Political Punch

Who left the GENIE out of the bottle? OH that outfit!!!!!!I hope at the end of the convention he returnes home to the lamp or the bottle. America can not afford another trainee or Bush league president!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will the emergence of the much publicized picture of Barack Obama in African dress be of any concern or have any influence on the security arrangements for the Senator.

If so then what does that say about the effect of having the photo posted.

I ask this in relation to Senator Clinton’s remarks on a Dallas TV station
"I know nothing about it," "This is in the public domain. But let's just stop and ask yourself: 'Why are you - why is anybody concerned about this?

How many senitors dressed up before when they visited foreign countries. Tell me please who. Mr Obama looked real natural to me. By the way did I see him holding a copy of MY PET GOATS?

How naive of the Obama camp. It was their photo op. Their history and cultural heritage. Drudge is a known Republican operative. If Drudge said Clinton was green/black/red, Obama would belive it. And make a post about it. Which side is Obama on?

Cute one,Land of the Free.

Photos of Bush and Clinton in native costumes from some other country have surfaced after the Obama/Somalia thing. But, I have yet to see any photos of McCain in a similar type of garb. Perhaps McCain got enough cultural exchange as a POW.

What does it say about the candidates, both McCain's campaign and Clinton's - that the wisdom and experience they say they have, so strongly contrasts with the way they try to use Barack Obama's name as a negative?

If they are so globally sophisticated, wouldn't they consider using his name as some political weapon a demonstration of an incredibly naive view of the world, foreign policy and the way the US is perceived?

What's clear is that the Obama campaign made a nasty attack against Hillary based on nothing but a claim from Drudge -- and later admitted that they really didn't know anything about the event.

The obvious suspects should be the GOP, Nader -- and Drudge himself. They are the ones who benefit.

I am so ashamed at how this man, whom none of us know, can be slammed for everything under the sun.

I am ashamed at how people can call him a radical Muslim just because of his NAME?!?! Or because he lived in Indonesia when he was a small boy?!?!?!

How narrow minded we have become as a nation! This man wants to help change our country for the better and all people can do is point fingers. We can't even give him the common courtesy of listening to his ideas, without slamming him or making fun of him, because he IS different.

People by nature are afraid of things that are different and of change. And this is evidence of it.

So now Obama supporters believe that Drudge is telling the truth !!!! Obviously Drudge is trying to kill two birds with one stone, he is trying to malign Clinton's campaign and also trying to put a question mark on where Obama's real loyalties lie ?
I find it offensive that Obama supporters assume that anyone who does not support him is a racist. Aren't voters supposed to evaluate candidates based on their policies and plans and past record ? Why is it wrong to evaluate Obama on his past record and lack of accomplishments ? If giving an inspirational speech is the only criteria for becoming the President of the United States, then Tony Robbins is the best candidate, not Obama.

I am concerned about this photo coupled with Farrakhan comparing Obama to the religion's founder, Fard Muhammad, who also had a white mother and black father. (You definitely can't blame that on Clinton) There are too many questions about Obama and the media is sooo blinded by his heavenly speeches to really investigate it. It isn't fear mongering, there are just too many unanswered questions. It is a sad day in America when Saturday Night Live is the only telling the truth about the media's love affair with Obama.

So now Obama supporters believe that Drudge is telling the truth !!!! Obviously Drudge is trying to kill two birds with one stone, he is trying to malign Clinton's campaign and also trying to put a question mark on where Obama's real loyalties lie ?
I find it offensive that Obama supporters assume that anyone who does not support him is a racist. Aren't voters supposed to evaluate candidates based on their policies and plans and past record ? Why is it wrong to evaluate Obama on his past record and lack of accomplishments ? If giving an inspirational speech is the only criteria for becoming the President of the United States, then Tony Robbins is the best candidate, not Obama.

Let's get this straight, the media wants us to ignore facts & images relating to obama that might give one pause when considering this man for the most powerful office on the planet.

So, can anybody tell me why the Illinois Senator was in Africa shooting a documentary while in New Orleans Americans are living in Contaminated trailers?????? This is the REAL issue with this photo.

