"The Obama Nation," conservative author Jerome Corsi's latest attack on Democratic presidential hopefuls, was on display at a book store in New York. (Brendan Mcdermid/Reuters)
Obama’s strategy for anti-Obama efforts
Some supporters ask if he’s done enough to counter a bestseller.
By Linda Feldmann | August 17, 2008 edition
Reporter Linda Feldmann talks with csmonitor.com's Pat Murphy about Sen. Barack Obama's response to published attacks.
Reporter Linda Feldmann
Two months ago, Barack Obama decided enough was enough. He had just clinched the Democratic presidential nomination, and a reporter asked him about an Internet rumor of a video showing his wife, Michelle, using a derogatory term for white people. Senator Obama was furious. There is no such video, he insisted, and to this day, none has materialized.
Then Obama told his aides: Time to get more aggressive about fighting rumors. The traditional technique of ignoring them, to avoid giving them added life in the media, just doesn’t work in the Internet age. Thus was born FightTheSmears.com, an Obama site dedicated to responding to rumors. Its goal is to give Obama supporters talking points as the charges fly.
Now, the most sensational hit job yet has reached the No. 1 spot on The New York Times bestseller list – “The Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality,” by Jerome Corsi – and the Obama campaign has fought back with a 41-page rebuttal posted on the site. But Obama supporters are wondering if the senator is being tough enough. As the book got major play in the mainstream media last week, including a Corsi interview on CNN’s “Larry King Live,” Obama was on vacation, leaving it to surrogates to reply.
“He’s got to be out there responding to these attacks himself, so people know he’s got the courage and the guts to be able to take those on directly,” says Leon Panetta, former chief of staff to President Clinton. “You need to have the sound bite, not from 40 different people, but from him.”
The Corsi book, which portrays Obama as a lying, left-wing black liberationist with ties to Islam, is just one of many anti-Obama books either on store shelves or in the works. But it has particular cachet, because Corsi co-wrote the 2004 bestseller “Unfit for Command: Swift Boat Veterans Speak Out Against John Kerry,” which was widely seen as helping to deflate the 2004 Democratic nominee’s Vietnam War credentials. Senator Kerry himself has launched his own website, TruthFightsBack.com, aimed at helping his successor at the top of the ticket from being “swift-boated.”
Some conservatives have suggested that “Obama Nation” won’t have the credibility of the anti-Kerry book, because “Unfit for Command” was co-written by John O’Neill, who was himself a Vietnam swift-boat veteran and who co-founded Swift Boat Veterans for Truth, a group that produced ads against Kerry.
If Corsi had written the Obama book with ministers who had worked with Obama in the 1980s, and who felt Obama was unfit for office, then that would be a big story, opines National Review columnist Byron York in a blog. “This is not 2004,” he writes.
Another conservative and a veteran of both Bush administrations, Peter Wehner, warns in a column in Commentary Magazine that “conservatives should not hitch their hopes” to Corsi’s book. He writes that the book “seems to be riddled with factual errors” and then notes wide media reporting on some of Corsi’s unusual interests – such as the 9/11 “truth movement,” which asserts that the World Trade Center towers collapsed from explosions inside the building.
Opponents of Corsi have pointed out that his position on the Times’ bestseller list is due to conservative book groups buying the book in bulk, not widespread interest across the political spectrum.
But the book does have ties to the Republican mainstream. It is published by Simon & Schuster’s new conservative imprint, Threshold Editions, which is run by Mary Matalin, a former aide to Vice President Dick Cheney. Ms. Matalin has called the book “a piece of scholarship, and a good one at that.”
Presumptive Republican nominee John McCain has yet to respond fully to the Corsi book. On Friday, when Senator McCain was asked for a comment by an Associated Press reporter, he smiled and said, “gotta keep your sense of humor.” A campaign spokeswoman later said McCain had not heard the question and added that the campaign had no comment.
Drowned out in media coverage by all the Corsi sensation is another anti-Obama book, “The Case Against Barack Obama,” by National Review reporter David Freddoso. But readers are buying it, too: It’s at No. 5 on the Times’s nonfiction bestseller list. The Freddoso book portrays Obama as a “doctrinaire liberal,” not a reformer and it slams Obama for not bucking the vaunted Chicago political machine. Mr. Freddoso believes that the nonfactual smears against Obama have allowed him to avoid responding to more substantive critiques.
The real test of the anti-Obama books will be the voters.
These authors “are preaching to the choir – that’s a given,” says John Geer, a political scientist at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
But, he adds, how Obama responds to criticism and attack is an important test. “As president, you’re going to get that every day,” Mr. Geer says.
Comments
2. maz hess | 08.17.08
In reading an article like that above the first and right question for every reader should not mainly concern the content of it. The first and main question should concern the writers intentions in writing this article. Where does the writer want to drive his readers with his article to? In which way he wants to influence the thinking or/and acting of his readers? Fact is that the obama campaing published 40 pages on pdf in the internet in which they proved point by point all the accusations of the book as completely false. Another fact is that this article consciously doesn’t mention it. So if you analyse the hidden message of this article you must come to the conclusion that the writers intention is to drive his readers to read this book “Obama Nation” in oppressing the fact, that the whole content of the book has been proven by the obama campaign as completely false. That the christian science monitor is here perfidiously promoting the selling of a book full of lies to support the smuting of one of the biggest sons of the christian community just make me puke.
