Ohio Voter On 60 Minutes: I Hear Obama Is Muslim, Doesn't Know National Anthem

CBS 60 Minutes reporter traveled to Ohio to speak with voters ahead of Tuesday's crucial primary. Kroft found that one of the more malicious smear campaigns about Obama had reached voters in southern Ohio:

Comments

[Snickerdo]

For everyone of you who state that the United States Of America is ignorant needs to leave and go and live in another country. The US does not need hypocrites like you living in it. Actually the US needs to revert back to its founding fathers who actually read out of the Bible when they spoke before the people. And lived to bring this great country to the nation that it became. If you think I am wrong go back in history and look for yourself. The US will fall from within because of allowing people like you to believe that anything goes. That any kind of religion is ok. To believe that any kind of speech is ok. Look at our schools. Look at our families. Look at our communities.. We have taken God out of everything and the anything goes there is no moral gauge anymore. The majority of you live in cloud cooko land. Go a head elect BO, in two years you will wonder where are all the promises that was made by BO? You chanted yes we can, and you did, and you will live with it. I will vote for either the Old Guard, or the woman who believes in America, and has always believed in America, and proud to be an Amercian for all of her life.

[Boboday555]

“For everyone of you who state that the United States of America is ignorant needs to leave and go and live in another country.”

Do us all a favor Bushy, and please re-read that sentence.
It clearly shows you're one of those ignorant Americans!
I bet you're one of those Loyal BUSHIES I always hear shouting about 'English as the National Language' huh?

[bimplebean]

Many in the United States ARE ignorant. Why is that an argument for anyone to leave?

The founding fathers were Deists, not necessarily Christians, who believed there was a God but did not believe religion had a place in government. By laying down this old canard you demonstrate YOUR ignorance.

You say 'look at our families, look at our communities.' I do, and I see wonderful things. Do you honestly mean you'd prefer to live in 18th century America instead of 21st century America?

We have not taken God out of everything, but neither should we force God *into* anything. If there is a God and he is as powerful as you say then no mere earthly government can 'ban' him from the world.

Regarding your last line, you infer that Mr. Obama somehow does NOT believe in America, nor has not been an American all his life, or is somehow not proud of being an American. That is a slur, plain and simple. If your philosophy and religion are so compelling and true then why must you resort to foolish, unsubstantiated slurs in your argument?

Your own line of 'reasoning' is your own undoing.

[RyanK111]

You are the one who is ignorant. I believe we have seen over the last few years the value of having "true Christians" in control. We have become a nation of fear mongering, anti-intellectual God-monkeys. You say "the woman" is the one who has "always believed in America and proud to be an American all of her life." Are we suppose to believe Obama has somehow been supportive of another country besides America all of his life? You represent all that is wrong with America. Go home school you children and keep stoking the flames of racial, cultural and factual hatred. If people like you get their way, you will have pissed all over what the founding fathers sought to establish. You make me ill.

[GJM]

You better go back and do some reading of your own and learn what our founding fathers were really about. Remember if we still were living under the founding fathers rule we would not even have women and african americans voting, let alone running for president.

[LuckyBlessed]

Dear Snickerdoodle,
Check out Republican Ron Paul's Meet the Press part 4 at the 4 minute mark; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCSY438wpCk&feature=related

[WLA]

Yee haw! Praise the lord and pass the ammunition! Kille 'em all and let gawd sort 'em out!

[cowman]

This makes me want to start an e-mail campaign saying Obama has heat vision and can fly but that he's covering up his Superman heritage.

[rmetz74]

Just to clarify for the Hillary supporters who think Obama supporters are claiming that she is the source of the Muslim rumor garbage...

Excluding Obama supporters who speak without thinking (and I hope we can agree there are plenty of those on both sides)... The claim is not that the Clinton campaign is the source of this misinformation. It comes from the right wing media, who has been referring to him as Osama and Hussein since he declared his candidacy.

The issue that she is choosing to allow it to continue by responding with an ambiguous answer, instead of either saying that a person's religion should not be a factor in an election, or that she knows him to be a lifelong Christian (which she does, because he has said so in numerous speeches and debates, and she was sitting next to him in Ohio when he was challenged about his church.)

[Fremon]

I did not see 60 minutes, but going on what one "hears about Obama" shows how stupid many of those that have a voice in voting are. I would rather have them say they won't vote for this quality candidate based on race but not on stupidity. We have to face it, we are on a long downward arch. There is no morning in America anymore. We are spending too much on non returnable assets such as an illegal war and weapons. Why are the hugh sums given to the military industrial complex and then go to war with under-armored vehicles,under weaponed soldiers (in early Afgan war) ,and lack of quality medical military services at Walter Reed, etc?
The money would be better spent on US infrastructure, education, and medical services to the citizenry of our country. Bet the person making the comments about not knowing about Obama is southern, Republican, evangelical, and voted Bush-Cheney. Also has a home on wheels and listens to Fox.

