Jerome Corsi: Obama Camp Fighting Swiftboat Attack

Talking Points Memo reports that Jerome Corsi's smear book on Barack Obama, "The Obama Nation," will stay on the top of the New York Times' bestseller list for the second week in a row:

It was previously known that it would debut at number one this weekend, but the fact that it will stay there for a second week running suggests the attacks will continue to resonate. ...

Obama advisers say that whenever they hear that Corsi has been booked for an appearance on a network program, they are quickly contacting the program's producers to rebut the book's charges in phone conversations and giving them a whole run-down of past Corsi quotes that are controversial.

Marc Ambinder has more on how Barack Obama's campaign is quietly pushing back:

Barack Obama's campaign hasn't said much publicly about Jerome Corsi's 2008 polemic against Barack Obama, but don't think for a minute that his aides aren't paying attention, and don't confuse the relative silence for a lack of action. Chastened by Sen. John Kerry's 2004 refusal to respond quickly enough to Corsi and the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth ads, the campaign is determined to discredit Corsi, quickly.

"We are aggressively attacking the factual errors in this book, and making sure that everyone knows about the deeply offensive things Corsi has said that will give readers of any political affiliation pause and ample reason to question the lies he's written," Tommy Vietor, an Obama spokesperson, said in a statement. ...

The campaign is quietly shopping around research to anyone who wants it and is encouraging allies to look into Corsi's background.

So far, it seems to be working. Last night, Larry King and his guests all assailed Corsi for his poor sourcing and unprofessional past. Even the Republican strategist on the air said, "I would strongly encourage Republicans not to use [the book]. I think going after someone's religion is the lowest form of politics." Joe Klein pummeled the book (and its backer Mary Matalin).

The Politico delved into Corsi's lurid past as an anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim right-wing fringe blogger who has written things like pedophilia "is OK with the Pope as long as it isn't reported by the liberal press," and "RAGHEADS are Boy-Bumpers as clearly as they are Women-Haters." And today, the New York Times reported that when Corsi started work on his anti-Obama book, he had to put aside another project: "exposing what he calls the government's lies about the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center."

Comments

[Estel]

Should we forget, "Corsi means curse"! Aptly named don't you think?

[Subversive]

Given the insubstantial and inflammatory nature of Corsi's book, it will no doubt be a best seller and find a home on conservative bookshelves everywhere, right next to the Morris and Savage collection of afflatus, the Limbaugh curmudgeounly grousings, and the Coulter menhorreo-literary discharges.

[aaronburr]

This weekend I read the book and rebuttal. The book contends that Obama is an inexperienced far left politician of limited depth and radical associates who has shielded his true beliefs behind a carefully crafted facade. Some observations:

1. The rebuttal devotes 25% to discrediting Corsi, his credentials, associates, books, etc. - it is clearly intended to destroy his credibility and suppress readership, not correct errors; they don’t want you reading this book.

2. Many "lies” rebutted are trivial. Wrong dates, minor misquotes, etc. Example:

“Lie: No one in Obama’s paternal or maternal family had ever resided in Chicago”
Rebuttal: Obama’s great uncle lived in Chicago.

Who cares?

3. Few rebuttals deal with substantive political issues (only 28 by my count). Of these, many are labeled as “Lies” based on Obama’s position, not rebutted factually. Example:

“Lie: He has been endorsed by Hamas and had to fire a Middle Eastern advisor who had been privately meeting with Hamas.”

Rebuttal: “Hamas did not endorse Obama, informal advisor resigned.”

Ahmed Yousuf, a senior Hamas political advisor said, “We like Mr. Obama, and we hope that he will win the elections”. Endorsement? You decide. As for the ‘informal advisor’, “fired” and “resigned” are spun however works best for the political campaign. Hardly a lie.

I didn’t really like the book - too much irrelevant personal information for me - but it raises real questions about Obama’s background and qualifications. Read the book and rebuttal then make up your own mind who makes their

[aaronburr]

last word "case" got clipped off.

[PumaAnn]

I finished the book. It's really pretty solid. He doesn't overstretch, makes implications, backs them up, and sticks mostly to what is known. O's response paper makes my eyes roll in my head. Way overkill. I doubt I'll wade through it.