3. E M | 08.17.08
The books we should really be concerned with are the ones by James H Cone, the founder of Black Theology and, as Trinity United Church’s website states, upon which their church’s belief and teachings are based. It’s also the church where Obama and his wife sat for 20 yrs. I suggest everyone read Cone’s; “A Black Theology of Liberation”. It will shock you to see with Cone and Rev Wright think about white churches and white people in general. It helps explain where Rev Wright is coming from with his anti-white and anti-American rants and why the congregation is hoot’in and holler’in the background. I think it will give you a true understanding of the Obama’s. It was eye opening.
4. Paul Stewart | 08.17.08
I think it is an incredible waste of human capital to pay attention to the likes of these books. There should be laws against selling fiction as fact. And, McCain clearly knew what he heard and what he was saying. This is all part of the “wink wink nudge nudge” below the belt play that McCain is all about. I think that if Obama were to start to try to answer all of this stupidity, then he will give undue credence. If McCain does not make a clear statement, then in my view, he is subject to the same treatment and books should be written by reverse hacks. The difference is that there is much can be said about him in truth, and that is all that is needed. If he thinks Obama and his team are not getting ready to do something like this, they are sadly mistaken. And when he hits back, he will go for the jugular and with much greater force. If Americans do not see through what McCain is doing, and vote him in to office, they deserve more of the same and to be lost in the wilderness for generations to come.
5. John Kelsey | 08.17.08
I read the book and its a hackjob. I suppose by going after this so hard the Obama campaign is hoping to negate the impact of more serious works like The Case Against Barack Obama by Freddoso.
6. Olddog | 08.17.08
I think that there should be some accountability for the people publishing these books. And I mean the Author and Publishers too. If they can’t prove it’s true information, then they should forfeit any monies earned and be held liable in criminal court. If there was a price to pay for their smears and lies then maybe it wouldn’t happen as often.
7. Older White Woman | 08.17.08
Try this comparison on for size:
Senator McCain: Family Paid Prep Schools (poor grades) and Legacy admittance to Annapolis where he squandered the tax payer’s money graduating 5th from bottom of his class (894th out of 899).
Senator Obama: Catholic Grade School & Scholarship (academic) to Prep School; Columbia undergrad on scholarships and loans; Harvard Law (President of Law Review) also on loans (finally paid off less than 10 years ago).
Senator McCain: Advancement in Navy on Legacy of father & grandfather (both Admirals), crashed most planes he flew on the tax payer’s money, told he would never make Admiral so he quits, divorces wife #1 because she is severely disabled from an auto accident and no longer pretty enough, but not before he has begun dating wife # 2, whose father is millionaire beer guy, goes to work for daddy-in-law, then runs for office (financed by daddy-in-law) and once again skates on the tax payer’s money…and has done so with glee since (oh, yes, let’s not forget he’s a war hero–like many thousands of others, most of whom don’t spend every day reminding anyone who will listen).
Senator Obama: Works for faith-based community organizations in Chicago helping unemployed and disenfranchised; Civil Rights Attorney; Constitutional Law Professor; State Senator; US Senator (and he’s only 47 yrs old and married to his one and only wife, who is also accomplished).
Senator McCain: Known to be hot tempered and perpetually angry…ready to fight any war…”I know how to win a war”…really, and what war was that?
Senator Obama: Known to be even tempered and thoughtful. Prepared to fight if necessary; willing and able to use diplomacy; not “anxious” to throw away American lives because he has a temper tantrum (see McCain above).
8. shirl | 08.17.08
It is extremely painful for me, a lifelong Dem and feminist, to watch the Maninstream media, the McSlime clones AND possibly Hillary and Bill work on destroying the best chances the party has to turn the page and recruit an entire new generation of voters for the party. If Obama were to lose to McSame, these negative forces must be held wholly responsible. The US cannot support a candidate wsho promises endless war, an ideological right-wing Supreme Court, and further imperiling planet. We Americans must stop eating our young, work with our better angels and elect Obama 08.
9. Kim | 08.17.08
Its a shame what Christainity or is it Christian Science Montitor has turned to.
In the face of LIES, WHAT WOULD JESUS DO?
10. Jeremy Johnson | 08.17.08
To Paul Stewart:
What? Do you work for the campaign or something? How do you know what they are about to do. Your rant has a very amateur and “kool aid” fueled feel to it. Your boy is a racist, socialist politician.
11. hannah | 08.17.08
All this books launching has got a significance with its timing. That exactly explains the hidden agenda behind it.I don’t think the authors of this books are representatives of Shakespearien ‘motiveless malignancy’.Its very clear to the public about who is benefitting from this smear game.And don’t expect the public are morons with short term memory.Everything will get its result in due time.I appreciate that guy Barack Obama not to waste his time in responding to all these trash,instead spending on real issues like economy,taxes and different core issues.May be somebody want to divert his and the general public’s attention from current goverment’s failures!
