RNC Mailer: What Does Obama Want From Islamic Terrorists?

In addition to launching a massive robocall campaign raising Obama's past association with Bill Ayers as a campaign issue, the Republican National Committee is out with a vicious attack mailer suggesting that the Democratic nominee is not just soft on terror, but willing to talk to terrorist leaders.

In a pamphlet forwarded to the Huffington Post by a Virginia reader, the RNC claims that Obama "thinks terrorists just need a good talking to." Obama has never said such a thing. Rather, he has discussed the need to open up diplomatic dialogues with heads of state, whether friends or foe.

The first page of the mailer contains a shot of a individuals standing at an airport window with a large plane outside -- obviously designed to evoke memories of the 9/11 hijackings.

"Terrorists Don't Care Who They Hurt," it reads.

Inside is a list of Obama quotes designed to paint Obama as a weak-kneed diplomat, too willing to meet "unconditionally" with leaders of rogue states.

"Islamic extremists want our laws changed, our culture destroyed and our families converted. We don't. What is there to talk about?" the mailer asks.

The ad amplifies charges that the RNC and McCain campaign have made against Obama in other forums, and comes amidst a veritable downpour of behind-the-scenes GOP attacks against the Illinois Democrat. In addition to the Ayers-themed attack, Talking Points Memo has documented four McCain/RNC robocalls running in multiple states:

* One that questions Obama's patriotism by saying he put "Hollywood above America" during the financial crisis.

* One that says that Obama and Dems "aren't who you think they are" and claims they merely "say" they want to keep us safe.

* One that attaches Obama to "domestic terrorist Bill Ayers," whose group "killed Americans."

* And one claiming that: "Barack Obama callously denied newborns needed medical attention by opposing a measure to force doctors to preserve their lives when they survive botched abortions."

If you receive any notable political mailings (from the RNC or anyone else), please let us know.

Comments

[nazcalito]

04:46 PM on 10/23/2008

Is anyone getting RNC robocalls on their cell phones? Like those 8 a day they're talking about? YOU CAN GET $500 A CALL! The statute is 47 USC 227(b)(3). Fill out one of those small claims court forms,list the calls, ask for $500 apiece, and serve the complaint on the RNC. Check the first four numbers of your cell phone number following the area code and see if that's a cell phone prefix at http://fonefinder.net/. If it is, the case should be easy money.

Unfortunately, the only robocalls I get on my cell phone is from idiot democrats. Obama just sends me text messages and I told them they could.

[BobCar]

02:27 PM on 10/23/2008

This 'terrorists' flyer has moved me to solid democrat.
I am disapointed and angry that such crap could be put out by a major party.
Do they think we are idiots out here?
They are digging their own grave.
Bye bye RNC

[jamesestrom]

11:47 PM on 10/24/2008

What is funny is when this is all over the politicians on both sides will all go on vacation together to some hoity- toity upstate hide away for the rich and famous. They will sip 20 year old scotch, eat caviar, and chit chat about awful politics have become in this country and what can be done.
Maybe this year we will see that there is no difference between John Obama and Barack McCain. Think I'm wrong. Check this out Obama, McCain, Biden all vote for bailout. www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/09/30/campaign.wrap/ Vote Barr, Nader, or some or some 3rd party. We need some real choices.

[kcoates55]

12:17 PM on 10/23/2008

This is shameful. He embarrasses us in front of the world.

[bobdob]

11:55 AM on 10/23/2008

I just received this mailer this morning. What a filthy, vile piece of garbage. It went immediately into the shredder and I went immediately to Obama's website and donated another hundred bucks. The Republicans should have learned their lesson from Michele Bachmann, but apparently, they're not smart enough to get it. Play dirty and we give money to your opponent. Lots of money.

[Manchadog]

06:56 PM on 10/23/2008

I went straight down to my local Obama office and signed up for their weekend phone bank. I just don't have anymore money to add to what I've already given but I can give my time. McCain is shameful - in 2000. I would have voted for him in a heartbeat. Not today - he's lost his compass, his intergrity, his judgement. It's such a sad fall from someone so promising.

[Tonksmom]

09:16 AM on 10/23/2008

That did it. I just donated $100 to Barack Obama's campaign. I had supported him in the primary because I wanted a better choice than Hillary, but I wasn't certain that I could support him in the general election. I have liked and respected McCain for many years, and I truly believe if he'd won the nomination and presidency 8 years ago, this country would be better off. I felt Obama was better on the economy and healthcare, but McCain felt more of a fit on national security and certain social issues that matter to me (like returning the abortion issue to the will of the people, where it belongs).

