Wrong...Wrong...Wrong: Obama Lets Muslim Advisor Resign

Will anyone notice? Barack Obama's team just threw its key Muslim advisor under the bus.

Barack Obama needs to make a statement loudly, clearly, and with passion that he embraces Muslims as much as any other Americans of Christian, Buddhist, Jewish or other religious persuasions. It wouldn't hurt for him to embrace devout secularists like me for that matter.

But I'm irritated and saddened by news that Barack Obama's Muslim-outreach coordinator, Mazen Asbahi, has resigned "amid questions about his 'involvement' in an Islamic investment fund and various Islamic groups."

Let's tally up Obama's Muslim outreach record:

~ Obama campaign apparatchiks ask young Muslim women not to stand in photo with Obama because of head scarves (Obama campaign later apologizes).

~ Barack Obama gives AIPAC speech that manages to run to the right of President Bush and Israel Prime Minister Ohlmert in demanding that "Jerusalem must not be divided." (Obama later recants after the fact)

~ Barack Obama not only terminates Middle East advisor Robert Malley from his team because of Malley's views that Hamas should be engaged -- but his spokesman, Bill Burton, states that not only is Rob Malley no longer advising Obama "but will never advise Obama." That's running the bus over someone and then backing it up to make sure that Malley doesn't survive and has no chance in an Obama administration. I like to remind folks that Paul Volcker and Ted Sorensen signed the same letter Malley did but have thus far missed the campaign guillotine.

~ Barack Obama gives an inspirational speech to more than 200,000 Germans in Berlin calling for a "World Without Walls." But Obama is silent in Israel when it is the wall dividing Israelis and Palestinians that is becoming an increasingly worse and impactful global ulcer.

~ Barack Obama spends 30 plus hours in Israel and 45 minutes in Ramallah during his recent trip and meets many Iraelis who have been pro-settilement expansion, solidly violating international law and US policy. Some on Obama's advisory team turn a blind eye to Israel's expanding settlements and continue to be associated with and meet with settlement zealots -- but Obama keeps ALL of these people on his team.

~ Barack Obama accepts the resignation of a mainstream Arab-American lawyer from his advisory team because eight years ago, Mazen Asbahi served on a board "for a few weeks" that included a muslim fundamentalist imam from Illinois. Asbahi resigned from the board. . .eight years ago.

What? Wait? Obama has had a many years long relationship with Jeremiah Wright -- and sat on a board with William Ayers -- NEITHER of which I think are disqualifiers for Obama's candidacy... and yet Obama's political team and Obama himself did not demand from Asbahi that he stay on the team, stand his ground, and fight back against the vile right-wing hit on him and his credibility?!

I think that this is outrageous -- and those on the left who appreciate Obama and what he may mean for this country must become as tenaciously committed to what is right and what is good -- and fighting for that -- because those on the other side of these debates are trying to compel Obama to dilute himself.

Zalmay Khalilzad is an effective and popular MUSLIM Ambassador of the United States to the United Nations. We need more Muslims in our diplomatic corps. We need Muslims on the Supreme Court. We need more Muslims like Keith Ellison in the US Senate and House of Representatives.

Obama should say it. Convince the American public that he's not setting up a zero sum game between Muslims on one side and Christians and Jews on the other.

Obama is a Christian. I get that. I'm a secularist hard core -- but I won't stand by to watch more good people be flushed down the political drain because they are Muslims trying to work for a balanced and level playing field in America.

This resignation by Asbahi stinks -- and Obama and his team should immediately call him back and help him stand up to anti-Muslimism in America.

-- Steve Clemons publishes the popular political blog, The Washington Note

Comments

[gigi09]

Scott Clemons...­???? ***!

[equusmtn]

It sounds like there may have been a LEGITMATE reason for letting Abahi go. Before I criticize Barack here, I have a couple of questions: Was there a good reason for this action? Has Asbahi been replaced, or was the position abolished? If Asbahi was replaced with someone as well or better qualified, then I see no reason to criticize Barack.
I wonder if McCain even HAS a "Muslim-outreach coordinato­r."

[Beaux510]

To all of you ready to condemn Obama for this, I have a question: Do you or do you not want to see Obama become President? You want him to make a statement? Fine, but let's leave it until he is living in the WhiteHouse.

He isn't the President yet. If you want to help John McCain get elected just keep doing what you're doing.

[InjunTrouble]

Clemons is quite right, Obama needs to stop dumping people the way he has been doing.

But maybe his campaign managers know how to run campaigns better than we do.

The goal right now is to get elected and if it means sucking up to the Israel lobby as well as to the Christian nationalists, so be it.

After the elections we can all bring pressure on Obama and his administration to be fair to everyone including Muslims, Palestinians and secular people. If we do it now, we may never get to see them in office.

In the meantime, it is best to pander to the American public - they are not that bright (they elected Bush TWICE).

[dadw5boys]

You can't believe what some people write!!!!!!

The man resigned !!

He decided it was best for Obama for him to resign bvecause of all the hate at even the mention of Islam!!!!

That was the base for his decision, an interview was printed in some obscure paper the major media did not think it news worthy because he brought up the hate he had encountered around the USA.

[Justsaynodeal]

"After the elections we can all bring pressure on Obama and his administration to be fair to everyone"

Isn't this politics as usual. Isn't this doing anything it takes to win? In the end, don't we have to ask "who is this 0-man?" It seems to me that to the believers, Mr. 0 can do anything he wants to win POTUS because only he is the chosen one. But other Americans don't share your belief that he is indeed the one, and they ask, who is this man? It is hard to say because he seems to throw anyone under the bus who puts a shadow on the created "image." Some of us find this a "risky business."