12. MsSwin | 08.17.08
One has to wonder why Corsi would even consider helping the same basic adminstration in power though the same policies and even, as McCain suggested, Dick Cheney as an adminstration official - the very group he has accused of coverup to say the least. He can’t slam these same people on one hand, declaring them complicit with 9/11 and then turn around and support their efforts to retain power through this next election.
13. James D. Newman | 08.17.08
maz hess — you read too fast. The article does cite the rebuttal — and to say that the rebuttal “proves” anything would be overstepping. The article also calls Corsi’s credentials into account. I think that the discussion establishes quite clearly that the book is, at best, sensationalist — and even provides a tie to Dick Cheney. You gotta get out from under that foil hat man — it’s killing your credibility.
As for me I could care about any election year revelations — I am going to vote on the voting records, and I hope that, conservative or liberal or other, that most Americans will do the same. After all — elected office is a job — and in any job past performance is the strongest indicator of future performance. All the circus side shows are really just something to entertain the mouth breathers.
15. GeraldD | 08.17.08
The main stream media and especially CBS News, MSNBC, CNN, The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, and numerous other members of the Main Stream media have steadfastly refused to ask Obama any difficult questions leaving the American public in the dark regarding his true positions. Why is it that CBS thinks that Americans should make this very important decision without the benefit of the knowledge afforded by an objective, curious and honest press? It is ironic that it took not a reporter, but rather a pastor to finally ask those difficult question in a venue that afforded the American public a glimpse into Obama’s underlying values. It is disappointing that when those difficult questions were aired, they were above Obama’s pay grade. What a clear demonstration of lack of judgment! Thank you Pastor Warren. Clearly the stubborn attitude of CBS and many of the other members of the Mainstream media have proven that there remains a valid and major role for the Church in Politics! Thank you CBS, CNN, and MSNBC. You have firmly cemented the position of the Church as a valid venue for future presidential election debates.
16. Bill Codex | 08.17.08
I agree with Leon Panetta that Obama has to respond personally to these ridiculous accusations. The Obama camp also has to get down and dirty with the Republican slime machine. One of the reasons many people cannot bring themselves vote for Democrats is that they are perceived as wimps. When they react by simply ignoring attacks like these, they reinforce this perception. They must go on the offensive this time and give back as good as they get.
17. C-Rex | 08.17.08
“Gotta keep your sense of humor,” John McCain says?
Even McCAIN thinks this book is a JOKE.
18. Just Judi | 08.17.08
This is off-topic in a way, but it pertains to the deceptions of the Republican mindset. McCain lifted his “Cross in the Dirt” story from The Gulag Archipelago by Alexandr Solzhenitsyn. He used this story at the Saddleback forum. This is truly an unethical act and a lie on the part of John McCain. Disgraceful is too small a word.
This report gives the details: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/17/122230/161/239/569299
Huffington Post and others have received this information.
19. katiec | 08.17.08
Is anyone else as angry and upset about the republican party’s
immoral, disgraceful campaigning??
They will stoop to anything.
Anyone who votes for any republican should have their head
examined. Although some probably do not support this insanity,
it is their party and they are letting it happen.
We Americans are too intelligent to elect such dirty, vicious
politicians.
20. Robert Lewis | 08.17.08
Jerome Corsi of Swiftboat fame: His over $150,000 in judgments, his corporations and more
webofdeception.com
21. Steve Grochowsky | 08.18.08
As with most any book, it will have some truths and some non-truths. The amount of truth you would attribute to this or any other political book depends on the readers viewpoint. If you want to read it, read it. If you don’t, then don’t. As far as John McCain denouncing this book outright…..wouldn’t he have to read all of it, research it, fact check it and analyze it before he could denounce it? Why should/would he bother to do Obama’s work for him?
22. FRank Venice | 08.18.08
Ms. Matalin has called the book “a piece of scholarship, and a good one at that.”
It has tons of footnotes in support Corsi’s chagres……
Looking at the first 11 footnotes, 9 were Corsi quoting Corsi.
I stopped checking the footnotes after that……..
What I find bothersome is how society seems to sit back and without comment or even denouncing such “dirty tricks” and quietly accepts it S.O.P. Republican campaign tactics…….
This is more shocking than the slime used to slander an opponent.
23. dk | 08.18.08
Why are the ZIONIST spending millions trying to defeat OBAMA?
Why would anyone vote for a man who slept with the enemy (special treatment for the adrimals son)dig just a little bit and John McCain is an HOT TEMPERED pampered self promoted TRAITOR
24. John Green | 08.18.08
I can’t believe that Obama is seriously considered for the President of the US. This two-bit hack from the Chicago political machine? You’ve got to be kidding! As far as the book is concerned, even if 10% of it is true he should not be elected even as a dog catcher in a decent town.
