
Source please?
(I can barely say hello in Swahili)...
We’ll only see the BC when the powers that be want us to. Sadly..
Or enough of the coutry and MSM say “IT’s TIME!”!
Huh?
Jake Tapper is reporting this. Why would you hate that?
The “press,” more accurately described as “media” now that the printed word is not our only mass communication, is essential to our liberty. The Founding Fathers knew this.
Free Republic is “press,” in that regard. So are bloggers, internet news sites, talk radio, etc.
Treasure our freedom of expression, including that of the various manifestations of “press.” The way things are going now, we are going to need them more than ever to maintain our liberty.
additional, duplicate:
The Emergence of President Obama’s Muslim Roots
ABCNews | 6-2-09 | Jake Tapper, Sunlen Miller
Posted on 06/02/2009 4:27:31 PM PDT by STARWISE
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2263319/posts
The MSM roll out their prayer rugs in the direction of Mecca if they know where it is. Bunch of 5th columnists.
“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 “
Interesting phrase here - “himself experienced Islam”.
The claim is that he is not Muslim. Ok. That means on the continent he visited, it has enough of a strong Muslim presence that he had to “experience” it.
Can you name 3 continents he visited where he was immersed in Islam by being in that country?
Unites States? Nope, no way that he was “immersed” in that in the US, not where he lived.
Asia (Indonesia)? That’s one.
Now that you have named the other two countries do you think that what was meant by that was that Obama lived as a Muslim on 3 continents before he got to visit the heart of the Islamic world?
...I wouldn’t be surprised if Obama was heavily financed by Islam....his presidency further opens the door to America for them.
I think Obama really is the Anti-Christ.
I guess all these “nuts” who were calling Obama Muslim during the campaign weren’t so nuts after all!
The 57 states, My Muslim faith, The sweetest sound in the world is the call to prayer....
Ah, I see. The good 'ole Bait-and-Switch!
Ping-a-Ling.
Photos at #24, too.
I don’t think Obama is a devout Muslim, but he clearly does seem to identify more with Islam than with Christianity. The “Church” he went to in Chicago was not so much a Church as it was a hotbed of Black Liberation Theoology. I wonder how many times they even mentioned Christ during their services—if at all. Has he even chosen a Church in DC? Anyone who believes he is a Christian is liar or a naive (dare I say) dupe. That being said, I’m sure a lot of Lefties are pleased as punch at having a Muslim in the White House—they probably figure the Anyone who believes he is a Christian is liar or a naive (dare I say) dupe. They probably figure he can teach them a thing or two about wielding absolute power.
Now it will all slowly come out and there isn’t a thing anyone can do about it (until the next election).
Carl Bernstein was a red diaper baby. Both of his parents were Communist Party members.
Why do you think he won't release his original Birth Certificate.
Either it's blank, or his Father is actually somebody other than the one he had the Audacity to Dream about.
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