However, racism is a deal-breaker for me. I will not vote for a bigot, or someone who sanctions bigotry, simply because he is a federalist, or because he would be tough on terrorism.

I also wouldn't vote for his opponent if I were not convinced that he is brilliant and capable and more than ready to lead. Barack Obama has shown character, strength of will, and greatness in this past year, and I am honored to give him my vote.

A year ago, McCain had my vote. His choice of vice president pretty much put an end to that. And his choice of approach to this campaign has guaranteed that I will put all my resources behind Obama.

[chadlebabald]

08:20 AM on 10/23/2008

Wow. Until seeing this, I had decided I wasn't going to give any more money to Obama's campaign (not for any negative reason; just that I thought I'd given enough). Now, I'm going to give more than I had up until this point.

What really shocks me about this? Once the election is over, and for argument's sake Obama wins, how, pray tell, will McCain and the RNC provide the typical "congrats, it was a hard fought race, and now we must come together as a nation" concession? Because they clearly believe Obama is not who he says he is (read: he's going intentionally to work to undermine the interests and security of the United States--which, I believe is treason, no?). And if that's what they believe, then far from a concession speech, I would imagine they should actually protest the results and/or pursue impeachment proceedings even before he takes oath.

To hell with you, John McCain. You have taken the respect and admiration I once had for you and utterly obliterated it.

[SydneyS]

01:45 AM on 10/22/2008

"When fascism comes to America it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross."

Sinclair Lewis
1930 Nobel Laureate in Literature

[foomonkey]

12:21 PM on 10/21/2008

does anyone actually have an example of something POSITIVE that mccain has said or printed? let me clarify, something positive and TRUTHFUL?!

i didn't think it was possible, but it's becoming more absurd by the minute...

[skyglider]

11:44 AM on 10/17/2008

We should be flooding the Obama Camp with our e-mails letting them know that we are outraged w/this kind of gutter policies from the McCain/Karl Rove Camp.

I think these policies should be publicly condemned by the Obama Camp representatives, because they are slanders trying to steal the elections in exactly the same way they did in 2000 and 2004.

If they succeed in making McCain President by stealing this elections, Senator Obama still has a brilliant political future before him, but we will get 4 more years of Bush/McCain/Rove policies.

[bobdob]

11:59 AM on 10/23/2008

Forget the emails. Donate money instead. The Republicans need to be taught a lesson. The filthier they play this, the harder it will be for them to win. They're pigs, and they need to be sent back to the barnyard.

[Whinger]

11:07 AM on 10/17/2008

War has been a resounding failure, so what's your answer to the problem John?

[MaeScott]

11:03 AM on 10/17/2008

When McSame started to play nice(r) , he got a few bumps up in teh polls. With a new onslaught of lies, watch his numbers tank again. The GOP just doesn't get it.


O and Joe 08

[NaviGATR]

10:29 AM on 10/17/2008

I'm the person who sent this into Huffington. I also sent it around to as many other news outlets as I could. It's great to see all of you as outraged as I was, but the question I have is... why hasn't the main stream media picked this up yet? We're all just preaching to the choir here.

Spread the word to everyone you can. Don't let them get away with this!

[barackobama4prez]

09:38 AM on 10/17/2008

I think this will fall flat in VA. It's just TOO late. Most people who saw Barack in the debates already know his positions on diplomacy. It just reeks of desperation. I can't believe the regressives are losing VIRGINIA!

[lemonyashes]

10:04 AM on 10/17/2008

I love that "the regressives" it's so fitting.

[Skepticat]

08:51 AM on 10/17/2008

The GOP-pers are doing this because it worked in the past - and unfortunately most of the ethical people have been remove from positions of influence within their party.
Wanna stop it forever - make sure that it just doesn't work . Don't just elect the opponents - but elect
them by such huge majorities that no one would ever dream of trying those tactics again.
Put Rove and their heirs out of work forever. Huge majorities will also render voter fraud ineffective. Above all don't ever use the same despicable tactics. It will only give slime a legitimacy that it doesn't deserve.

[pj100]

08:29 AM on 10/17/2008

I just hope and pray my white brothers and sisters will not fall for the okey-doke we are all in this together and must stand tall to make this country for the people. ALL people