Barack Obama resists attacking voter who said it's 'important he's not Muslim'

[jefferson_dem]

Barack Obama resists attacking voter who said it's 'important he's not Muslim'
BY MICHAEL SAUL
DAILY NEWS POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

Monday, December 24th 2007, 4:00 AM

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa - Barack Obama, who has faced false rumors that he is Muslim, repeatedly refused Sunday to criticize a voter who said a follower of that religion would be unfit to be President.

"There's no doubt that there are going to be voters for whom religious affiliation is important," said Obama. "I don't know that that's the majority, but I think the main thing I want to do is just make sure that people know who I am, know my background."

Pressed again about whether the voter's remarks were bigoted, the Democratic White House hopeful told reporters, "Well, she didn't say it to me."

Obama's decision to punt rather than confront bias disappointed Hussein Ibish, executive director of the Foundation for Arab-American Leadership in Washington.

"It doesn't demonstrate a great wave of courage coming off of the candidate," the civil rights activist said. Obama's response was "a little Clintonian" - as in playing it safe, Ibish said.

With the battle for the Democratic nomination tighter than ever, it may be risky for candidates to alienate potential supporters, whatever their views.

Becky Michael, 58, of Pleasantville, Iowa, asked Obama at a coffee house stop Saturday to explain his "Muslim background," a question sparked by a false Internet-fueled smear campaign. Obama assured Michael he's a Christian and believes in Jesus as his lord and savior.

After the exchange, Michael told the Daily News, "It's not so important that he is a Christian, although I'm very thankful he is. But it's very important that he's not a Muslim."

Obama said Sunday that Michael didn't betray any prejudice to him.

"What she said to me was she was glad I was a Christian, which I'm assuming is because she's a Christian and that's important to her," Obama said. "So that's not a bigoted comment. If she said something afterwards, that wasn't within earshot of me."

<SNIP>

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2007/12/24/2007-12-24_barack_obama_resists_attacking_voter_who.html

[rucky]

1. He didn't have to attack him, but...

there were about a hundred other things Obama could've said to defend Muslims and still not lose his vote.

[NWHarkness]

2. Just one more small example

of Obama's willingness to throw principle out the window. He talks about "bringing the country together", but over and over again, he has made it clear that what he means by that is that he is willing to sell out progressive values in order to appease the right.

[cali]

5. He handled it just fine. He faces unique challenges and yes

bigotry, in a way none of the other candidates do. Pretending that you can see that he is selling out progressives is just wishful projection.

[indimuse]

14. Unfortunately..

BIGOTRY is a REAL... and will be part of what he will have to endure if he is nominated. Their are STILL so MANY people in this country NOT open and EXTREME about this issue ...it's scary. We have not yet heard from them...

[NYCGirl]

18. Bigots are generally NOT Democrats. They can go write in Tancredo or vote for

Ron Paul if they want.

[indimuse]

43. exactly my point...

the RW has not even begun....

[NYCGirl]

55. Then why are you worried about who the ultra right wing will vote for? NT

[NWHarkness]

51. Oh, so he is held to a different standard?

I can only imagine how Obama and his supporters would react if a reporter told Hilary Clinton that a supporter had said "I'm voting for her because she's not a Jew", and Hilary reacted the way Obama did.

[NWHarkness]

52. Oh, and "wishful thinking"?

Why would I wish for a leading Democratic candidate to sell out progressives?

[MNDemNY]

7. He certainly seems to be just another pandering politician.

[demnan]

3. Look, the man is running for President

He's already in a long shot situation - and you can react to me disfavorably, but a black man running for President is a long shot in a country as prejudiced as this one - he doesn't need to be branded as a Muslim as well. If he's running to win, which I assume he is, and not just to make a moral statement, like my candidate, then he will soft soap any factors he can to make it work for him.

I don't blame him for doing that. He has an uphill battle to wage as it is.

[MNDemNY]

6. More "poor liddle obama" Geezus.

[BeyondGeography]

9. You find absolutely nothing to be admired in Obama and his candidacy?

[MNDemNY]

13. We did not need another corporate sell-out in the race.

We already had one, this race seems to have evolved into a choice between an inexperienced, naive corporate candidate, or an experienced, out-to-know-better corporate candidate. A pox on them both, I would prefer a Democrat.

[BeyondGeography]

19. Corporate sell-out, that's catchy

any examples? Would it be found in his efforts to cut back the influence of lobbyists in Washington by eliminating gifts and discounted corporate jet jaunts? Add transparency to government? End the revolving door between the White House and the private sector?

