Obama launches website against 'smears'
Barack Obama has fought rumors for months now -- that he's a secret Muslim, that he won't say the Pledge of Allegiance, and some so scurrilous or ridiculous that they shouldn't be dignified with being repeated.
The presumptive Democratic nominee apparently has had enough -- especially after a rumor that says a video exists of his wife Michelle excoriating "whitey."
It is the top item in a new website his campaign has launched, fightthesmears.com, that tries to debunk the rumors.
"The truth: No such tape exists," it says on the website, whose existence was first reported by Time magazine. The "whitey" rumor first circulated on conservative blogs just before the final Democratic primaries on June 3. Obama was asked about it on his campaign plane last week, and it has since been mentioned in places as diverse as Rush Limbaugh's radio show and Maureen Dowd's column in the New York Times.
“The Obama campaign isn’t going to let dishonest smears spread across the internet unanswered. Whenever challenged with these lies we will aggressively push back with the truth and help our supporters debunk the false rumors floating around the internet. This website is an action center that allows supporters to upload their address books and send emails to all of their friends. It’s not enough to just know the truth, we have to be proactive and fight back,” campaign spokesman Tommy Vietor said in a statement this morning.
When asked about the "whitey" rumor last week, Obama told reporters, "It is a destructive aspect of our politics right now. And simply because something appears in an e-mail, that should lend it no more credence than if you heard it on the corner. And you know, presumably the job of the press is to not go around and spread scurrilous rumors like this until there's actually anything, one iota of substance or evidence that would substantiate it."
The website also addresses the Muslim and pledge rumors, and one that his books contain racially incendiary remarks.
UPDATE: Late this afternoon, the campaign posted on the new website a copy of Obama's birth certificate from Hawaii, to disprove claims by conservative bloggers that he was hiding something about his name or place of birth.
It's Obama's site...he can say anything he wants. Doesn't make it true
The newsmedia likes Obama too much. Many members of the press who irresponsibly secretly support Obama and let their biases subtly out in their reporting are giving reporters a bad rap.
He may say he isn't a muslim but muslims certainly believe he is one of them.
Doesn't make it true? Yeah, because he's a Muslim, terrorist, white-hater. Sure.
It certainly doesn't make it true if the conservative drug addict Rush says it's so. I have watched all my life at the Republican "down & dirty" campaigns - I'm an Independent who will vote for Obama with hope and enthusiasum!
As are where these rumors are appearing. Rush and Dowd can say whatever they want to. Doesn't make that true either.
Let's see somebody disprove anything on this site.
Of course the "Whitey" Trinity Womans' Conference AT THE SHERATON DVD's don't exist... anymore.
At least, that's what Karl Rove promised Obama, isn't it? When he called those contractors to find all the copies those gay young men in Trinity were running off for Reverend Wright to save the cost of a pro duplication house? You know, the dead young men including choir director Young?
But I'm not totally accurate. Rove did save one copy, under lock and key, and will be debuting it at the GOP convention, and after that will be running it in political ads 24/7 the entire month of September.
So Obama and his campaign are not liars; merely fools.
But if Rush Limbaugh says it then it's true... I see where your mind is. You would think at this day and age we would know better to move beyond these kind of things.
@ O2184, Disproving a rumor is actually very difficult, as you yourself have just proven mr./ms. 02184. Your comment is along the lines of, "So, when did you stop beating your wife?"
What are you supposed to do when someone spreads a scurrilous rumor, mr./ms. 02184?
how did that work for McCain in 2000 when the Bush team spread the rumor that he had an illegitimate child? See what I mean?
Rumors are easy to make up. Hard to dispell and if you repeat them often enough, they stick in the psyche and refuse to leave.
Wouldn't you prefer to know the truth and not be subject to such insidious manipulation?
It is great to have two candidates for president who are committed to debating issues, as both McCain and Obama have stated. I am tired of all the lame untrue rumors that are perpetuated by the press. Yeah, as a previous person noted, it is Obama's site. But don't you think he would shoot himself in the foot if evidence to the contrary showed up? It would be political suicide to post anything false on his new fightsmears.com website. He is being held accountable, even if the likes of Rush Limbaugh and company are not.
It's about time someone did something to put a stop to all this foolishness that people are spreading around the Net about our next president.
yeah...in the words of his campaign spokesman...."the false rumors floating around the internet." That can go both ways...
Another example of the differences between the Dems and the Repubs: Obama uses the Internet to raise awareness and bring in a new generation of voters while the Repubs use their sheep to post incendiary comments and lies in blogs and news articles.
Maybe the people working for Obama and this new website should take some time and READ Obama's books before making some of the ridiculous comments they've already put in print. All this website is going to do is bring some of the most obscure aspects of his life to the forefront. For those who blindly believe Obama is as pure as the freshly fallen snow, this reinforcement will make them very happy. For the rest of us who would like to know as much as possible about the person who may be the next president of the United States, the website will not be a source of meaningful information, that's for certain.
Idiot ! What is true -the rumors you guys have benn concoting since this whole thing started?
It seems Americans will believe all sorts of rumors without checking ANY facts,,so this is a SMART way to check,,as well as SNOPES.com for actual info of all sorts,,!
People : STart reading!!! Ignorance is embarassing!!
