Josh Marshall Debunks that Larry Johnson "RUMOR" thingy about Michelle Obama...here:

[KoKo]

http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/power_broker.phphttp://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/power_broker.php

Is Bogus Michelle Obama Rumor Based On A Work Of Fiction?
By Greg Sargent and Eric Kleefeld - June 6, 2008, 6:20PM

Is it possible that the bogus Michelle Obama rumor you've all heard by now is actually based on a work of fiction?

The rumor in question is one that's been circulating in recent weeks to the effect that there's video out there of Michelle Obama saying something derogatory about white people.

Not a single shred of evidence has surfaced to support this claim. Nobody has actually said they've personally seen it. It hasn't been posted to YouTube as you'd expect on something this juicy. Even Republican operatives we've spoken to say they don't believe it exists.

Despite the tenuousness of this rumor, Obama was actually asked about this non-existent video in front of the national press by a reporter the other day. Understandably, he pushed back hard on the notion that he should have to answer such a question.

Now Jim Geraghty of National Review has claimed that the rumor may be based on...fiction. A political thriller called The Power Broker, published in 2006 by Stephen Frey, features the presidential campaign of Dem candidate Jesse Wood, who's aspiring to be the country's first African-American president.

We went out and got the book. And sure enough, in the novel, Wood's opponents discover video of the candidate himself -- not his wife -- discussing with a radical black minister how he will "f--- whitey" when he gets into office, despite all his public rhetoric about racial reconciliation. Here's what he says on the fictional tape:

MORE at.........
http://tpmelectioncentral.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/06/power_broker.php

[KoKo]

1. We might want to send a "thank you" to Josh for this......

because it's been circulating around...and much discussion has gone on about it. I'm glad that someone on our side besides DU finally addressed it.

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

7. There was even a full article on AOL.com yesterday and it was linked on their front page.

If people see it, they will think it's true.

This is despicable.

[Quantess]

2. midnight kick

[Liberal_in_LA]

3. My thread on this got locked as "flame bait"

[roseBudd]

4. Sometimes dialog just doesn't ring true & the term "whitey" reeks of bad dialog in a bad novel

[KharmaTrain]

5. Give Greg Sargent The Props Here...

He's the one who runs TPM Election Central and does a great job. Josh cites what Greg comes up with.

This "tape" is yet the latest whisper campaign that is meant for hate radio and chain emails. It doesn't need to be substantiated, and once its out there, it's leads to "speculation" that is nothing more than excuses to exhibit racism and fear mongering. This is meant to ingrain further hatred or fear in Obama that's already built-in...giving someone who wants to hate the man yet another "justification". No proof needed...the deed is done. It'll be assumed until Snoped...and then keep coming up.

[grannylib]

6. Wouldn't surprise me, since all rePiglicCon talking points are based

on fiction...