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

[ajax2]

The true weapon to destroy democracy appeared on 60 Minutes last night. The misinformed voter has been well trained by the right wing oligarchs.

[FirstShirt]

He was a democrat. And, while I appreciate all the power you imply we have, the reality is that we really aren't all that smart. Your democratic idiot was all your making.

[TLV]

Snopes debunks the myths surrounding Barack Hussein Obama.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

[springsm]

Folks who believe this rumor wholesale WANT to believe it. They wouldn't know how to get to Snopes to find out if it is a myth or not. Losers who will buy this crap...hav­e to have a reason to live. This type slander helps. They also vote for the one who calls himself patriotic and beats their chest with their Bibles. You can't tell them the truth or show them the facts. "Them thar minds are closed shut tight." No light of day in their darkness.

[kls9331]

I totally agree. And many of these people are not brave enough to say they will not vote for a black man and this gives them an "acceptable" reason for rejecting him.

[Richard729]

The one thing keeping Ohio in the political mix for the Democrats is their sour economy. Ohio lost 200,000 jobs during the Bush tenure. This is the same state that produced Jean Schmidt who accused John Murtha, a decorated Marine veteran of being a cut-and-run coward. She was reelected after making that remark.

The man who appeared on 60 Minutes and is out of work said that he believes Obama doesn't respect our national anthem and that he is a Muslim. Thisis typical of how effective the Right Wing propagandists are. I visit their web sites almost daily just to see what they are saying. Right Wing talk show host, Bill Cunningham who spoke at a rally for John McCain last week, kept repeating Obama's middle name, Hussein, with the clear intention of linking him with Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein. He also referred to Obama as the “Prophet from Chicago.”

It is a wildly successful tactic that feeds off of ignorance -- a main constituency in the Republican Party and the same narrowness that promotes Creation Science beliefs that the Earth is only 6,000 to 10,000-yea­rs-old.. It may even be more effective than the Swift Boating against John Kerry in 2004 who was accused of being a traitor and that he didn't deserve his Silver Star, Bronze Star and three Purple Heart medals for serving his country during the Viet Nam War.

Another remark during the 60 Minute episode cited an overall prejudice that people will not vote for a black or a woman.

We are witness to a referendum in this election over racial bias and misogyny. If these two attitudes are widespread enough Democrats can say good-bye to their hopes of gaining the White House in November.

At this point, I'd be concentrating real hard on winning both houses of congress by large margins if we are to have any chance in extricating ourselves from the well-entrenched War Forever mind-set of G. W. Bush.

[nunzia]

Richard - excellent summary. Thanks.

[springsm]

I wouldn't expect too much out of Ohio.

[richardsgirl]

Richard, this is indeed an excellent summary. I think that this election is a referendum on the very consciousness of America and its willingness to transform the paradigm of what our president should look like and to truly embrace the values and ideals upon which America was founded. Sadly, though America boasts of its freedoms and equality, we have yet to live up to the banner that we so proudly wave, even as we seek to bring these values to other countries. It's a hypocrisy that many minorites, specifically blacks and women, have endured since our nation's inception, and a hypocrisy that is seen throughout the world. This election is an incredible challenge for America to actually be who we say we are, and a challenge that each of us has to confront within ourselves. From this perspective, this is a historical election in more ways than one.

[tumblewind]

Politics has always been nasty in this country! But, since the neo-con's came into being it's become a battle of the bottom feeders. These are some of the most vicious people on earth. They have destroyed political discourse in this country and rendered it a study in hate! What most people need to do is to stop listening to these purveyor's of hate! But, some people in this country seem to be addicted to this type of dialog and can't live without it. If they don't get their daily fix of it they go into withdrawal. But, they need to understand it's destroying us as a nation. It's like a cancer that's eating away at the moral fiber of this country. Already we have a criminal enterprise in the White House and no one in this country seems to care enough to do something about it. But, I imagine the GOP attack dogs will be out in force this election. It will smear Obama with it's rabid brush like it always does. But, after the last election 2004 I don't have a gram of faith left in the American people to vote a decent President into office. Many people listen to slime like this being spread and don't ever question where it came from.?

