Obama and the Socialists

The Political Machine ^ | Dave

[Plutarch]

About two or three weeks ago, Democrats and Obama supporters were trying to make hay with Sarah Palin and the Alaska Independence Party. Nothing much ever came of it, as she's been a Republican since she could vote. Todd Palin was a member, but the AIP appears to be one of those hopeless causes, that don't ever do anything. But on the matter of embarrassing ties to extremist parties, it looks like Barack may have some serious explaining to do...

As it turns out he just might be a socialist. No, not a socialist in the sense that Republicans call Democrats socialists, or lite socialists. I mean really, he just might be a socialist, at least at one time. Here's what the No Quarter blog is saying:

1. Barack Obama attended and participated in meetings of the Chicago New Party and the Chicago DSA, the local affiliate of the Democratic Socialists of America.
2. Barack Obama sought the endorsement of the Chicago DSA which required rigorous scrutiny by the party's Political Committee as well as Mr. Obama's signature on a contract promising "a visible and active relationship with the NP."
3. Barack Obama actively used the endorsement from the Chicago DSA.
4. Barack Obama won his DSA-endorsed and -backed campaign to secure his seat in the Illinois State Senate.
5. Barack Obama continued his involvement with the Chicago DSA - including directly asking the group to join "his task forces on Voter Education and Voter Registration" - and received their endorsements in subsequent campaigns.

As you can imagine, this is getting some serious attention throughout the right side of the blogosphere. More sourcing at Politically Drunk on Power...

[excerpt]

[therut]

When is someone going to report on this and break it out of the blogosphere. Needs to be done before the target sets his lying goons out to say he did not know they were SOCIALISTS!!!!!

[therut]

Does Newt know about this????

[CriticalJ]

Mark Levin was talking about it tonight on his radio show.

It’s moving off slowly to other media types.

[NYC_BULLMOOSE]

Important to note that the quote below (towards the bottom of the following page:http://web.archive.org/web/20020331055306/http://www.chicagodsa.org/ngarchive/ng60.html)

Barrack Obama is being recommend as a candidate for THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE of DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST PARTY in CHICAGO... by one of the leaders of the party — Barrack Obama was no “casual” member of that organization — he was a rising star among the socialist... sheeesh... remind me again who won the cold war?
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Letters
Dear Editor:

I would like to urge DSA members and other progressives to support the candidacy of William “Willie” Delgato, Democratic Nominee for State Representative, 3rd District. Willie, who is New Party member and supporter, won a close race with critical New Party help in the 35th Ward. He is a progressive independent candidate whom I think we should all support.

In Solidarity,

Ron Baiman

Editor’s Note: I confess! I asked Ron to email this letter to the editor when he expressed dismay at Willie Delgato’s absence from the Executive Committee’s “recommended” candidates. I agree it was a significant omission. In the Executive Committee’s defense, I’d add that the main reason we felt compelled to say anything at all was because, at the time, it looked like DSA member Marc Loveless might make it on the ballot. The list was never meant to be comprehensive. There are a number of other very good candidates that were not mentioned. For my part, I would nominate State Senator Barak Obama (13th District) and County Clerk David Orr. Outside of Chicago DSA’s area is Congressman Lane Evans, who is actually facing a tough reelection fight. But this is just my opinion; I’m sure our readers can think of others as deserving, or disagree.

[Plutarch]

It’s moving off slowly to other media types.

I'm not so sure. It is still only on right leaning blogs. Not even on talk radio as far as I can tell, save for Mark Levin. Of course, Mark Levin is huge, because he is well respected and gets his facts straight. Other talkers will gather courage (and material) from Levin's example.

I'm not sure what will tip it to the next level of Drudge/Fox/New York Post/Washington Times. It is already fully sourced, so there is nothing to wait for. Another alternative is British newspapers, as they like a good story, and unlike the US MSM, do not style themselves Obama sedan bearers.

[MASS-2 FAC]

Obama “AS” a socialist? Obama “IS” a Marxist socialist. This is the reason he needs to be defeated in this election.

[CriticalJ]

I keep checking Drudge. Haven’t seen anything yet.

I still think it will make it over. Just slowly.