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The Obama Africa Photo
February 25, 2008 11:39 AM
This morning a photograph of Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., dressed as a Somali Elder during a 2006 trip to Africa was posted on the Drudge Report.
Drudge claimed "stressed Clinton staffers" were circulating the photograph over the weekend, one of them writing, "Wouldn't we be seeing this on the cover of every magazine if it were HRC?"
The Clinton campaign has yet to issue an official denial that its staffers had sent the email or circulated the photograph and the Obama campaign -- believing the Clinton team is trying to feed into the internet rumor that Obama is some sort of Muslim Manchurian candidate -- expressed outrage.
Said Obama campaign manager David Plouffe in a statement, "On the very day that Senator Clinton is giving a speech about restoring respect for America in the world, her campaign has engaged in the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we've seen from either party in this election. This is part of a disturbing pattern that led her county chairs to resign in Iowa, her campaign chairman to resign in New Hampshire, and it’s exactly the kind of divisive politics that turns away Americans of all parties and diminishes respect for America in the world."
The photo of Obama in native garb during a visit to Wajir had largely been posted in two places prior to today -- on African websites such as this one, and on conservative websites where posters ludicrously claim Obama, a Christian American, is some sort of covertly Muslim operative.
Clinton campaign manager Maggie Williams, who is African-American, responded forcefully, saying: "Enough. If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed. Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely.
"This is nothing more than an obvious and transparent attempt to distract from the serious issues confronting our country today and to attempt to create the very divisions they claim to decry," Williams went on. "We will not be distracted."
The Obama campaign publicized his August 2006 trip to Africa and even permitted a documentary film crew to come along for 2007's "Senator Obama Goes to Africa."
-- jpt
February 25, 2008 in Weblogs | Permalink | Share | User Comments (616)
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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
Posted by: Sara | Feb 26, 2008 8:17:57 AM
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?
Posted by: Sue | Feb 26, 2008 8:11:48 AM
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.
Posted by: vnvet68 | Feb 26, 2008 7:41:36 AM
To all the men out there.
This is what you are going to put in the White House. Oprah says....
Posted by: OWO | Feb 26, 2008 7:11:11 AM
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 !!!
Posted by: DEN316 | Feb 26, 2008 6:34:38 AM
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.
Posted by: EriK | Feb 26, 2008 6:15:55 AM
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.
Posted by: casilda | Feb 26, 2008 6:13:44 AM
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 !!!
Posted by: DEN316 | Feb 26, 2008 5:59:44 AM
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.
Posted by: AKing | Feb 26, 2008 3:22:32 AM
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!
Posted by: Kath | Feb 26, 2008 2:53:00 AM
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.
Posted by: Evan | Feb 26, 2008 2:33:56 AM
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...
Posted by: LeeLee07 | Feb 26, 2008 2:29:04 AM
Obama had better hang on - it's going to be a bumpy ride...LOL.
Posted by: LeeLee07 | Feb 26, 2008 2:21:25 AM
really think
Have a little faith, change will happen,
and you will wonder why you ever doubted him.
Posted by: Evan | Feb 26, 2008 2:19:33 AM
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?!!
Posted by: really think | Feb 26, 2008 2:09:03 AM
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.
Posted by: Evan | Feb 26, 2008 1:57:28 AM
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.:)
Posted by: LeeLee07 | Feb 26, 2008 1:24:49 AM
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!
Posted by: Dee | Feb 26, 2008 1:14:20 AM
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.
Posted by: Evan | Feb 26, 2008 1:10:03 AM
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
Posted by: LeeLee07 | Feb 26, 2008 1:03:52 AM
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