Less than 48 hours after going to the State of the Black Union and claiming regret for divisive comments, Hillary Clinton’s campaign takes that strategy to the next level. They then have the African American advisor put out the statement about it. Why’d Howard Wolfson and Jay Carson disappear all of a sudden? They ain’t foolin’ me. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck.
The Washington Post reports:
Barack Obama’s campaign this morning sharply criticized Hillary Clinton’s campaign for reportedly sending a picture to the Drudge Report of the Illinois senator that showed him in African dress, with Obama campaign manager David Plouffe accusing Clinton of engaging in “shameful, offensive fear-mongering.”
The picture, taken of Obama while he was in Kenya in 2006 on a Senate trip to Africa, shows him in Somali garb, and Obama aides suggested the Clinton campaign circulated it to call attention to Obama’s African ancestry and give credence to persistent and false allegations circulating online that he is a Muslim. Obama is a Christian who attends a United Church of Christ congregation in Chicago.
Clinton campaign officials did not deny sending Drudge the picture. Instead, in a statement, campaign manager Maggie Williams said “if Barack Obama’s campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed. Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely.”
“We will not be distracted,” Williams said.
Read more.
A BBC Correspondent writes:
These are the normal clothes that nomadic people wear.
The head turban is especially used by elderly people as a suggestion of respect. It is something that has no meaning whatsoever in Somalia culture.
If you see someone dressed like that in Somalia, you think it is a nomadic person – that is all.
There is no religious significance to it whatsoever. It is mainly the nomadic people who use it. Some of them are religious, some are not.
Read more.
February 25, 2008 at 2:42 pm
[...] klompen wrote an interesting post today onHere’s a quick excerptLess than 48 hours after going to the State of the Black Union and claiming regret for divisive comments, Hillary Clinton’s campaign takes that strategy to the next level. They then have the African American advisor put out the … Read the rest of this great post here Posted by [...]
February 25, 2008 at 3:02 pm
I love how she is exposing herself as a fear-mongering, hate-filled political machine.
-James
http://www.thepoliticus.org
February 25, 2008 at 7:24 pm
The clothing takes on a different meaning when he wears it– and HRC knows this or she wouldn’t pass it around!
February 26, 2008 at 1:54 am
Wait, so no one can wear a sombrero in Mexico, or a Pacific Island Lei when they visit? I wish that Obama’s people would call the religious/cultural prejudice onto the carpet where it belongs, not in the shadows. But I guess I REALLY wish the American people would call it out onto the carpet.
We should donate MORE money, make MORE calls, and form even BIGGER crowds at his rallies to show that it doesn’t matter what religion anyone is if they are trying to care for all the people and tell the truth as Obama seems to be trying to do.
February 26, 2008 at 10:59 am
This is what happens when you RUSH into a presidential campaign before your time. Does taking a tour and donating funds to help with our foreign Aids activities qualify as foreign policy experience? It would have been more impressive for Barak with his 10 years of US Constitutional Law experience to maybe find a way for one of them committees he sits on to get these folks living in contaminated trailers after 2.3 years in New Orleans some assistance first…
February 26, 2008 at 11:04 am
From a http://www.Blacks4Barack.org Commenter:
TEXAS/OHIO….BEFORE YOU VOTE…..Here’s What HILLARY’S ‘Mandated’ Health Care Plan FEELS Like
As a Massachusetts single parent, 2 job holding resident, I wish reporters and interested parties would ask Mitt Romney, our former Governor, about his mandated health insurance plan for all Massachusetts residents he left us with. Ask democrats, republicans and independent voters what we think about this plan. This is the same plan that Hillary wants to adopt. Please do yourself a favor and ask the Massachusetts residents how it feels to no longer have a choice about putting food on the table, because YOU MUST, pay for a premium you can’t afford. Ask MA residents how LONG it takes them to get a visit with their PCP (Primary Care Physicians). Ask the MA seniors about their medicine vs health care premium. I can go on, but please ask the questions. Also note that Mitt Romney never gives credit or much talk to his governorship here in Massachusetts, because he KNOWS that Massachusetts RESIDENTS think he is a scam. Mandated health care IS NOT a good plan…TRUST ME, and the rest of the MA residents who can vouch this. Barack has the better plan.