My biggest disagreement with Corsi is that he, in fact, gives O way too much credit. O came up in politics through a traditional path for AA candidates. That put him into contact with strange bedfellows. That doesn't mean he's going to be a leftie president, if elected.

I disagree with that. I think he'll be a weak president. He just wants to be president.

LOL*

So his associations do not bother me. His lying? His lying about his associations only informs me that he one real typical politician who isn't ready for primetime.

So......my review of Corsi's book is that it's basically flawed in his final conclusions.

However, I agree with him about Axelrod's plan for a personality cult approach. And I agree that O will not successfully switch to issues. He can't. He's not experienced, informed, or smart enough to pull it off.

[Phil123]

I found the book to be pretty level headed too. He constructed "Obama" in his own view (which he was careful to represent as such) from what IS known about him.

I was not disturbed about his familial ambiguities growing up, as many people have unusual situations, but he does paint him as conflicted about racial issues, which (in part) caused him to fall in with a few radical black extremists like Wright.

Similarly, I was not too bothered by his numerous connections within the crooked Chicago political machine. Obviously, to be politically viable in Chicago requires that you forge a number of connections that are necesarily corrupt.

But I was bothered by Obama's patently socialist world view and his startling naivety when it comes to dealing with the rest of the world.

I think that while he is obviously bright, he's too inexperienced and too light on real issues to survive the final election, once we get past "personality" (which he passes with flying colors).

A very inciteful read, and hardly the "smear book" that it's being made out to be. My guess is that it was portrayed this way by Corsi's agent to boost sales. No dummy, he.

[Greg285]

Dear Phil123 ,

Please get you facts right by doing proper research. McCain started this entire issue back in June
McCain Mocked Idea of Obama on U.S. Currency...in JUNE by JedReport

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/8/2/21424/68577/880/561515

Stop reciting 'Talking Points' and go read the facts for yourself!!

[Phil123]

Hello? We're talking about Corsi's book here. Get with the program.

[Phil123]

All the ranting here got me interested enough to read the book.

It is not at all the book that most of the ranters assume it is. It is hardly "Swift Boating," and it cannot be said to be "filled with lies."

Instead, Corsi presents a little over 300 pages of well documented facts about events in Obama's life, things he has said and/or written, and other corroborating events from known associates of Obama to try to surmise who Obama really is, and what he really believes.

It is not presented as "smear." It is simply presented as (and represented as) Corsi's reasoned interpretation as to who Obama is based on numerous documented events and statements.

It basically paints Obama as being very liberal in many of his views - at least much more liberal than the "centrist" personality that he is currently trying to put forth, now that he is the presumptive nominee.

If you are a true liberal, you would likely interpret much of what is said here as an endorsement of Obama. If you are not truly liberal, you will likely not sympathize with the Obama described here.

In any case, if you intend to vote, it is worth reading. Corsi also outlines the arguments against Obama that he thinks McCain should begin making once the real campaigning starts. If you are an Obama supporter, you should probably read this just so that you will know what to expect.

[Shelly1970]

Why is that butt slurper so red? Looks like a raging alcoholic.

[Phil123]

And you sound like one. Get a life.

[CaptainStormfield]

I have the misfortune to work around several Right Wing Religious fanatics. They are eating this Corsi book up of course as it tells them what they want to hear. The facts about what is really going on will never make a dent in their beliefs because they are driven by ideology. What to do? I printed out an article by Corsi where he bashes Bush for not securing the borders and supporting Amnesty for Illegals and gave it to one of them saying oh yea. this Corsi guy has a lot of articles.. check out this one. I believe this is the way to fight back. Corsi has several other topics that he promotes that are not in sync with the Party Line. Feed them back this stuff until their brains melt.. sort of like Mars Attacks.. Yoooouuuuuuuu Ewwwwwwww EeeeeeEwweeeeeeee >:)
"Most people are bothered by those passages of Scripture they do not understand, but the passages that bother me are those I do understand."
Mark Twain

[Phil123]

Wrong. They are misfortunate enough to work around you. Go back to "Mars Attacks." It's more your speed.

[Ozy]

This pathetic sicko is a waste of Air!
There is no need to give this traitor an air time.
Kick trash like this to the curb and move to real issues.

