Once again the so-called “extremists” were right again. Here it is from the horses’ mouth.
ABC News’ Jake Tapper and Sunlen Millerreport: The other day we heard a comment from a White House aide thatnever would have been uttered during the primaries or general electioncampaign.
During a conference call in preparation for President Obama’s tripto Cairo, Egypt, where he will address the Muslim world, deputyNational Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Denis McDonoughsaid “the President himself experienced Islam on three continentsbefore he was able to — or before he’s been able to visit, really, theheart of the Islamic world — you know, growing up in Indonesia, havinga Muslim father — obviously Muslim Americans (are) a key part ofIllinois and Chicago.”
Given widespread unease and prejudice against Muslims amongAmericans, especially in the wake of 9/11, the Obama campaign wasperhaps understandably very sensitive during the primaries and generalelection to downplay the candidate’s Muslim roots.
The candidate was even offended when referred to by his initials “BHO,” because he considered the use of his middle name, “Hussein,” an attempt to frighten voters.
With insane rumors suggesting he was some sort of Muslim Manchuriancandidate, then-Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his campaign dideverything they could to emphasize his Christianity and de-emphasizethe fact that his father, Barack Obama Sr., was born Muslim.
The candidate’s comment at a Boca Raton, Florida, town hall meetingon May 22, 2008, was typical: “My father was basically agnostic, as faras I can tell, and I didn’t know him,” he said.
In September 2008, candidate Obama told a Pennsylvania crowd, “Iknow that I’m not your typical presidential candidate and I just wantto be honest with you. I know that the temptation is to say, ‘You knowwhat? The guy hasn’t been there that long in Washington. You know, he’sgot a funny name. You know, we’re not sure about him.’ And that’s whatthe Republicans when they say this isn’t about issues, it’s aboutpersonalities, what they’re really saying is, ‘We’re going to try toscare people about Barack. So we’re going to say that, you know, maybehe’s got Muslim connections.’…Just making stuff up.”
Back then, the campaign’s “Fight the Smears” website addressed the candidate’s faith without mentioning his father’s religion:
“Barack Obama is a committed Christian. He was sworn into the Senateon his family Bible. He has regularly attended church with his wife anddaughters for years. But shameful, shadowy attackers have been lyingabout Barack’s religion, claiming he is a Muslim instead of a committedChristian. When people fabricate stories about someone’s faith todenigrate them politically, that’s an attack on people of all faiths.Make sure everyone you know is aware of this deception.”
The website also provided quotes from the Boston Globe and Newsweek mentioning his father’s roots.
Since the election, however, with the threat of the rumors at leastsomewhat abated, the White House has been increasingly forthcomingabout the president’s roots. Especially when reaching out to the
Muslim world.
In his April 6 address to the Turkish Parliament, President Obamareferenced how many “Americans have Muslims in their families or havelived in a Muslim majority country. I know, because I am one of them.”