DEN316, I agree with just about everything that you wrote regarding Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama. However, should Sen. Obama be the nominee of the Democratic Party winning the general election is not a given. I believe the country IS ready to vote for an African-American for president. But if the average American voter is able to look past Sen. Obama's charisma and charm, they will see the Socialist (bordering on Marxist) that he truly is. A general election between Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain will have clear and distinct differences. On the one hand we will have Sen. Obama who will offer the white flag in the War on Terror; rob the wealthy in order pay for his socialistic univeral health care program (and other many giveaways); and decimate Corporate America and small businesses with huge tax hikes. On the other hand we will have Sen. McCain, who will continue to fight the terrorists no matter where they are; will call for additional tax cuts; and will cut federal spending (and attempt to end earmarks).

Drudge seems to have a lot of credibility with the Obama crowd.
A few years ago, Democrats would shun him and and his website since they know how anti-Democrat it is. Enough of this, Obama is not prepared to fight. He continously starts to complain that politics isn't fair when the spotlight turns critical. The Republicans have been talking about this for some time. All of a sudden, it is Hillary's fault that the photo was taken. Drudge is a person that has made it a career to attack the Clintons, he will say anything to rile the Democrats up. If Obama knew this could turn controversial, he should not have taken the photo. Hillary will continue campaigning. She has proven that she still has supporters and is a strong fighter.

Talk about the silly season. What Dem voter is going to look at this innocuous photo in a neg manner? Apparently Obama wants to distract the Dem voters realize that he is "just talk." Comparing this guy to those whose words he parrots, and I do mean parrot, shows the shallowness of his supporters.

Drudge seems to have a lot of credibility with the Obama crowd.
A few years ago, Democrats would shun him and and his website since they know how anti-Democrat it is. Enough of this, Obama is not prepared to fight. He continously starts to complain that politics isn't fair when the spotlight turns critical. He has an Arabic name. People have forgotten that Republicans will continue to shout it from the rooftops, right-wing radio, the right- wing blogs, etc. When people convert to Christianity, they get Christian first names.
The Republicans have been talking about this for some time. All of sudden, it is Hillary's fault that the photo was taken. Drudge is a person that has made it a career to attack the Clintons, he will say anything to rile the Democrats up. If Obama knew this could turn controversial, he should not have taken the photo. Hillary will continue campaigning. She has proven that she still has supporters and is a strong fighter.
Hillary '08

Congress, the Senate, the People of the US would rather have an experience Obama in the White House that is willing to listen and adjust -- rather have someone who claim to be experience who is a liar, and one that does not care to listen to anyone.

Erik: "If this photo was of Hillary, it would be on every front page in the country."

This photo shows Obama in Africa in 2006, helping victims of national disasters, alongside the US Combined Joint Task Force out of Djibouti. Hillary should be so lucky as to have such a photo on the front page of the paper.

vnvet68: Which policies of McCain do you prefer to Obama's? The one about keeping troops in Iraq for 100 years? Or the one about keeping the tax cuts for the rich that are bankrupting America?

As each day progresses I find myself rooting more and more for Barack Obama like the good guy in some Hollywood movie that is constantly being attacked by some evil nemesis. If I have to vote for Clinton because she manages to win the nomination by using fear tactics ( terrorism) I will have to bring a bucket to vomit in...way to go Hillary you are one classy lady you make me so proud to be a Democrat

Evan -
I'm not a democrat and I'm not a racist. I am an independent and I vote for who I feel is the best person for the job. I am writing in Hillary Clinton next November.
Why are you so concerned about everyone else being a racist?

My wife and I will not vote for Obama in the general election if he is nominated. We feel he is not experienced enough. We would rather have McCain.

To all the men out there.

This is what you are going to put in the White House. Oprah says....

Erik obviously you are a Clinton Supporter promoting and accepting her fear mongering, racially and culturally divisive attitude, so like your leader. You also believe her lies about having so much experience and Obama not having enough read my earlier post just beneath yours for some education ! You sound like you are just repeating what Clinton is saying 'just words' its a lie and everyone sees through Hillary's dirty politics OUT WITH THE OLD IN WITH THE NEW !!!

Time to wake up america! There are entirely too many unknowns about this man. Other than he can give a good speech, everything remains undisclosed. If this photo was of Hillary, it would be on every front page in the country. The media elected George Bush and look what the country got. We don't need another unqualified, ego driven president.