Thank god. After what Bush, Cheney & Rove did to John Kerry a veteran who served with distinction in Vietnam. How will we ever explain to our children how Bush, a proud member of the National Guard charged with keeping the skies over El Paso safe during the Vietnam War, Dick "I had better things to do"Cheney five deferments, and Karl "fatbody" Rove, managed to defame a man who earned a bronze star and three purple hearts over military service is beyond me. It's almost as stupid as HIllary's attempt, along with John McCain, to paint Obama as "elitist."
Yes, a white mom and a black dad in the 1970s. Wow, that put you directly in the forefront of society back then. Obama's educational achievements are amazing given the societal glass ceiling that existed to keep him down.
How can we elect a man, McCain, who gleefully admits that he doesn't know anything about economics? Really, what has he been doing all of those years on Capitol Hill. He could've at least taken an extension course.
Number 1. He's muslim, i am not judgmental, but he practices a religion that is in constant conflict with itself and others in other countries.
#2. He will NOT say the pledge of allegiance. Let me repeat that,
He will NOT say the pledge of allegiance. That should be all the proof you need to know in making a decision concerning who to vote to run a nation that flys the American flag in which we all have pledged at one point in time in our lives. He is not willing to say a pledge that this great(although ill-run by so many politicians) nation was established on by our forefathers.
Doesn't make the emails true either, you idiot.
Yes it's Obama's site! Doesn't mean he is lying.
Yeah, but the facts tend to make it true...
And all the other crap that idiots such as Rush Limbaugh spout off about Obama are making up lies about him. The thing is they are just talking heads, he is actually backing up his statements. Notice the little truth sections below the lies, in huge letters a 1st grader could read?
yeah, but just because some random conservative idiot says it, and rush (non-random conservative idiot) repeats it, doesn't make it true either.
empirical evidence. show me the unaltered video footage, or the un-expurgated text of the message, and maybe I will give it some credibility.
credibility is earned by being accurate, and should not be questioned merely because of self-interest.
that said, self-interest is rightly an unacceptable substitute for evidence.
It is time we stop politics of smear, fear and destruction. The same game was played on John Kerry's "Swift Boat". We all deserve to know the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth (so help me God). If we have questions or doubt about any candidate, a town hall meeting is the best forum to ask and be told the correct answer. And if one is still in doubt, the internet is out there where one can get all information about practically anything. Obama go for the website and tell us all about you.
It's like the "swift boat" type articles. That doesn't make it true. If in doubt, do some research. That is unless you are a true republican, then accept anything people say about a Democrat as truth and end up with Bush 3. Have your phones bugged. Have your emails read. Go to Gitmo and stay for life without right to appeal , have high gas and food prices and hundreds others. Let's not forget going to war without a reason. Some might say a reason based on lies. Teach your son and daughter english by a Yale graduate. I don't have time to list all the favorite ones.
If anything Obama's site ever distorts the truth at all, the McCain campaign will leap on him and you'll see it all over the news, so I think this web site can be trusted.
Also, I think it's hard for the Obama campaign to fake the television footage they use as evidence, unless someone on his campaign can do a really good Roger Stone impression.
As can almost ANYONE say whatever they want. Just because a story is reported by a (often critically biased) talk-show host or on a blog does not mean it is the truth. It's quite sad to watch people who seem to be looking for ugliness to believe and who do nothing to check the veracity of a report before they eagerly pass it on.
This is the best they can do? Make up false statements. I guess this is the republicans way. Either you attack her and it backfires...which it will and Obama wins, or you take the high road and Obama wins :) but for real attacking his wife with lies is something that you should do so that everyone can see, even more, how you can distract and waste peoples time instead of fixing the mess you created.
this will be a great addition to www.snopes.com, Politifact.com, and factcheck.org. Hopefully it will be faster.
I love rebutting the LYING RACISTS SOBs who send the e-mails BUT the damn things are out there.
It amazes me the ignorance of so many in the US. What I dont understand is that you will believe the information sent over the internet to bash the man but his side of it is bs. I am not voting for Obama but NOT because he is black or the stupid rumors. Im NOT because I dont back his policies.
Americans seem to be so fin lazy fools. Too lazy to actually take the time to read. Read more than one opinion or source.
Do you people actually believe that he would be where he is today if any of that was true!!! omg!
This country is so hung up on what the other guy is doing there is no way in hell he would be able to hide any of that over the years! I shake my head in disgust.
And any video can be edited to say what the attacker wants. Look at the movies! There are people that experienced in editing videos.
Right, 02184, just go ahead and trust what you see in forwarded emails. I mean, we shouldn't let something like a man coming to his own defense get in the way of our opinions, right?
Kudos to Obama. The only way to counter the vicious right-wing attack machine is to meet it head-on, full force as it happens.
What makes his website more creditable than any others?
He can say what he wants on his new website, but why do these rumors persist?
As they say, "Where there is smoke....!
Need to go to the Website. Pretty damning evidence against the right smear campaign. I'm book marking it. These are outright lies, no interpretations.
Yes, it does make it True, if they are lies back by clear and unrefutable evidence, such as the person making the lie recanting it, as happens in more than one case. Of pictures, or sources that aren't attributable to the Obama Campain.