25. KENNEDY | 08.18.08
http://www.atlah.org/broadcast/ndnr07-28-08.html
Proven Obama has most liberal voting record in the U.S. Senate. Obama is to the left of Ted Kennedy, Hillary Clinton, Russ Feingold, Pat Leahy and Barbara Boxer. That’s extremely difficult to do. Obama is a textbook big-government, tax-and-spend liberal. He plans to raise income tax rates, capital gains tax rates, Social Security taxes (by virtue of eliminating the cap), dividend taxes, inheritance taxes, and introduce a slew of new taxes. His plan will destroy this country
To ALL the obamakins and of course the bias CNN & MSNBC I have one simple request. Please spare me the hope and the change bull, and the Bush’s third term, McSame etc… Please just tell American voters what qualifies Barack Obama to run this country. What qualifies him to oversee our $14 trillion economy, the largest on earth? What qualifies him to be commander-in-chief of the U.S. armed forces in a time of war? Please just give me one single solid qualification. And race does not qualify!! That would be one more than anyone including cable media has provided to date. WE ALL HAVE GROWN EXTREMLY TIRED OF MEDIA SAINTED OBAMA….
Obama keeps reaching back to Chicago political past for policy advisers, and pulling one despicable, vile, and even evil “rabbit” after another out of his hat.
The list of Barack Obama’s radical associations is long and it keeps getting longer. Some are now well-known, but many are not. They need to be.
23 years at TUCC with Jeremiah Wright and James Meeks. racist sermons on Youtube.
He chose the most radical church in the country; chose to immerse himself in hard-core ideological radicalism. Never before has this country considered such a radical leftist for its chief executive.
Michael Pfleger and his hateful and race-hating ramblings, Obama met while carrying out his own radical social activism as community organizer at ACORN, (radical organization)
Penny Pritzker, heads Obama camp National Finance Committee was president of Superior Bank - massively failed and she literally bought her way out of jail paying $460 MILLION fine; was the very epicenter of subprime loan scandal” that would come to eat this nation’s financial system alive.
Fannie Mae CEO Jim Johnson, former head of Obama’s vice presidential selection committee, discovered he benefited from sweetheart loans from subprime king Countrywide.
Tony Rezko certainly and his federal indictments and financial dealing with Obamas of course and William Ayers, US terrorist bomber, Obama-co-lecturer, fellow board member, neighbor, and friend.
Communist Frank Marshall Davis, obama mentor; Saul Alinsky and Gerald Kellman (Kellman’s Woods Fund is how Obama hooked up with terrorist William Ayers)
Chicago lawyer Mazen Asbahi, appointed as Obama camp national coord for Muslim n affairs also stepped down after news about his stint on the fund’s board - which includes fundamentalist imam - prompting The Wall Street Journal inquiries about relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood and his long personal relationship with Hamas Jamal Said.
Obama desperately needs voters to forget hes the son of a Muslim father who served an incredibly brutal and corrupt Kenyan government; to forget he attended a madrassa in Indonesia and practiced Islam; forget that he campaigned in Kenya on behalf of Raila Odinga, who relied upon chaos, corruption, and violence in his campaign; numerous associations with radical Muslims; forget the photographs of Obama in traditional Muslim clothes, hanging with Muslim radicals such as Mazen Asbahi and anti-Semite Rashid Khalidi.
The mainstream media has frankly put the security of our great country at risk with an Obama coronation media like CNN & MSNBC is the only way Obama managed to steal the Dem nom. It’s extremely concerning that so many Americans could care less about who their candidate really is?? simply amazing and frankly scarey.
26. KENNEDY | 08.18.08
The mainstream media has frankly put the security of our great country at risk with an Obama coronation media like CNN & MSNBC is the only way Obama managed to steal the Dem nom. It’s extremely concerning that so many Americans could care less about who their candidate really is?? simply amazing and frankly scarey.
PLEASE WATCH AND SHARE WITH EVERYONE ASAP
“The Last 100 Days”
Hon. James David Manning, PhD.
27. Jon | 08.18.08
I read both the books, its amaizing to see how much the main stream media such as MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NYT etc are biased towards this stealth democratic candidate. Its really scary to think about our future in this country. Thank god at least we are safe in this part of the world from Nasty islamic terrorists who are killing innocent people in Asia, Europe and other parts.
Dear friends, Vote McCain and keep this liar and crook out of white house.
29. Andrew Reed-Moutray | 08.18.08
Barack Obama should not have to defend every attack that comes his way. In fact he shouldn’t have to defend any of them. The fact is that he has put out information from his point of view and by taking up a book you should be capable of judging it on your own. As a person, a reader must be able to distinguish truth from falsities and if one is unable to do so then they shouldn’t read the book. Obama can is a person also, and should be able to leave the judging of him to the people, he should not have to take it into his own hands.
