Muslim Voters Detect a Snub From Obama

[RamboLiberal]

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/us/politics/24muslim.html?hp

As Senator Barack Obama courted voters in Iowa last December, Representative Keith Ellison, the country’s first Muslim congressman, stepped forward eagerly to help.

Mr. Ellison believed that Mr. Obama’s message of unity resonated deeply with American Muslims. He volunteered to speak on Mr. Obama’s behalf at a mosque in Cedar Rapids, one of the nation’s oldest Muslim enclaves. But before the rally could take place, aides to Mr. Obama asked Mr. Ellison to cancel the trip because it might stir controversy. Another aide appeared at Mr. Ellison’s Washington office to explain.

“I will never forget the quote,” Mr. Ellison said, leaning forward in his chair as he recalled the aide’s words. “He said, ‘We have a very tightly wrapped message.’ ”

When Mr. Obama began his presidential campaign, Muslim Americans from California to Virginia responded with enthusiasm, seeing him as a long-awaited champion of civil liberties, religious tolerance and diplomacy in foreign affairs. But more than a year later, many say, he has not returned their embrace.



Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/24/us/politics/24muslim.html?hp

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I can understand why Obama campaign is doing this, but they have to get over their fear and not let the RW intimidate them! This is not right!

[liberal N proud]

1. Who the hell they going to vote for?

More of the right wing turning the Muslim Religion into a terrorist faction? That is what they will get with McSame.

[Rage for Order]

3. That's not a very inspiring campaign message

"Vote for me, because I'm not as bad as the other guy!"

[TechBear_Seattle]

20. The gay community has been hearing it from the Dems for years

Since at least 1996, actually, after Clinton signed DOMA and DADT.

[Dogtown]

26. That's reality, not a message

and not nearly the way you choose to characterize it.

1st, the report is probably skewed from media-spin favoring McSockpuppet; the report is sniping at him for not catering to a special-interest group, yet they'd HOWL if he did.

2nd, I don't want to see another president pandering to *ANY* religious groups.

3rd, by running a clean, open campaign he'll attract the most voters and secure the Presidency. Not by responding to those who pick nits.

[Rage for Order]

34. My comment was a tongue-in-cheek description

I realize that we often have to vote for the candidate who we deem to be the lesser of two evils. I don't view this election to be such a choice, as I think Obama affords us an opportunity to make meaningful change for the first time in a number of years. That said, a campaign will not do well if it projects the image I alluded to in my earlier post, i.e. "Well, at least I'm not as bad as the other guy."

[stillcool]

2. Some melting pot..

One look at the television screen and I know exactly why he needs to distance himself from Black and Muslim Americans.

[MasonJar]

4. Obama must not go the route of giving in to win. That is not a win.

It is nothing. Stand with the Constitution, Barak, or let someone else do it.

[Tutonic]

5. Stop the Games Obama.

I am about ready to pull my eyes out of my head over the constant frothing from the left and right over the "Muslim" issue. Lets be honest--the Muslim issue is hatred and religious intolerance. He'd get mad as Hell if Karl Rove called his daughter a black devil. Yet, that is essentially what they have been saying about Muslim's for seven years now. We'll buy their oil and produce movies about their culture but we sure as Hell don't want the devils over here. Barack Obama needs to stop running away from the issue, go off script for ten minutes and denounce this hatred and intolerance against Muslims. Quit selling the Muslims out as an election strategy. You can't play politics with every issue.

[Hekate]

6. The ever-helpful MSM.... In an ideal world I would get exercised about Obama's imperfections...

...and in fact this makes me very uncomfortable.

"It's a tightly wrapped message" is a phrase I had not heard before. It pretty aptly describes the on-message-at-all-times way this campaign is being run -- and, I hope to God, being won.

But the fact is, he has not thrown anyone under the bus (except Rev. Wright, who pretty much asked for it). Not embraced them, maybe. Not danced with them on stage, maybe.

The NYT is digging for dirt now. Obama has said he is human and will disappoint some people. This may not be "dirt" but it is disappointing.

But he's way more than good-enough for this job. I've got his back.