It's Obama's site...he can say anything he wants. Doesn't make it true
It is a sad commentary on America that people like this exists. I will hold out hope that you are just a Republican that wants to stir the pot, because the alternative is so depressing. I have watched Fox News, and seen Hannity talk about how Obama does not "connect" with a certain type of voter. Well I wish they would just say what it is...pure and simple, old-fashion uneducated southern racism. I don't intend to lump everyone in by that omission, but let's be real. When Fox interviews an elderly white women, and she states that she will never vote for a black man what else would you call it. When Fox/Hannity comes on the air with polling that states people won't vote for Obama because of his color...it's racism. Now, they will gloss over it, and say the Obama is not "connecting" with the voters in these areas, but it makes me sick everytime they say it. So what else do they do. Well they give people who are racists things to latch onto other than their obvious racism. We get things like Obama is a Musilim. Now they can say see, see, see...I am not voing for no Nig....oops...Musilim. I am saddened by this portion of the country. We have come so far now with Obama as the nominee for president, but his nomination also shows how far we have to go in certain portions of our country. So to Fox News & Sean Hannity, I say keep representing and promoting those "disconnected" voters. It tells me a lot about where your values lay. I hope the country is strong enough to overcome you, but I have my doubts.
Thanks,
Frank
White/Male/Independent Voter
then what makes these other smears true? the scale can't tip based on who says something, the truth is the truth regardless of who speaks it.
everyone said how Obama was naive for wanting to sit down and work out solutions with our enemies. Remember keep your friends close but your enemies closer. the only way to know what these guys are up to is thru talks. it would have saved 4000 American lives in Iraq if we had utilize talks instead of the infamous weapons of mass destruction lie the Bush administration used.
if you stop trying so hard to invent something on Obama you may have time to look at what McCain wants to continue in the failed policies of George Bush.
It is shameful that any major news outlet be it a magazine, news daily or website would even mention something derogatory without at least locating one, credible source while referring to the tidbit as "a rumor." Sounds like a desparate attempt to "scare" those who don't bother to read beyond racy National Enquirer type headlines. Must be an appeal once again to "hard working American voters"
^^No it doesn't make it true but these rumors are all unproven
It's the Internet...everyone can say anything they want. Doesn't make it true.
Its coming from Rush Limbaugh and other talking heads in MSM. Doesn't make it true.
Obama is simply stating the truth on a website so that silly playground rumours aren't perpetuated
BHO is a leftist liberal product of corrupt Chicago politics who hypocritically preaches all kinds of platitudes for others but in his public life has failed to demonstrate with his own actions. What happened to his “Old Uncle Wright”- dumped! – His church of 20 years – dumped! A real steady guy. He will do and say whatever it takes to get the prize. The history of his political rise in Chicago is ugly. His record in the Illinois legislature and later in the US Senate contains absolutely nothing but a record of doing what is politically expedient. BHO is a product of “Old Line Politics”. :”Change”:- into what? . Judge a man by his actions not his words
Obama is nothing but a radical and a liar.
The "whitey" rumor is definitely not true. That is a fact.
Well I guess you can only expect him to debunk the false rumors on this site. The true ones will be left up to others.
Right , but who's website would you trust? Karl Rove's about Obama? You can say that about anyone's website. Research and you will know! Not only on Obama's!
It's just like Wikipedia. You can put anything in there, but the content is not necessarily true. However, it does make it easier for people to check the "facts" for accuracy, as they are in print. You can slip a lie past a group in a town hall meeting, but try slipping a lie past the whole world on the Internet... Better be on your toes if you plan to address the real issues and debunk the "myths" in a universally-public forum, Obama.
Bah, who are we kidding? He will hire staffers to maintain the site and conveniently chastise and fire them publicly if/when he is caught lying in that venue. It's the backbone (or lack thereof ) of the new political landscape.
Can snopes.com help in debunking rumors?
@02184
You're kidding right? How does this sound "It's Limbaugh's radio show...he can say anything he wants. Doesn't make it true."?
People with such a stunning lack of curiosity make me fear for our country.
Go to youtube.com and type in "McCain flip flop." That stuff is all true.
Obama's site actually can't lie, because if it did he would be caught in the lie and it could cost him the election. There is no doubt that Republicans will be monitoring the site for anything they could challange and use against him, so the site can not "say anything it wants."
The first comment on this article above is, well, both obvious and worthless. This commenter seems to imply that no matter what a man says to debunk some lie about him, the commenter would prefer to believe the lie. That is plainly irrational. There's not too much that Obama or anyone can do to win over someone like that.
Obama can do nothing wrong, all the 20 years in the church were just a dream..come on give us a break
"He can say what he wants on his new website, but why do these rumors persist?
As they say, "Where there is smoke....!"
Somebody is trying to blow smoke up your butt
Whats has been truly amazing about this political seasons is all of the republican sock puppets who show up to comment and every single political article. Kudo's to the republican political machine for being organized and efficient in this dimension of political debate, but lets hold out hope that normal people can see through this copy and paste FUD. What we have here is prob. 15-20 college republicans who are paid to scour the internet all day for blog and newpaper stories and then smear Obama or any other non pro republican story with misinformation.
Don't let yourself be fooled. Read everything yourself and make your own opinions people.
Really? I mean, even if EVERY ONE OF THESE RUMORS was true, this would still probably make Obama the cleanest candidate around for decades. "Oh my god, he doesn't say the pledge!"
False of course, but even if it were true... so? This is along the lines of Carter's "impure thoughts" controversy. When the worst thing you can say about someone is that they don't start their day the same way Kindergarteners do, I think we can move on to bigger things.