30. Lee Montgomery | 08.18.08
The vast majority of voters who have already made their decision will, for the most part, stick with their choice and have probably become proactive for their favorite candidate. Sure, there may be a tiny percentage who change their mind but that will be offset by those on the other side who have changed their minds as well. So, lets be realistic on the subject of “Obama Nation”. Its preaching to the choir and to those who have already made up their mind to vote for McCain. Not many undecided voters will rush out and buy this piece of crapola so its power to influence them as a whole is diminished and insignificant. So don’t give it mileage by making a huge deal out of it. Obama should address the subject directly but only once and then put it aside as something small and pithy. Because that is what it is.
31. Martin Just | 08.18.08
Unless I see a believable counter report to the book, not just a , I believe every page of it.
This guy is absolutely unfit to be president. 100% totally unfit and extremely dangerous!
32. Martin Just | 08.18.08
Unless I see a believable counter report to the book, not just a , I believe every page of it.
This guy is absolutely unfit to be president. 100% totally unfit and extremely dangerous!
What went wrong with my first comment?
33. Dave P | 08.18.08
Sorry, but it’s McCain that’s unfit for the presidency. He has no foreign policy strategy beyond projecting more American force and putting more boots on the ground around the world. Any halfway intelligent observer can see that this is the exact attitude that has gotten us into the mess we’re in. I’m not crazy about some of Obama’s more liberal tendencies, but the one thing you have to admit about the man is that he LISTENS. After 8 years of myopic, my-way-or-the-highway “leadership,” it’s high time to put someone in the Oval Office who thinks before he acts. That person is certainly not John McCain.
34. momps | 08.18.08
how bout shutting down anti-Obama blogs. They seem to be pretty good at making them appear to be spam
35. G Green | 08.18.08
These books are badly done and are obviously just there to spread rumors and smear. Any reasonable person would know this. Obama is a much better candidate than McCain. Vote for Obama, visit WHYOBAMA08.ORG!
36. acarponzo | 08.19.08
It is interesting to me that he delegated the response. I think he should have at least commented on the book. But even with this, his daily tracking poll at Gallup were up yesterday. However, google search– bop-o-rama –This real-time on-line poll is showing some interesting numbers. Why is he up to 375,000?
37. Emlyn | 08.19.08
“The cult of personality”–what a scream! Am I the only person on the planet who finds this absurdly hypocritical?
Republicans, conservatives, corporations and Evangelicals have been congratulating themselves for the last eight years for choosing to follow Mr Bush, a “swell fella”, a “man’s man”, and “the kinda guy I could have a beer with”.
What utter bunk.
38. Earl | 08.19.08
The One, as know by Obama’s followers, is an empty suit. Not even close to presidential material. Perhaps he could be in a few years of serving in the Congress, but not now. I shudder to think the mess he would make of this country if elected president. Even scarier is the bill of goods he has sold to many people, especially SOME of the young. The voting age should be raised to age forty!
40. Jason | 08.19.08
@Martin Just…What went wrong with your brain that you believe easily debunked nonsense? Are you unable to seek truth yourself? Someone puts a book in front of you and you take it as fact until, as you say “see a believable counter report to the book”?
Umm, the facts are out these, you just choose to obviously ignore them. Pathetic, that you justify your own ignorance through laziness.
41. Cogito | 08.19.08
Why does this man scare me so much? I don’t care what the books say, but I listen to what he says. His lips moving a million miles per hour and he says NOTHING! Then every once in a while, he actually talks about what he thinks, rather than what he feels the people want to hear and that’s when it gets scary. His extreme socialist agenda is far more dangerous to this country than any potential enemy outside of our borders. For the love of God and country, don’t allow this man in the White House!
42. JAB | 08.19.08
I think the central moral issue of this campaign is its moral tone. The Moses ad was an appeal to hot button religious symbols for the Antichrist, but McCain called it a joke. The Corsi book contains many nasty religious smears given by a man who has a history as a bigot, and McCain just blows that book off as something funny. I hope Obama does reply, but I also hope he doesn’t fall into the nasty religious muck these two GOP efforts show.
The way a person campaigns shows a lot about the president he or she will be. Obama attacks hard on issues, but he does not attack McCain personally. In fact, he defends McCain against questioners who want to question McCain’s patriotism. I hope he continues that tack.
43. lhummer | 08.19.08
What? Do you work for the campaign or something? How do you know what they are about to do. Your rant has a very amateur and “kool aid” fueled feel to it. Your boy is a racist, socialist politician.
———————————————-
Johnson, Your use of the word “boy” tips your hand. And you call Obama a racist?
44. lhummer | 08.19.08
Kennedy wrote: Obama desperately needs voters to forget hes the son of a Muslim father who served an incredibly brutal and corrupt Kenyan government; to forget he attended a madrassa in Indonesia and practiced Islam; forget that he campaigned in Kenya on behalf of Raila Odinga, who relied upon chaos, corruption, and violence in his campaign; numerous associations with radical Muslims; forget the photographs of Obama in traditional Muslim clothes, hanging with Muslim radicals such as Mazen Asbahi and anti-Semite Rashid Khalidi.
——————————————————–
Kennedy, you should check the facts before you post. Senator Obama never attended a madrassa. The school that he went to in Indonesia was a non religious institution. He has never practiced Islam. Your saying it or reading it somewhere doesn’t make it so. Whenever you’re challenged to produce proof of the tripe that you peddle, you can’t do it. The fact that you state that he stole the nomination from Hillary Clinton would lead one to believe that you’re one of those “sour grapes” Clinton supporters.
