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Controversial Clinton Guest: 'Osama for Obama'

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March 04, 2008 10:42 PM

ABC News' Kate Snow and Eloise Harper report: A controversial party guest was spotted at Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton's election night party in Columbus, Ohio Tuesday.

He was hard to miss.  He was the one wearing the "Osama for Obama" t-shirt.

Columbus resident Todd Elbaum told ABC News his friend makes the t-shirts.

Elbaum did not hold back on his views of Obama when he was interviewed by ABC within full view of a Clinton staffer. 

"The truth is he was born a Muslim, his father was a Muslim, his mother married a Muslim after divorcing his father.  His grandfather was a Muslim.  It doesn't matter.  But what does matter is when Obama said he was never a Muslim.  He was a Muslim.  He was born a Muslim.  He was a Muslim for six years of his life," Elbaum said. 

Watch the VIDEO HERE.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., has repeatedly said that he has never been a Muslim and is a practicing Christian.

"I've been to the same church the same Christian church for almost 20 years," Obama has said. "I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible. Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America."

On CBS' "60 Minutes" Sunday night, Clinton, D-N.Y., was asked about rumors that Obama is a Muslim and said she did not believe the rumors. 

"No! No! Why would I? There's nothing to base that on. As far as I know," she said.  Some have suggested that the use of the phrase "as far as I know" suggested she had doubts.

But yesterday Clinton was more emphatic in saying she did not believe the rumors. She said she, too, has dealt with vicious rumors and expressed empathy toward her rival.

"It's disturbing to turn around and see this all the time... I hope people get beyond it," she said.
 

March 4, 2008 in Bush, George W., Tancredo, Tom | Permalink | User Comments (178)

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If either of these two become president in November, this country will lose the true values it was founded upon. This country was founded by religous people. This is a country under GOD. We are a republic; we are not a socialistic country. We have the right to competition, and competition will create the best prices to the American people. It seems many (and I am not by any means saying all, but supports who seem to just jump on the band wagon without being truely informed) democrats do not seem to understand that logically, if government is to implement programs such as national health care, taxes must increase. The plans Obama and Clinton hold will likely increase taxes by over $500 billion per year. In America, we have the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It is each citizens responsibility to take care of himself from there.

Posted by: Daniel | Mar 4, 2008 11:43:53 PM

A BIG CLINTON (ABC) NETWORK. I am sure many of you wear this T-shirt in the newsroom.

Posted by: Jim | Mar 4, 2008 11:47:07 PM

It was nice to see all the Republicans vote for Hilliary in the primary today. I can't believe these jerks call themselves Democrats. They are nothing but pro war Republicans. It's sickening. But between McCain, Hilliary or Obama, have no worry, a Democrat is guaranteed in the White House now. And they say people are Anti-War, whatever. Just wait for the draft, you better start hiding your children NOW!!!

Posted by: cba | Mar 4, 2008 11:51:23 PM

"This is the prime example of ignorance apparent in the Hilary Supporter. They are obviously uneducated rural idiots who can pick their nose but won't pick up a newspaper or go beyond Hee Haw to get their facts straight." Molly 11:52 pm

Molly, you and those like you are so arrogant. Maybe the people voted for Hillary because she has a better health care plan or they are not ready for the change Obama blathers on about. Molly, it is because of you and those like you that dems are turning on each other and the GOP might win. Please grow up, keep your idiotic thoughts to yourself.

College Graduate, Washington state, thank you very much.

Posted by: Ck canon | Mar 5, 2008 12:01:09 AM

Because in America you can't be president if you aren't a Christian; it's in the Constitution.

Posted by: Aaron | Mar 5, 2008 12:07:50 AM

There is a larger question looming on the horizon and nobody is making a squeek about it!! A war in latin/south America......Do any of the cantidates have any ideas of possible paths for our country???? A little insight to their ability to lead the country could be shown right about NOW.........

Posted by: brettski | Mar 5, 2008 12:08:27 AM

Todd definitely needs to realize that even if Obama was "born a Muslim," that he is not a "Muslim" unless he practices the religion and believes the faith. Obama is whatever religion he believes the most in.

PLUS why all this religious hatred? IF Obama WERE Muslim, what should that matter? He is an American citizen first and foremost before any religion and I believe that he truly will do whatever he can for the American people. What does it matter what religion, race, or gender a person is? This does not determine their competence as the President of the United States.

Posted by: Amy | Mar 5, 2008 12:13:10 AM

The point of all this should be what does it matter if he were or if he is a Muslim. Did Mitt Romney run from his religion? Did John Kennedy run from his religion? No, they did not. Religion is personal. Many in this country have that faith, so what is anyone trying to say here? Obama should be proud of his family and proud of his name. He may be of the Christian faith now, so what? I worked many years with a lady from Turkey who had married a US serviceman. She was a Muslim, and the finest person you could ever meet. Did she wear her religion on her sleeve? No. And no one cared what her religion was. It's personal, and the Constitution guarantees freedom of religion.

Right now we are fighting two wars in the Middle East full of Muslims. Are all of the people in those countries evil? No. Osama Bin Laden planned the attack on America. He is the evil one. Saddam Hussein gassed and murdered thousands of his people. Is he evil? Yes. And there are many others who want to do us harm, and they supposedly do it in the name of their religion, and that is evil. We had no business going to war with Iraq with flawed intelligence given about weapons of mass destruction. All of the people in the Middle East are not evil, and their religion in and of itself is not evil. Evil people do evil things.

