Obama Decries Farrakhan Statements

[donheld]

http://blog.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/01/15/obama_decries_farrakhan_statem_1.html?hpid=topnews

By Shailagh Murray
Sen. Barack Obama's campaign moved quickly today to quell another race-related flap, this one involving Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan.

Columnist Richard Cohen stirred the pot this morning in an op-ed column in The Washington Post, writing:

Barack Obama is a member of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Its minister, and Obama's spiritual adviser, is the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. In 1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine; Wright's daughters serve as publisher and executive editor. Every year, the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said "truly epitomized greatness." That man is Louis Farrakhan.

Cohen chronicled Farrakhan's long record of inflammatory statements, from denigrating the Holocaust, to accusing Jewish people of victimizing African Americans. He did stipulate, "It's important to state right off that nothing in Obama's record suggests he harbors anti-Semitic views or agrees with Wright when it comes to Farrakhan." But, he suggested, "Farrakhan, in a strictly political sense, may be a tough issue for him."

The column spread like wildfire around the blogosphere -- especially on the right -- and, this afternoon, the Obama campaign responded with an unequivocal statement on it from the candidate himself.

"I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan," Obama said in the statement. "I assume that Trumpet Magazine made its own decision to honor Farrakhan based on his efforts to rehabilitate ex-offenders, but it is not a decision with which I agree."

Posted at 6:28 PM ET on Jan 15, 2008


http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/adl_obama_wright/2008/01/15/64659.html
ADL Happy That Obama Denounced Farrakhan


The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) on Tuesday welcomed Barack Obama's statement strongly condemning the anti-Semitism of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan.

The Illinois senator's statement came in response to reports that his minister, Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., leader of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, had honored Farrakhan as one who "truly epitomized greatness."

Abraham H. Foxman, ADL's national director, issued the following statement:

"We welcome Barack Obama's condemnation of the anti-Semitic rhetoric of Minister Louis Farrakhan, and his making clear that he did not agree with his church's decision to honor Farrakhan with the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award.

"Issues of racism and anti-Semitism must be beyond the bounds of politics. When someone close to a political figure shows sympathy and support for an individual who makes his name espousing bigotry, that political figure needs to distance himself from that decision. Obama has done just that.

More at link.

[MagsDem]

1. LOL - you know you're fucked when NewMax is your source

The swiftboating begins. Now stop whining about it. You insisted on nominating the most swiftboatable candidate. There are a million things like this yet to come, but you asked for it. No complaining while you watch him get creamed.

[donheld]

2. I know I'm not fucked when

ADL is who NewsMax is quoting.

[EmilyAnne]

5. Did you read the post? The Newsmax article talks about Obama denouncing Farrakhan

The first source, however, is the Washington Post. And its saying the same thing: that Obama has denounced Farrakhan.

John Kerry was pretty damned "swiftboatable" so I guess, what, we shouldn't have supported him? We had no right to complain when he was being attacked? I don't give a damn about idiotic RW smears. So many more people are inspire to fight for this country and for the candidate they have chosen than when Kerry was running. John McCain is no George W. Bush, so he'll be easier to beat. You act like the RW attacks on Hillary are all in the past. What about the New York gala planned and funded by Peter Paul? That's sure as hell not over yet. They'll swiftboat and smear both Hillary and Obama. Why make a decision based on a fear of those idiots?

[MagsDem]

10. No, you shouldn't have supported Kerry

Bingo!!! You would have had the good sense to know a MA liberal was not going to be able to beat Bush, regardless of what the fuckwit pundits told you. But the dem party base has no good sense, which is why we can always, always, snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.

P.S. Nobody gave a shit about Peter Paul 7 yrs ago, and nobody gives a shit now.

[Jawja]

15. And they did a pretty decent job

on Gore before the term "swift boat" came to be.

ANYBODY the Democrats nominate are swiftboatable, because that's the kind of tactics the Rethugs use to get and maintain power. It will always be effective until we have

A. A Candidate who is prepared for it and ready to respond;

B. An electorate who condemns the tactic

[cali]

8. The OP didn't whine. Not even a little.

Obama handled this well with a strong statement condemning Farrakhan. Obama is not going to allow himself to be swiftboated. Not by Clinton or the repukes. Not without fighting it every inch of the way. And YOU with your incessant whining and bellowing and carrying on about Hill, are the last person who should talk.

[MagsDem]

11. Decrying IS whining

That's what it has the word "cry" in it.

[EmilyAnne]

12. Invest in a dictionary. Please.

[Alter Ego]

17. I sense much anger in you, young Skywalker.

[JVS]

21. Hillary is about to lose. How's that feel?

[Behind the Aegis]

3. And?

Is this in response to the litany of "Jew-bating" posts?

[donheld]

13. This is in response to those who

are trying desparately to make Obama look bad. Yes Farrakhan is a fan of Obamas. That does not mean Obama is a fan of Farrakhan.

[Behind the Aegis]

14. I know that.

I think most people here know that, and if they don't, then you need to question why they are posting that drek.

[LeftCoast]

4. Stark contrast to his response to McClurkin.

I think he made the right response here...wrong one there.

[Muzza]

6. Difference being support of gays doesn't score votes for Obama!

[Behind the Aegis]

7. Agreed.

For 14,000 posts, "Agreed" doesn't cut it. Statements against bigotry from candidates should include all kinds of bigotry, not just those that "sell." There have been some hateful, disgusting posts in the past few weeks in regards to the candidates. It has been made worse by so called liberals/progressives/democrats picking up the bigotry and running with it. The real victims aren't the damn candidates, it is all of us "undesirables."

(Apologies for 'ranting' in my reply to you, but 14,000 posts...I thought it should have been more than just one word followed by "n/t.")

[Solon]

23. I agree, he "strongly condemns" Farrakhan, and "disagrees" with McClurkin...

I think he's being hypocritical here.

[candymarl]

9. He had to solidly denounce Farrakhan

This was designed to feed into the "secret Muslim" crap. Smart move on his part.

[Scurrilous]

16. K & R

:kick:

[niceypoo]

18. Imagine the reaction from Obama supporters if David Duke backed Hillary

Bwahahahahaha!

[Scurrilous]

20. The reaction would be...

...who gives a @#%$ what that Nazi *@$& says.

[Marrah_G]

19. I am very glad he did.

He should say the same thing about the ex-gay minister in just as strong a manner.

[NJmaverick]

22. Once the right wing nut jobs decided Obama was going to

be the man, it didn't take them long to start their KKK like racist attacks. I expect the right to get even uglier than this. I don't think it's appropriate for a DUer to be reposting their attack for them though. We should be attacking the right wing scum, not helping them.

[donheld]

24. Sadly we have a few right here at DU who are

willing to do the right wing's dirty work.