Unless you think the pledge of allegiance is going to lower our gas prices...
I'm for no more smear tactics its time for CHANGE the way we do politics.Again I'm suggesting eliminating Party Politics its the root of all evil doings and evil doers in government.Obama you pick Romney and you John Mccain pick Liberman and thats the way it should go from now on,unite the country that is very divided.Remember the wisdom of King Solomon and the two women both claims as the real mother of the baby? the only solution and the smartest king Solomon was able to determine the real mother is to divide the baby in half with the sword.This country is heading the wrong way with Party Politics its time to cut it off and truly unite by the nominees of both Parties selecting their VPs from opposite sides.
Mud Slinging and Negative Campaigning are not new, and The American Public tends to be gulible. What is new and Powerfull, is the Internet, and anybody can put anything on it. I suggest, Look Both Ways Before Crossing The Street.
Do the Republicans really want to drag the candidates' wives into this? If they do they had better get ready for a long discussion of Cindy McCain's past drug abuse and the fact that she stole her drugs from a charity. Somehow I think the party of Traditional Family Values might be smarter to pass up this chance to attack someone else's wife.
This very page is an excellent example of the kind of nasty rumors and lies being circulated on the internet. Partisan extremists too cowardly to put any of this forth under their own names, these people should be working in the old Politburo. They are a disgrace to every high principle this nation can be proud of. Slinking cravens who lack the spine, wit and evidence for open public debate with honor, they resort to spreading filth from the shadows. I spit on them as traitors. They are no countrymen of mine.
I have seen photos of Obama not having his hand on his heart during the pledge. Everyone else in the photo did. Maybe he is smart enough to not do that all the time, but for a man running for president, once is enough.
The Neo-cons are cowards. That is why they can't tallk about the issues.
Coincidental how other candidates do not find themselves having to say they are not Muslim. Why does Obama? What is so bad about being a Muslim? Why does Obama fear being associated with Islam?
This kind of swiftboating makes it easy for indies to vote for him and not for McCain. I do not believe McCain is in any way behind this garbage but his fellow travellers are. A sound thrashing in November should bring home to Republican zealots that this type of vile Rovian propaganda will no longer be tolerated by the American people.
Oh man. I find it hilarious when people bring up "Obama won't say the Pledge of Allegiance". Dear God in Heaven, he TAUGHT CONSTITUTIONAL LAW. Say what you want about Obama, but methinks he's forgotten more about what this country is based on than any of you mouthbreathers have learned your entire lives.
I served as a 19D in both Afghanistan and Iraq, and I put a lot more stock in how one LIVES their life, than an empty oath. Go back, read your Bill of Rights, research the Founders, and try to actually grasp their intent and meaning. Maybe, just maybe, you'll actually understand what our country stands for. But probably not.
I believe little of what Obama says. The Democrat Party is seriously out of touch with mainstream America anyway. I don't particularly like McCain, but I'm voting for him. My vote is a vote for anybody but Obama. Obama is going to lose this election by the biggest landslide in U.S. history. You wait and see.
THIS JUST IN: previous poster, 02184, spread scabies to half the male population of cleveland, ohio.
it's in print, so it must be true!
at least obama will not let the smears go uncontested. news agencies will have the option of seeing if obama denies each rumor.
i am amazed. it is very difficult to read some of the back woods, snaggle-toothed, greasy haired, pimply faced redneck comments that are posted here. some of you folks are the most ill informed people i have read comments from. i cant even comment on the trash because it is so ludicrous. i wish i had a magic wand that would clear your clouded judgements so that you could see the light, even the white light. knuckleheads.....
Why do you people keep voting against yourselves. John McCain will will tell you straight out that he will continue with the NAFTA policy that is taking away our jobs. Don't you people see what is going on. McCain is trading our jobs for oil. We get oil from Canada and McCain gives them our jobs. We get oil from Mexico and McCain gives them our jobs, and like bush, let's Mexicans cross the border and take American jobs. China gives us money to fight a war for oil, and we give them American jobs. Guess who has to pay back all that money to China. We do. Guess where all the money went that was in the Social Security fund, that people paid into there whole lives for retirement. It went to Bushes war for oil. When we get all this oil guess who makes all the money on it. Bush McCain and the oil companies. Are you sure McCain is your buddy. Wake up people, before our country is in the toilet.
@Gary Utely,
Have you read either book? Maybe YOU should read his books before coming on this site making a complete fool of yourself. If you don't have time to read the books, please visit the website where all of the so-called negative passages appear in full and in the correct context. Then come back and comment. You anti Obama people are 50% racists and 30% morons. Only about 20% of you actually disagree with his position on the issues. The issues should be what draws you to a canidate. Not a bunch of silly rumors. THAT IS A MAJOR REASON WHY THIS COUNTRY IS IN THE STATE IT'S IN NOW.
I WOULD NOT VOTE FOR YOU BARACK
YOU ARE AN OBAMINATION!
Barack the OBAMINATION!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1) A great deal of intelligence can be invested in ignorance. ~Saul Bellow
2) Genuine ignorance is... profitable because it is likely to be accompanied by humility, curiosity, and open mindedness; whereas ability to repeat catch-phrases, cant terms, familiar propositions, gives the conceit of learning and coats the mind with varnish waterproof to new ideas. ~John Dewey
3) If ignorance is bliss, why aren't there more happy people? ~Author Unknown
Obama 2008!!!