Here's a useful article on which of the top three has demonstrated the strongest commitment in the area of reform and ethics. Have a good read:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/08/21/AR2007082101420.html

[MNDemNY]

21. One big glaring one that comes to mind...

His health care plan that insures only that the insurance companies continue to make obscene profits.

[MNDemNY]

4. Discrimination is to be used when it is to his advantage.

History again repeats. Is this a theme?

[jefferson_dem]

11. You yourself suggested that he can't get elected because he's not white.

Why do you not defend HIM against such bigotry instead of piling on?

[MNDemNY]

15. jeff, you are delusional,go ahead and post the link.

As i said before the comment was made in the context of poll numbers cited in that OP and you know that, but your all consuming obama worship has rendered any of your opinions moot. Your candidate is
weak of character, and uses his words to try to hide his actions(or lack there of) when ever he is called on his record. So, jeff flame away, but your candidate is still only a corporate shill.

[jefferson_dem]

16. You said Obama will never get elected because many voters will not pull the lever for him...

even if they say they will to pollsters.

What do you think of that sort of bigotry? Do you condemn it...or just use it as another reason to not support him yourself?

[MNDemNY]

17. I condemn it fully, However my condemnation does not make it go away.

This is a valid issue to consider when making a nomination,just as HRC's ultra-high "unfavorable" numbers are. MY biggest problem with BHO is his lack of experience, this is not an attack, but another valid issue for consideration. If it is only about the elect-ability poll numbers then JRE should be your man. But, jeff, keep fighting the fight, as I will, on to a brokered convention were we can nominate a real Democrat.

[jefferson_dem]

23. On this we agree...

After the dust settles over this nomination season...we will join together to defeat those dastardly Repugs come next November.

Cheers! :toast:

[MNDemNY]

25. Happy Holidays jeff.

:toast:

[JackORoses]

48. your acceptanceof it is disgusting, I see now why you choose Edwards

Do you think only white men can be elected in the US?

[MNDemNY]

49. Edwards? where did you get that?

My acceptance of it? I don't like it, but it's there, I don't like ignorant voters either, but they are there.(as your post indicates) :spank:

[JackORoses]

50. from one of your posts where you were assuring someone that you weren't a Hillarite

maybe you didn't mean it

[bluerum]

8. If she really did say it, and if she really did mean it as a slur against muslims,

then OB may have benefited from a cogent response.

As it is, I see the media baiting a candidate with bigotry and hate. Par for the course.

For all we know, she was a "Ghouliano" plant.

[babylonsister]

10. He's not a Muslim; why should he have admitted to being one? I think

he handled this perfectly.

[MNDemNY]

26. And to defend Muslims would serve no good purpose.

:spank:

[babylonsister]

28. He was asked about his religion; he answered. nt

[MNDemNY]

29. If you believe he didn't hear the womans response.

If he did, it was a lapse of good judgment to just let it go.

[babylonsister]

31. He said he didn't. I believe him. You're making mountains out of molehills.

You don't like Obama; I 'get' it.

[MNDemNY]

32. And you worship the dirt on which he walks, I get it.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3881338&mesg_id=3881861

[babylonsister]

33. This is a coulda/shoulda/woulda scenario that you can't change.

So why are you belaboring it? Why not start a really positive thread about your candidate? You seem to prefer criticizing to complimenting; why is that, and who is your candidate? What are you afraid of?

And yes, I like Obama a lot; so sue me.

[MNDemNY]

34. My primary vote will go to Dennis Kucinich.

I am afraid of wild boar and lions. If you must know, my ideal out come in the up coming races would be... JRE wins Iowa, HRC wins New Hampshire, BHO wins South Carolina....well on our way to a good old fashioned brokered convention, where we might, just might be able to nominate a real Democrat.On edit: Happy Holidays to you as well.:toast: :party:

[babylonsister]

35. I think I'd vote for DK if I thought he had a chance in hell of winning.

He doesn't. I had to then find a candidate I could live with. That's most of the Dems (except, well, one, though I'd hold my nose), but I prefer Obama for all the positives he could contribute to our party and our respect in the world. I think he offers hope; you might think that's pablum, but that's what my gut is telling me.

