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
Again, which of the fifty seven states was he born in?
Does it really matter at this point? Do we really care who his daddy is when we or anyone with political power are no longer interested in the history of his citizenship?
Mainstream press. Those that did not spend 1/10th the time or effort in investigating or at least covering Obama that they did in attacking Palin and McCain. They pulled off the biggest fraud on the body politic in our history. For this I loathe them.
Yes. He does.
Very few others know.
When the BC issue first came up Obama said it was something that if revealed, would be embarrassing.
I think that his original remark is the truth.
I think the truth is that the name listed on the birth certificate is not the real father.
And I think the real father was definitely American. Muslim convert, but born American.
This isn’t news.
We all saw & heard Hussein admit that he is a Muslim.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMUgNg7aD8M
Sorry, but they don’t care. The voted for the first black man to be president and if he decided to stomp baby ducks in his next press conf they will vote for him again. You have to understand the brain of a lib to know nothing matters but the image.
>(I can barely say hello in Swahili)... <
Jambo!
Not all of them. Many, but not all.
I hope that, this time, he’ll be smart enough to have his kneepads on.
ping that we can’t make this stuff up.
I remember when referring to him as B. Hussein was racist.
Is it OK now?
___________________
If Billy Cunningham was given the green light, I’d say all systems go.
I read a full description of his name recently and didn’t save the source. They said the name Obama means BENT.
Shades of Clinton....
I agree. I think he’s a citizen, I just believe he’s the son of Frank Marshall Davis or Malcolm X.
Great gif.....I swear Ogabe must have told Biden something so scary, probably regarding ‘death to Israel’, that Biden had to come out and say this Sleeper Potus will be challenged and the American people may not understand his response.
Things are moving quickly.
every once in a while Tapper has a good one
John McLame threw Bill Cunningham (Cincinnati talk show host) under the bus, because Bill referred to Mc's "opponent" by all three of his names.
I wonder if Odumbnuts will sneak in a Haj while he’s over there?
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