Obama is an anti-Muslim bigot!

[Danny White]

This campaign has more personalities than a schizophrenic.

http://weblogs.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/blog/2008/06/mother_reacts_to_obama_headsca.html

Hebba Aref, a young Muslim woman, was banned from sitting behind Sen. Barack Obama during a campaign rally on Monday in Detroit.

Posted June 19, 2008 7:15 AM
Obama rally

Audience members behind the podium cheer prior to the appearance of Democratic presidential candidate Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Vice President Al Gore at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Monday, June 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Swamp

by Katie Fretland

Neveen Aref didn't think her children would be treated differently in the Detroit suburb of Bloomfield Hills. She and her husband moved to the United States from Egypt seeking the freedom America promised. But on Monday, her daughter said she was discriminated against at the very place which she hoped would signify unity -- a Barack Obama rally.

A campaign volunteer told a friend of Hebba Aref that she could not sit behind the podium where Obama spoke if she wore her hijab, a Muslim headscarf. The space behind the podium is generally filled with pre-screened people, because that space is seen during videos and photographs with the candidate.

"What happened to [Hebba] is unfair," Neveen Aref said. "We are in 2008. Particularly coming from Obama, I think this ridiculous."

"Hebba is a lawyer who graduated from one of the best top 10 schools in America," she said. "I raised her up well with her brothers. We left home because of the dream... to raise our kids in this community."

"I think this is unfair," Aref said. "Unfair to her, unfair to everybody who is a minority."

Aref said her daughter was upset when she returned from the rally. The family lost sleep over what happened, she said.

Her daughter's friend, Ali Koussan, also told his family what happened at the rally. Koussan's mother, Lucille Koussan, of Dearborn, Mich., was in the stands at the rally when her son sent her a text message about what happened. At first she thought it was a joke.

"I was definitely disappointed, as were my other sons," she said. "I personally believe that Sen. Obama wasn't aware of this particular situation. But I think they would like a personal confirmation that this was a deviated instance."

For now, the families are keeping an open mind and waiting for the Obama campaign to make the next move. They received an apology from a campaign aide, but they hope for a personal apology to Hebba and a second woman who is reported to have also been banned from that seating area for wearing a headscarf.

Read more in today's Chicago Tribune.

Our colleague Andrew Malcolm, at Top of the Ticket, writes about the not-so-inclusive rally in an article here.

[heavyg]

I think Obama's people are doing everything they can to seperate him from the Muslim religion. Some in the media would have been on that in a hot second.

[AtlCB]

Personally, I couldn't care less about this incident and if someone got their feelings hurt at a rally. These things are nothing more than a show to get the politician the best image. If the campaign staff doesn't feel that people in headscarves portrays the image they want, then so be it. I bet you would have brushed this off as no big deal if the same thing happened at a McCain rally.

[heavyg]

I bet you would have brushed this off as no big deal if the same thing happened at a McCain rally.

Some may have but others would have ran with it. The thing is McCain isn't trying to avoid appearance of being a Muslim. Obama has been accused of being a Muslim and his people are doing everything they can to change that immage.

[Danny White]

Personally, I couldn't care less about this incident and if someone got their feelings hurt at a rally. These things are nothing more than a show to get the politician the best image. If the campaign staff doesn't feel that people in headscarves portrays the image they want, then so be it. I bet you would have brushed this off as no big deal if the same thing happened at a McCain rally.

Why? Because I'm such a big McCain defender?


Just out of curiosity, do you mind elaborating on your statement? How do people in headscarves not "portray the image they want"?

[hank2k]

Why? Because I'm such a big McCain defender?


Just out of curiosity, do you mind elaborating on your statement? How do people in headscarves not "portray the image they want"?


Easy. Because so many stupid people see a person in Muslim clothing ( or hear a "muslim sounding name") and assume terrorism.

Look at the Rachel Ray -Dunkin Donuts controversy.

There are a lot of ignorant people in this country.

[zrinkill]

There are a lot of ignorant people in this country.

That I totally agree with.

[TheKey]

Can you imagine the backlash if McCain would have done that? HES RACIST!

[Dallas]

Personally, I couldn't care less about this incident and if someone got their feelings hurt at a rally. These things are nothing more than a show to get the politician the best image. If the campaign staff doesn't feel that people in headscarves portrays the image they want, then so be it. I bet you would have brushed this off as no big deal if the same thing happened at a McCain rally.