[Phil123]

The book is about issues. You probably don't read. But if you can, you should read it.

[Cherlesq]

Corsi will be found out. Wait for it. And, to all you christian republicans remember "Thou shalt not bear false witness."

[Phil123]

So when Obama told us that McCain would tell us that he didn't look like the Presidents on the dollar bills, was he bearing false witness? So far, I haven't heard McCain say anything like this.

[confuseddemocrat]

And you point is?

[Phil123]

Obama left himself open to this by refusing to appear in any venue in which he might get a tough question. He will only do interviews where he knows that they will throw softballs, and where he can get away with reponding with platitudes.

Therefore, none of us really know Obama, and he has left himself open to being defined by anyone that wants to define him - including Corsi.

Corsi's book is a best-seller because people who are already against Obama can read it to help support their stand, and people who are independent can read it to find out ANYTHING about Obama besides scripted Obama soundbites.

If Obama were willing to take some tough interviews, he could define himself. He refuses to do so, so has left the door open to people like Corsi. This is Obama's fault, and no one else's.

[TRichards]

Sure, blame the victim for the coming onslaught of distortions, lies, and slander by right-wing dirty tricksters. There is NO WAY to keep shameless liars from lying shamelessly. Why is Corsi's book a best seller? Because it is being bought in bulk by right-wing organizations to pass out to those gullible and ignorant enough to accept the lies they want to hear. Period.

[djelimon]

LOL

It's Obama's fault that someone lied about him?

That's like blaming a rape victim for the rapist's actions. *cues McCain's Ape Rape joke*

Guess he had it coming, all dressed up like that...

[Phil123]

LOL

How do you know that the book is all lies? Have you read it?

Is the bit about Reverend Wright a lie? Is his friendship with Ailes a lie? Is his association with Rescoe a lie? Did these people not really exist or something? (And all dressed up like that...)

LOL

[turkeyfish]

You can tell a republican by the fact that they only believe in the 9 commandments, always conveniently leaving out the one about not bearing false witness lest their "attack machine" would have nothing going for it.

[memphispaul]

You don't even qualify as a "spot lighter". You fail to perform. Period.
Thank goodness I never had to rely on your kind while serving in a war zone. What a figgin' red state pinko

[AzRealProgressive]

What war zone would that be? Elaborate for us on your unit and your experiences, would you?

[Phil123]

Excuse me, Mr. Girlyman, but could you please explain what my observations about a political best-selling book have to do with your (likely factitious) "serving in a war zone?"

You sound like one of those phony soldiers to me - exploiting the heroic deeds of others to bolster credibility for your opinions. Did you have an acting role in a war movie or something? What was your theater of operation - Lowes?

And by the way, you didn't even state an opinion - you just hurled insults at me. You are obviously a coward.

[reasonshouldrule]

Where in the world are you getting your news on Obama? He HAS answered "tough" questions. He's hard to define because he's intelligent and complex (unlike McCain), but there's a wealth of knowledge about him not only in the media but on his website. You must be listening to too much Limbaugh and O'Reilly.

[AzRealProgressive]

He has some good points. Possibly you should consider some. Not that you will, I just thought it would be helpful.

[anampi]

Here they are again, the "moral" people attacking again. It is disgusting but even worst than that, the fact that they can get away with it.
I have a suggestion Mr. Corsi, you should change the books name to "Abomination".

[springsm]

Who are his editors and who is the publisher. They should be ashamed. Follow the money trail.

[AzRealProgressive]

Actually, they seem to be proud of the whole thing.

[taitracee]

Obama's Campaign got these GOP'ers shanking in there boots.. don't they know that this election is about A NEW AND DIFFERENT DIRECTION .. because we been on the GOP direction for 8 years which is a road to disaster.. All there lies , distortions of the facts, and fear mongering is not going to work this time.. It does not matter if it was Hillary, Joe Biden, or any of the other nomineess except J.Edwards.. they would be in the same postion that Obama is in. The US is over the rethuglicans.

[Actionmac]

not what the polls say... or what the polls want us to believe.

To say American people are a intellegent group of voters, means bush has no real support and mccoward is not a real contender. We know that is not true, as people will vote for the redumblican candidate even if he murdered his entire family. Reason, the redumblicans have people of small minds believing they are who they care about and they are better than people that don't share their beliefs.