[galinha]

I completely agree with you on this one Mr Clemons. I understand Senator Obama's predicament with regard to the Muslim issue. It's a delicate balance he has to tread. Given the enormous anti-Muslim sentiment in America he does not want to be seen to be too cosy with Muslims. But I feel he has taken that a bit too far.
It is my view that he has not been forceful enough in getting the message across that even though he is a Christian and not a Muslim, there is actually nothing wrong with being Muslim. Obama's appeal as a candidate for change is that he will change the status quo. That should include changing the perception that being Muslim is something one should be ashamed of.
I am of the view that he should even be proudly using his middle name Hussein, if only to show that there is nothing wrong with having a Muslim name. The majority of Muslims in America and around the world are decent law abiding citizens. There are some bad apples among them, (as is the case with many other religions), and that does not justify tainting the whole religion.
By the way I am an ardent Obama supporter. Supporting a candidate does not mean blind loyalty even when they are wrong.

[Justsaynodeal]

"even though he is a Christian and not a Muslim, there is actually nothing wrong with being Muslim"

Bingo! The question is, if one is willing to compromise to win, what kind of principles does one have?

[amiri1]

Steve,

Your passionate article resonants with hope for a better world. Honestly, the middle eastern conflict
is a huge problems that Obama can only effectively address as president.

He cannot carry the weight of the world on his shoulders and simultaneously jump through all of the hoops set in his path day after day. He is man not a deity. Cut the man some slack.

[roxn]

American Muslims seem to feel that he owes them something - particularly Middle Eastern Arab Muslims - but if Obama were a black African like his father - likely these same people would have snubbed him - a look at what is going on in Darfur really sums this picture up -

There is a lot of attention given to Muslims and Islam even in Europe - and it is clear not everyone wants violence - but then there is always that push for the introduction of Sharia law - because they say they live better by it - when what they really mean is that they wish to eventually Islamise the whole country. And this is what makes people feel a little uncomfortable about - Islam in politics

[sparkandy]

American Muslims don't feel that Obama owes them something, any more than African Americans think he 'owes' them something. And he DOES owe them something - the same respect he shows for all other religious and ethnic groups.

[mesut]

couldn't have expressed it better myself. I don't expect Obama to do anymore for me as a single, black female. I simply want to feel included in the process. I haven't in the last 7.5 years and looking forward to someone speaking in my voice when they speak for the American people.

[roxn]

How can Barack Obama get away from the issue of being a Muslim - his dad was a Muslim - but said religion was hocus-pocus. Barack's mother was open to religious ideas or more their rituals - and took them to the Buddhist temples - and even when Barack talks about Islam - it is from the point of view of a little boy - who understood that there was a more moderate version of Islam being practised in Indonesia - not the Wahabbist oil funded version that is being rolled out there today - complete with indolence towards Christians but also towards other sects of Islamic belief.

You don't go to church for 20 years if you are a Muslim - neither do you get married in a church or have your children Christened there - it's a conspiracy too far.

[RButler]

He's the ONE, all right, the last ONE standing. How many people has he had to distance/disown or whatever. After his interview with his family, he said 'no more'. I'm surprised he hasn't distanced himself from Michelle for her remarks, it's his style. He won't be able to campaign standing next to Edwards if the story is true. I guess he likes to travel light. I mean 'light' as in 'weight' not 'skin color' for you hypersensitive folks. You know how you run with absolutely anything.

[roxn]

How can Barack Obama get away from the issue of being a Muslim - his dad was a Muslim - but said religion was hocus-pocus (that can't be the Islam we are looking for). Barack's mother was open to religious ideas or more their rituals - and took them to the Buddhist temples - and even when Barack talks about Islam - it is from the point of view of a little boy - who understood that there was a more moderate version of Islam being practised in Indonesia - not the Wahabbist oil funded version that is being rolled out there today - complete with indolence towards Christians but also towards other sects of Islamic belief.

You don't go to church for 20 years if you are a Muslim - neither do you get married in a church or have your children Christened there - it's a conspiracy too far.

[BENACEY]

LISTEN YOU DIMWITS LEAVE THE 0BAMA THE FU@K ALONE. WHAT THE HELL U WANT HIM TO DO IF THE MAN DECIEDED TO RESIGN, I'M SICK AND TIRED OF U SO-CALL DEM.

[quincyscott]

Obama has a Muslim Outreach unit in his campaign, and he is going to replace Asbahi as its head. It is unclear that he is throwing Asbahi "under the bus," and it is certainly not a disparagement of the Muslim community as Clemons suggests. Comparing Asbahi to Ayers and Wright is unfair: neither man was a part of Obama's presidential campaign, and if they had been they surely would have been booted off if they acted controversially, or if something untoward about their past turned up. Again, Clemons is I think making a lot out of nothing.

[outsidein]

Thank you for this article. For all the injustices against gender and race that have been brought to the fore in the past year, the one on religion (primarily Islam) has been sidelined and ignored. We have a problem when Muslim is a synonym for Terrorist. I'm not voting for change, I'm witholding my vote until I see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMf9oBpvI0o

[tjjones]

yes, stay neutral. dante loved people like you.

to even act like you'll stand on the sidelines of an election such as this is ludicrous.

[Justsaynodeal]

Powerful three minutes of film......­....thank you.

[deminmo]

Maybe the fact that Obama has had derogatory ads regarding
his being Muslim, which was disproved, and Obama's upbringing
being used against him, maybe his advisor felt it was for the best.
I had not supported Obama from the beginning because of his
questionable relationships, but as time has gone by I have decided
this is all basically crap. The Presidential campaigns take on a decidely
low-brow approach as time goes on. Senator Obama has been
the one who at least waits for a time when direct attack is warrented.

[biglover]

I read the article in the WSJ and he said he resigned on his own. I don't know what is or is not the truth but that is what was reported.