One fact is that Hill plays a double standard. She berates Obama and then says he is creating a smear campaign. If she just showed leadership in running her campaign she would not be in this do or die situation. Its her fault no matter what you say. Now she blaming the media for her problems. True leaders take personal ownership for their failures. Why can't she. That's because she is not a leader and ready to be commander and chief. Byt the way Maggie Williams is an attack dog for Hill she probably sent the email herself.

As for experience, I read an article about research done on all three Obama, Clinton and MCain which stated that none of them have the type of experience which one would think suitable to be president, they are the least experienced of all the past US presidents. Clinton has magnified her experience and sort to constantly highlight Obama as inexperienced and full of hot air, however on closer scrutiny one finds that he is just as intelligent as she is, has passed and sponsored much more bills than he, in his slightly shorter time in the Senate, and most important of all he is more of a people's person with a background in community service with local people of all cultures. Her so called 35 years of experience is mainly her time as Arkansas and White house First Lady, is that a qualification for the presidency of the USA ?
What is this photo of him sent by her campaign to a news service supposed to imply ? that people should be afraid of Obama because he has a multicultural makeup ? hello ? since when did the face of American politics only look only caucasian-that is what Clinton's camp is trying to imply people should advocate for -by fearing Obama, and using this picture to remind them of the rumours that he is a muslim !! Sorry once again your tactics have been exposed, and is costing you dearly, the momentum for Obama will continue and never end until he gets elected as President of America - a declaration that Americans of all races, cultural backgorunds want change and hope. What is wrong with encouraging people to desire change and hope ? Hillary has been disappointingly disrespectful and debasing of Obama to the point that all ahve seen through her including those of us who live in Europe.

GO OBAMA Presidency of multicultural/racial America is not limited to a certain race of people, type of experience or culculral background !!! Obama do not be discouraged, even white people are voting for you ! GO OBAMA YES WE CAN !!!

Well, I for one, will NEVER vote for Obama. I cannot in good conscience vote for someone that I do not feel should be the President of the United States of America. I will write in Hillarys name if it comes down to it and I am not the only Clinton supporter that feels this way.

If this really was distributed by Hillary's people, that's incredibly sad to me. All democrats rant about republicans using fear tactics to sway votes and if democrats have resorted to the same tactics against each other, that's just not okay.
What's even sadder is all the blogs I've read about Hillary supporters who wouldn't support Obama if nominated and vice versa. We are all democrats, people, we're on the same side. But only one of them can win. How could any democrat, after these last 8 miserable years try to undermine their own party? Please think twice and don't write in the losing nominee whoever it is. We need every vote we can to get a democrat in office. Please look up the facts on where the candidates stand on the issues and you will see that Hillary and Barrack want all the same things for the country.
For all of you that just believe everything that is emailed to you or that you hear from your republican friends, do yourselves a favor and read Obama's books or go see him give a speech. Do a little research for yourselves before you jump on the bandwagon. I've heard him speak and read 2 of his books and I can assure you he is an honorable American with a lot of great ideas that I am convinced will strengthen this country. I voted for him already, but if Hillary is nominated then without a doubt she gets my vote in the general election!

LeeLee,

Again I beg the question. Show me that you are not from the same mold as Clarence Thomas.

List for me what Hillary has done since failing the DC bar which as made her more qaulified than a man who was president of the Havard Law Review? You have told me more about you than Hillary. Oh being the wife of a president don't count.

Evan - you have faith enough for both of us. You do know that some of Obama's advisors advised him to wait a few years before doing this run, but Obama is a man in a hurry and decided to cast his hat in the ring now. Four years down the road may see me voting for him, you never know...

Obama had better hang on - it's going to be a bumpy ride...LOL.

really think
Have a little faith, change will happen,
and you will wonder why you ever doubted him.

Wow! Something bad comes out about Saint Obama and IT'S HILLARY'S FAULT! She did it! Anyone ever think this could have come from anywhere.There are others out there.Are they all her fault?And,if it's no big thing-that it's normal and respectful then why all the fuss.AND, why the hell is it okay for him to go over there showing "respect"-but he won't show respect for this country. You know, the one he's running for president!! I have a question-when the change doesn't happen and the hope fades,,can we question him then or will he ALWAYS be off limits?!!

LeeLee I did not say I was black. All I said have told you about myself is that I was a soldier for 11 years. As a
ex-soldier any one who voted to give the idiot in the white house the power to go to war does not qualify to be potus. They have blood on thier hands just as much as GW.