Well lets look at BHO's score card...Reverend Wright...(not my kind of man anymore..only for 20 years) the bomber that was on his list as a "good friend" and adviser... The fund raiser who is indicted for fraud and on his list of friends, the member of his group to select a V.P. guilty of taking lots and lots of money from "Countrywide" ,(now dropped out so not to hurt BHO)... 'My wife didn't mean what she said", so "lay off of her", doesn't it seem he does a lot of explaining ?..."no I won't go head to head with McCain in Town Hall meetings", WONDER WHY.? .It is hard to lie in person..
This is not fiction, this is real.. My Question, .....who else will we find that is influential in his background..?. and will we find out AFTER he is in office?
The problem here is that you've got republicans looking for demons under every rock and what they need to do is to stop thinking out of their racist drawer and open their Christian drawer and remember the promises therein. Shame on Rush. I know he broke all sorts of drug laws when he went through his drug thing not too long ago but did the existing government decide not to put him in jail where he belongs (you know like everyone else) and instead let his prison be his radio program serving the aims and goals of the government puppeteers degrading decent folk. He used to be somewhat balanced and now he mouths off like he's really something and we all know something is really nothing. Shame on him
Let he who is without sin.....
I appreciate what he's trying to do, but disproving rumors on a website controlled by you does nothing to disprove them. There's no way to put forth proof that these things didn't happen.
Then again, with these rumors, there's rarely proof that they are true, either.
Give me a video, or a speech, or something with him screwing up or sticking his foot in his mouth, and I'll believe it. Until then, the fault lies with rumor mongers who like to continue spreading them because it makes for interesting conversation and diverts attention from the serious political questions we should be asking both McCain and Obama.
I only wish more people had common sense to avoid banal hearsay.
When an unsubstantiated rumor sent in email is reported as creditable by supposedly reputable news organizations, there's something wrong with our system. You folks who criticize this site and this story clearly haven't taken the time to read the site. It's not spinning. It's not making blanket denials. It's refuting these rumors with fact. If you don't believe the denials, the burden is on the accusers and the supposed reputable news organizations to back up these rumors with proof. Produce the video tape or shut up. And folks who say that if the rumors persist, there must be an element of truth to them, it's that sort of idiocy that makes these smears worthwhile.
hey
I think we should all take the time to read both of Barack Hussien Obama's books (or self proclamations on how hard his life was as an IV League educated somewhat African American how great thow are junior senator from Illinois). With the price of gas and food though...I would recommend that you check them out of the library.
Dean wrote:
"Another example of the differences between the Dems and the Repubs: Obama uses the Internet to raise awareness and bring in a new generation of voters while the Repubs use their sheep to post incendiary comments and lies in blogs and news articles."
Oh, Obama is so noble and no one on the left ever uses the internet for anything incendiary, right? Have you ever read Daily Kos, Huffington Post, et al. Posting incendiary comments and lies is pretty much in their mission statement. I keep seeing people write how dirty the Republicans are and how they are spreading lies. Then I hear these other folks shouting "McBush and his war criminal buddies want 100 years of war" and misrepresenting nonsense like that all over the place. Even Obama has picked up on the "McBush" thing from the net and is adding that to his bag full of tricks. Of course this presidential campaign is going to get dirty, but enough of this trying to act as if things are so much different with the left. Seems like there is an "ends justify the means" mentality on the left that allows them to feel they are righteously justified to play dirty politics. But when the right does it, its McBush and the Repubs back to their old dirty tricks. This is politics, no more screaming "racism" and "dirty tricks", just get it through your head that this is politics and the campaign is just now heating up.
America! Wake up! Obama is naive and inexperienced. That is why is flip-flops. Obama lost badly towards the tail end of the Democratic primary campaign. He is not the man to lead the US.
facts you cannot refute
1. typical big gov't tax and spend extremist liberal (word socialist comes to mind)
2. complete lack of experience to be President of the US, one of the most powerful countries in the world (???)
....if this was CEO position w/ a fortune 500, then Obama would not have even been called for an interview!!!! Come on....his lack of experience is laughable.....for this job?????
Joshua wrote "Dear God in Heaven, he TAUGHT CONSTITUTIONAL LAW"
He also majored in international relations, which he cites as his main foreign policy experience. I can't believe this country is dumb enough to think that experiences from a college classroom could be relevant experience for commander-in-chief and what equates to CEO of the biggest company in the world. Oh, so all I had to do in my interviews after college is cite my collegiate record as experience and offer "change they could believe in" and they would have offered me CEO instead of an entry-level position. Sounds stupid, huh, well how much sense does it make for us to elect an entry-level applicant to CEO of the USA.
I would like to find every one of you stupid, brain dead morons, both for and against Obama, and T-bag you all. Not a single one of you uses more then 3 brain cells in an average thought. Everything from "Obama is the great savior" to "Obama is the devil" is all I hear. God forbid you had to actually think, do real research, and make your own decision without your (church, political party, nanny) to tell you which one is good.
