NAIROBI - A Kenyan elder who presented Barack Obama with a traditional outfit that fueled false rumors he was Muslim says the garb was cultural, not religious - and that had President Bush visited he could have "dressed him the same."
Pictures of the Democratic presidential candidate wearing the robe and turban over his Western-style clothing spread on the Internet. The gossip and news website The Drudge Report said the photo was circulated by the campaign of Obama rival Hillary Clinton. But Clinton aides said the campaign had never sanctioned its distribution.
Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ and says he has never been a Muslim.
His late father was from western Kenya, and Obama visited the country in 2006, attracting thousands of well-wishers. He was presented the white turban and wraparound white robe by a group of elders in Kenya, including Mohammed Hassan Mumin.
Mumin told a Kenyan newspaper in remarks published yesterday that he had presented similar clothing to several other leaders. If Bush came, "I could have dressed him the same as Barack Obama," Mumin told Kenya's independent daily The Nation.
In recent weeks, two volunteers on the Clinton campaign have had to resign after circulating e-mails falsely saying Obama was a Muslim and a threat to national security.
Obama's grandmother has said her late son was a Christian. Last month, Obama said his grandfather had converted to Christianity and then converted to Islam. "My father never practiced; he was basically agnostic," Obama said.
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Iraq veteran says policies of McCain would hurt US
WASHINGTON - Speaking on behalf of the Democratic Party, an Iraq combat veteran said yesterday that apparent GOP nominee John McCain should not win the presidential election because he would continue the war in Iraq.
Roger Martinez, who served as an Army ranger in Afghanistan and Iraq, noted in the Democrats' radio address that President Bush endorsed McCain this week. Bush said McCain "won't flinch in the face of danger" and McCain strongly supports US efforts in Iraq. Electing a leader who would continue Bush's policies in Iraq would be a mistake, Martinez said.
"Our country and our armed services can not afford another leader like President Bush who would keep our overstretched military in Iraq for 100 years while ignoring the other threats our country faces both at home and around the world," Martinez said.
McCain has said that US troops could be in Iraq for many years.
"I honor and thank John McCain for his years of military service to our country," said Martinez, who is studying at the University of Texas at San Antonio. "But I don't think he offers the right leadership on Iraq or understands how to reinvigorate our economy here at home."
McCain has acknowledged that he must convince voters of the wisdom of defense of the Iraq war.
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Lawmaker says terrorists would cheer Obama win
DES MOINES - An Iowa Republican congressman said Friday that terrorists would be "dancing in the streets" if Democratic candidate Barack Obama were to win the presidency.
Representative Steve King based his prediction on Obama's pledge to pull troops out of Iraq, his Kenyan heritage, and his middle name, Hussein.
"The radical Islamists, the Al Qaeda . . . would be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on Sept. 11 because they would declare victory in this war on terror," King said.
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