Obama Goes On Campaign to Debunk Madrassa Education Allegation

[RamboLiberal]

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2819634&page=1

Sensing a need to respond to an untrue allegation that he had been educated during his childhood in an Indonesia madrassa, Sen. Barack Obama and his staff have aggressively launched a campaign to debunk the story, perhaps indicating a fear that some may believe it.

"When I was six, I attended an Indonesian public school where a bunch of the kids were Muslim, because the country is 90 percent Muslim," the Democratic presidential hopeful told ABC's Chicago affiliate WLS-TV. "The notion that somehow, at the age of 6 or 7, I was being trained for something other than math, science and reading, is ludicrous."

Obama described the allegation as indicative of the "climate of smear" associated with presidential campaigns and called on the press to make sure "stories are substantiated."

Obama defended his education at "Sekolah Dasar Negeri 04," which roughly translates as government elementary school No. 4 in Indonesia, where he moved at the age of 6 after his mother married an Indonesian man. After two years at the government elementary school, Obama transferred to a Catholic school.

The false coloring of Obama's early education gained considerable steam during a "Fox and Friends" round table on Jan. 19, 2006. Host Steve Doocy said that Obama spent "the first decade of his life raised by his Muslim father as a Muslim and was educated in a madrassa." It is almost impossible to tabulate how many false claims are in that sentence.

Good for them - but next time jump on it immediately!

[TheDonkey]

1. Yes. This was a swiftboat type smear where politicians are not sure how to handle it

the smear is so outrageous a normal person wouldn't even think about mentioning it but sadly the media is filled with thugs who will bring it up ad nauseum so Obama needs to come out against it at once, and hard.

[illinoisprogressive]

2. that is not his biggest problem. I heard on hardball that HRC is threatening donors

There is an 'or else' to the money people by the HRC camp. Not one penny or else. They are going after all the money people out there and threatening them. She wants to destroy Obama quickly and is using Rove style tactics.

[Leilani]

3. That is really upsetting to hear

but I'm not surprised.

This whole thing will get uglier.

[Frances]

4. How do I alert a moderator when someone repeats a FOX smear?

[Hekate]

5. Below each post, including the OP, is a link labeled Alert.

[Frances]

8. Thanks

[Doctor_J]

6. The GOP hate machine did its job on this one

When Obama has extinguished this, look for a rumor that he raped 200-300 5-year-olds 20 years ago.

[Frances]

7. It was a 2 for 1 hit

There was not 1 target; there were 2 targets: Obama and Hillary. Obviously, some people on this board who didn't fall for the smear of Obama did fall for the smear of Hillary.

For what it's worth, I don't intend to vote for Hillary in the primary.

[0rganism]

9. he's quite correct to put the burden of proof on the press

Obama described the allegation as indicative of the "climate of smear" associated with presidential campaigns and called on the press to make sure "stories are substantiated."

Damn straight, and it's about time someone asked for a little journalistic integrity out of the coroporate media.

[sandnsea]

10. I agree completely

I was concerned he didn't get that little detail about 2004. Glad to see he does. Staying on the media is the solution to this. Every second of every day. I hope he knows he has to fight Hillary's people at the same time, because some of the media will feel beholden to her and won't run the rebuttals.

[zann725]

11. In defending O's madrassa schooling, CNN's Cooper A.mentioned "O's" father worked for an Oil Company

That's a new one! Haven't heard that in "O's" background before...just that "O" worked on his college paper.

Then, of course, "O's" middle name of "Hussein"... which everyone instantly dismisses as insignificant. AND his attendance for 5 years at "traditional" madrassa muslim school (which his father who worked for the Oil company encouraged him to attend)? Fox didn't make that up alone. Anderson Cooper's "Keeping Them Honest" reported THAT. (Still nothing to "see" here?)

This isn't about "swiftboating." It is simple background checking. And EVERY OTHER candidate running for Prez in the middle of a Mid-East war with MAJOR Muslim conflict SHOULD have his background checked impeccably. Particularly given Shrub and Darth's EXTREMELY "close" connection to Oil companies. A "closeness" which caused our country's creation/involvement in our current war, and prolonging thereof.