Show me that you are not a closet Clarence Thoamas. List for me the reason why, in your opionion Hillary is the better qualified for the job potus. But you must start with her failing the DC bar twice, when she left law school.

Evan - Stop this racist stuff. You think I can't turn what you are saying back on you and make you out to be a racist? You think racism works one way? I don't care about Clarence Thomas, I personally cannot stand the man. I am going to hazard a guess and say that the blacks down south voted for a white candidate because there was no black candidate to vote for. What do you think? This is not about race, this is about me choosing who I want to vote for, not Evan choosing whom I should vote for. Don't bother about trying to put that same, old sorry guilt trip on me about you're black, I'm black. That does not work with me and you should know better anyway. I am not racist amd I am going to cast my vote for Hillary whether she wins the nomination or not. She is the one I feel that is best qualified for the job and that is that.:)

It amazes me how naive the people are that voted for Barak Hussein Oboma are...Have you all forgotten the mess that our country is in? Have you forgotten the price of gas, the raise of food prices etc.? And I like John McCain..but when he said that if he had to..that he would continue that Iraq war for 98 years..why do you think so many in this country are hurting..the cost of the war in lives as well as money. It is the republicans that are behind the Senator from Iowa.."who has walked on water"..and it is they that will walk all over him..if he is the elected Democratic canidate. Hilary is the one that will fight them tooth and nail..and win. It was Bill Clinton that took a red figure (that the republicans ran up).and
turned into the black..And I believe she can and will turn our country back to where it was...Go Hilary..You can do it girl! And lets not permit the media to influence who we will vote for..it is not them but us that counts!

Sue,

Come on just say it. All that you have written is what blacks have been hit with in this age of PC. Not experience enough, gee wiz the man is in his forties. He taught constitutional law for 10 years. Eight years in the Ill. senate, 3 years in the US senate. The only thing going for Hillary is that she is a woman and wife of an ex-president. So if there is any real problem he will tell her how to deal with it.

If you are a democrat and you do not vote for the democratic nominee in Nov.
Then you are a racist, I call it as I see it. The truth will set you free, just admit it. Look deep down in you soul you will see the truth hiding there.

Meiserman-This is really not about sour grapes or revenge. I follow politics closely and I read those polls also. Trust me, there are plenty of us who will not be voting for Obama. I will write in Hillary's name this time around. Thanks so much for your very nice blog to me. Like Rocky said, we can agreed to disagree. Peace

LeeLee7 I am also 52. I was a served in the Army for for 11 years. My brother was a navy aviator. Oh by the way Clarence Thomas is black as well. If you vote for a republican next Nov I guess you come from the same mold.

What substance is Hillary bringing to the table. Seven years in the Senate 25 sponsored bills. That is all that her supposedly 35 years of experience get you.

But then again there were lots of blacks who voted in the south before the civil rights movement, for the white candidate, because no way was a black man as good as a below average white candidate.

I'm assuming that was directed at me. Back off. I'm not a racist. I want to vote for Hillary Clinton not Barack Obama and I am not a closet racist. I am not charmed by Obama and it doesn't have to do with his color. I'm sure he's a nice and intelligent person but I am not getting the impression that he's the boy wonder that everyone has made him out to be. I honestly feel that he should have more experience. I've been back and forth reading and thinking and I've made my decision. I don't think he should be and I don't think he will be our next president and I should not have to defend myself when someone accuses me of something I'm not. Kind of similar to what the candidates are doing to each other. Accusing and defending. I'm beginning to tire of it. As far as voting for Barack Obama maybe 4-8 years from now I would consider voting for him. Time will tell. For now I have decided to write-in Hillary Clinton.

LeeLee07 - If you cannot bring yourself to votre for Obama (should he win the nomination over Hillary) that is your choice and right as an American. I guarantee you however that you are in the minority. Exit polls in the races to date have shown that Democrats overwhelmingly would be satisfied with either candidate and intend to support either in the general election. There are undoubtedly some Hillary voters who would not cross over to Barack, but polls have indicated that there are just as many (in fact a few more) Obama supporters who would not vote for Hillary. Moreover, I guarantee you that Hillary herself(and Bill too)despite all the current criticisms, will enthusiastically endorse and smilingly vote for Obama if he is the party's nominee.