Instead of trying to defend his name and its linkage with Muslims, Obama should embrace his name and his heritage, and ignore the isolated hate mongers who always go for the jugular when they can't debate the issues. Instead of the hatred epithets against Hillary Clinton based on gender, sexism, or ignorance, they should strive to debate on real issues. Don't blame the hatred of Muslims or Muslim names on Hillary Clinton, she has been through enough of the same kind of garbage all because some do not really know how to debate the issues.

Posted by: georgia | Mar 5, 2008 12:13:39 AM

I saw the same thing happen at my polling spot,in fact the ladies there said they had ,had 100's of Republicans voteing as democrats !!!It's all a set up election ,and Obamas people should have polls investigated ,mainly the small rural polls.People who voted asked about the 'convention' after 7:15 and asked what they needed to do,they were told as I was ,to just come back and sign in and then leave !!People were not told that at these 'conventions' they would be chooseing delegates for thier candidate !!Totaly unexceptable as that we were misled into thinking the elections were finished as soon as we left the second time ,so much to how well the 'Texas two step' voteing system worked out !!It's a failure .

Posted by: Joyce In Texas | Mar 5, 2008 12:13:52 AM

A report that came out last year. Said he was in a catholic school in Indonesian. His faith listed was Muslim. That a friend he went to the other school with, stated he use to study Muslim with Barry.

That was in the news some where.

Posted by: seah | Mar 5, 2008 12:17:36 AM

shame on clinton campaign to allow that kind of smear and shame on media who don't care to tear apart that kind of sear.

Posted by: hubbs | Mar 5, 2008 12:18:13 AM

I know a way we could ALL vent what ever issue we have with any of the candidates!! Allow a voter to cast a negative vote.....Give the voter a right to cast a vote AGAINST a candidate!!!....Some voters will vote FOR someone and some voters will vote "anybody but this person" and cast a negative vote. Tally up the "for" and "Against" votes and the candidate with most net votes wins!!!!! Brett

Posted by: brettski | Mar 5, 2008 12:26:46 AM

ARGH!!! Politics!!!

And Republicans who vote as Democrats... Have you no shame? Why not just allow the election to be fair? Why must there be such stupid disparities between Democrats and Republicans. DO NOT ABUSE YOUR RIGHT TO VOTE!

People worked hard and died so that Americans could vote - and now of either gender or any race. And you would show such disrespect to these people by rigging the voting? Shame on you.

This goes for any Democrats who may ever vote as another party for the same reason as the Republicans did above...We are all Americans. Why be so cruel to your fellow Americans and not give people a chance to have the candidate that they really want win fair and square.

If Hilary were to win without these Republicans rigging it so that "she won't win nationally," that would be fine. Otherwise, I think it is wrong and that people should petition for a recount in states where people have admitted to do this crime.

Posted by: Amy | Mar 5, 2008 12:27:02 AM

I saw the video in which Obama's wife was saying "You know......they used his name.........." and the crowd goes "boooooooooo"

Really......so now no one should use your husband's name?????

I clearly understand that Obama is not a muslim.
But still its his name right?

If he hates it so much.......why can't he just remove it officially????

If you want to keep it for your heritage then get ready for shots like these..........

You can't have it both ways.....

Posted by: True Dem | Mar 5, 2008 12:29:53 AM

You know its a shame that Obama voters act more and more like carl Rove. This is a race for the President of the United states . If you think John MCcain is going to be sweet to him you will find out its going to get a lot worse.

Posted by: Bishop | Mar 5, 2008 12:29:58 AM

Localjoe,

Yes, this is not fair about Catholics in many Muslim countries, but this is NOT the Middle East. It is the USA and is *supposed* to have freedom of religion.

If ANY religion is mistreated in the U.S., this should be considered unlawful.

Posted by: Amy | Mar 5, 2008 12:30:24 AM

Obama cannot beat McCain. McCain will get a very appealing VP and will beat Obama on all the issues. NO REPUBLICAN will vote for Obama. Then they are not Republicans. Rush wants you to vote Obama which is why he plays that game of supporting Hillary. GOP wants Obama, he has no experience and that will be apparent in any debate. Independents will clamor to the GOP. Most do not want to give a drivers license to an illegal alien which Obama will.

Posted by: Janet | Mar 5, 2008 12:30:40 AM

Janet,

I'm not arguing over who wants Obama to run against McCain, how well he'll do,etc.

I think it is wrong that any party votes in the primaries to get the candidate they think will likely lose the final Presidential election to win the primary. Rigging the election in any way is wrong. Vote for who you believe will be the best president.

Isn't that the point of voting?

Posted by: Amy | Mar 5, 2008 12:34:59 AM

One thought people may not be having is realizing that many of Obama's supporters are Indies and disgruntled Reps. If Clinton gets the nom, those voters may cross back to McCain or vote for McCain as anti-Clinton votes since they dont care about the Dem party. However, the party itself will not be divided I think. Turnout and a unity ticket will therefore be needed to beat McCain.

Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 5, 2008 12:40:08 AM

david... are you unable to see that this is Obama's attorney that infiltrated a Clinton press conference? Your logic seems flawed.

Posted by: DCVoter | Mar 5, 2008 12:41:35 AM

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