Hekate

[Tutonic]

12. Who cares about the message? Is it more expedient to sell off

an entire group of people because he's running a campaign with a "tightly wrapped message"? He has thrown Muslim's under the bus by his prolonged silence. Based on his record thus far he seems partial to throwing anyone or thing that is not covered in his tightly wrapped message under the bus. Obnoxious Reverend Wright was not the only one. How about Samantha Power? If he can't deal with that then perhaps Hillary was the better candidate.

[stillcool]

14. Have you heard him speak about..

how the attempts to smear him by accusing him of being a Muslim, is a slur to the millions of Muslims world-wide? Have you heard him mention it often, because the smears are so often repeated?

[Tutonic]

17. No I haven't.

If you could point me toward a copy of a speech or statement that he has made addressing this specifically I'd appreciate it.

[stillcool]

18. I think I first heard him mention it...

in his speech about race. In any case, I'm sure if you look at his speeches on Youtube you will find something. He has mentioned it several times..after all..the rumors and smears have been going on for a year now.

a quick search brought this up...

He added that he has “never been a person of the Muslim faith,” but having been raised in a Muslim country and having “distant relatives in Africa who are Muslim,” he said he is “less likely to demonize the Muslim faith. … And I do think that that cultural understanding is something that could be extremely valuable.”

Obama noted that even if he were Muslim, he doubts that his presidency would change the minds of Islamic extremists.

“You know, I think they would view me as a Christian and an infidel and a Westerner and they wouldn’t view me any differently, I think, than any other American president,” he said in the online interview.

But he said his background could appeal to ordinary Muslims in other countries and be beneficial for the next U.S. president.

“I do think that for the average Arab or Indonesian or Nigerian or Asian Muslim on the street that my familiarity with their culture would have an impact. I think that they would view America differently if I were president. … That is something that could be used in a constructive way to open greater dialogue between the West and the Islamic world and that ultimately could make us more safe,” he said.

http://elections.foxnews.com/2008/01/23/obama-defends-faith-against-ongoing-assaults/

[Spouting Horn]

27. The people who would accuse

Obama of being a Muslim are using it as a smear.

But, is it a smear when one of his half brothers says he grew up Muslim?

[stillcool]

28. Well..it has been a smear..

for a year already. Unless you think accusing someone of being a 'terrorist' wishing to bring down the United States is a compliment.

[Spouting Horn]

29. Yes, like I said...Republicans

who say Obama is a Muslim are using it as a smear, b/c in their eyes "Muslim" automatically means "America Hating Terrorist."

[silverojo]

7. The Muslim was probably paid off by the GOP

He knew that Obama's enemies are trying to portray him as some sort of Islamic terrorist trying to destroy America from within. He also knew that Obama has to fight off this idiotic rumor. Any "supporter" with a shred of class would not put Obama in such an awkward position. This just reeks of a Repuke setup--Obama's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

[Hatalles]

8. Keith Ellison was paid off by the GOP?

What the hell are you smoking? :crazy:

[az chela]

9. it is a 2 way sword.Like all beliefs

there are good muslims and bad,good christians and bad good------------ and bad.
I know muslims that are kind ,gentle ,loving, spititual people.We have bush to thank for this great divide

[Name removed]

23. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[madeline_con]

16. "would not put Obama in such an awkward position."

What's that supposed to mean?

Having Ellison there seemed appropriate. Are you saying we shouldn't put Obama and a Muslim on the same stage because of RW propaganda? :wtf:

[Ytzak]

10. They were snubbed and Obama didn't have the courage of his convictions...

Obviously, he is just another politician.

[cstanleytech]

13. I've heard a similar catchphrase on the news somewhere..........

not CNN nor MSNBC as well it was not on NBC, CBS or ABC......mmmm oh well I am sure I will remember which network later sometime tommorrow.

[Binka]

22. Well he is our nominee. Obviously you get that don't you? n/t

[Purveyor]

11. The Musliim vote will most likely decide the Michigan race for President. Enuff said... eom

[Hekate]

15. I see a couple of concerned newbies in this thread. Welcome to DU, get behind the candidate...

... or otherwise enjoy your stay.