I don't know you personally, so I can't say what you may do, but I suspect that many Hillary voters who now swear that Barack would be the greatest disaster in modern times will have forgotten how much they feared him by election time, if Hillary has left the stage and they are really faced with the spectre of ANOTHER hawkish Republican administration.

It's ironic that so many of Hillary supporters accuse Obama voters of being overzealous and "blind" while simultaneously making declarations that Barack is some kind of idiot manchild who will doom us to Armegeddon with his backwards ideas and naive gullibility. Experience may be important but it is not the only thing. Most of us who are supporting Barack know his resume and those of the other candidates well. We understand his distinguished and extraordinary background, and are satisfied that he is prepared for the job.

In every race, people get caught up in supporting their candidate and lose their perspective. It is not just some "cultish" Barack phenomenon. Just surf the internet. It's in every camp.

If one can set aside momentary passion for WHICHEVER candidate and truthfully analyze the opposition, most honest voters will be able to see that there are plenty of good reasons that an informed, intellegent person might support some one different from them.

Moreover, if a voter is truly interestecd in the causes and positions that Hillary promotes, there aren't too many logical reasons to reject Obama - who is like 90% identical to her in positions, and has clearly demonstrated that he has the smarts and the charisma to sucessfully promote those positions to the American public. It is far more reasonable to support a candidate who is very close to your preferred person than to swear to sabotage the Democratic party and its ideals out of sour grapes because you can't get your first choice.

I say all this as a long time Obama supporter and donor who will gladly (though with some disappointment) vote for Senator Clinton if my party should nominate her.

Let's all try to keep our heads and our perspective as this thing heats up folks.

Rocky - Of course we can:). I can't bring myself to vote for McCain and I really think Obama should have waited a few years to run - just don't feel comfortable with his experience level. I can deal with his African roots, that's why I think he should had stood strong and proud about that picture. Even though I am not voting for him he should have grabbed that photo and worked it with every thing he had. I think that scared his campaign and they didn't stop to think how they could have worked it to their advantage.

Evan -take that racist BS and sling it somewhere else. I am an 52 year African American woman. Jesse Jackson, himself handed me the pen to register to vote during Jimmy Carter's campaign. My generation was the last to see the Whites only signs in stores and public places. I was with the 1st batch of children to be bussed to white schools in Baltimore, Md. I grew up in the slums (before they called them the ghettoes) and down the street from John Hopkins Hospital. Across the street from my house was the Black Panther Headquarters and it was nothing to see the FBI roll up in our neighborhood, shut off our streets and round up the Panthers and haul them off to the jail. They usually did this when Angela Davis, Fred and Stokley came to town. Down the street and around the corner was the Muslims headquarters. They sold bean pies to all the neighbor kids. Funnily enough, if a Panther happened to pass a Muslim in the street, they nodded to one enough. They disagreed with each other, but they maintained that respect. I wrote all that not to say how "Black" I am, but to let you know that nobody, no matter how black he is, is going to automatically get my vote because he is black. He had better bring some qualifications with him if he wants it. I take my vote seriously and I don't give it cheaply. I have no intention of wasting my vote on a person who couldn't lead his way out of a wet paper bag. By the way, I served 4 years in the Army. My husband served 28. So yes, Evan, I am going to take my "peabrained" vote and write in Hillary's name. Just like I keep saying, you can get the man the nominee with your vote, but you CAN'T get him INTO the White House WITHOUT ours. Now go ahead, keep on trashing Hillary supporters.

If Hillary gets the nomination I will vote for her, though I prefer Obama. How could anyone prefer McCain to a Democrat? You want to keep wrecking the economy and stay in Iraq forever? This country will be bankrupt and owned by China in a few years.

LeeLee: We can agree to disagree it seems. :-)

All of these comments are based on discrimination. Half of people here don't listen to the issues. If you did, you would see that they both both are offering the same. They both jab each other every now and then but it's the same. Some of you will vote for Barack
because he's an Afro-American and the other will not vote for him because of the same reason. Some of you will vote for Hillary because she's a White femaleand some of wont vote for her because of that same reason. You'll find what ever dirt you can to hurt
the other because some are not ready for change. BOTH CANDIDATES REPRESENT CHANGE. Barack wont win because most Americans are not ready for that type of change. Hillary wont beat McCain because believe or not some elderly white males will not vote for her. Start listening to thier message instead of what they look like or thier gender. Stop arguing over who would best serve your base group. All of you do have some good points but some of you argue for the sake of arguing. STAY UP MY FELLOW
AMERICAN. Get BIG and stop thinking so SMALL...........

