The latest right-wing game is to pin controversial figures, who might have said or done anything objectionable at any point in their lifetimes, to Barack Obama. Then make him apologize for them. Then make him denounce and reject them. And then say he hasn't done enough to "distance" himself from them.
It could be his pastor, it could be his neighbor, it could be someone he served on a board with, it could be someone who donated to him, it could be someone who gave him an unsolicited endorsement (Louis Farrakhan) or it can just simply be someone who is black (Harry Belafonte).
So, let's play the six degrees of Barack Obama game and see who else he should denounce and reject. I'll start off the festivities. I'm an easy one. I connect to him in only two degrees. I know Josh Orton, who worked on the online side of his campaign for some time. Bingo. Obama now owns everything I have ever said.
He's not going to like what he finds. Although I am perfectly reasonable in politics (though given to fits of vitriol), I am a fervent agnostic. I have argued vehemently against religion. Quotes of mine in this field could be devastating to Obama. I'll provide no links here; it wouldn't be fun if I did the media's job for them. Have fun, it's a treasure hunt.
Worse yet, I was born Muslim. I went to school in Turkey until I was eight (that will be translated as "attended a madrasa" by Fox "News" Channel). His connection to a known Muslim and atheist (come on, who is going to bother with the distinction between agnostic and atheist in the sound bite world) could be devastating. Is America ready for non-flag wearing, Muslim, atheist two heart beats away from the president?
If you think it's damaging that I am only two people removed from Obama, it gets worse. I often speak favorably of Obama on our show and among the remaining candidates he is clearly my favorite! Aha, that's the equivalent of an endorsement. He might not have asked for it, but just by the virtue of me issuing it, he's stuck with it.
I hope he at least does me the solid of denouncing my words and not my entire existence. It's gotta sting to have your whole being denounced and rejected.
I invite all of you to play along. See how many degrees it takes you to get to Obama and how enthusiastically and vociferously he has to denounce you.
Now, unfortunately, there is one man who is not allowed to play -- John McCain. Because the media has decided that while it is eminently fair to attach any person Obama has ever met (or in some cases not even met) to him, you can never look into anyone that John McCain has ever been associated with. He is a maverick, moderate, war-hero, straight-talker. So, obviously he doesn't need to answer for anyone in his past or undergo any of the Obama treatment. Sorry, John. This is one fun game you'll have to sit out.
Though there will be this awkward moment when people realize Barack Obama knows John McCain. And he is therefore is responsible for everything McCain says -- even though he is running against him. Wrap your mind around that one.
I do have some concerns about this though. I wonder if this game will distract from the real issues. I wonder if people will see through it as an obvious attempt to smear Obama by association. I wonder if people will realize it has absolutely nothing to do with how Obama would govern if he were elected. I wonder if people will wonder why it's only done to one candidate and not the others.
Nah, probably not. Don't want to ruin the fun, let's just keep mindlessly playing it until November and see what happens.
Follow Cenk Uygur on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheYoungTurks
1. In the '70s and '80s, I worked for a Chicago Congressman and knew David Axelrod. I used to see him all the time in the Oak Lawn Burger King with his kids....CONNECTION
2. Mark McKinney is a National Coordinator for the Obama Campaign. He used to work for the same Congressman I did. I had lunch with him on Saturday....CONNECTION
Now here's the bad part...I am Catholic and...I don't go to Mass anymore! (Sob) I also married a...non Catholic! Of course, we were both widowed, but in this sound bite world, that doesn't have to be mentioned. Think of all the Catholic votes he'll lose.
Boy, do I miss you, Cenk. I don't even listen to Air America anymore. The only one who's halfway decent is Rachel Maddow and she's on when I'm watching her on TV. The daytime people suck. I AM glad that Randi Rhodes is gone though. I never did like her.
Liz Wise
Indiana and already voted
Continued below:
So, if hillary is allowed to 'swiftboat' Obama into losing this over a stupid, manufactured, guilt by association charge, then I hope the Democratic Party is really happy with the outcome. I doubt very, very much if the EDUCATED white voters will vote for her, or the African Americans, or the millions of NEW young voters he brought into the race, or the Independents, or the disenchanted Republicans. I know I WILL NEVER VOTE FOR HER, EVER!! And, if she is nominated, I will be registered as an Independent the very next day. So, let's see if she can get elected by her core constituency, the rural, white, 'blue collar', narrow minded, uneducated racists! Sorry, but that is who this ridiculous guilt by association argument is being pandered to. That's who her ugly attack ads are aimed at. That's who all her smear and swiftboating is aimed at. I guess they are the only important constituents to the Democratic Party! This ugly, ugly smear campaign should have been stopped a long time ago, but now I think it is too late! Howard Dean and the DNC and all the Democrats in a leadership position have allowed this craven, power hungry, rude, ugly, dispicable woman to ruin the party's chances in this election by disregarding and alienating the core constituents in the party so they wouldn't have to face the wrath of hillary and bill clinton.
I am just fed up.
In fact Rev Wright has every right to say anything he has said and I find it silly to keep on Obama's ass to keep denouncing every other thing or person or statement that MSM says he ought denounce.
It is obvious when listening to Rev Wright that he is brilliant, educated and interested in a vast array of subjects and problems of this country. We should listen to him.
We've all been saying that this America's foreign policy has been a DAMNED chaotic disaster for 7 years for sure, and many more no doubt...so why all the outrage when Rev Wright agrees with us in his preachings?
We should embrace Rev Wright and invite him to offer up programs for development for the advancement of the disadvantaged. Obama is an OK speaker, but Wright is electric and can really motivate anybody, if that was his mission.
He is a rare talent and sadly that is not lost on the whities, they can't get rid of his kind fast enough...ye gads we might make progress!
tsk tsk America
BTW, what has Wright said (IN CONTEXT!!!!!) that is that objectionable?
Thanks again for the balanced and always logical analysis.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9500E3DE103BF933A2575AC0A960958260
Maybe at the next debate he can ask Senator Obama if he condemns or repudiates former Buffalo Bill Running Back O.J Simpson.
Doesn't all this Rovian "stuff" being thrown need a compatible surface to stick? If it does stick, what does it say about us?