[PackyJ]

This man is a perfect example of why we wind up with the government we deserve.

Oh, by the way:

AS FAR AS I KNOW there is nothing on which to base the lesbian rumors about Hillary Clinton.

Despite the fact she is endorsed by Rosie O'Donnel, and no matter what Edward Klein says in his book, "The Truth About Hillary," I will take her "at her word."

Packy "Hussein" J

[cowman]

Well said.

[dora rice]

when was she supposed to do all these lesbian activities the perverted american mind is planting on her? only people who have nothing to do and don't have a life, think up these perverted ideas. Hillary has a life infact a very fulfilled life, that most of these loser only can dream about.

[majordude]

Good one Packy - I get it.

[GJM]

Great this means Obama won't get elected not even the worst of us deserve him

[sixletters]

In 2004 70% of Republicans believed that the US had found WMD's in Iraq.

[atlantajoe]

And prior to Bush, the leading dems such as clinton ,gore and kerry all said they had wmd's and would use them. It was Clintons crack CIA and FBI that told us that also. Why do you slam the public for something the Democrat party was telling us. Who should have better info, the above mentioned pols that told us or the public. Why did George's hand picked head of the CIA say that WMD's were a slam dunk. Why did Clintons NSA have no clue what so ever of what was going on in the middle east.
If Clinton and Sandy Berger spent as much time on securing our nation prior to leaving office as they spent on stealing documents to cover their asses maybe we would not have been bombed.

[John]

"Democrat party"

It's 'Democratic Party', you @sshole.

[NeverRepublican]

What's really sad is that an idiot like this COULD go to the library and use use the internet for free. They could look up some reliable information and EDUCATE THEMSELVES...but they don't. This country is so LAZY when it comes to seeking out reliable information. But hey...in a country that holds the 2nd amendment as the ONLY right that matters...it's easy to understand that Intellectual Freedom is almost worthless in the US. Practice the 1st amendment...seek out knowledge and educate yourself!

[vanessa04]

The ability of Obama suppporters to continue to blame the Clintons for even the slightest question or criticism about Obama is truly mind-boggling.

It's as though they believe that there is no Republican running for the White House. There's a hell of a wake up call ahead.

[zreeb]

Now I know how Rove was able to do what he did. He realized that Republicans had to reach out and get the retard vote.

What a genius.

[hawkeye58]

Gosh, I would have expected Hillary to "reject" the reports that Obama was a Muslim.

[dora rice]

gosh and I woould have expected Obama to reject and denounce any affiliation with Farrakan. Not just what Farrakan said in one day, but to denounce any affiliation with him. Guess what? he didn't.
As long as you don't denounce a guy like Farrakan, don't expect Mrs. Clinton to denounce a darn thing.
Besides maybe Mrs. Clinton can't say it, but I say in my opinion, he thinks like a Muslim. Just look at his picture with his somalian get up...it says a 1000 words.

[richardsgirl]

... he thinks like a Muslim. Just look at his picture with his somalian get up ... it says a 1000 words."

Then I guess President Bush, President Clinton, Hillary Clinton, and many of our other government representatives who have visited African nations and dressed in their traditional garb also THINK LIKE A MUSLIM. Your posts are more and more revealing of your own ignorance and racism.

[kkeydel]

Obama doesn't HAVE any affiliation with Farrakhan. None, whatsoever. He never did. Where does a notion like that come from? He has denounced Farrakhan on a couple of recent occasions. That doesn't mean that Obama can prevent Farrakhan from saying anything he wants.

Just because Farrakhan endorses Obama does not mean that Obama endorses Farrakhan. That's so typical of the tortured logic that has infested the American intellect ever since Ronald Reagan allowed cluelessness to be revered.

[John]

By your right wingnut 'logic', every politician is under obligation to denounce anyone who endorses them, if they have serious disagreement with anything the endorser has ever said or done publicly. McCain should denounce that phony blowhard 'Rev' Hagee, unless he also thinks that the Catholic Church is an agent of Satan.

I'm waiting for McCain's unequivocal denouncement of Hagee.

Still waiting.

[chgochefgirl]

Dora, what does that mean - he thinks like a Muslim? Um, bigotted much?

[WLA]

" say in my opinion, he thinks like a Muslim. Just look at his picture with his somalian get up...it says a 1000 words."

===

Only to clueless asshats like you.