[carycary]

I find it ironic and poetic at the same time that this same guy from Ohio that is crying about insurance and losing his job is the same moron or part of a group of morons that sealed the deal in giving us GWB for another term. I guess you do in fact reap what you sow.
I am glad he lost his job and has no insurance, stupidity and ignorance needs to be painful.
I guess the sad thing is, his ignorance is painful for us all.....

[TLV]

This is typical of a GOPer who does not think. I watched all of the episodes of Red State Road Trip online after the 2004 election. I just had to see what it was about Bush that was appealing. You can only get the episodes by purchasing them as DVDs now.

The typical Republican voter in a "red state" is poor by most standards, work s at one or more very low-paying job, has little if any health care coverage, calls him or herself a Christian and typically lives in areas where jobs have gone overseas. When asked what they wish Bush would do for them, they answered that they wish there were good-paying jobs, health care, better schools, hope for the future. You may ask - if they really did not expect that Bush would be able to help provide for these things, why did they vote for him?

You probably guessed it - BECAUSE HE CALLED HIMSELF A CHRISTIAN!

[pahpah25]

THE MAN ON 60 MINUTES NEEDS SOMEONE TO BLAME FOR HIS MISFORTUNE­.......IN HIS IGNORANCE , HE CANNOT MAKE THE CONNECTION BETWEEN HOW 'HE' VOTES' AND THE CONSEQUENC­ES........­I FIND IT ASTOUNDING THAT PEOPLE VOTE AGAINST THEIR BEST INTERESTS.­......WHER­E I LIVE,FLORIDA, THE NEW BIG THING IS LOWERING PROPERTY TAXES...IN THE NEXT BREATH, THESE FOOLS COMPLAIN ABOUT THE SCHOOLS , LAW ENFORCEMEN­T.ETC..NEV­ER CONNECTING THE DOTS THAT IT IS TAXES THAT PAY FOR THESE SERVICES..­...I WOULDN'T CARE EXCEPT THEIR STUPIDITY AFFECTS MY 'LIFE'.

[nunzia]

carycary - well said!
So true.

[dm92]

I do feel sorry for the situation in Ohio, but ignorance is not bliss!

dm92

[realitybase]

Kansas has come to the realization that they've been lied to - it's not too late OHIO!

[tehriaz]

"I guess you do in fact reap what you sow. I am glad he lost his job and has no insurance"

what the fuck is wrong with you? oh wait - you must be an obamaton. no one else but the prophet matters.

[Tankan]

Well now, whatever next, a protestant muslim and a black/white guy who cant sing!

Next thing they'll be saying he can't dance like Gene Kelly!

Hey Hillary, hows about you sing the national anthem for us live on stage?

[TLV]

Oh my God, NO!!!!!

[springsm]

I bet bush coulnd't sing the national anthem. Too many words.

[Independent voter]

Where do these ignorant cretins come from?

I don't understand how a person could be so twisted in his thinking - it is obviously not original ideas, so what I want to know is: Who is feeding the lies and distortions to the mentally handicapped?

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

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.

[diogeron]

How can anybody be so willfully ignorant of the facts in this day and age? One would think that even if one tried to avoid finding out the truth about this subject, that by pure, random chance that person would have stumbled upon the truth and found out that those kinds of lies about Obama were being spread by his political enemies. If ignorance is bliss, this person is in ecstacy.

[TLV]

As I typed below, many people who believe the lies simply do not try to find sources of truth. They are either older Americans who do not have The Internet in their homes, or they are simply too lazy to seek information.

[Zhonni]

Beats me!

[popworld7]

Of course this segment tells you all you need to know about why this country is where it is today and why Republicans have won presidential elections so many times over the last 40 years. This guy is confused and concerned that Obama is a muslim and doesn't know the national anthem. Earlier he was talking about how his wife has MS and if he has to get private insurance he can't afford it. Unbelievable amount of ignorance out there. I am surprised he didn't say he was voting for McCain!

