Clinton Volunteer Asked to Resign

DES MOINES, Iowa — Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign on Sunday requested the resignation of a second Iowa volunteer coordinator who forwarded a hoax e-mail saying Barack Obama is a Muslim possibly intent on destroying the United States.

Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ and says he has never been a Muslim, but false rumors attempting to tie him to Islamic jihadists are circulating on the Internet.

"Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential Candidacy," read the e-mail. "Please forward to everyone you know. The Muslims have said they Plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at The highest level."

The Clinton campaign has decried the rumors as offensive and outrageous, and last week forced volunteer Jones County coordinator Judy Rose to resign after learning that she forwarded a such an e-mail on Nov. 21. But it turns out Rose wasn't the only one.

Linda Olson, a volunteer coordinator in Iowa County, had forwarded a similar version on Oct. 5, without comment, to 11 people. One of the recipients was Ben Young, a regional field director for Democrat Chris Dodd's campaign, who provided a copy to The Associated Press on Sunday.

The Clinton campaign responded by asking for Olson's resignation.

"We've made our position on this crystal clear," said Clinton spokesman Mo Elleithee. "Our campaign does not tolerate this kind of activity or campaigning. As soon as it came to our attention, we asked this individual to step down."

Asked to explain why two people connected to the campaign would have forwarded similar e-mails and if the campaign was taking steps to find out if it's more widespread, Elleithee replied, "We communicated to all of our paid staff and volunteer leadership that the senator and the campaign have a zero tolerance policy for this type of activity."

Obama spokesman Bill Burton responded, "Iowans know garbage when they see it and it has no place in this race." Burton said Obama will focus on the debate over issues like health care, education and getting out of Iraq.

Rose has said she did not agree with the e-mail but was sending it to other area Democrats to show them how dirty politics was getting. Olson did not respond to an e-mail requesting comment.

(This version CORRECTS Corrects dateline to Des Moines, Iowa)

Comments

[mamacat]

Some advice to all of the candidates:
please avoid negative campaigning, unless you have something important that can withstand careful scrutiny. Name calling isn't good enough.
I will decide my vote based on the candidates' views on issues, and on character.
Thank You.

[waitomo]

How does one force a volunteer to resign? Only Hillary's desperate campaign could screw that up. Can you say Howard Dean?

[THEUNHEARDVOICE]

Let me see who's fear's is she playing with?And by doing this does she place Mr Obama family and himself in any harm by the crazy in america that beleive what they hear or are being told!Ms Clinton had a bomber at one of her campain headquaters.

[walterik]

There are many people who are religious, but do not practice COMMERCIAL religion. I believe that any religion is good, but the dumbest is the best. I don't want to speak about various different religous believes, but I would offer the opinion that CHRISTIANITY is the most fraudulant religion. There are two types of Christians, those who are smart, know how to lead the SHEEP and make noodles of money. There also those millions who are mentally challenged and pay for these frauds. The leaders of the church(es) are telling their flock to look forward to the time when they reach Heaven. In the meantime, the collection plate is running overtime for the sensual pleasures of Christian hierachi.
I judge people by their behavior, their credibility and their past performance. I don't care if anyone belongs to this church or that organization, is black, white, green or whatever. I don't voice an opinion as to the seriousness of the economical and ecological situation around the world. One thing is sure, it can't get much worse. For God sake, keep that Clinton woman out of office, or you wish you had.
W.

[Tremonius]

The Church of Christ that I remember back in Texas were of the considered opinion all other denominations were going straight to Hades when their lease is up because of such sins as playing organs in church. They glommed onto somebody named Paul and his injunction to them Thessalonians not to add anything to what he had told them, which is typical preacher pandering to hold the flock together, but the modern day disciples took it much too seriously. One chord on the big pipes and it's off you go.

I think some Muslims are more reasonable.

[metanoia2k]

Hillary Must be getting advise from Karl Rove!

This is out of the GOP playbook for the General Election if Obama gets nominated. Remember when Rove resigned his job with the First Idiot? There was a small mention that Rove has an Obama 2008 sticker on his car. Why? Precisely because Rove and the Dark Lords of the GOP plan to beat Obama through polarization, marginalization & voter suppression. Gee...I guess the same way George Bush got elected. Anyway...t­his was Rove's vision of how to beat Obama--and I thought that Unindicted Co-Conspirator was giving advice to Obama!

[Dalpine]

Rather than hating Hillary, I think many people find her unethical and desperately seeking control. Not a comfortable combo.

[Wanjiru]

...I hear a lot of race-based (sometimes even racist) comments surrounding Obama, his being black, etc...

...Obama is also half-white­...I wonder whether people's race-based views would be changed if they saw him for what he is; half-black and half-white­...


...just a thought...

.

[Wanjiru]

...I hear a lot of race-based (sometimes even racist) comments surrounding Obama, his being black, etc...

...Obama is also half-white­...I wonder whether people's race-based views would be changed if they saw him for what he is; half-black and half-white­...


...just a thought...

.

[999theantiantichrist]

Oh yes, I can see it all now. Obama wants to destroy the United States. Buhwahahah­ahaa..
Sure, he has taken YEARS to get educated, run for office, raise a beautiful family and work within the system just so he can pull down the pillars of our society all around him and make America a wasteland.
Yep, I can see the logic in all that.

You should write a book. Dean Koontz can give you some lessons. You have a great nack for fiction writing.

On the other hand, maybe you are right. I see what the present admin. is doing with no opposition so I suppose Obama could just walk all over the constitution and turn the military against the american people and execute all religious leaders etc. etc. and we would do NOTHING to stop him...

Boy howdy... I need to get back on my meds...

[Truthortradition]

Wasn't Obama's Dad a Muslim? Doesn't that mean he has a Muslim heritage? Even if he never practiced the faith---that would make him a son of Muslim faith.
I've never written that Obama was a Muslim, just that his dad was a Muslim. there's a difference.
but I don't think people will miss this fact and it's not hard to add one plus one.

[fivecard]

"I don't mind taking hits on my record on issues, but when somebody starts throwing mud at least we can hope it's accurate." --Hillary Clinton

[mawrm]

Now we're learning the source of those Obama-Muslim e-mails. And no surprise, it wasn't the Republicans but the Hillary Clinton campaign. Folks have been saying for WEEKS that they believed that it was the Hillary campaign behind the smear and they've been proven RIGHT! So much for Clinton's projection of other candidates doing the mud-slinging and using Republican smear tactics when her campaign has bar none the biggest smear and attack machine going. Of course, in the bizarre logic of the Clintonians, they will claim they ought to be given wide kudos for kicking this person off their campaign. Hillary Clinton is continually showing herself to be the WORST contender across the entire field of Democratic presidential candidates.
Anyone But Clinton '08

[otispfudpucker]

Hillary Clinton Might Be the Least Electable Democrat
http://www.alternet.org/story/69916