[transendentilist]

Did it ever occur to you that the GOP is behind this?? Yet, you jump on the hate Hillary bandwagon without a shred of proof. Nobody has to suggest that obama is a muslim, HE HAS A MUSLIM NAME!! I know he's not a muslim, because I read his book and have read alot of news articles about him, but when your name is Barack Hussein Obama, people are automatically thinking, "is he a muslim?" But yeah, it's that evil witch Hillary again, huh?

[BoulderSue]

Write a polite but firm letter to Ms. Clinton asking her why she did not state firmly that she knew Barack is not and never has been a Muslim. I just did. I did not see the show, but I just read the transcript, and it was shameful and shameless. I will still vote for Hillary if she is the nominee, though I caucused for Obama. I am just sincerely worried that there are a lot of Dems who might be like that man in Ohio (I'm a native of Ohio) who want the Repubs out, but not at the cost of possible elrcting someone they believe to be a Muslim.
I have another question though: why, in this history making year with a woman and a Black seriously contending for the Presidency, should we be worried about a person's faith at all as long as he/she is regarded as honorable, intelligent, capable and patriotic? We have Keith Ellison in the House of Representatives, after all, and anyone with the brains God gave them knows that only a tiny minority of fanatical Muslims who distort their faith want to harm us! I've heard of some Christians acting the same way at times: equally evil.

[EinChicago]

" I am just sincerely worried that there are a lot of Dems who might be like that man in Ohio (I'm a native of Ohio) who want the Repubs out, but not at the cost of possible elrcting someone they believe to be a Muslim."

i am a lifelong dem, but when will we learn it's not about dems or republicans. It never is. The dem base will always vote dem. The rethug base will always vote rethug. It's those middle ground swing voters who decide elections and if you think they are confused over Obama's religion, nationality, etc., now, just wait until the GOP have finished. It takles five minutes to start a smear and 5 months to explain it and mitigate its effect. Obama has enjoyed the free ride form the press for so long he has squandered his time to get out in front and deal with all this stuff. Now he's going to see it all come out in September/October with no time to cure the damage.

[dora rice]

she should not have to answer such a question. There is only one person knows for sure whether they think Mulim or not, and that is Obama. We can only guess by his demeaner, his church affiliation his schooling in a Muslim country , how amost religious he looked like when he wore this somalian gown.....and that he didn't denounce any affiliation with Farrakan who calls himself a Muslim. Whether Obama is a sympathizer only one can guess. That americans are taking a chance on somebody they don't know really well , most don't even know about him what is publicily available.....is mind boggling.

[dora rice]

How should she know. ??? Did she go with him to this Muslim school in Indonesia? Did she live with him all her life? She doesn't have to say a darn thing one way or the other about Obama.

[WLA]

Keep spreading the lies. You're a big help.

[rmetz74]

That's exactly right. She should either say nothing about him, or tell the truth, which is that he is a lifelong Christian - which she knows because he's said it in several speeches and debates, while she was sitting right next to him.

[Roshi98]

To those whose knee-jerk response to this story (and the implication by Obama that it's root is "unknown") a little history lesson. The far right smear machines, like Judicial Watch, have been promoting these falsehoods via email for about a year. Fox News, if you'll recall, as well as wingnut pundits like Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Sean Hannity, and Rush Limbaugh, have been spreading these lies for the last eight months. NONE OF THIS HAS TO DO WITH THE CLINTON CAMPAIGN.

What it is indicative of is the continued dominance of right-wing talk in the heartland. In many places, such as southern Ohio, this is the ONLY perspective that's available to the hard-working citizens in that area. They've been on a similar scorched-earth campaign against Hillary for almost 20 years. It's how they operate, and what Obama faces should he become the nominee.

The point being that Obama supporters must be ready. You can't fight the Republican smear machine with logic, reason, or patience. It must be torn out by the roots, stomped on, and utterly discredited.

[pychicfakes]

I am a Obama supporter, but I have seen a many democratic campaigns go down in the dirt because WE as Democrats circled the wagon and fired off..AND the repubilcans use that garbage against the candidate in the fall. ENOUGH!!! of the dirty tricks...ENOUGH of the selfishness!!! THIS IS THE MOST CRUCIAL CAMPAIGN EVER!!!!! SENATOR CLINTON IS PLAYING GAMES!!!!! I'M SICK OF IT!!!!! YOU ALL KNOW AS WELL AS I DO THAT IF THE SHOE WERE ON THE FOOT, OBAMA WOULD HAVE BEEN LONG GONE FROM THE SCENE!!!!! WHAT MAKES HER SO DOGGONE SPECIAL THAT SHE CAN JUST HIGHJACK THE CAMPAIGN AND THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY!!!!!!