Get real. DW has never big a big proponent of McCain. You need to check your facts before blatantly throwing this crap out here.

[zrinkill]

I do not blame Obama at all after the flack he has had to take about his name.

This is just the same old crap.

[ConcordCowboy]

"I was definitely disappointed, as were my other sons," she said. "I personally believe that Sen. Obama wasn't aware of this particular situation. But I think they would like a personal confirmation that this was a deviated instance."



So the women doesn't personally think that Obama even knew about this incident happening and all of a sudden Obama is an anti-Muslim bigot! ?

Nice leap there.

:rolleyes:

[The30YardSlant]

Some may have but others would have ran with it. The thing is McCain isn't trying to avoid appearance of being a Muslim. Obama has been accused of being a Muslim and his people are doing everything they can to change that immage.

Which begs the question, if Islam is such a peaceful, loving religion, why is he trying his damndest to hide from it? Wouldnt he want to endorse the "religion of peace and acceptance"?

[DFWJC]

I think Obama's people are doing everything they can to seperate him from the Muslim religion. Some in the media would have been on that in a hot second.

Good luck. His father and infamous "freedom-fighter" uncle were Muslim and he had high praise for them and thier causes in his book. But yes, I do think he wants to seperate...kind of like he has done with Rev Wright...it's temporary.

[The30YardSlant]

Good luck. His father and infamous "freedom-fighter" uncle were Muslim and he had high praise for them and thier causes in his book. But yes, I do think he watns to seperate...kind of like he has done with Rev Wright...it's temporary.

You are defined by the people you associate with. It's hard to argue that Obama can associate with flaming racists, known terrorists and career criminals and yet not believe in any of their causes.

You know that in private Obama agrees with Jerimiah Wright, his wife, and his posse of over-zealous race mongers and is only denying it in order to become president. The guy has been around these peple his entire adult life, and just now denounces them? :rolleyes:

[heavyg]

Good luck. His father and infamous "freedom-fighter" uncle were Muslim and he had high praise for them and thier causes in his book. But yes, I do think he watns to seperate...kind of like he has done with Rev Wright...it's temporary.

I think its temporary until he is elected. Then those who voted for him will look like this :omg:

[Danny White]

Get real. DW has never big a big proponent of McCain. You need to check your facts before blatantly throwing this crap out here.

What are you talking about? I've LAVISHED praise on him. :p:

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2009359&highlight=McCain#post2009359

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2018700&highlight=McCain#post2018700

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2086749&highlight=McCain#post2086749

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2005868&highlight=McCain#post2005868

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2014486&highlight=McCain#post2014486

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2032415&highlight=McCain#post2032415

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2032453&postcount=7

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2079484&postcount=3

[trickblue]

But yes, I do think he watns to seperate...kind of like he has done with Rev Wright...it's temporary.

I think its temporary until he is elected.

I agree with both of you...

Politics as usual...

[DFWJC]

What are you talking about? I've LAVISHED praise on him. :p:

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2009359&highlight=McCain#post2009359

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2018700&highlight=McCain#post2018700

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2086749&highlight=McCain#post2086749

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2005868&highlight=McCain#post2005868

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2014486&highlight=McCain#post2014486

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showthread.php?p=2032415&highlight=McCain#post2032415

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2032453&postcount=7

http://cowboyszone.com/forums/showpost.php?p=2079484&postcount=3

Uh oh, he has backup. :shatfan:

[WoodysGirl]

By JIM RUTENBERG and JEFF ZELENY
Published: June 19, 2008

Obama’s Campaign Tightens Control of Image and Access

At a rally for Senator Barack Obama in Detroit on Monday, two Muslim women said they were prohibited from sitting behind the candidate because they were wearing head scarves and campaign volunteers did not want them to appear with him in news photographs or live television coverage.

The Obama campaign said it quickly called the women to apologize after learning of the incident. “It doesn’t reflect the orientation of the campaign,” said Anita Dunn, a senior adviser to Mr. Obama. “I do not believe that mistake will be made again.”

But the incident, first reported Wednesday by Politico.com, pointed to pitfalls the campaign faces as it moves into the general election and seeks to maintain control of Mr. Obama’s image by tightly managing his public appearances.

