Political Punch

i wish obama would speak publicly about his feelings regarding israel, and prove that he is concerned about the jewish people there....he should just walk away from his church, as now we know about the things that have been "preached" on the pulpit, and now would be a good time to end it by leaving that church. if he does not leave the church, i fear that most jewish democrates will not vote for him, and mccann will end up being our next president !!

Hassan Kareem,

while your blog points have been taken, the American Presidency is not the arena in which to wage a "corrective war" against whites OR blacks that have not furthered the black individual's cause in America (or any other oppressed minority, for that matter).....the America Presidency represents so many peoples of different races, creeds, and religions. It is not a stump on which a person should even consider "evening the playing field" for one race or another. It is an office that the President-elect vows to defend the principals of the United States Constitution, and vows to protect our great country from outside aggressors, among other things.

It is only logical that "laypeople" (non-scholarly persons) consider Farrakhan "a racial bigot" because of the language he speaks contains such distain for persons different than himself, no matter what his rationale for using the language he chooses to get his point(s) across. I, being a white, middle-aged female, have tried to be so open-minded and listen to what Farrakhan has to say, but I cannot sit through one of his lectures/speeches because of the strong tone of his language regarding others. I assert that one can bring about greater change (by having dialogue with others different than oneself) that is less abrasive......

He must not have gone to church much, since his pastor spews anti-white comments all the time. And where are his denunciations of Farrakan, Come on please the Democrat party itself are anti-semites, just look at Carter's book.

So please Obama your empty talk may work with liberals but not America!

Birds of a feather... do what? Why is this Farrakhan supporting Obama with such intensity. Why didn't Obama distance himself earlier if he does not in any way support Farrakhan's statements. Why does big media so ardently follow Obama without question? Are we to have an "Obamination" for President?

Show me your friends and I'll show you who you are.......
Think about it.

Vote Hillary and forget about it.

What candidate can control her or his endorsement?

Tell me Valerie, who did Farrakhan endorse before?

Well there you go....
And it´s not that Obama doesn´t like China...it´s China that doesn´t like Obama....

What candidate can control her or his endorsement?

Tell me Valerie, who did Farrakhan endorse before?

Well there you go....
And it´s not that Obama doesn´t like China...it´s China that doesn´t like Obama....

One guy said earlier in this thread:

"It would be very difficult for me to support anyone associated so closely with an institution which honors such a hateful bigot as Louis Farrakhan"

I'm a Black suburban male from Toronto Canada. I never knew about Farrakhan until CNN braodcast the Million Man March in Oct. 1995. I became interested to know more about this man who called for a march on Washington, and had, according to US Navy satelite photos of the event, 2.2 million people respond to his call. White media writes as if it's a foregone conclusion that Farrakhan is a "hate teacher". This conclusion is predicated upon two things: 1)Farrakhan said Judaism is a "dirty religion", and 2)Farrakhan thinks the Hitler was a "great man". To save space I'll deal with only the second point.

In January, Haaretz, the Israeli newspaper wrote about Erykah Badu's press conference in Tel Aviv: "Badu defended Louis Farrakhan, the leader of the Nation of Islam, who has drawn fire over the years, with pronouncements including praise for Hitler in a 1984 speech, for which he was censured by the U.S. Senate... "Farrakhan is not an anti-Semite. He loves all people," insisted Badu."

The standard insinuation is that Farrakhan admires and praises Hitler. What he actually said in his March 1984 speech can in no way be seen as a praise of Hitler. Ironicly Farrakhan's words are in reponse to being called the "New Black Hitler" by whites in the Media. It was white people who introduce "Hitler" into the discussion.

"Here the Jews don't like Farrakhan and so they call me 'Hitler.' Well that's a good name. Hitler was a very great man. He wasn't great for me as a Black man, but he was a great German, and he rose Germany up from the ashes of her defeat by the united force of all of Europe and America after the first world war... Now I'm not proud of Hitler's evil toward Jewish people, but that's a matter of record. He rose Germany up from nothing. Well, in a sense you could say there is a similarity in that we are rising our people up from nothing, but don't compare me with your wicked killers.