We SHOULD therefore be curious, to NOT want to repeat our country's recent past mistakes. Yet "the powers that be" curiously keep telling us how amazing "O" is...repeating it again and again: "keep moving," "don't look/ask about "O's" past."

A Prez candidate (1) whose father who worked for an Oil Company in Middle-East; (2) whose middle name is "Hussein," and (3) who attended for 5 years of traditional Muslim school (that his father who worked for an Oil company, encouraged...according to Cooper Anderson). Raising serious questions about this is NOT "swiftboating." It SHOULD be considered part of "Patriot Act" investigation in future "loyalties" of those running for U.S. Prez. Particularly a candidate, whose past still hides in the 'shadows.'

[liberalpragmatist]

12. What are you talking about?

How is the fact that Obama's middle name is Hussein threatening to you?!

And what mystery is there about Obama's background? If you want to know about it, read his damn book!



His background is no fucking secret. His Indonesian step-dad was employed by an oil company (not some high-up exec). And if you bothered reading his response, his father (from Kenya) was an Muslim-born atheist. And frankly, although I realize America isn't going to elect a Muslim president, why the fuck would it matter if he were Muslim or did go to a (non-Wahhabi) Muslim school?

It's all a moot point because Obama is NOT Muslim. He's a practicing member of the United Church of Christ.

Are you seriously considering Obama of being a foreign mole?

I swear, occassionally you run into a DU post that could have come straight from Free Republic.

[carpe diem]

13. are u on something?

...your distortions and innuendo are as bad as FAUX's....or maybe you work for FAUX! jeeze...

[antiimperialist]

14. Define "traditional muslim school". This school is open to ALL faiths

According to the AP in this story.

Interviews by The Associated Press at the school in Jakarta found that it is a public and secular institution that has been open to students of all faiths since before the White House hopeful attended in the late 1960s.

Now we have corrections made by CNN, WAPO and AP.

[aaronbees]

19. Bwahahahahaha

Sorry, that's just ridiculous. Can you tell me please what his middle name has to do with anything? Does he have control of his middle name? Is it relevant? And how would his father working for an oil company have anything to do with Obama's career path? I must've missed the backroom deals "O" (as you so condescendingly put it) helped his dad barter back in grade school. :eyes:

Maybe you should read up on Obama and get his book. Then you'd see his past doesn't hide in the "shadows."

[0rganism]

21. careful, people might think you're being serious

sometimes you just gotta put that sarcasm icon in, ya know? Even the hilarious bit about "background checking" when it's quite clear that the newsmedia can't even "fact check" before spooging lies to millions of viewers might not be enough to tip off some folks -- humor such as yours is so precious it must be guarded jealously from those who would misconstrue it to your detriment.
:sarcasm:

[Imagevision]

15. Obama on "The false And Misleading" - should answer accusations in a timely manner

Obama should reply to smear tactics via "monthly update" on "The false And Misleading" use free network time, explain using - "Myths And facts"

Barack would lose too much time answering every personal attack regardless of how ridiculous we know they will become.

[bling bling]

16. I like that he called on the press to do their jobs. All the Dems should do this. n/t

[Hekate]

17. Obama's life is an open book -- two books, in fact -- and we should be defending him

We at DU should remember a few things:

1 - We are Democrats

2 - The RW spreads vicious lies and rumors about Democrats

3 - Before we repeat ANYthing negative we hear about a Democrat, we need to find the source and consider the source, then check again

4 - Barack Obama is a Democrat and a decent man, a very credible candidate for any office. No matter who we personally want to see elected as president, we should have his back. Always.

5 - Lastly, we should take a collective vow to NEVER do the work of the right-wing smear machine for them.

"Madrassas." "Hillary did it." Pardon me while I :puke:

Hekate

[UTUSN]

18. Hey, OBAMA, still want to GET ALONG?? Kerry didn't FIGHT BACK n/t

[olddad56]

20. all they have to do is have him waste all of his time defending himself.