45. Bob H | 08.19.08
Bottom line…Socialism does not work, it takes away freedom and undermines innovation and economic progress. This has been proven over and over again for a 100 years. Obama is a socialist with no executive, economic or real legal experience.
The choice is clear if you have any love of freedom and a little intellectual integrity.
46. John | 08.19.08
So sad to see so many christian conservatives sink so low as to attack Obama the true christian while serving as proxy for McCain and the bigoted small minded slime machine that backs him.
47. JoAnne Martinson | 08.19.08
People like Gerald at 15 and Martin at 31 prove Paul Simon’s lyrics are true: “still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest.” Anyone who can support McCain (especially given his 30 Bush State Dept. verified broadcasts for the enemy while in captivity,) is either totally out of touch or just plain dishonest. I believe Einstein said that lunacy was doing the same thing over and over, but expecting different results. That’s what voting for McCain is: lunacy.
48. Ken | 08.19.08
For the past 7 years the Democrats have smeared the current President and during a time where we are at war. They have lied and lied and lied until you get to the point that you begin to believe the hype. Now when the same tactics are used against your candidate you complain. Deal with it!!
49. Adrian near Seattle | 08.19.08
Corsi’s book is nothing but sad gutter lies aimed right at the lowest common denominator.
How that person ever sleeps at night I have no idea.
We’ll get the president we deserve. Let’s hope we’re good enough to think critically and see past the trash put out by the horrible right wing hate machine that has hurt our world for so long now.
50. Curtis J | 08.19.08
In my home city of Bridgeport CT we had a mayor who was the best mayor we ever had he was the mayor of all the people and resurrected the city to new heights of pride it had never seen before, unfortunately he was sent to jail onl corruption charges that amounted to nothing and are so common to all politicans. My point is, at this rate in the political process we are never going to get the best of the best in Washington because the American public demands for their leaders is really too unrealistic.
51. John A. | 08.19.08
Most of the comments recognize the depths to which the once honorable Republican party has sunk. We rightfully get angry at Muslims who do not denounce what the extremists of their religion have done in the name of religion. We also need to push Republicans to stand up for their party and denounce Rove & Co. and the right wing extremists end justifies the means approach. An excellent example here is the post by KENNEDY who brings dishonor to a great name in American politics and then goes on to defame Obama. He first repeats the falsehood that Obama has the most liberal voting record in the U.S. Senate. In fact he is ranked as having the 43rd most liberal voting record. He then goes on to cite a number of falsehoods, culminating with his reference to James David Manning, particularly appropriate here since Manning is one of the few individuals who could rival Jerome Corsi in the area of lies, deceit, and just plain unfounded nastiness. The Republicans have slipped to the point where their spokesman and sources are Manning and Corsi. I know the right wing nut jobs will rant and rave as usual. Who cares. This is for the real Republicans who stood for something and who this country needs again. We may differ on who we want for President, but I’d rather this be about policies, issues and character than name calling and character assassination. If the real Republicans don’t take their party back, the extremist will drive the Republicans to their worst defeat since Goldwater and will fade as a party. We need two strong issue and policy driven campaigns on the things that are most important for our country.
52. Curtis J | 08.19.08
John McCain is probably going to win for obvious reasons and one to two years from Americans are going to look back with regret and utter in whispers, “what if!” America is paying the price for its arrogance even now, everyone is jumping on Russia, but Putin is no fool he knows just what Bush is up too, in his arrogant Christian only , self indulged idea of spreading democracy he has brought the world to the brink of World War Three,I mean really putting missles in Poland,how would the United States like if Russia put missles in Cuba or say South America under Chavez?
53. Older, wiser, sadder | 08.19.08
#51, John A., you are right on the money. The Republicans have blown it. The past 8 years of Republican “leadership” - the first 6 of which they controlled Congress as well as the White House - have placed our country in dire, dire straits.
#7, Older White Woman, you are right on the money, too.
Obama was against the war in Iraq. He said he wasn’t against war if it needed to be declared, but he was against a “dumb war”. Which it is. Look at the whole history of the Iraq debacle, from the lies that started it to the billions being made by Cheney’s war profiteering buddies, up to the present day. The whole thing is a disaster.
#48 Ken says Bush has been smeared while we are at war. Ken old pal, Bush ought to be impeached for lying, lying, lying to the American people, and leading us into a swamp of problems.
Our national debt is 10 trillion dollars, fueled by Republicans who don’t have the courage - that’s right, courage - to tell the American people we should pay as we go. The dollar is at an all time low. The economy is limping along and gas prices are higher than they have every been, while the oil companies make record setting profits.