[dm92]

The founding fathers said this democracy needed an informed electorate to survive - that was scary!

dm92

[DELICIOUS]

THIS IS THE SAME TYPE OF DISTORTION THAT THE REPUKLICANT S ARE USING TO GET THE SPY BILL APPROVED. BU$H SAYING THAT THE DEMOCRATS UNDER PELOSI ARE AIDING THE TERRORISTS BY REFUSING TO ALLOW HIM TO EAVSDROP ON US CITIZENS. ALL BU$H HAS TO DO TO SPY IS GO TO THE FISA COURT AND GET A WARRANT. WHAT HE REALLY WANTS IS TO PROTECT THE TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANIES FROM LAW SUITS BY UNPAID LAWYERS SUPPLIED BY THE ACLU AND NOT THE TRIAL LAWYERS ASSN AS HE TRIES TO CLOUD WHAT THINKING POWER THE AVERAGE AMERICAN VOTER HAS.

[dahlenu]

What a moron. There should be some kind of test before voting, to weed out the complete idiots.

[TLV]

Bush won Ohio partly because this is not done. The 2004 election was a test of the Republican lie machine and effort to suppress votes for John Kerry. They passed the test with flying colors and they are likely doing a top-notch job this time around, too.

This says a lot about the stupidity of many of my fellow Ohioans but it also says alot about the extent to which the Republicans who wanted Bush to win again would go. Right now they simply want Democrats to lose. I hate to think what the lead-up to the general election will be like.

The former Ohio Secretary of State, Ken Blackwell, who ordered the discard of thousands of new voter registrations prior to the 2004 general election because they were on "the wrong weight of paper," is being subpoened to appear before an Ohio Grand Jury for his part in the election fraud. Perhaps justice will finally be done. Too bad it's too late to recall the true loser of the 2004 election, George W. Bush.

[SaskiaStars]

Thanks for the great news- I am so happy that they are still on the Ohio Election fraud. Blackwell is a snake.

[TomZart]

WHERE WARS ARE WON OR LOST


Wars are waged by older men
In battle rooms in countries apart.
Who call for greater firepower
And troops for the combat chart.

While out among the shattered flesh
The dreams of all have turned gray.
So young and determined their faces were
Till on the battlefield they lay.

Unable to overcome their pride
The politicians cast their vote.
For this or that or something else
As the rage of war sounds its note.

Wherever wars are won or lost
The soldiers fall like toys.
Down through history it remains the same
Most who die are hardly more than boys.

Like monkeys in a revolving cage
Man squabbles for the peanuts of power.
When will we rise above our greed
And become as a beautiful flower?

Death to death, dust to dust
The wrath of war is a honorable crime.
It’s the beast within that still prevails
As it has through the torments of time.


WAR IS THE GREATEST PLAGUE OF MAN


As war is fought it takes charge
And events spin out of control.
The madness of men can alter the soil
Which nourishes the roots of their soul.

Many things will forever change
Far more then wished to be.
As the wrath of war starts to destroy
Those things we fight to keep free.

War is the greatest plague of man,
Religion, state, and sanity.
Any scourge is more preferred
Than the one which disables humanity.

When war breaks out, boundaries change
And all who die are a token
Of the rage that must run it's course
Before words of peace are spoken.

War I hate, though not men, flags nor race
But war itself with its ugly face.
When we lose faith in the brave, which die
Then we're not fit to greet those who cry.

What distinguishes war isn't death
But that man is slain by fellow man.
Crushed by cruelty and injustice
With his enemy's murderous hand.

War tends to punish the punishers
So the losers won't suffer alone.
The essence of war is but violence
Till the survivors come marching home.

Sometimes it's hard to defend what's right
Sometimes we're forced to rise up and fight.
Sometimes we survive, while others must die
Sometimes never knowing the reason why.

The rush of combat is a natural buzz
Caused by fear, leaving nothing as it was.
Hunting one another like wild game
Without a shortage of those to blame.

Sometimes victory comes too slow or quick
Sometimes the cost on both sides is sick.
Sometimes God is asked to intervene
To help stop the savage from being so mean.