First of all I emailed Obama's church to find out if they accept members of other races and if they can attend services there. They said anyone can join or attend services at their church. I am white and grew up in a church that is affiliated with the United Church of Christ and it is a good Christian Church. I wish everyone would back off discussing religion because it doesn't sound as though there is any issue here. Enough said.

I just like Hillary better. I think that Obama is putting on the charm and I don't think he's as great as everyone is making him out to be. I think Obama is going to win the democratic nomination because of the press and because voters are swooning over him. To be honest with you he doesn't come across to me as a serious candidate. What I don't think is that he'll be our next president. I think John McCain will win the presidency. I believe many Hillary supporters will vote for either McCain, Nader or write-in Hillary. I have just decided to write-in Hillary and become a spoiler. If she doesn't win the democratic nomination why don't you other Hillary supporters join me and write-in Hillary Clinton in the election next November?

What is the big deal? Hillary has been attacked for her wrinkles, her hair, her clothing, her "cleavage," her voice, etc. etc... it's just a costume.

Obama operatives have leaked tons of articles about her to the press, and he has a history of aggressive tactics, such as eliminating his rivals prior to elections.

He is certainly no angel... far from it!!!

It wouldn't be a "smear tactic" if the man had the sense to explain it like you just did. The only thing dishonest and cheap about this whole thing is how Obama disrespected the person he took the picture with. That was cold.

Obama's supporters may get him the Democratic nomination with their votes, but they CAN'T get him INTO the White House WITHOUT our vote... and all of you can take that to the Bank.

I am writing Hillary's name in too. It will be my "protest" vote.

The photo is great. It shows Barack Obama as a US Senator trying to pay respects to Somalia as a visting statesman. The problem is that the Cinton campaign sent it out of context in hopes that it would further fuel the rumor that Barack Obama is a muslim. This, my friends, is called a smear tactic. The Obam campaign does not care about the photo. They care about the tactic. It is dishonest and cheap. Enough said.

LeeLee wrote: "You are going to blame Hillary's campaign because he took the picture?"

No, obviously not. I'm blaming Hillary's campaign for forwarding the photo to Matt Drudge.

If a person is the type to buy into the craziness that Obama is a Muslim, maybe he was searching the Internet and saw this already. But there's only one reason people give stuff to Drudge: to increase circulation.

They are trying to ratchet this rumor stuff up, by giving wider circulation to a photo that many people will misinterpret.

There are photos around of Hillary in a Muslim headscarf. No-one will send them to Drudge because no-one thinks Hillary is a Muslim. There is only one reason they forwarded this to Drudge: to try to build false rumors about Obama.

Giving oxygen to something you know is going to be misinterpreted and taken out of context is pure Rove politics. As Kerry's campaign showed, you don't just "manfully" ignore the smears: you have to stand up to them.

Never mind. I'll write in Hillary.

All I can say is if he wins the Democratic nominee the Republicans are going to wipe the floor with him.

How is OBAMA going to act in REAL crisis? Call Oprah?

Mr "smiley" is having a hissy fit because people discovered the truth.

Who is "bamboozling" who Obama?

Johnny D - You are dead on in your analysis of this whole, sad situation. Thanks.

This is getting ridiculous. Obama's campaign is making a big deal out of something Hillary was very likely not involved in. I'm done. I'm so disgusted and tired of the bickering back and forth that I'm not going to vote OR I'm voting for McCain.

Rocky - Then why is he so mad? That is HIS picture. I found it on an internet site. It was already in the public domain. Just like I found it, anybody else could have found it. You are going to blame Hillary's campaign because he took the picture? What kind of sense does that make? It's his picture, he should explain so no one else has the wrong idea about it. Hillary or no one else can do it for him. No matter how it got out, he should stop acting like a hurt puppy with his tail between his legs. Obama is making himself look bad. Man up, Man up, that's all I can say.

I think it's awesome that Obama choose to expose himself to a different culture. You know...when in Rome!