So, good luck to all the candidates, and go find some good DK articles to post, whydoncha? Oh, and Happy Holidays. :hi:

[MNDemNY]

36. I'd rather spend my time ,now, calling the corporate "Pander Twins"(i like that) on their respective

Bullsheet, hoping that no one seals the nomination prior to the convention. Then as a delegate fight on the floor to nominate a real Democrat. (No, I do not think it would be Dennis, I am somewhat,still living in reality). But I know we can do better than either of these two corporate candidates. We must.(On 99% of the issues , you couldn't drive a needle between the two.)

[babylonsister]

38. So who is a 'real' Dem who doesn't pander? Gimme a name and

I'm sure I can find an instance. None are without warts, but some have bigger ones than others. Just stay reality-based. Which 'real' Dem will you convince us all to vote for? :popcorn:

[MNDemNY]

39. Imagine a deadlocked convention.

Who do you think will/could step in? C'mon it's not a stretch.

[babylonsister]

41. I asked you first. "C'mon, it's not a stretch." It is for me; you know

who I prefer.

[MNDemNY]

42. Hint, He's not currently "running"

[babylonsister]

44. What happened to reality-based?

And I hope you aren't talking about Bloomberg.

[MNDemNY]

45. That's funny.

Understanding that if the convention becomes deadlocked, nominations will be taken from the floor, can you think of one Democrat who could come in "under the fray" and quickly capture a majority of delegates? Hell, we elected him once.

[babylonsister]

46. I'm sorry

you think I'm that dumb. I know who you were talking about, but is that really reality-based? He's pretty much said he's not interested and has more important work to do.

[MNDemNY]

47. No, he said he is interested, he said he's not running.

:hi: This IS a realistic scenario, the only thing we need is a brokered convention. I will work toward that. (I will support, with vigor and money, the eventual nominee. Will you?)

[MNDemNY]

40. And yes, they all pander.

[ThatPoetGuy]

12. Obama saves his harsh rhetoric for liberals.

Edwards, Krugman, unions, medical reformers.

He himself may have some core progressive values, but he's running to the right. He's choosing his battles, and he'd rather tussle with progressives than condemn racism, ignorance, or corporate greed.

Recently Mike Huckabee's campaign condemned Rush Limbaugh, and Obama's campaign spread half-truths and innuendo about Paul Krugman. Wtf?

[OKNancy]

20. I don't blame him for punting, however what I find irritating

is that so many members here slam other candidates for the same type of tightrope behavior.
It's politics and all of our candidates must be judicious. If you want a progressive official, you have to get elected first. All the hand-wringing and and/or wishing by the liberal minority is not going to make things change. After all this is the country that re-elected George Fucking Bush.

I also find it strange that so many hard-core liberals support the moderate Obama. He says he wants to "get along" with the other side, and end the divisions. Clinton says it... it's pandering; Obama? it's fine. I laugh at the double standard.

[BootinUp]

22. jumbo bingo. nt

[joeybee12]

24. Yup, I would expect any poltician to do the same thing...

...and Obama is first and foremost, a politician. Some people can't seem to get that.

[MNDemNY]

27. The Pander Twins! BHO and HRC

[The Magistrate]

37. Indeed, Ma'am....

Good to see you again.

Best wishes of the Season to you and your's, my friend!

[Carrieyazel]

30. This was handled fine, but other times Obama has shown overcautiousness;

like he's quite worried about making a mistake. That is not going to get it done in a general election. He's had chances to take bold stances, and he's often not done it. That's going to be a big problem for him, and will be an obstacle to his getting elected.

[Bjorn Against]

53. This is part of the reason I don't trust Obama.

He keeps pandering to the religious bigots, and he refuses to stand up for Muslims. A good response would have been to quote the Constitution and say there shall be no religious test for public office, instead he talks about how religion is an important issue in deciding a candidate and he seems to have no problem with people rejecting candidates solely on the basis of their religious heritage. Sorry, but I do not find his response to be acceptable.

[Progressive Radical]

54. Bigotry is bigotry:

"It's not so important that he is a Christian, although I'm very thankful he is. But it's very important that he's not Jewish."

Would Obama have criticized the above statement? I don't know but I would speculate that he would. So why would it be any different for bigotry against Muslims?

The lady is being bigoted by making the statement. Since a religious litmus test is not required to obtain the presidency in this country, what difference does it make? That's a garbage statement and Obama had a perfect opportunity to address bigotry.

What if the lady had said:

"It's not so important that he is a Christian, although I'm very thankful he is. But it's very important that he's not a Black."

I'm pretty sure that Obama would have addressed the issue properly.