I would like to see some of you actually have to make an independent decision once in your pathetic lives.....Your brains would probably explode in your heads from the strain of thinking.
hey Sabaka....who's the racist now??????????????????????????????
are you really that stupid??....read you comment you idiot !! You are bashing people for being racist by racist remarks.....put down the crack pipe.
to buck monroe:
Take a look at this link for the history of the Pledge of Allegiance...you might find it interesting.....although, just because it's on the web, doesn't make it true!
http://history.vineyard.net/pledge.htm
Obama: "Change." To what? A depot always hides truth with deceit .
Read; Mein Kampf. What is Obama's hidden agenda? Is Obama the Anti-Christ?
Is it true Obama is not a US citizen by birth??? I thought you had to be born in the US to become president???
Why is Obama so secretive? What agenda is he hiding?
A liar never looks anyone in the eye..... Watch Obama when he speaks.
I think Obama would be one of the best Presidents we have ever had. Unfortunately, comments like the ones being expressed validate my concern for the safety of the Obama family. History reveals what racism toward African-Americans is like and speaks to the torture that we suffered. There's a group of people who want to believe the lies about his "un-patriotic" behavior etc, because it serves as some way of soothing their psyche about the prejudices they harbor within. Truth is not always an easy pill to swallow.
Obama is glib and charming but that doesn't mean he's fit to be President. Obama doesn't understand why raising the capital gains tax REDUCES revenue to the government (his proposed tax increases suggest that he doesn't understand).
Obama spent 20 years in a white-hating church and some of the ranting sermons had to rub off on him and on his wife, too.
Whether Obama is a closet Muslim is a stretch, but I don't trust this man on so many levels that it doesn't matter to me. If you liked Jimmy Carter, you'll love Obama.
Why do people trash one party Dem or Rep and then say they are independant like the above Posted by Jeanne Thayer.
How stupid do you think people are? As stupid as the media says we are?
Not to pick on you Jeanne too many Republicans do the same and claim to be independant. You are a Democrat deal with it. Now if you said both parties dirty tactics you might be independant.
Maybe because it is embarrasing to be a member of either party?
That is my take, both parties are corrupt and neither cares about anything except power and money for themselves and friends.
I agree with Jesse Ventura we need to add to every ballot the choice for None Of The Above
It will never happen because that choice would win most elections.
I want to bring this issue up. I am an independent and was leaning towards Obama until I heard and read somewhere about these issues:
1) I don't understand why Obama cannot produce or show his birth certificate. Could it be true that he is not a U.S. Citizen.
2) Pledge of Allegiance. Every U.S. citizen should be memorized and know this by heart. This is your pledge to your country. I know I had to say it when I became a U.S. Citizen. If Obama cannot pledge his allegiance to this country then why should we let him lead us.
3) Muslim will always be a muslim. The same Muslims that hated our way of life.
VOTERS... Please think carefully who you vote for. The results could lead us to either a better life or the other way around.
IS OBAMA THE MAN WE KNOW ?
The Baptist Preacher man is on a roll. He has 2 years experience in the Senate. No problem, the dude has charisma, that'll sway Vladimir Putin of Russia. Baggage and bad judgment? Hey, Wright, Rezko, Ayers, Pfleger, and Johnson - those were not the men he thought he knew.. Guts? he didn't want to appear a woman-basher, that's why he refused further debate with Clinton. $2000 tax breaks? Well Bush bought his way in first, didn't he? By the way, his pastor friend and mentor of 20 years, the racist reverend Wright gave Farrakhan a life-time achievement award? Hey now really, that's guilt by association, I just gave his church $500 per week as a gesture of good faith. Me a Muslim? I only studied the Koran for 2 years, no big deal. My statement in my book "I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race." makes me a racist? Now there you go again, pulling the race card... I'm an elitist? Look here now, my San Francisco remark about small town people was just a slip of the tongue during a private meeting, and the "Sweetie remark" to a stranger was just a thing I do, no offense intended. I'd probably do the same to the Queen of England. Obama light, the voice of change - with the wind, that is.
There is no stronger evidence of unpatriotic intent than the use of rumor, name-calling and inuendo to question the motives of another. It makes a mockery of this democracy in which so many lives were lost to defend free speech in the hope that it would lead to equality, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
If you keep throwing dirt some of it will stick, especially if you repeat it often enough. The good thing is that Obama is moving aggressively to counteract the lies (unlike Kerry). The only people who will give this credence are the hard right and the functionally illiterate. Coming this early in the campaign it suggests panic in the GOP ranks. Although Obama will take the high road the far right need to understand they are playing with a two edged sword. Maybe we can start a campaign exposing Limbaugh for the lying hypocritical a** he is. If he is defending himself maybe he will think twice before sounding off.
Hi everyone, I'm a republican and I'd rather be afraid of what I don't know,than legitimately fear the things I do. I'm a goddamn moron.
Im so glad Obama set this Fight the Smear site up. People on blogs just make stuff up. Like, Michelle Obama is on a tape, that I don't have but know someone I do know that has a tape of her saying whitey. When I heard that on conservative talk radio, I thought to myself, well what if I know someone who has a tape of McCain saying the N word. These crazy smear campaigns work. Thats why I'm so glad that we have a photo of Obama putting his hand on the bible. I'm glad he is swinging back. Sometimes we democrats, pretend that we are above it all to respond. Obama knows better. Obama 08
@ comment # 61 (Tom)
The picture you are referring to was taken during the national anthem - not the pledge of allegience.
Many people do not put their hand over their heart during the national anthem.
