Obama Takes on Question of Faith

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Barack Obama is stepping up his effort to correct the misconception that he's a Muslim now that the presidential campaign has hit the Bible Belt.

At a rally to kick off a weeklong campaign for the South Carolina primary, Obama tried to set the record straight from an attack circulating widely on the Internet that is designed to play into prejudices against Muslims and fears of terrorism.

"I've been to the same church _ the same Christian church _ for almost 20 years," Obama said, stressing the word Christian and drawing cheers from the faithful in reply. "I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible. Whenever I'm in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. So if you get some silly e-mail ... send it back to whoever sent it and tell them this is all crazy. Educate."

Obama is referring to a debunked chain e-mail circulating widely on the Internet that suggests he is hiding his Islamic roots and may be a terrorist in disguise. It says he was sworn into the Senate on the Quran and turns his back on the flag during the pledge.

There are some truths in the e-mail's details. Obama's middle name is Hussein. His father and stepfather were Muslim. And he spent part of his childhood in Indonesia, a largely Muslim country. But he attended secular and Catholic schools, not a radical madrassa.

His campaign has been pushing back against the false rumors all year. His aides decried an incorrect news report that Obama was educated in a Muslim madrassa and a section of his Web site is devoted to correct that and other false rumors circulating on the Internet.

But they are stepping up the effort now that the campaign has hit South Carolina and soon turns to other southern states where religion is so important to voters. The campaign distributed an open letter from seven Jewish senators this weekend condemning the attacks; aides are planning an event this week to respond directly to the e-mails; and campaign representatives blanketed South Carolina churches Sunday with literature that touted Obama's Christian faith.

One piece features photos of Obama praying with the words "COMMITTED CHRISTIAN" in large letters across the middle. It says Obama will be a president "guided by his Christian faith" and includes a quote from him saying, "I believe in the power of prayer."

Story continues below

advertisement

A second piece, which like the first doesn't mention the Muslim rumor, includes photos of Obama with his family and a caption that says they are active members of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. It explains how as a young man Obama "felt a beckoning of the spirit and accepted Jesus Christ into his life."

Obama says he's going to fight harder against other mischaracterizations about his positions that he says are being perpetrated by rival Hillary Rodham Clinton and her husband, the former president.

"When I see Senator Clinton, President Clinton distort my words ... that is not a way to move the debate forward, that is not a way to help the American people," Obama said during his rally at the Columbia Convention Center. "I am not running for president just to become president, I'm running to help the American people. I'm not willing to say or do anything just to win an election."

The Clinton campaign suggested the former president would continue pointing out what it says are inconsistencies in Obama's record.

"President Clinton is a huge asset to our campaign and will continue talking to the American people to press the case for Senator Clinton," said Clinton spokesman Phil Singer.

Obama adviser Steve Hildebrand said the campaign has organized "truth squads" made up of South Carolina supporters ready to defend Obama's record from any attacks made by the Clintons this week.

In an interview broadcast Monday on ABC's "Good Morning America," Obama said the former president "has taken his advocacy on behalf of his wife to a level that I think is pretty troubling" by making statements that are not supported by the facts.

"This has become a habit, and one of the things that we're going to have to do is to directly confront Bill Clinton when he's making statements that are not factually accurate," Obama said.

The Clinton campaign responded to Obama's interview with ABC by posting a fact check on a campaign Web site in an effort to bolster Bill Clinton's arguments against Obama.

"We understand Senator Obama is frustrated by his loss in Nevada, but facts are facts," Singer said.

___

On the Net:

Obama site responding to Internet rumors about his faith:

http://tinyurl.com/ytt5jw

Comments

[amberglow]

Neither Hillary nor Obama are fighting for us--a pox on both of them. They're fighting each other so they can get power for themselves--and it's wrong.

Go Edwards-the only adult in the race.

[duboisist]

The nonsense about Barak Obama, Sr. and Sen. Obama's stepfather being "not all REALLY Muslim" is besides the point.
The real question for people who are progressive and open minded is, "What's so wrong with being Muslim that Sen. Obama feels the need to deny it?"

Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison IS A MUSLIM and he at least talked about taking his oath of office using the Koran instead of the Bible. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT.
Opposition to Muslim elected officials is WRONG and DISCRIMINATORY.
Does Sen. Obama defend the rights of Muslim Americans to be voters and elected officials or does he spend his time "clearing his name?"

[MajorKong]

Hmmmmm. I seem to remember reading something about "no religious test for public office" somewhere.

[godlessclif]

The caption to the photo should be "Obama holds hands with Negros."

[realitytrumpsbull]

Since we're talking about religion, politics and money(who would've guessed the LAST part), I'd like to take a minute to 'witness' about a guy whom I'll call 'larry'. It's not his real name, but I met this guy, and he presented himself as the picture of piety and all that, then he tried to rip me off for 300 bucks.
I got my money back, but like I say, the event stuck with me. Anyway, another thing 'larry' tried to do was be my 'buddy'. Anyone want to theorize how many more 'larry's there are, out there? My view is, you pick up that bible, or start wearing the Cloth('larry' claimed to be an Ordained Minister, too, never did get bona-fide credentials on that), or associating yourself with the Church, and you're doing it under false pretenses, you need to have your Jesus license YANKED, and be forced to compensate those you've defrauded. Organized religion=organized crime, as far as I'm concerned, and Larceny Larry is still running around out there, so if you see a guy with a big fake smile, trying to be your buddy, and he's oh, about 6 foot or so, dresses pretty nice, beware. He's a parasite. He's a pretty smart guy, too. My view is, there's probably a lot more like him.
Jesus is my buddy
Jesus is my pal
If you don't believe in Jesus
Then you can go to HAL

Keep one eye open while you're down on your knees, there, and one hand on your wallet.
People like 'larry' like to take advantage of honest, unassuming people. Larceny Larry, on the march for Je$u$...