Conservatives, my eye! Not when it comes to spending money we don’t even have to spend! We have to borrow it from the Chinese to fund our stupid war and our “economic stimulus”. If a Democrat had done all the things the Republicans have done over the past 8 years, all of you would be howling for his head, and rightfully so. Think of it - blowing a CIA officers cover for political purposes. The Clintons got slammed for shaking up the White House travel office! And Bush & company “out” one of our own intelligence officers, and GET AWAY WITH IT! It staggers me what the Republicans have gotten away with. It’s the crime(s) of the century!
John McCain tries to distance himself from these screw-ups, but he cannot. The sins of the Bush administration hang around his neck like an albatross, and hopefully the American people will recognize it.
#49 Adrian has it right, too. We get the president we deserve. Wake up folks! While the Republicans are distracting you with hack jobs like this Corsi book - “fine piece of scholarship” HA! it’s a piece of crap is what it is - your pocket is being picked down to the pieces of lint and the country is in the worst position we’ve been in for decades.
The list of Republican indignities inflicted on our country, our economy, our personal rights, our military, our foreign policy, our moral standing in the world, and on and on would fill ten times the pages this nut job Corsi has spewed out.
It is mind boggling. You lame brains who live on right wing fantasy land talk radio - go ahead, and drink the kool-aid. Accept the lies that have been shoveled down your throats by the Republicans.
But don’t blame the rest of us who see through all this crap and demand someone to lead us out of this unmitigated disaster. If it’s Barak Obama, great! Get the Republicans out of there before we’re at war with Iran, too. Good God, don’t you people see what’s going on?
The real injustice is that it’ll have to be the Democrats who actually deal with our monumental debt and intractable foreign policy muck ups, and folks, it ain’t gonna be pretty. We’ve been told for years we can painlessly have it all by Republicans who don’t have the guts to tell us all this stuff costs money. But sooner or later we will have to pay the piper and I can hear all you right wing-nuts crying about your tax bills. Guys, I’ll cry too. Or our kids will, or our grandchildren. If the government doesn’t collapse by going bankrupt. Just remember, your federal tax bills should all have “Courtesy of the Republican party” stamped on them!
Vote for the Republicans? Are you out of your freaking minds? They’ve had their chance and they have BLOWN IT! Barak Obama has my vote, and no amount of lying smears like this stupid book will change my mind.
54. Mike Wilson | 08.19.08
Thinking people are not surprised to read blinded supportive comments for Obama. Those who limit themselves to information only supportive of their pre-conceived beliefs and ideas are destined to continue to have a sad, sour and self-centered existence. Calling Obama “one of the biggest sons of the christian community” is not only wrong, but ignorant of the non-christian ideals expressed and taught to him, and for which he has given thankful acceptance. For someone to state that McCain “squandered the tax payer’s money” by “graduating 5th from bottom of his class” shows true stupidity; Every Annapolis graduate has an outstanding accomplishment, and is an above-average American. Just think about it - Annapolis, like every other school has someone at the top and bottom, and it doesn’t mean anything to be at the bottom unless they really were a poor student. There are so many blindly written comments that have been made that aren’t worth a response… ONE SUGGESTION: Re-read comments 25/26 by KENNEDY’, who has shared much truth for those who haven’t already drunk the koolaid. And by the way, I am not a McCain supporting Republican, I only want an America for which we can all be proud. Senator Obama is not capable of elevating, only dividing and degrading. If it looks, walks, and talks like a duck…..
55. Curtis J | 08.19.08
Let us ponder what the right suggests are tough questions and what are easy questions, in their eyesight there will never be a tough question asked of Obama, I think they are confusing the media’s being bais toward Obama with their canidates’s ignorance. I can say one thing, John McCain sure learned a lot in that jungle POW camp, he learned how to survive and survive dirty and ugly, The media, in order to insure its ratings has allowed the presidential campaign, for that matter the office of the presidency to be degraded to the level of a county fair auction because they have not made politicans like John McCain afraid to tell a lie
56. Curtis J | 08.19.08
To Mike Wilson… Your arrogance is stunning the fact that you narrowly judge the participants of this blog only indicates how dangerous piety is, everyone has a right to his or her opinion and people like you, if they had the power, would limit or hinder those expressions and that is exactly what this election is about. I am an Obama supporter and I have several objections to him, but the one thing that he does possess, that we need in Washington is the willingness to reason and compromise and that my dear friend, like patience is not a virtue and has to be reaquired every waking morning.
58. OldEnough2Know | 08.19.08
Hey, Older White Woman:
I have one comment about your wacky comparissons that have no bearing on anything, yet alone this election:
I hope you don’t get much older.
59. Deeply saddened | 08.19.08
OldEnough2Know–
Too bad you’re not old enough to recognize truth or to know how to spell.
60. americanpie | 08.19.08
Do you ever wonder about the McCaininites Virtues, It would seem that any Information either Unbiased or provable would not convince them ether way, Locked in there Moralistic, My Way or The Highway mentality the Stand ready to usher the world toward the end of days screaming and shouting “IT’S OUR RIGHT NOT YOURS !!!” They not only want to disagree but are prepared to lie cheat and steal in the name of GOD to convince you that there path (And its a poor one at that) is the path to follow, We all Have had enough of the Couch Christens and deserve better. To follow them is perilous and a damming journey, Those of us that do not need to wear our religion on our sleeve know what is best for America and Knuckle Dragging bigots are not included.