Truly amazing times we live in. That we even have someone like Obama so close to the presidency. Never would have thought to see so many voters who are so clearly not interested in experience or substance. So many voters being lead around by their emotions and promises of a near fairy tale future era by a man they have projected all their hopes and wishes on. A man of very little gravitas and substance whose only real skill is that of a gifted orator who has managed to cleverly re-work old political themes, as old as ancient Rome, into something new and exciting. Make no mistake, there is nothing new in what he says, once stripped of its charisma and hype, but he is just so lucky to be at that right place and time to benefit. To benefit from eight years of angst. To benefit from a media tripping over itself in adoration of his arrival. To benefit from decades of white liberal guilt. To benefit from an uncritical and unrealistic electorate. Yes, we live in interesting times. To those blinded by this politician, it will be years into the future before your blinders will come off. Let us all truly hope that this impending mistake, this potential Obama presidency, can be avoided if enough open their eyes and see Obama and the world for what it is. Otherwise one can only hope America survives the years ahead, to hopefully emerge not less of a nation than before.

Obama should not have been surprised about the photo. He knew it exsisted, and he knows his beliefs. His trying to convieve the American people,that its not the truth, is his problem. As an American, I believe that if you are from a foreign country and you want to become a citizen of the USA, you abide by the rules, laws and customs of the USA. American/English is the offical language, they should learn American/English, not us learn their language, it is said that in New York alone, teachers are having to learn over 50 different languages to teach the children in their schools. And yes, while being swore in as a member of our government, all should used the bible, as capital hill is not a place of worship. Its gotten where, the American people have no choice in these matters, and our senators and congressmen our hurting us all. Electing Obama for president would be the biggest mistake in our time in history.

LeeLee07:

In case you hadn't noticed, people think Obama is a Muslim. This means they won't vote for him. Now of course it's not a crime to be a Muslim, but that's the way people think.

Obama is a Christian. Why should he have to put up with people misrepresenting him? He didn't start it, he's just telling the truth about who he is.

Now Clinton staffers are circulating this photo, which feeds all those stupid rumors and crazy emails. It's the worst kind of politics.

Don't you remember the whisper campaign eight years ago that John McCain had a black baby? That lost him the SC primary. There isn't anything wrong with having a mixed-race baby, but these false rumors skew the vote. OF COURSE its hurtful and harmful, or why on Earth would they start these rumors?

This can't be turned back on Obama. The Clinton campaign needs to take responsibility.

Blah-ba-blah, ba-blah, blah, blah!

FROM THE HANOI HILTON TO THE WHITE HOUSE! Welcome, President McCain!

If you read further down in the article (five paragraphs) he is referred to as a Christian American. Please correct me if I'm wrong, (and I'm sure someone will), but I remember somewhere that he was sworn into office with a Koran. Christians do not use the Koran they use a Bible when being sworn into any public office and they use it proudly, the way All Americans have for a long time.

It's only a big deal because Obama and his supporters (with the help of the media) think the Clintons leaked the photo. I am sure the media is working on smoothing this out for their Golden Boy even as we speak ...

The Clintons had nothing to do with that photo being leaked. I saw that very same photo awhile back. If Obama thought he would be ashamed of ever being seen in the African garb, he should have never taken it. He should not be distancing himself from his friends. Instead of explaining, he acted as if he was ashamed. He had nothing to be ashamed of. I really do wonder how the people he was with when he took that picture will feel when they realize how he is literally throwing them under the bus. He is a man and he needs to man up on this one.

To Blondssspice, Edna, Marrian Pepitone and any others who insist on repeating falsehoods about Barack Obama in this forum; PLEASE have the honesty to actually learn the facts before spouting personal opinion as fact or repeating rumors and you have heard from unrelieable sources. These are established facts that can be externally verified:

1)Barack Obama is not now, nor has he ever been a muslim, he has never practiced Islam or given devotion to Allah. NEVER. He was in fact without a personal faith for most of his life before becoming a devoted convert to Christianity in his adult years.

2)Obama's father, a Kenyan, was not religious, but that has little bearing on Barack's formative thinking. Barack met his father on only two occasions as a young boy. Barack's father had almost no part in raising him.