[cynara]

Error in your post!!
"His father and stepfather were Muslim."

Incorrect, it was Obama's grandfather, not father, who was Muslim. His father was agnostic. According to Obama, his stepfather was also not highly religious and characterized him as a "non-practicing muslim".

(Its hard to correct false information if you don't check your facts...)

[ljsfolly]

The idea that the email is out there is bad but it is the robo calls in nevada who had the hussein middle name pushed to the forefront. My middle name makes me sound like a hillbilly and I am not a hillbilly. Just the bad luck to have a mother and father who were from the south and liked the combo names. Does a middle name make you a certain faith too? Obama makes me feel hope and gives me a breath of fresh air. Clintons do not. They make me think that the guy Penn is truly their rove and they will do/say anything to win the office. Bill is wanting his ego to get back to world size. I like and trust Gore more than the clintons and he won't support her either.

[apresdeluge]

Barack Obama may have called for a truce in the increasingly ugly war of words with Hillary Clinton, but it looks like the Chicago minister whom he has cited as his mentor and spiritual leader didn't get the message.

Speaking at his Trinity United Church of Christ last Sunday, Rev. Jeremiah Wright noted that some in the black community say they're supporting Hillary "because her husband was good to us."

"That's not true," he retorted angrily. "He did the same thing to us that he did to Monica Lewinsky."

So much for the "unifying to bring change" image of Obama.

[cuthbertallgood]

Another Obama minister with an Ex-gay connection, Rev Caldwell of Metanoia Ministries has been involved since the McClurkin shows, and is now claiming a larger role upcoming including Obama at his very chruch. So yeah, Obama is plenty Christian alright, just the wrong right wing kind, that's all.
It never ends, this crap.
Edwards/Kucinich 2008

[BUSHsurvivor]

Stop blaming the Clintons. This email has been going around all year. Whenever I get it I just reply back to all those it was sent to that it is false and I give the link to the Urban Legends page explaining that.

Sounds like the work of the republicans, but if you want to believe OMG the Clinton Machine is coming, then by all means.

So much for B. O. inspiring his surrogates to play fairly.

[AnninCA]

For those who know, I'm a huge Hillary Clinton supporter.

However, Obama really does need to address this ridiculous story.

I was shocked by a friend last night who said she worried about him being Muslim.

That stupid e-mail convinced a lot of people because of his midle name.

So, I do support him in getting his truth out.

I do NOT support him in his attempt to blame the Clinton campaign.

His own family background, name etc., was sure to bring up something like this.

He wants people to back the truth?

Then don't fight one wrong rumor with yet another.

That will backfire.

[lindax]

The question is what kind of Christian?
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01182008/postopinion/editorials/baracks_un_righteous_rev_760599.htm

[transendentilist]

Obama has just used Reagan as a model for positive change in America. Is he fucking kidding??
Reagan was a lousy president and a law breaker. IRAN/CONTRA??????
Obama panders to religion, to homophobes and now republicans. HOW IS THAT CHANGE???????
He's all talk and very little walk.

[NCYvonne]

Clinton supporters claim Republicans want Obama to win so they can beat him so easily.

Clinton supporters claim that the Republicans--not the Clintons--are behind these slimy tactics.

Does not compute . . .

Of course we should trust Bill "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" Clinton. He has a huge reputation for honesty.

[Jacee]

The Clinton's have made it clear-They have adopted Rove's play book and will do anything, say anything to hold on to power. To have the former President of the United States lying AGAIN to get what he wants is too much for me.

I was a fervent Clinton supporter until now. We all have to recognize that their campaign will divide and destroy any hope for the Democratic Party and therefore the nation. They don't care. They think they will be able to 'fix' it later. But they will not be able to.

Enough, enough. No moving backwards. No Bush/Clint­on/Bush/Cl­inton. Enough of the degradation of dirty win at all cost politics.

All Clinton supporters now have to agree that they are accept Rovian tactics and that the candidate can say anything and do anything as long as she wins. Its Bush all over again.

Is this what you want? There is a choice. To choice this path is to choose the cynicism of the past.

After seeing and reading about Bill Clinton's unhinged behavior in Nevada, I have made a decision. I will not for any reason support Hillary Clinton. I would vote for the nut McCain before rewarding these two. Their take on what is OK to give up to win is not mine. If you hear the tone of Clinton supporters on these blogs, they sound exactly like the crazed Bush people-ugly and mean.

I hope Obama knows we know what he is going through and we know he kind find a way to respond that will not bring him to their level. I don't want that for him. I wouldn't want that for anyone.

Obama 2008