The Obama campaign is vigilantly fighting erroneous information that has spread on the Internet that he is Muslim — he is, in fact, Christian — and emphasizing his patriotism and American story, with flags in abundance. In Washington on Wednesday, he invited photographers to his meeting with new members of his national security team and retired military officers supporting his candidacy.

The campaign on Monday barred cameras from a large gathering of African-American civic leaders Mr. Obama attended. It recently refused to provide names of religious figures with whom Mr. Obama met in Chicago and directed some of them to avoid reporters by using a special exit. And on Wednesday, the campaign orchestrated Michelle Obama’s appearance on the friendly set of “The View” and a flattering spread in the pages of Us Weekly.

“One of the challenges that we are confronting very directly is dealing with the rumors and the e-mails, the inaccurate information about Senator Obama and Michelle Obama,” Ms. Dunn said, “and we’re going to deal with that very aggressively through a number of mediums.”

While the strategy has won compliments from political professionals of both parties, who say Mr. Obama’s campaign is exhibiting a high level of discipline, it has also created some early turbulence for a candidate who has run on promises of openness and cultivated a grass-roots following and a cottage industry of homemade campaign videos, memorabilia and street murals.

Mr. Obama’s campaign is making a transition typical of any newly minted presidential nominee preparing for a general election race. It mirrors the stagecraft once so successfully practiced by the campaigns of President Bush to the envy — and, sometimes, anger — of Democrats.

“This guy is one of two people who can be president of the United States,” said Stuart Stevens, a Republican strategist for President Bush in his 2000 and 2004 campaigns. “He’s not going door-to door-in Iowa anymore, and I think people expect things to be different when you’re the nominee.”

“The same with John McCain — he’s not going to be able to spend as much time in living rooms,” Mr. Stevens said. “It’s just the nature of the game changing.”

But Mr. McCain’s campaign has been faulted for being too lax in protecting his image, facing specific criticism for his prime-time speech before a relatively small crowd and an odd green backdrop the night Mr. Obama claimed his party’s nomination. Yet while Mr. McCain’s aides have had their share of skirmishes with the press, they still enjoy a reputation for giving reporters traveling with him an unusual amount of access.

Strategists for Mr. Obama, the country’s first black nominee, have made it clear that they believe they need to take extra steps to control his image and protect against attack. But such efforts at times appear to conflict with the candidate’s stated desire to be unusually transparent and open, and they have already occasionally put him at loggerheads with news organizations pushing for greater access to him now that he is the presumptive nominee.

In spirited discussions with reporters barred from Monday’s meeting with African-American civic leaders, aides said that no cameras were allowed because the participants wanted the meeting to be private, even though it was announced on the daily hotel roster of events. Later, other aides said the lighting was not properly set up for television quality.

When Mr. Obama met with religious leaders last week, his campaign kept out photographers and reporters and refused to share a full list of participants.

Professor Douglas W. Kmiec, a conservative constitutional scholar at Pepperdine Law School, said Mr. Obama told him and others in attendance that he was keeping the meeting private so everyone could speak without fear of public judgment.

“He said, ‘I want the terms and conditions of the meeting to be such that anybody feels free to ask me anything in as challenging a way as they’d wish to,’ ” Mr. Kmiec said, adding that guests who wanted to avoid reporters were directed to a special exit.

Mr. Obama’s aides say his campaign has stayed true to his promise of transparency. They point to his decision to open fund-raisers to reporters, the first candidate this year to do so. But Mr. Obama is taking a more strategic approach to granting interviews. This week, he has focused on talking about the economy with reporters from The Wall Street Journal and Fortune.

Tensions between Mr. Obama’s campaign and the news media broke into full view when aides announced two weeks ago that he was flying to Chicago but then sent his plane — and traveling press corps — there while he stayed in Washington to meet with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The bureau chiefs of the major television news networks and The Associated Press wrote Mr. Obama’s top aides a stern letter on June 6, saying, “There are many ways in a campaign to control your message and conduct private meetings that do not involve deceiving the press corps.” The letter continued, “Going forward, we know from experience that covering a presidential campaign requires that some representatives of the press corps be with, or near, the senator at all times as part of the ‘security package,’ just as the White House press corps is with the president.”

Mr. Obama’s campaign has not indicated that it is ready to go quite so far.

“The press corps wouldn’t be doing its job it if weren’t demanding more access than we’re willing to give,” Ms. Dunn said. “We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t occasionally irritate the press.”

Julie Bosman and Sarah Wheaton contributed reporting.