Get educated, my friend, before you smear - your email shows the need for the anti-smear campaign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPT6edfURTI&feature=related
Here's a clip debunking other rumors:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dljboY5t2Dw
P.S. Knowledge is power!
I predicted this would happen all along. The Republicans play dirty and Obama is a sitting duck. Another reason why the Democrtats should have voted for Hillary. Politics is a nasty business and I blame all the naieve Obama supporters for putting McCain in the White House!
Everyone is making the assumption that all of these "smears" about Obama came from Republicans. Wasn't Hillary battling tooth and nail to beat this guy. Wasn't she the one that felt entitled to the Democratic nomination only to see this upstart come in and ruin her coronation party. I won't say that the Republicans didn't start some of these "rumors" but I have no doubt that most of them came from the Clinton campaign. They all came out during the heat of Democratic primary battle. There really wasn't much of a reason for Republicans to release these assertions during that time.
And I use quotes around smears and rumors because it still remains to be seen whether some of them are false or not. I am not implying that they are true but I haven't been convinced they aren't either.
The Obama Camp’s “anti-smear” mechanism is nothing short of an authoritarian means of using informants and thugs to harass people exercising their freedom of speech. For months now, bloggers have been harassed and even personally threatened by Obama supporters for expressing any anti-Obama thoughts, including those based on undisputed facts or merely the expression of support for Senator Clinton.
But now, with this new effort, Obama has taken this harassment into the realm of fascist, communist, maoist and ba’athist strategies for quelling political dissent and free speech. What Obama has done is essentially to create a database for his supporters (informants) to submit information about bloggers exercising their constitutional rights. Obama, if elected as President, will come into office with his own private army of informers and his own private database of critics and “enemies.”
If he were President now, would this act be considered legal? No, it would clearly violate the Constitution. So, why doesn’t he demonstrate how “presidential” he really is by shutting it down immediately. Obama has shown his true colors — a liberal fascist. As someone else recently wrote, we are now witnessing liberal McCarthyism.
Americans should be outraged and the press should be ashamed for propping up this false idol.
I wasn't aware of any these statements until I read the Obama web site. If there are that many different rumors out there about him then some of them must be true. Where there's smoke, there's fire I always say.
I know what I am. I don't know what Obama is.
I'll continue to cling to my guns and religion here in major swing state PA, thank you.
I've ALWAYS been proud of my country....not just when my spouse is elected to office.
I DO know the Pledge of Allegiance.
I'm NOT embarrassed to wear my country's flag pin.
I've ALWAYS been a Christian.
My minister of 20+ years is NOT a hate-spewing racist.
I DO NOT party with terrorists who have bombed the Pentagon and are proud of it.
I am NOT an elitist liberal.
When I receive one of those absurd, stupid, hateful emails; I immediately go to the Obama website and make a donation.
I then forward the donation acknowledgment note to the sender of the sick email.
In the past, I would have ignored these hateful emails. Now, I feel that I have to make an individual protest and do whatever I can to combat them.
Sending the acknowledgment as a cc to all the recipients is probably a little too much.
This guy is a fake. Anti-American. Since the US can't be destroyed from the outside the enemies are trying to destroy it from the inside. We're going to get what we ask for. IF he's elected we can say "bye" "bye" to america.
I have to say.... after the way the Christians have destroyed our country, I hope Obama is secretly Muslim.
As to the other stuff - unfortunately, people are going to believe whatever they want. People who are determined to dislike a candidate will tenaciously hold onto rumors, no matter how often they're proven false. Sadly, it's just not worth the effort .
I have never come across a stupider group of people in my life. After reading some of the comments, I feel my IQ has fallen a good 20 points, fortunately it was high enough to start off with to keep me well above the vast majority of posters here.
Sofia: spreading rumors about people that lack any factual basis isn't protected free speech. It's what we call "defamation of character." Yes, Obama is a public figure, and he has limited privacy, but that doesn't mean it's OK for me to say things like "John McCain rapes babies and blind nuns" when I know I just made it up.
Of course, no one would ever say such a thing if it weren't true, right? Because, after all, where's there's smoke....
Seriously, everyone, please - go learn to think for yourself.
I encourage people not to be too worried. Some of the people posting here are paid by the RNC to make blog posts and create some of the innuendo that Obama is combating.
Hey Buck - Nice Attempt to repeat more blogosphere bs... Get your facts straight.
"#2. He will NOT say the pledge of allegiance. Let me repeat that, He will NOT say the pledge of allegiance. "
REALLY? see Baltimore Sun posted video of Mr Obama doing exactly that in the Senate..http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/news/politics/blog/2008/06/john_mccain_barack_obama_patri.html
"Number 1. He's muslim, i am not judgmental, but he practices a religion that is in constant conflict with itself and others in other countries."
REALLY? a) He states unequivically he is a Christian, b) The fact most cites is that he lived in Indonesia when he was five - and age at which I'm willing to bet you were still struggling to walk and speak - hardly 'condeming him' as a Muslim, c) He's been attending a Christian church, raising his children as Christians for 20 years - ya know, the thing GOP hacks have been busy trying to spin into another scandal for the last six months (same guys who claimed McCain had illegitimate black shild).