Submitted by a http://www.Blacks4Barack.org Commenter
Seems like the only one who benefits from Hillary’s Plan is her buddies at the INSURANCE COMPANIES !
Say It Loud…BARACK & I’M PROUD !!!
February 26, 2008 at 12:21 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnLSkWulPVE&eurl=http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/
Tubbs Jones: Barack Obama and the “Clothing of His Country”
In this clip on Morning Joe, Stephanie Tubbs Jones shows us clearly that the Clinton’s are continuing to smear Obama with that picture.
February 26, 2008 at 1:06 pm
hodgepodge of references and a pro Obama Slant? I can’t believe you actualy put that in the header. You just told all visitors that you practise propaganda.
YIKES!, that was almost as smart ad BUSH!
February 26, 2008 at 2:38 pm
In a campaign that has become desperate, Hillary Clinton may next call into question Obama’s membership in the all-black Trinity Church and it’s leader, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, who some have called a racist.
February 26, 2008 at 4:51 pm
The clothing of Obama’s country is what he wears ont he campaign trail..he is AMERICAN!!! Born in the USA.
February 26, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Enough of the Clinton slime machine! Just go away and leave us alone.
February 27, 2008 at 7:17 am
First, let’s correct something. The clothes are National dresses not costumes. I had no idea that Hillary was such a poor loser. She just alienated this supporter. Does she really want change for this country or is it power at any cost that she seeks? Please Hillary band with Barack and take back the White House and the Government. If you tear each other down, you provide ammunition for your opponents.
As democrats can you both get along and do the mud and slime slinging at the other party? Bury the hatchets please! There you and Chelsea are dressed in hajabs (Muslim) but you criticize Barack for the dress he was wearing. All leaders try to show love and respect for the peoples of the country they visit and put on their National/Native dress, ride their camels. Come on deal with the issues at stake in this country. How are you going to bring change in America? Right now all we are interested in is the audacity to hope that tomorrow will be better than today and we can again look to the American dream.
February 27, 2008 at 11:51 am
Although Barack Obama is essentially seen as a Black man, let us not forget his Mother was a White woman.
February 27, 2008 at 8:51 pm
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February 28, 2008 at 2:28 am
Hillary is really pathetic! Why would she think that this photo would put a dent in his very evident success over her? After all, it is African!! What is WRONG with that! Did she even stop to think that this would enhance his image? NO…because her innate disregard for African culture will not allow her to think this way. Watch out, Hilary….your negative perceptions on anything African is showing!!!
February 28, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Diversity now. Go Obama Go! who cares what he wears . all we care about is change and better leadship. Obama represents all of us and he cares about the people. Take a look at his background and you will realize that the man is a gift from above.
February 28, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Two months ago, I told everyone who would listen that b4 the end of this campaign, we would see the TRUE Clinton family! And HRC is proving to be no different than she was when she was a Goldwater Girl….Racist, relentless, and reckless….
She is NO true Democrat. And she can lie like a rug!!! Catch her snafus in the last debate, anyone? IMO, she is giving ALL women a bad name!!!
February 28, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Hillary, may be a liar and a Clinton, but she is the devil we know. What do we really know about Obama? Anyone can spout rhetoric about change, but what does that really mean? And, “for the first time in my adult life I’m proud of my country” per Mrs Obama, Oh please! He/She are good speakers, but that’s about it. At least Mrs/Mr Clinton have real experience and success!
March 4, 2008 at 10:50 am
I used to never listen to country music, but it’s changed. A lot of it is more mainstream and I like that. Plus the women are hot and that makes everything better!