Although I see a backlash on the redumblicans this election year, the GOP is very good at having the voters fixate on a NON issue, with the help of MSM, to hide the REAL issues. Case and point, this celebrity NON issue keeps the issues of who has a plan and who doesn't.

[springsm]

I think it is the pollsters and what they want us to think. The MSM and whomever is doing their work, all have been manipulating everything about this campaign since day one. It won't stop either. They seem to think they need to mishandle or tell all but the truth in order to have jobs that last to 2009. So don't be suprised if all of these polls are manipulated for the answers they want.

[Phil123]

Have you noticed that for the past 2 months, the MSM TV "news" programs always told us - on a daily basis - the latest poll results showing us how much Obama was leading by?

Have you noticed that in the last week, there was no mention of polls by the MSM? Care to guess why?

The Dumbocrats are no longer leading. Oblahblah is falling by the wayside. The only hope for the Dumbocrats is for the Clintons to steal the nomination from Oblahblah at the convention. This will be interesting to watch.

[adl]

Watched Corsi on Washington Journal on CSPAN. Had no opinion of him before, find him disgusting now.

[Phil123]

This is the standard rebutal of liberals, and it's a classically fallacious form of argument known as the "Ad Hominem" counter-attact.

Instead of addressing and refuting any of the allegations, they attck the person making them.

Perhaps it would be more convincing if they could cite examples of blatantly incorrect allegations. Instead they attack Corsi (whom I could care less about). This is hardly convincing.

[nowRnever]

Uh, guess you must have missed the Obama campaign's 40 page rebuttal of this piece of trash.

[adl]

Thank you!

[Hirnlego]

Isen't the entire books sort of an ad Hominem attack?

Like "I don't really like this guy and I'm going to write a book about it. I'm gonna dig up all the dirt I can find to discredit him as much as possible. Bad sources are just fine, no one will truly question me about it and once it is out most of the damage to Obama has already been done"

Well guess what. This time the democrats actually appear to fight back against the smears. Good, that's progress.

[AzRealProgressive]

Negative information is not a smear unless it is false. And it is not an attack unless it is done for no reason. This is a presidential contest. The same type of attacks have been made against Mcsame. You had better hope the anointed one has answers to the negative information instead of you posters demeaning the book and its author.

It seems to be aimed at the independent types who will decide the election.

[Actionmac]

you have that in reverse, it's the GOP that uses that pratice.

Then they leave it to the small minds to run with it aggravating people with their lack of common sense by repeating the lies, delusional statements and placing blame of their tactics on their opponent...

BTW, if you didn't care about corsi you would not be reiterating a redumblican talking point. That is not convincing.

[AzRealProgressive]

BTW it is not a repub. talking point. Is there anything that you accept as a legitimate opinion out of your narrow scope of acceptance as valid ?

[Phil123]

Hey pal, did you ever look at the articles on the Huffington Post? I rest my case.

[S1m0n]

When you footnote YOURSELF as the source for much of the material in your book, you are explicitly engaging in 'argument by authority'. The appropriate response to A by A is to attack the quality of that authority.

That's not ad hominem.

[AzRealProgressive]

9 footnotes out of 700? That is much of the material? Who are you kidding? You are a class A example of an adhominem attack.

[reasonshouldrule]

You and a lot of posters here are missing an important point. You seem to think Corsi's book is true until proven false. Did you ever think about questioning its truth to begin with? Obama's 42 page rebuttal shows up the lies and distortions in the book. And Corsi's background as somewhat of a crackpot should be a red light for anyone reading this book--at least anyone who cares about having truthful information.

[AzRealProgressive]

What would possess you to believe the book was false to start with? Offer something that trends that way for everyone instead of your opinion about O. Negative information does not constitute lies and distortion. And if it is true what does it mean? O did his rebuttal. People who buy the book will decide if it is toilet paper. Just like Scott McClellan and others before him who published their opinion of events,

[Phil123]

Actually, I haven't read it yet. The reason I suspect that it contains (at least) some truth is because liberals are having a total fit about it. If it was pure nonsense, no one would pay any attention to it.

This is just like how I could tell that McCain's Hilton/Spears ad was so effective - it made the left apoplectic.