"Why would we tolerate this? I've been among Black people as a teacher from the Honorable Elijah Muhammad for nearly thirty years. I'm not a stranger in America. I have lectured in every major university and college and theological seminary in this country. I'm well-known by my brothers and sisters who are scholarly. I have addressed every major Black organization that there is. I ask, why should we submit when a White man calls one of our Black brothers a "Hitler" that we don't rise up and take them to task? You wait for Farrakhan to come and defend himself, though I am a defender of Black people. Not that it matters to me whether you defend me or defend me not. That's up to you. But that would show some gratitude on your part for the work of your brother. I am defended by God and He's sufficient for me, He and his Apostle, but, when you can allow the enemy to call your leaders anything they want to and get away with it, then you are selling yourself again into slavery." Farrakhan, Sun Mar 11, 1984.

Obvious from what Farrakhan actually says, he doesn't view Hitler as a 'good', noble', or 'wonderful' man. The word great means: outstanding in extent, significance or importance; remarkable; powerful; influential. Hitler was all these things. Hitler's acts of wickedness were remarkable. He was outstanding in his extent of wickedness. Among the Germans, Hitler was very powerful and he was influencial in the history of Europe and Europeans. Hitler WAS a great German; according to the definition of the word. None the less, the misportrayal of the statement that "Hitler was a very great man", is still being used to justify teaching people to hate Farrakhan.

The more than 2 million people who responded to his call for a Million More Movement are not a army of hateful Black men and women. Farrakhan doesn't represent a constituency of hateful Black people. Farrakhan symbolizes the "thinking" Black man and woman. Like Erykah Badu, these Black people know that "Farrakhan loves all people".

You don't simply want Obama to distance himself from a "hateful bigot". You white liberals would like to see Obama distance himself from serious and thinking Black, Brown, and Asian people. White so-called liberals are not genuine. You never raised your vioces to stop other white people from teaching hatred of Black people. We can't take you seriously when you try to portray peaceful and loving Farrakhan as a race hater.

Oy-Bama? What the hell kind of reporting is that? Why is it ok to poke fun at Jews, in what is supposed to be respectable press coverage? thsi guy goes around trying to get people to work together depsite their differences and you turn it into a circus.

What church supports a man like Louis F arrakan that is a noted racist with sentiments of hate among his preachings.
Churches are suppose to support love for it's fellow man, not hatred!! This is against all the teachings of the
Christian faith!! Now Farrakan is coming out supporting Obama.

OH THIS IS FAIR... OBAMA COULD HAVE PUT HIS NAME ON THE BALLOT BUT CHOSE NOT TO. DIDN'T HAVE A PROBLEM CHEATING IN FLORIDA THOUGH BY RUNNING ADS AGAINST PARTY RULES...
Sens. Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton had Michigan on their minds -- at least briefly -- Friday.

In a tight race, Michigan's delegates to the Democratic National Convention have become a prize for Clinton, who won Michigan's Jan. 15 party primary, and a curse for Obama, who took his name off the ballot. The Democratic Party stripped Michigan and Florida of all their delegates for holding early primaries.

On Friday, Obama said that he would let Michigan delegates join the convention if it is done without affecting the outcome.

Said Clinton: "The people of Michigan and Florida spoke in a very convincing way that they want their voices and their votes to be heard."