He's not above criticism, but threatening to withdraw your support isn't an option any more.

Hekate

[AlphaCentauri]

19. Keep religion out of government and public schools

Churches are the most segregated places and the best places to promote hate.

[truthisfreedom]

21. I understand this completely. In today's political environment, Muslims need to more vocally

denounce terrorism and make that a part of every message they express.

I'm going to contact Ellison's office tomorrow to express my dismay at his comments. This is ridiculous. He's way out of line speaking about the situation in this way.

[harun]

25. Ellison is a smart guy, Obama is a smart guy. They are going against

a bunch of really smart, really rich smart guys of the RW who will do ANYTHING to beat Obama. Ellison saying this actually helps Obama distance himself from a lie the RW is trying to peddle about him. It is unfortunate A LOT of people want to believe these RW lies.

Obama has said MANY kind things about Muslims in this country and Muslims pay very close attention to this. We don't need him to "reach out" to our community in any way. He has already said many respectful things about the community and that is all we ask for. He will get our support.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

24. I have to ask........

Has McCain visited a mosque yet and, if not, do muslim voters detect a "snub" from him???? The "pundits" were discussing this on Scarborough Country (yeah, I know) and were talking about Bush visiting mosques without any apparent problems with people suggesting he is a muslim/terrorist sympathizer. Of course, it really doesn't matter what Bush does at this point since he's not going to be President in a few short months (not short enough, however) but I haven't heard them talk about any "outreach" by the McCain campaign to muslim Americans nor have I heard McCain denounce anti-muslim slurs by members of his own party. Is HE snubbing them???? Does the MSM even care that he HE hasn't yet visited a mosque (as far as I know). I know him not appearing at a mosque might not be such a big deal with the rank and file of the GOP but it seems a little strange for the MSM to make such a huge issue out of Obama not visiting mosques and covering up an appearance of muslims at his campaign stops (does the GOP even let them in?) when the racists and xenophobes within the GOP have been busy insinuating that Obama has some kind of sinister connection to muslim jihadists and might possibly even be a..gasp!!!..muslim himself despite all of the evidence is to the contrary. If I remember correctly, Glenn Beck even asked Keith Ellison, who is a practicing muslim, shortly after he was elected whether he was a terrorist sympathizer or something to that effect. I'm not saying that I agree with Obama's campaign trying to actively "hide" people at his appearances and I think that Obama should eventually stand up to the right wing's anti-muslim fervor and assure the muslim community that he is supportive of them. And maybe he should accept Keith Ellison's assistance and eventually even visit a mosque but he is really under about as much obligation to do that as Bush or McCain would be to visit a GLBT advocacy organization (other than the Log Cabin Republicans anyway). However, because of what the GOP and the MSM itself has done to Obama in terms of spreading disinformation and distortion about his religion and associations I think that their criticism of him for not visiting mosques as of yet seems a bit disingenuous and hypocritical.

[onager]

30. The Muslims here in Egypt still seem impressed.

For the few of you who don't know it, I've lived in Egypt for nearly 3 years.

Ever since Obama won the nom, I've been getting lots of questions about him.

Quite a few Egyptians have told me they can't believe America has a presidential candidate with the middle name "Hussein." Overall they seem delighted about the whole thing.

One Egyptian co-worker was really raving about Obama the other day. He said he would vote for him if he could, even though he suspects Obama is "just another politician who will say anything to get elected." The funny thing is, that particular enthusiast is not Muslim--he's a Coptic Christian.

[slampoet]

31. Before 9-11 Most Muslims voted REPUBLICAN. This is due to their small business oriented interests.

Why do you think that the highest concentration of Muslims in the USA is in Dearborn, Michigan which is a completely GOP stronghold and a pretty racist one at that?

The media wants to portray EVERY minority as a Democratic leaning people but the fact is that there are some minorities (like muslims, cubans, mormons, etc.) who don't vote Democratic.

[DuaneBidoux]

32. If they want to feel snubbed, try standing behind McSame during a photo op.

In fact, that would be an absolutely great setup for us to try on him.

[DuaneBidoux]

33. Sorry, dupe.