Charles Payne, Barack Obama's Great-Uncle, Attends D-Day Celebrations (PHOTOS)

Charles Payne is Barack Obama's great-uncle. He's the brother of Obama's grandmother "Toot," the woman who raised Obama and died one day before he was elected. During the campaign Obama misspoke while talking about Payne's war record. He claimed Payne had helped liberate Auschwitz when in fact he had helped to liberate Ohrdruf, a sub-camp of Buchenwald. The Obama team quickly corrected the flub, but not in time to stem RNC mailings about it.

Below are some more photos of Payne at the D-Day celebrations sitting on the same row as British First Lady Sarah Brown, French First Lady Carla Bruni-Sarkozy and Michelle Obama, his great-niece in-law. Below the photos is an excerpt from a recent interview that Payne gave to the German magazine Spiegel.

Interview from Spiegel Online.

SPIEGEL: You're a Democrat?

Payne: I was a Democrat from way, way before Barack was born.

SPIEGEL: Are you proud of your great-nephew?

Payne: Yes, naturally. I was at the Democratic Convention in Denver, where I was introduced by Senator John Kerry, and then also at his inauguration. He encompasses so much: self assuredness, competency, leadership and the great good luck that he had. Finally he had the good luck, if you will, of the financial crisis that got him elected, but now he also has to deal with it.

SPIEGEL: How would you describe your relationship with Barack?

Payne: Our relationship is warm and friendly, but I'm not part of his inner circle. We always have an interesting chat when we get in the same room together. He doesn't call me up and ask what I have to say about world policy or anything. And I never offer my opinions on any of this.

SPIEGEL: And will you join your great-nephew on his trip now to Germany?

Payne: If he invites me on Air Force One, I'll be there.

Comments

[SeeJaneRunning]

Nice. Payne essentially implied that he was only there to be exploited in a photo op for The One. Shall we also focus on the current plight of BO's brother (you know, the one living in the hut) and aunt (you know, the illegal immigrant living in taxpayer funded public housing)?

[Mark Twaine]

This is a very interesting article and family history. I understand the President's father was quite intelligent and it is obvious his Grandmother Toots and Uncle Charlie are also. I do believe he was blessed with their genes!

[flamflurm]

double recessive

[2Dark2Matter]

The last pic, zoomed and cropped, is being used on hufpo as if michelle was giving the "stink eye" to Mrs. Sarkozy...­even has a poll. From the pic on here it is obvious that she and the uncle are looking at the lady on the other side of Mrs. Sarkozy. How silly.

[AuntiepoppyCock]

Family comes in all colors. Like it or not.

[Mattie]

I'm glad he got to go, anyone who sacrificed during that time, should feel proud, and we owe them a debt of gratitude.

[rubinoff]

yup. :)

[enilorac]

I can' believe it became a nit pick for the Repubs to make a case out of the mistaken concentration camp name liberated by Obama's great-uncle and other brave servicemen of World War Two. Of course accuracy with history is essential, but with a quick apology and correction in the heat of a campaign, what's in a name ultimately when genocide is committed.

[Mattie]

the campaign is over, we were talking about his uncle and how much he deserves such an honor.

[Waltfl]

Back then I was wondering how many Americans could name 5 nazi concentration camps from the top of their heads, and would know where they were located. Everybody knows Auschwitz, because it was s big, but who in this country has ever heard of Ohrdruf. Oh well, the election is over. We are talking about mustard, NYC plane scare, and the teleprompter now.

[flamflurm]

...and selling out Israel to the MB.

[richdibo]

I thought that this post is about President Obama's great-uncle at the D-Day celebrations - a significant topic given his service in the war and his trauma brought on while liberating a prison camp.

Would someone please explain the relevance of Michelle Obama's facial expressions and legs.

[kareemachan]

There is none, but if some of the nut-jobs can't think of anything negative to say about the article, they immediately resort to ad hominem attacks. Moronic, really.

[Cambridge9]

The only relevance is that Michelle happens to be sitting/standing next to her husband's Great Uncle - and she can't do that without her legs (they are attached to her). As for her facial expressions? I'm up on this stuff and she has promised never to appear in public again without a 'frozen' smile solidly in place!!

[HekmabaJuzimax]

The headline is misleading. When I read it I immediately thought of Chen'ey. More and more like a ta.blo.id ev.ery da.y.

[rubinoff]

this forum is for 'entertainment purposes only'.....­not to be taken seriously and yes, it is tabloid. :)

[Ergon]

So did he get to fly in Air Force One? :)

[Jakealoper]

Funny how so many Americans say we liberated Auschwitz, which was in Poland so it had to be the Red Army. It's not a horrible mistake, just a simple geographic one. Even a genius like Michael Savage said that, a man who knows all about people with mental disorders and vermin in the media cause he is the best example.

[auegg]

Please post the whole interview. I read it in German and he is like Obama very intelligent and analytical.

[Nanea]

There's a link to the international site of Der Spiegel, to the English version, right under the last photo. Isn't that good enough?

[auegg]

You are right. Sorry, didnt see it.

[ThankGodforAtheists]

Glad this veteran could be there and live long enough to see Obama as President. As an aside, as much as I dislike George Bush, Laura seemed nice but Michelle Obama has done more, inspired more in her short time in the White House than Laura did in 8 years.

[1088]

BE WARE OF PAID BLOGGERS WITH DIFFERENT NAMES, BUT IS THE SAME PERSON! DON'T FEED THEM, JUST IGNORE!

[ItHadToBeSaid]

Flag them, THEN ignore. And flag them EVERY time you refresh the page to load new comments.

[Chloe33]

Paranoid much?

[SeeJaneRunning]

The Caps Lock key is usually located on the lower left corner of the keyboard. BEWARE OF IG.NORANT LEFTISTS POSTING PARANOID RANTS FROM THEIR MOTHER'S BASEMENT YOU MAROON.

[hardlyhikin]

During the campaign the right wingers were all up in arms because of their perception of "how angry" Michelle Obama was.

I think it's obvious here who has the anger issues.

[canobserv]

they are very good at projection­........

[TainoBoy]

Cheers!

[Jakealoper]

yeah, the right loves calling people haters, angry and racist without the slightest hint of irony.

[FrozenNorthObserver]

it's called projection

[Bitsko]

A few more leg shots would have been nice.