CLINTON SUPPORTERS, STOP IT !!!!! YOU KNOW BETTER!!!!!!

[dora rice]

maybe you are sick of Senator Clinton, if you , you always were. Well how about other people and voters are plain sick of the preacher.

[oscarp]

Pychicfakes, how can you be so naive? notice that naive is a decent word, before you use any other word. Do you really believe Hillary is playing games? Or you don't want to accept that the is telling the truth, that the media is awakening after a long sleeping period of time in which everything related to Obama was innocent. Things are happening, and it is human to make mistakes, it is human to have voted until now for a candidate who is not whom he says he is. But is is not wise to cover our eyes and ears to avoid the unavoidable. It is not humanly possible to have the fcats in front of your nose and still deny them. Who is highjacking the campaign? Hillary? Sorry my fellow brother os sister, WE THE PEOPLE ARE HICHJACKING THE CAMPAIGN BY VOTING FOR SOMEONE WHO WILL NOT DELIVER AND ELIMINATING THE REAL CANDIDATE WHO WILL LEAD US OUT OF THE MISERY THAT THIS GOVERNMENT HAS PUT US. Notice that I say WE and not you, although I haven't voted in any primaries, I live in FL, I am an Independent who is not allowed to vote in the primaries, in a state where Hillary got so many Dem votes as never before in the history of a traditionally Republican state, and yet, nobody has had the guts to claim those votes, and have accepted the rules stated by the party. It' is time to ask the party if they really want to win, or lose again. Maybe the Dem Party is in reality the Republican Party in disguise. Open your eyes, our future depends on your vote, do it right this time!! Lets get together not as one party, but as one nation tired of so many negative things. Let's do what we are all supposed to do as Americans: FIGHT FOR THE WELL BEING OF THIS GREAT NATION

[dora rice]

you can be sick all you want to, Mrs Clinton is running a campaign. Your favored candidate has been playing the victim game very well. But I believe he never sang once the National Anthem.....because he rejected also wearing the flag pin on his coat and said officially he won't wear it. I wonder why........I don't care if we are a multi culture multi racial country, but i think seriously that we all should appreciate our country and appreciate the flag that stands for our country. You all have done so wrong to this woman who is a true american, which I cannot say about your candidate.

[Zentomato]

The GOP will do absolutely anything to maintain power. They will smear and lie and use any immoral tactics to keep citizens away from their legitimate polling places. They will subvert and wipe their asses with the US Constitution to stay in power. Ask yourself this question. What aspect of our society wanted to keep Britain's King George in power, was it the liberal (revolutionaries) or the Tory's (conservatives)? Who opposed the freeing of the slaves? Conservatives. I am convinced that modern neoconservatism is actually a mental disorder. In fact there are studies that verify this. Google it and see.

[Dewtrell]

";Same people who said John Kerry made up his war record. The same people who said John McCain fathered a black child. The same people who said the Clintons are responsible for murdering 43 people. They are sick, twisted people who feed at the feet of KKKarl Rove and his minions. Sadly, a huge proportion of our citizens are ignorant to believe them."

And what's even sadder is that the Billary are using these tactics against Obama. If she gets the nomination, she will lose big time because the party is torn.

[dora rice]

on that day, when you aquire some class and call a candidate who is officially running for president by her /his right ful name, which is Hillary and not Billary....that's the day I call your favored candidate Obama and not Hussein Mohamed.

[KaAp]

Ah Dora-Rice everyone has class ... but class is what is neglected as a unit of measure in the US ... so your axiomatic rant makes not sense ... but then again they never do!

[paixa3]

Read the headline...this is why the USA is a third world country today....what a dumbass...­.IGNORANT.

[Teritt]

Apparently you've never been to Jacksonville FL...I hear the same thing, all day long. Everyone at the hair salon I go to think's he's a Muslim or has other crazy things they've heard and believe....it isn't just the Ohio guy.

[Zentomato]

Maybe William F Buckley was right about STUPID people being denied voting. Apparently this would preclude Florida from being a kingmaker. Palm tree idiots.

[dora rice]

he was ashamed to wear the american flag lapel on his coat....or what ever reason it was, that's who you voting for President.­....llolol­olol....gi­ve me a break

[majordude]

Hey, did you see the Feb. 22nd Real Time? There was a "conservative" Republican congressman criticizing Obama for the lapel in thing just like you are.

And gosh - he wasn't wearing an American Flag lapel pin!!!

You guys are such hypocritical wingnuts.

[combatveteran]

Those lapel flags make me sick. Is that their service? There chickenhawk pins. Fuck the pins. Hop in the Bradley.