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
I have to suppress the urge...
You and millions of others but the day of suppression is about to end IMHO
They are a cult...there is no doubt in my mind!
Good for you... the “separation” is going to become more and more necessary. Our differences are irreconcilable, and the only way to avoid constant “civil unrest” is to have the states declare their sovereignty and exclude the elitists’ dictates from being implemented.
My point, with this person, was how she went from full throated denial to justification when denial was no longer possible.
Wow, posted eight times. Not a record, but certainly up there.
“Obama had better get it through his thick head that America DOES NOT WANT A MUZZIE PRESIDENT.
That matters not. He won, remember?”
He won because that fact was so cleverly concealed.
It’ll make a lot of us very unhappy.
None, that I’ve noticed. Could be a few key-scratches.
It’s worked for him so far.
Man O Man...I know exactly.. I am perplexed about this daily...all I can surmise is its cult-like or similar to that of an abuse woman that stays with her abuser all the while denying the obvious black eye and bruises....
How about the name itself? Barack Hussein Obama.....
I'm the epitome of "everyguy", and I have no "unease" or "prejudice" when it concerns muslims.
I simply cannot stand the presence or sight of any of them.
The author should have said: "Given the absolute feral hate that Americans feel for muslims..."
Now, see, that would have been on the mark.
And my tongue is only slightly in my cheek.
Wow, posted eight times. Not a record, but certainly up there.
Some people can’t stayed ‘glued’ to the computer. Repeat posts happen.......I’ve seen them on the same page within minutes of each other. No harm
He was raised as a Muslim and picked a radical church for his conversion because it was politically expedient. He’s either still a Muslim now or is considered a Muslim apostate subject to punishment under sharia law.
He has never joinned another Christian Church, has he?
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