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Barack Obama and the "Smear"

by Jon Henke | June 18, 2008 at 11:10 AM
in

This is remarkably bad...

Two Muslim women at Barack Obama's rally in Detroit Monday were barred from sitting behind the podium by campaign volunteers seeking to prevent the women's headscarves from appearing in photographs or on television with the candidate.

The Obama campaign has apologized to the women, which was the right thing to do, and it's likely this story will elicit relatively little further attention.   This will be useful to remember when the press or the Left tries to indict the McCain campaign for mistakes, poor wording or activity outside their control. 

But there is a larger problem here that hasn't really been addressed in much detail so far. 

It is one thing for the Obama campaign to criticize the "Obama is a Muslim" rumors - he is not a Muslim, and there is no excuse for making that claim - but what does it mean when Obama says these claims that he is Muslim as not just false, but a smear? (e.g., fightthesmears.com)

In 2006, when he was asked if he was Jewish, George Allen (for whom I worked) said the questioner was "making aspersions."   Naturally, Lefties were outraged.  Media Matters harangued the media for not pressing Allen on why he called questions about Jewishness an "aspersion".

How is Barack Obama's use of the word "smear" different than this?  To paraphrase progressive blogger Lindsay Beyerstein, "Why the defensiveness? It's as if he thinks being [Muslim] is a very bad thing." 

False rumors about Obama deserve bipartisan denunciation.  But perhaps the media should begin asking Barack Obama why he thinks Muslim identity is a 'smear'.

UPDATE: Marc Ambinder says the Obama campaign's tightrope between denying the allegations and being sensitive to Muslims "snapped today".   Perhaps so, if you discount calling being a Muslim a "smear".  He also points out that this gaffe is "as egregious as anything McCain's advance team has ever done".

UPDATE II: Doug Mataconis, of Below the Beltway, makes a good argument that "smear" is not as insulting a term as I suggested.  His points are reasonable and I'd encourage you to read and consider them.

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Comments

Forgive Me!!!!

Submitted by gunthestops on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 12:52.

Is it just me, or does this site lack substance?  There are so many important subjects that should be discussed, but you go right to the bottom of the barrel and hit the politics of fear and emotion!!!  A 9.4  trillion dollar nation debt, 50 trillion of unfunded liabilities, a falling economy, a dollar that is in trouble, a failed energy policy, a war that has turned into a disaster, troops that are being over tasked and then medicated to keep them to keep them from going off the deep end, a VA that has chronically lied about the problems of returning Vets, not having enough troops in Afghanistan, the lack of spending on US infrastructure, inflation, balance of trade, and more. Christ, you are like a little girl caught up un a gossip circle. 

These are not just Republican or Democratic problems they are all our problems.  Duty, Honor, Country.  Be bigger be better, for all Americans

 

Complaint

Submitted by Sean Hackbarth on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 18:15.

This this is about developing strategies and tactics to get more conservatives elected and advance our political goals. Pointing out the mistakes of our opponents isn't off the radar.

There are plenty of other weblogs out there. No one's forcing you to read (or leave a comment for that matter). If you want to feel more productive Write a weblog post showing the rest of us how you'd approach the issues you care about.

Wrong digg button setup

Submitted by ShrikeDeCil on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 13:03.

Main page's 'Share: Digg' link for this article is also messed up. 

Amen gunthestops,

Submitted by Terri K on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 14:04.

I completely agree with every word of your post, no forgiving necessary.  Trouble is, I think this is just one more item in a long list of distractions so we won't pay attention to what's really happening and what's really important.

 

C'mon, Jon.  The reason that

Submitted by jptrenn on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 14:47.

C'mon, Jon. 

The reason that people claim that the charge that Obama is a Muslim is a smear is because...it's a smear.  The rumor is being used by people to denigrate Barack Obama because there are many people in this country who don't like Muslims.  Who see Muslims as terrorists. 

The fact that rumor has spread is not because it's generically interesting info.  It's because those that spread it know that many that read it will hold it against him. So they spread it.

Therefore, the idea that Obama is a Muslim is not a smear because it is false, it's a smear because it's something that people will hold against him.

The fact that, what 10-20% of Americans think (or have thought) for some time attests to that.

