Latest smear against Obama an abomination

[babylonsister]

Latest smear against Obama an abomination
Book exploits racial fears, hate in effort to scare white America

August 14, 2008
BY MARY MITCHELL Sun-Times Columnist


Jerome R. Corsi's book about Barack Obama is a good example of the right wing's racial fear-mongering.

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Let's start with the cover and its title. Corsi's play on words is sure to be a big hit with conservative talk show hosts and Internet chat room commenters.

In reducing Obama's race for the presidency to an "abomination," Corsi is using the same tired tactics that were used when it became clear that the late Harold Washington would likely become the first black mayor of Chicago.

Corsi's words are meant to warn skittish white folks that an Obama in the White House would be the beginning of the end.

And the racial cues are obvious.

Instead of a warm and smiling Obama peering from the cover, Simon & Schuster and its editor, Mary Matalin, a former Republican operative, chose a menacing and noticeably darker photograph of Obama.
Origin of black churches ignored

Corsi's book made the front page of Wednesday's New York Times even though the reporters acknowledged that several of the book's charges are "unsubstantiated, misleading or inaccurate."

But because there is such intense interest in Obama, Corsi's book is a No. 1 New York Times best seller despite the fact his sole purpose for writing the book is to defeat Obama.

Obviously, it won't do any good for the Obama campaign to go blow for blow with Corsi over his claims that Obama has "extensive connections with Islam and radical politics," or for him to refute other outrageous claims Corsi makes about Obama's life.

A rebuttal would only fuel more interest in the book and put more money in Corsi's bank account.

That's a lowdown dirty shame since it would mean that Corsi and the book's publishers are being rewarded for their exploitation of racial fears.

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http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1107452,CST-NWS-mitch14.article