Posted on 06/03/2009 5:01:40 AM PDT by Outlaw Woman
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
As someone who has lived in a "Muslim majority country," Obama certainly should know how badly Muslims treat non-Muslims when they (the Muslims) are in charge. Therefore, as a Christian, he should thank God that he is not living in a Muslim country and should be glad that the U.S. isn't a Muslim country instead of lying to the whole world and telling them that we are.
According to the Pew Research forum, there are 2.3 million Muslims in the U.S., which means that they make up just a fraction of a percent of this country's population. The U.S. is still a mostly-Christian nation and for this demagogue to ignore that inconvenient fact while lying about the supposedly Muslim character of this country, just so that he can suck up to the Arab world, is disgusting.
I don't know how much more of this guy I can take and he still has 3 1/2 years left in office.
“Oh, thats right, only the crazy right-wing nuts were screaming about this.”
Not to mention all the material and information on this man PRIOR to election..........but wait.....55% of Americans can’t read, or even form a complete sentence. O but wait.......’You Tube’ was available for them right? Nothing like seeing the man himself, being corrected by a reporter from ABC, regarding his “Christian” roots after the one mistakenly said Muslim during the interview...Guess that 55% had computer malfunction.
That matters not. He won, remember?
I still see plenty of them - usually on big new shiny SUV's. I'd love to let the drivers know how much their ignorance disgusts me, but I am a lady, so I merely give them "dagger eyes" :0)
“Can’t say for sure, but it seems like bumper-stickers (both parties) came off the bumpers more quickly after this election than after previous elections.”
I’m still seeing Obama stickers and just the other day, some loser had “Obama Time” SOAPED on his back windshield.
I have suddenly developed the oddest physical malady when I see those messages or that name.........my right arm spasms and jerks upward along with one of my fingers. Damndest thing I’ve ever had!
President George W. Bush was our last elected president!
“I’d love to let the drivers know how much their ignorance disgusts me, but I am a lady...”
My deepest admiration to you for being able to maintain a civilized demeanor. I’m not able to do that...being one of ‘those right wing fanatics’
If he keeps up his pandering to his Muzzie brothers he can soon kiss his electoral ass good bye!
I prefer the "flagpole finger" approach! ;-P
I still have my yard sign.....
I was thinking right after I made my post that I probably should have put in a disclaimer that 0bama’s election was not necessarily legitimate.
Nothing like sweeping generalizations, huh?
The author of this piece of "journalism" is a fool.
He doesn’t need to “convert”! He’s already in the “beheading” religion. Born a muslim...always a muslim. Or an apostate ripe for beheading himself. According to the religion of peace.
I know an 0bama voter that, prior to the election, vehemently declared how “absurd” it was to call 0bama a “socialist”,
and now admits that he’s a socialist, and that she agrees with the policy, because it’s “making the world better.”
They’re MENTALLY INSANE, I tell you.
I know an SUV owning 0bamite.
She claims that she’ll be able to continue driving it because she “has free choice, and can afford it”.
I have to suppress the urge to yell at them
“THANKS FOR VOTING AGAINST MY FAMILY, A$$H0LE!”
Nothing like sweeping generalizations, huh?
I’m not sure that statement is too far off the mark but that’s just my opinion.
I lost two life-long friends....because I called Obama a socialist.
My mother in law summed it up this way, "Son, so you lost two friends, kept your dignity, and the truth....I'd say that was a bargain."
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