3)Obama did spend some time in Indonesia as a boy where his mother was married to a man who was Muslim (as are the majority of people in that country.) Indonesia is a very cosmopolitain nation and one of the most open and liberal Muslim countries. Barak's stepfather was not a religious extremist, nor were his religious views part of Barack's education. Barack's mother (who also was not Muslim, which should tell you just how extreme her husband could have been) made the decisions about Barack's education. He did NOT attend a religious school. The majority of students in his school were Muslim, again so is the majority of that country. The curriculum in Barack's school was secular. All of these facts have been investigated and reported by independent news agencies who went to Indonesia and interviewed officials from the school when these rumors first surfaced over a year ago.

4)Barack Obama never took an oath of office or any oath on a Koran. He has been sworn into office on a bible, and would do so again if elected President.

5)Obama is an openly observant, practicing Christian, a member of the United Church of Christ. The core religious doctrines of the UCofC are very mainstream protestant. In addition, UCofC is a predominantly black denomination and several of it's tenants deal with strengthening black citizens, addressing the special problems of black neighborhoods, and empowering the black community. This includes a commitment to supporting prominent black leaders. Some (a minority) feel that such tennants amount to reverse racism, but I disagree, given the troubled history of African Americans and the specific problems of race in America. Either way, it's a matter of opinion.

Because they share some goals in the area of civil rights, UCofC has had dealings with Louis Farrakahn, but DOES NOT endorse or espouse any of the religious teachings of the Nation of Islam which Farrakahn leads.

6)A person's religious beliefs are only indirectly related to their ability to lead anyway. The constitution specifically bans any religious test for Federal office, and George W. Bush's loudly proclaimed faith in Jesus has not made him even a half-way decent president. Even if a candidate for President were a "muslim" (which Barack is not and never has been.) it would not necessarily mean they couldn't be a great president. Much more important would be questions of how that person interprets their faith, how that faith influences their decisions, and what kind of public policies their faith leads them to support.

6)Barack was largely raised by his white grandparents right smack in the middle of the American midwest. He has been extremely open about his upbringing (the good and the bad) in two autobiographical books, and more information is available about his life than about most politicians. It's rediculous to think he is some kind of secret plant with a hidden agenda. If he weren't half black with a funny sounding name, such ridiculous rumors would never have any chance of spreading.

7)Barack Obama's middle name is Hussein. Millions of people in the world share the name, it is extremely common outside the west. Obama is in no way shape or form related to Saddam (a middle name is a given name, NOT a family name, duh). It means absolutely nothing beyond coincidence. Joseph Stalin had the same name as "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. End of similarity.

8)Barack Obama says the pledge of allegiance regularly (at Senate sessions for example he has done so in public many, many times). He dosays it with his hand over his heart. A nasty FALSE internet rumor saying he refuses the pledge has been spread with a picture of him standing next to Hillary. Her hand is over her heart, his are at his sides. This picture was not taken during the pledge of allegiance, but during the national anthem. Proper ettiquette (in the military for example) DOES NOT dictate placing your hand over your heart for the Star Spangled Banner, although some people choose to do so. It IS proper ettiquete to stand and to sing along with the national anthem. That is what Barck does, and what he was doing at the time of the picture.

9)Barack has been criticized for not wearing an American Flag pin on the lapel of his suit, and some people falsely calim that he "refuses" to honor the flag. Again, wearing a pin is not a requirement of patriotism or ettiquette. In the wake of 9/11 it did become fashionable for many public figures to sport the pin. Barack has publicly said that he chose at that time not to wear the pin. NOT because he refuses to honor the flag, but because he witnessed so many politicians who he felt wore their patiotism on their lapel, but not in their hearts. He stated that when he made the conscious decision not to join the flag fad that he would strive instead to show his patriotism in word and deed everyday. People are free to decide for themselves how he is doing, but don't use such an obviously external symbol as a judge of patriotism.

10)And by the way blondssspice, Barack is not a "Muslim" name, it is african in origin but does not have specific religious experience, Obama went by the name "Barry" in his youth, it is a nickname, a shortening of Barack. He also may have been given his stepfather's last name as a child in Jakarta, when his mother remarried. But to say, "Since then he got a Muslim name Barak Hussein Obama" is a dishonest slur. Barak Hussein Obama is his given name from birth.

I don't think Obama is ashame of the photo. He was just concerned that people might get the wrong impression that he is a muslin. I am sure that the Clinton would not do it for fun, they have intentionally try to paint a picture of Obama as a mus