Last night I had a “conversation” with some of my in-laws about politics. Bad idea considering I am suffering from a sinus infection and generally feel miserable but I have to share a tidbit. An unnamed cousin of mine (who’s not old enough to vote) said this about Barack Obama: “do you know what his middle name is? It’s Mohammed!” Shaking my head I corrected him that it’s Hussein and then asked him what difference it makes what someone’s middle name is. My middle name ultimately comes from Charlemagne or Charles the First, but that doesn’t make me secretly Roman or secretly British. I’m amazed that the FUD about Obama still abounds so much. If he could have done one thing with the Saddleback forum I wish it would have been to open up with “no, I’m not a secret Muslim, I’m a Christian and apparently some people can’t get over my name and skin color,” but the high road is a tough one.
Obama is correct: the campaign needs to move on to actual issues, not juvenile “he said/she said” crap. John McCain himself even said that, but I guess he’s doesn’t have a lot of actual say so in his campaign to make a difference. Personally I’d love to hear some real plans from both sides with regards to the economy, education, and housing. But I expect only to hear actual information from the Obama campaign. The McCain campaign has too many tabloids to sell. Mr. McCain, I have a load of respect for you, but since you’ve surrounded yourself with these sorts of folks I cannot in good conscience vote for you in 2008 like I would have gladly done in 2000.
This is a great clip. Obama reminds me of Wager here in the way he approaches this topic – insightful, full of common sense, seeing through the mess and putting forth a crystal clear case for what really matters. He naturally inspires respect (in those who will give him an honest listen.)
I’m dumbfounded that the FUD from pundits and the McCain campaign sticks so well. I think more people should watch The Daily Show. Silly as it may be, they do a wonderful job of pointing out absurdities. They follow the lead of the rest of the media in covering these trivial aspects of the campaign, but at least they use humor to put it in some perspective. Perhaps your cousin could learn to spot these things for himself.
I don’t know what the campaigns are to do though. Did the media cover what Obama went on to say about education? Or did they just go with the story “Lipstick Rebuttal!”?