Jake - Obama did not issue any public statement regarding Farrakhan at the time of the award last November. The statement you quoted was put out in January as a response to the article in the Washington Post by Richard Cohen, describing the exuberant praise heaped on Farrakhan by Obama's pastor for his "dedication to truth and honesty". As someone mentioned below, Obama's statement then, as well as what he told the Jewish Community in Ohio is troubling because it tries to downplay the scope of the award (actually called the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Lifetime Achievement Award) as well as the long-time affiliation between Wright and Farrakhan, which goes back to the 1980's when they traveled to Libya together to visit Gaddafi (neither deny this). Farrakhan was honored by the Church at a gala event in downtown Chicago, attended by some notables including Maxine Waters. None of this is to say that Obama shares the undeniably racist and radical views of his pastor, but what are we supposed to think when he publicly credits this "old uncle" (a.k.a. spiritual advisor) with being his moral compass for the past 20 years, and playing a critical role in his personal development? Would Obama and his wife have attended that gala if he weren't running for President? (He surely must have received an invitation.) There's no way to know what's in his heart, but the issue is not about Farrakhan supporting his candidacy. It's about judgment and principle regarding the people you choose as close associates, and even mentors. I, for one, do not believe he is a closet anti-semite, but if he's unwilling to stand up to his own church on principle, what does that say about his judgment in the wake of more formidable challenges, when votes are no longer the impetus for action?

Those who are not in favor of Obama are not SORE LOSERS, ARE NOT HATEMUNGERS, we are people who look at the issues and want disclosure on his ethics, character and much more. That the press has not even touched him on. At this time his movement is based on change, hope, and color(for some). This is about much more, for one you can not have change with out consquence or effect. It is the HOW he is going to bring about change, it his change needs to start at the lower levels of goverment first congress and senate. Not the presidency and the lives of many americans. Remeber he only has 4 years to do this change, and the change he wants needs more than that...much more time.

"White, 2000 Chevrolet van with 'Urban Moving Systems' sign on back seen at Liberty State Park, Jersey City, NJ, at the time of first impact of jetliner into World Trade Center Three individuals with van were seen celebrating after initial impact and subsequent explosion. FBI Newark Field Office requests that, if the van is located, hold for prints and detain individuals."

It is really disturbing that some people will always choose what is known to them and not take a calculated risk. Those that would seek to destroy a persons character because of their own preconcieved notions or prejudices. I think that we should look at all the candidates and scrutinize their policies. However when should avoid race or religous baiting. Do you really think that any of the candidates, Do not love America. Are we not the Country of Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness? What makes US great is that we have had difficult times and not just prevailed but thrived in the end. Do your civic duty and vote for who you think that can tackle the challenges facing us. "A house divided cannot stand"

It's pretty clear that Michelle Obama is all about black empowerment. It's clear that Obama has ties with Wright and Farrakhan who all have radical views about other races.

Who knows what Obama really believes? I don't think he is stupid enough to come out and be antisemitic or to label white ppl as devils. But in his heart of hearts - who know what lurks? The only clue we really have is who he associates with.

Ann coulter voiced her support for hillary. Does that mean hillary agrees with her? The answer is self explanatory. No candidate can control who endorses him/her in the process. obama and louis i don't see the connection.

I think it's kind of silly suggesting Farakahn's favoring of Senator Obama should hurt his rep. Faakahn is going to endorse any black candidate running, OBVIOUSLY.

Senator Obama has spoken out against anti-semitism at every step along the way, and just attending a Christian church where the minister has expressed support for a moron like Farakahn who's time has passed years ago, should not be something people even give a moment's thought when critiquing Senator Obama. This is all rather silly.

Would Churchill have never risen to power to lead England in WW2 if Hitler had endorsed him? You can't control what kind of nutballs are going to come out in support of you. Should Hillary supporters abandon Senator Clinton because Ann Coulter came out in support of her a couple weeks ago? Of course not. They should do it for logical, factual reasons like her record instead.

: )

Hey B,
I'm not Jewish (irrelevant). I voted for Hillary in the caucus. I will vote for her in November. I'm not sure how you are going to accomplish your particular fete, as it does not compute.

Rev. Wright is Obama's spiritual leader and friend, Louis Farrakhan. is the one he is trying to disassociate with.

Mr Obama continues to use speration in his speeches, keeping a defined boundary
he use's rich/poor, black/white, etc.
instead of us, we or Americans.