61. John A. | 08.19.08
To 54. Mike Wilson, you ask us to read KENNEDY 25/26 and yet he starts out with the talking points that Obama is the most liberal senator when in fact he is 43rd. In 2004, Kerry was stated to be the most liberal senator, when in fact he wasn’t in the top ten. It’s the playbook. I like Obama for a number of reasons, but I do know that it is imperative for this country that the Republicans lose the Presidential election. Before McCain slid into the gutter with his campaign, I could have seen how he could have won and it not be devastating for the country, but not now. This country needs to raise the Presidential election where issues, policy, character, and judgment matter. I support Obama in large part because in reading Audacity of Hope he was saying what most of us have been saying for years only he said it better. Go read his book and tell me what you disagree with. Or you can read the White Supremist, 9/11 truther book that the Republican party and the right wing nuts are promoting.
62. americanpie | 08.20.08
Apparently the only thing that will make things right with America (in the eyes of Republicans) is the complete and utter collapse of our way of life. That way’ like the great depression everyone will be on he same Starving to death playing field, Rather than bitching about the people they do not agree with they will be to busy trying to find food for there families. RETHINK YOUR IGNORANCE !!!!!!!
63. Jim Davis | 08.20.08
Kelsey is correct. By going after Corsi so hard, the Obama campaign and its many friends in the news media and the left-wing websites hope to negate the impact of more serious, and far more damaging works by authors like Freddoso. But by going after Corsi so hard, they draw far more attention to Corsi’s allegations than he ever would have earned on his own.
Another thing I’ve noticed is that the Obamatrons have been nitpicking over a long list of minor, unimportant errors like the date of Obama’s wedding, or whether Obama mentioned in his book that he took Michelle to Africa with him. The major charges (involving Obama’s associations with Tony Rezko, Jeremiah Wright and William Ayers) have gone unanswered because there is no way to effectively refute them. The Obamatrons are hoping that these more serious charges won’t be noticed by the voters, in all the sound and fury about Corsi’s typographical errors.
64. Brian | 10.07.08
Yes, Obama’s church was totally racist… They hated anyone who wasn’t black! That absolutely explains why they welcomed white guest-speakers with open arms and applause!
Oops.
I guess that tidbit wasn’t included in Rush Limbaugh’s little rants… Oh well, who needs facts, anyway? Dreadfully boring things, they are.
65. Jackie | 10.07.08
OK
There are NO LEGACY admissions to the Military Academies. My Dad sat on the admissions board for 17 years.
John McCain went to 20 odd elementary and middle schools all public. When his family got stationed in Virginia his parents sent him to a private high school. His grades there were excellent–his grades at USNA were not so great.
But compare that with the private prepschool that Barack went to from the time he was 10…..I’m just sayin.
Unlike Barack who had no obligations to the world and showed it. McCain’s time at USNA required 5 years of service.
THe books are possible about Barack because he makes lousy choices in companions. He does questionable things and then hides them.
Biden, McCain, and Palin have people from their past all over the place telling thier stories and vouching for the goodness of their characters. Obama has no one. No one is telling us what a good friend he is or how he helped or what he did in college. HE is a man with no record and what can be found is UGLY.
That is his fault.
Why won’t he release:
His vault Birth certificate? McCain did
His Medical record? McCain did
His transcripts? We all know how John did!
His addresses in NY? We know all of John McCain’s places of residence.
What is Barack Obama trying to hide?
66. Ambrose | 11.05.08
You guys get some seriousness… Never believe in whatever is written down unless you never went to school… At school, we are taught about “critical thinking”. So you can read the book and make your own judgment… Don’t wait Obama to be a judge when he is the accused… The book is full of lies because its based on flawed arguments… Logic is lacking… Shame to Conservative Christian
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
Leave a Comment
We do not publish all comments, and we do not publish comments immediately. The comments feature is a forum to discuss the ideas in our stories. Constructive debate - even pointed disagreement - is welcome, but personal attacks on other commenters are not, and will not be published.
Tip: Do not write a novel. Keep it short. We will not publish lengthy comments. Come up with your own statements. This is not a place to cut and paste an email you received. If we recognize it as such, we won't post it.
Please do not post any comments that are commercial in nature or that violate copyrights.
Finally, we will not publish any comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence.
1. DavidGD620 | 08.17.08
Trying to counter the growing tide of manufactured negative “Obamaisms”, is like try to swim upstream against a massive sewage outflow from a large population of “flatulescent” Orangutans. The odor and floating fecal material are so over whelming, that all but the most dedicated give up in disgust. Only the hardiest flotsam fighters will be able to even stay in the flow, let alone being able to stem the tide of right-wing filth.
Hopefully, there are enough decent voters to negate the possibility of this tactic succeeding in turning the collective mind in this country toward the preachers of conservative nihilism. Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus; he came in the person of Jesus Christ and he preaches a positive gospel of love and hope, not despair and negativism.