War is a hell we visit before death
Fueled by the whisper of the devil's breath.
There must be a reason man destroys man
But why it is so, I can't understand.

By Tom Zart
Most Published Poet
On The Web

[TomZart]

NEVER BE AFRAID TO BE PROUD of AMERICA


America, the abundant, the place I was born
I'll cherish till the day I die.
Where the bones of past heroes lie buried in the ground
Who loved her the same as I.

Her mountains are so tall they reach for the sky
With prairies where the green grasses grow.
There's billions of trees where wild birds nest
With creatures that flourish below.

That blue gold called water with which we are blessed
As raindrops or crystallized snow;
Changes to rivers and fresh water lakes
While the winds of our seasons blow.

There's the haunt of a whistle from a lonely freight train
Racing on ribbons of steel
With the harvest of farms and from the factories
Balanced in a box on a wheel.

Some cities have buildings a hundred stories tall
Structures of concrete, glass and steel.
A statue in a harbor, a present from France
Describes how, inside, we feel.

That flag on the moon with red and white stripes
Proves America’s dreams come true.
A country of heroes who line up to protect
The past, the present and the few.

We’ll defeat terrorism as it should be fought
Never letting Satan’s horde chase us to our door.
Safeguarding our borders and system of life
As our forefathers sacrificed before.

Never be afraid to be proud of America
And march with the brave, faithful and just.
Refusing to summit to the will of our enemies
Standing firm to preserve what we trust.

By Tom Zart
Soldier For The Lord

[JNagarya]

Boastful egotism and ". . . For The Lord" are antithetical.

As is "Soldier For" the "Lord". The "Lord"'s response to you would be, "Turn the other cheek"; to which your response is, "Arm yourself to the teeth and be prepared to kill, kill, kill."

All falsely in the name of the "Lord," of course.

[JNagarya]

"Pride goeth before a fall" -- Bible.

[transendentilist]

Stop spamming. This is not a poetry forum.

[DELICIOUS]

THESE ARE THE COMMENTS THAT THE REPUKLICANTS UNDER THE DIRECTION OF KARL ROVE SPREAD ABOUT THEIR OPPONENTS. THEY DON'T CARE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT THEIR OPPONENT AS THEY FEEL THAT AT LEAST ONE PERSON WILL BELIEVE IT AND SPREAD IT FURTHER. REMEMBER YEARS AGO WHEN EVERYONE HEARD ON TV THAT THE PROCTOR AND GAMBLE SYMBOL OF THE MAN IN THE MOON AND STARS WAS SATAN AND THAT IT WAS THE SIGN OF THE DEVIL THAT PROCTOR AND GAMBLE WAS A SATANIC COMPANY. IF I HEARD THAT ONCE FROM IGNORANT PEOPLE I HEARD IT DOZENS OF TIMES AND ALL OF THESE PEOPLE SWEAR THEY HEARD IT ON A TV PROGRAM. OF COURSE, IT WAS DISPROVED AFTER MONTHS OF DENIAL BY PROCTOR AND GAMBLE BUT PEOPLE SWORE THEY THEMSELVES HEARD IT. SO YOU SEE HOW EASILY PEOPLE ARE LED...ESPE­CIALLY REPUKLICANTS. THEY WANT DESPERATELY TO BELIEVE ANYTHING BAD OR DISGUSTING ABOUT A DEMOCRAT AND THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE FED BY THE LIKES OR ROVE, GUILIANI, BU$H, CHENEY AND RICE...LIE­S, LIES...LIE­S AND MORE LIES.

[frappe]

The first thought that came to my mind when I read the headline was, "How can people be so stupid?!"

...But this is the kind of crap that we can expect in full doses from the Republican party slime machine. And it's only just begun.

Thus far, I've been impressed with the speed and ability of Obama's responses to the nonsense being thrown at him. If only John Kerry had fought back the Swiftboaters by raising the specter of George W. Bush's pathetic military record during the campaign, he'd be running for reelection right now.