So, leaving aside the fact we don't have religious qualifications / requirements for citizenship (nor for intelligence as you so wonderfully demonstrate), is it your assertion that he's a 'ninja imam'? a 'secret muslim'? Or maybe you're asserting (a la Michael Medved's wing nut radio show yesterday) that he's the "anti-christ"?
Good to see an informed member of the electorate.
Don't Matter What Lies Obama Says, He Is a Moslem By Birth , Not African Americanm As He Trying To Pull Off On The People . Long Time Democrat But Cant Vote For An arab For President. People Should Wake Up Before It's TOO Late. Artie
"Fight the Smears" isn't likely to convince people who are inclined to believe the worst about Obama that the rumors out there about him aren't true. But that's not the site's target audience. Instead, it is designed to make sure that people who haven't developed any hard and fast opinions about Obama don't make up their mind based on half truths and innuendo. In that, it is an innovative tool born of the necessity of the pace (and nastiness) of modern campaigns.
What I find amusing is that it is only a smear when it is done to your candidate. When your candidate does it, its exceptable.
McCain said on a news show that he saw America with troops in Iraq for 100 years, much in the same way we still have troops in Japan, Germany and Korea.
But Obama continues to say that McCain said he wanted "100 years of war".
Isn't that a smear? It is an intentional misquote at best and most likely a simple out right lie on Obama's part.. Why is it OK for Obama to do it?
Obama attacked McCain over his having dated a lobbyist. Obama said McCain was to close to lobbyist. But now we know Obama has a lobbyist working on his campaign staff; why is that OK?
So Obama can have a lobbyist around and remain uneffected, but a Republican can't? The co-chair of the DNC is also a federally registered lobbyist.
It is OK to attack McCain forhaving dated a lobbyist once; but to suggest that Obama or the DNC also are to close to lobbyist, nope that is a smear campaign!
Personally, I call it a double standard!
Is their anyone out there over 40 who remembers the Keating 5 Scandal. Is there anyone out there who remembers Cindy Mac stealing from her own charity, intimidating the doctor who caught her, and was sued by him. Who was the secretary of the Keating Corp. Cindy, and she conveniently "lost:" the books when the Feds came.
Why is the Media giving them a break while going after Michelle? It couldn't be because the Obamas are, uhhh. noo, it couldn't be that... bl...
I cast my first ballot for Ronald Reagan in 1984 and have voted Republican ever since. Over the last 30 years, the GOP has gone from a party of optimism and big ideas to one that increasingly appeals to fear and ignorance. Smears and demonization have replaced the "shining city on the hill." I am voting for Obama, as are other Republicans I know, because, while I disagree with him on a number of issues - as many Democrats did with Reagan in the 80's - he is not engaged in the politics of destruction and cynicism.
Republicans have to decide whether or not they are, fundamentally, pro-smear. I'm voting honesty and optimism.
I'm voting
'It's Obama's site...he can say anything he wants. Doesn't make it true"
--- Posted by 02184 June 12, 08 11:16 AM
----------
You are free to believe human colonies exist on the moon and keep repeating that like a parrot if you want. Believing what you want to believe, does not make it true either, don't prevent citizens from discovering the dishonest and lies.
McCain is an american hero who put his life on the line to defend America's way of life. Obama is a muslim who won't even put "hand to heart" during the Star-Spangled Banner. Only idiot college students and left wing activist have been smitten by him. He is a one term senator with not track record and he wants to lead the most powerful nation in the world. Heaven help us all.
Obama and Louis Farrakhan are blood brothers.
obama keep the fath,u will when cause you have what they dont,and that is god.i live in compton calif.and i would like to work for you when you come.and you will see that the peoples know that they (gop)are all lies.
I find it sad that children have to make their points by calling names and repeating garbage they have heard someone else spew. Sounds like the old game "gossip." Obama's books are intellectual and beautiful. He came from poverty, worked hard, learned to read, write, teach and care enough about his country to run for office so that he could make a difference in the lives of those caught up in slums and poverty.
In his book, "The Last Lecture" Randy Pausch advises us to "Look for the best in everybody. When you're frustrated with people, when they've made you angry, it just may be because you haven't given them enough time."
Don't smear me, don't say anything about my wife, I've answered that question 7 times, etc
Welcome to Politics Obama!!! What an elitist!!
Definition of Elitism is the belief or attitude that those individuals who are considered members of the elite — a select group of people with outstanding personal abilities, intellect, wealth, specialized training or experience, or other distinctive attributes — are those whose views on a matter are to be taken the most seriously or carry the most weight; whose views and/or actions are most likely to be constructive to society as a whole; or whose extraordinary skills, abilities or wisdom render them especially fit to govern
Posted by ATLCT : "He also majored in international relations, which he cites as his main foreign policy experience. I can't believe this country is dumb enough to think that experiences from a college classroom could be relevant experience for commander-in-chief and what equates to CEO of the biggest company in the world. Oh, so all I had to do in my interviews after college is cite my collegiate record as experience and offer "change they could believe in" and they would have offered me CEO instead of an entry-level position. Sounds stupid, huh, well how much sense does it make for us to elect an entry-level applicant to CEO of the USA."
I take it you're a Bush supporter, LOL. He's done great with all HIS "experience."
I know Obama was a muslim but can anyone confirm for me that Pastor Jeremiah Wright was also a muslim. Why doesn't the media report on these things?
"If you liked Jimmy Carter, you'll love Obama." Posted by iQuack