Mr Obama used others suffering and hardships and needs to make gains for himself.

He has taken others words, phrases, speeches and ideas and used for his gain.

"Yes We Can" I have been following this race for months now. I started out saying I was voting for Hillary. Then I decided to really get into and decide. I am a black man who is opposed to seeing colors or nuances that people may have. I am sure that we all have had dealings with people we once thought were okay, but later we learned that we must distance ourselves from them because of what they represent; I have, its life.

Hillary, since I been following politics 24/7 has left a lot of things out(e.g. Tax returns). She critizes Obama on health care, and when he responds, she burst out to the world in anger. She supported NAFTA. During CNN's debate when Obama exposed her health care plan in her face saying "it forced people who couldn't afford it to buy it or that she would go after their wages."

It's all tactics. Barack Obama, may be just a speaker in the media (or at least thats how the media portrays it), but Hillary called lobbyist real Americans, so what am I or you?

Its a race to Nominee, she wants it. Does it really matter who he knew and who he knows? Apparently, he still has his own agenda. I love it. I am not trying to sway anyone to vote a certain way, but I am saying while the media exploits him for certain things, then why not exploit Hillary on her personal endeavors and dealing as well.

Not reading this thread I posted this on another thread.

Well well please look at these two articles: Louis Farrakhan Endorses Obama at “Saviours’ Day” Event in Chicago: A Tale of Who Shall Be King
February 24th, 2008 by DR. CLARISSA PINKOLA ESTÉS

The Associated Press reports today that Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan “says presidential candidate Barack Obama represents hope that the United States will change for the better.”
Google the MODERATE VOICE
Now, by this, his sound relationship with Farrakhan is clearly shown.

Next Obama's deceptive pro-Israel stance.
Look who is his Middle East Advisor is. This advisor's father was a once close friend of Yasser Arafat, clearly pro-Palestine.
Google Simon Malley and American Thinker

Obama once replied:
The attacks, mainly anonymous e-mails, have woven together various threads -- his middle name --"Hussein;" schooling in Muslim Indonesia; his Chicago pastor's embrace of the anti-Semitic leader of the Nation of Islam, Louis Farrakhan; and his calls for dialogue with Iran -- to portray Obama as the Muslim Manchurian candidate.

Leading American Jewish organizations have denounced these "hateful e-mails." Obama has condemned Farrakhan's anti-Semitism and made clear he disagrees with his pastor, the Rev. Jerermiah A. Wright Jr., whose magazine honored Farrakhan last year. But he's not broken with Wright, the man who ushered him to his Christian faith.

I'm an Obama supporter. What I have seen written and spoken of in the past few days concerning his patriotism, etc. is disgusting. I would NEVER vote for Hillary now under any circumstance. If we are unfortunate enough to have her as our Democratic nominee I will have to hold my nose and vote for Nader. Anything BUT Hillary or McCain.

This is the beginning of the mud slinging chapter of this wonderful, wonderful election season. Only losers resort to such tactics. This also marks the beginning of the end to the loser camp. Go on losers.

I am Jewish, and I am a strong supporter of Barack Obama's.

I appreciated Obama's comments on matter of the Rev. Wright. It is true that I, like most Jewish people, have associates and relatives who have made embarrassing and even racists comments about blacks or Arabs, and I have not terminated my relationship with them on this basis. I once had a Rabbi who made remarks that most Arabs might find racist.

I do not hold Barack Obama to a double standard on this issue.

I am Jewish and have dual USA and Israeli citizenship. I have no problem with any of Barak's names or with his policies.
I take great issue with the insular xenophobic hatemongers of the Mosaic persuation who are trying to scare me from voting for Barak.

To those hatemongers I say:

Hatz-bea BARAK!
Let's focus on getting our troops home now so that the Bush war can be ended expeditiously.

cbb in NY

(vote for Barak--Hebrew)

Why has it taken so long?

Hillary is a pain in the donkeys ass. she doesnt know that she has already failed!!!