Regarding George Allen, what happened to him was totally unfair.  The initial question was leading, trying to make it seem that Allen was hiding his Jewish heritage out of shame.  And the liberal media and blogosphere (which is just as intolerant as the right) ran with it.   It was disgraceful. The media didn't have the balls to call the libs on it because 1) one of their own started it off and, 2) they don't seem to be bothered about that stuff if its happening to a conservative.

So, no.  The media shouldn't be asking Obama why he thinks Muslim identity is a smear.  It should be obvious to you.  Just as the matter with George Allen.

TV Crowd Fluffing to Hide Certain Faith Groups is Not Important?

Submitted by Elizabeth A. Terrell on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 18:39.

Barack Obama fluffing his TV crowd is not important?  How is it not important when a political figure running for the highest office in this country and trying to show his ability to unite that country sees fit to supress a peaceful, legitimate Muslim presence? 

Would he have done the same if someone was wearing a habit, a yamika, a bhindi, or a Sikh turban?  This is both a religious and a free speech issue.  The Democrats should be really disappointed in what happened and not repeat it.

I would say this situation absolutely deserved "top-of-the-fold" attention and discussion today.  Thanks for bringing it up, Jon.

 

Just to prove how STOOPID they are...

Submitted by Czarmangis on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 19:16.

The two Muslim women are offended at being axed to move from behind their chosen candidate. What are these twits thinking? If they want D'Oh! Bama to have a strong showing in the election then they should help him as much as possible by not appearing anywhere close to him. The last thing D'Oh Bama wants is for anyone wearing Muslim garb to be anywhere near him in a televised setting, thus giving the small numbers that think he is a Muslim ammunition for their suspicions.

If these two offended TWITS could think rationally as well as strategically, well, they wouldn't be Muslim, but they also would not even put their candidate in the postion of having to ax them to hide themselves.

I just have to laugh at the stupidity and thick headedness of 'Those People' sometimes....

Good Grief......

...

Submitted by dr. snacks on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 19:40.

You're not going to fit in here.

one in every crowd

Submitted by jptrenn on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 21:46.

czarmagnis

That's disgusting and you're a racist.

You are blind

Submitted by jptrenn on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 22:04.

No need to use the word "ax".

No need to say they shouldn't be Muslims.

What amazes me is that people like you can't see how you hurt conservatives.

Ezzzz now

Submitted by Czarmangis on Thu, 06/19/2008 - 00:02.

First, I enjoy using the word 'ax' in place of 'ask' ever since I heard David Letterman begin doing it about 10 years ago. That's how I Blog.

Second, the fact that they are 'Muslims' is Why Obama's people Axed them to move themselves! I am just pointing out that the reason for doing so is exactly as we all see it. It's so Obama won't be seen as cozying up to Muslims! That's why these two DAMES were told to Move their Butts! SEE?! Get it? HELLO?!??!  McFLY!! You In There??! What Story are you reading anyway?

I realize that I am a complicated MAN but Cheeez Whiz! Me pointing out to 'YOU PEOPLE' that 'THOSE PEOPLE' should not try to sit too close to the MEssiah before he gets elected, else he just might NOT get elected! ..that really should not be as taxing to your pretty little brains as it now seems that it is.

Is any of this sinking in? It's Laffable how a few terms and punctuation's can send 'SOME PEOPLE' into a lickspittle frenzy. Reach Down and Grab a Pair! if you got'em.

KOokoO

Submitted by Czarmangis on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 20:06.

Where have I erred?

These two women ,who seek Obama to be elected were attempting to be seated within viewing area of him. Thats a no-no if he is to pull this off. Thats why 'His People' made them move.

If these women were not so out of touch with reality(IE:Moonbats) they would have quietly sat themselves elsewhere in the audience. I am pointing out the fact how obtuse the mindset is O' the leftwing and 'Their People'.

Is this perhaps a bit too convoluted for you to follow or are you reading something into my post that isn't there? Need me to add a diagram?

Hitler was part Jewish

Submitted by RedMango on Wed, 06/18/2008 - 23:43.

That fact of course didn't help Jews one bit.  Obama's extreme disavowal of his Islamic roots has transformed into outright bigotry.  His penchant for "white washing" himself evident in his betrayal of his black church and now these maltreatments of Muslim women.  Shame.