Wright isn't Obama's uncle, he is his "spiritual mentor", perhaps his closest advisor. One has to ask why Obama is so falsely downplaying his ties? Also the "Trumpeteer Award" was given to Farrakhan as "a man who symbolized the epitome of greatness" - why does Obama disguise the true scope of the award? Wright has reportedly sermonized about Israel's "illegal occupation" of Palestinian land and white America getting its just rewards on 9/11. It would be very difficult for me to support anyone associated so closely with an institution which honors such a hateful bigot as Louis Farrakhan,or presided over by a spiritual head with such hateful and wrong views.

The proof is in the pudding, or rather the Matzo-ball soup. Yes, he says he is a bridge between Jews and Gentiles... somewhat messianic... but I'll pasover that. What is more important is what are his views on Palestine and Israel. He can speechify all he wants... but what are his views. Does he even have a view that won't change when he speaks to another interest group... make up your mind... plotz or get off the pot!

Im jewish and I will not vote for him because I took the time to read and really look at this man and what he represents I will not be lied to.

His ties with Farrakhan are minor. People need to start looking more at his socialistic stances and his ties to his communist (or marxist) mentor. These need to be addressed with the american public more and why some are are making comparisons of his speeches to Hitler's speeches. As well as his following is much like that of Hitler. Plus his backroom shady dealings with why he is getting the nom is very similar.
These are not scare tactics but they are issues that need some enlightening by an unbiased media.

Hilary and her husband have been trying dirty Obama and it has not worked; rather it backfired. Let her carry on with and it will surely continue to work against her because what will be will be.

People need to stop being ingnorant and start thinking. Some people think that Obama cannot bring the country together. We had a double Bush, and now it is possible to have a double Clinton. It is time for old things to be just that and let the new spring flowers bloom. Give Obama a chance.

Jake am happy you posted this but honestly I don't feel any other media house is going to take this issue and run with it, am so disappointed with what am seeing in the BO run for President and concerned about the unanswered questions of the people he has aligned his self with before this run.

Now he seems to be trying to distance his self from them and I do honestly believe that this is just all a show in order that he does not get negative press, but as soon as he gets the nomination or the Presidency all these hidden faces will come to the front, and all the things that Obama has been trying to disguise will show its ugly head.

For me that is a serious issue for the state of this nation in the coming years if he happens to win, I just hope the media keeps discussing issues of this nature so that people can have a fair and balanced view before they cast their votes.

Journalists farm news bulletin and serve the general public for enlightenment. But such news bulletin must have implicit value of elevating the society rather than fracturing it. Obama, from his public profile, indicates a character that is not divisive but inclusive. The idea of guilt by association often times does not have enlighten nor elevate the society. What Louis Farrakhan says and does are outside the sphere of Senator Obama’s control. Louis Farrakhan can endorse Senator Obama a million times over and any informed citizen would not raise a finger in protest. It is not newsworthy. Such endorsement would be newsworthy though the moment Obama acknowledges or accepts such endorsement. But without any positive response or reaction directly or indirectly from Senator Obama renders such act of endorsement moot.
What is going to cause Senator Obama schoilkes is the elevation of non-issue to the fore as newsworthy for publication. Louis Farrakhan is a media hugger and JPT has consciously or unconsciously offered himself as vehicle for the formers’ hate propaganda outlet.

"A black man with a white mother could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall."

America from her fall?? Man we must really be be the worse country in the world,fallen and broken just all waiting on the wisdom and kindness of BO.

Thank you for addressing this issue. It's something I think people need to take a close look at. Not just jewish folk, but everyone should carefully examine this, because orientation to the Middle East will be central to the foreign policy of the next president.

I'm Jewish. I voted for Obama in the primaries. And I will vote for him November.

What candidate can control his or her support or endorsement? The question to ask, who're we to judge? Is it possible for our country to come together despite the different religions, ethics background and individual values? Yes we can -- as long as we envision a common ground. We need to take control of our country and unite together.