The Worst You Can Say About: Barack Obama

In the next part of our series, The Worst You Can Say About... I'll be looking at some of the myths going around the intertubes about Barack Obama. (Check out the first part in the series by Jay Allbritton, who looks at what people are saying about John McCain.)

Some of our most vocal commenters here on Political Machine are very familiar with the false stories circulating about Obama. They have been most kind sharing those lies with all of us in the comment sections of our posts. Thanks to all of those who have provided me with links and insight into these unfounded rumors.

The most "popular" of these viral emails can be found on Fact Check.

These phony stories will surely become more widespread and talked about if Obama wins the Democratic nomination. So, here's my stab at creating a quick link of myth debunks for future use on 527's and the RNC:

Flat-out Untruths and Lies:

Myth #1 - Barack Hussein Obama is a Muslim (not that there's anything wrong with that).

Based on a chain email titled "Who is Barack Obama?" and it's variations.

The usual story here is that Obama's mother married a Kenyan Muslim (also named Barack Hussein Obama) divorced him and then married an Indonesian Muslim and that Barack went to an extremist Wahabbi madrassa in Jakarta, Indonesia. Variations include that because his father was Muslim, Obama will always be Muslim, and run to the extreme theory that he's some sort of Muslim Manchurian Candidate and will invite Osama bin Laden to be VP or Secretary of State. These of stories, of course, have been debunked many times by multiple sources.

Obama's mother, Ann Dunham, did indeed marry a Kenyan that she met while both attended the University of Hawaii. Barack was born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1961. The Obama's divorced in 1963. When Barack was six his mother married Lolo Soetoro and moved to Jakarta. While there Obama attended both Muslim and Catholic schools - about 2 years each. Both schools, by their nature, offered religious instruction. When Barck was ten he was sent to live with his maternal grandmother in Honolulu and attended a secular private school on the island from 5th grade until graduation. Links that debunk this myth (there are many more):

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/22/obama.madrassa/

http://www.politico.com/news/stories/1007/6314_Page2.html

Myth #2 - Barack Hussein Obama's middle name is Muhummad.

This one cracks me up everytime I see it. His middle name is Hussein. It doesn't make it scarier to add the Muhummad in there. We get the point. See Myth #5 below.

Myth #3 - Obama swore his Senate Oath of Office on a Koran

See Myth #1. Obama is a Christian and used a Bible. Ask Dick Cheney, who administered the Oath. People who repeat this are thinking of Rep. Keith Ellison (D-MN), the first Muslim Congressman, who did use a Koran in his ceremonial swearing-in. Ellison used a Koran borrowed from the Library of Congress that was owned by that crazy jihadist Thomas Jefferson.

Links that debunk this myth:

http://www.politifact.org/truth-o-meter/statements/238/

http://www.snopes.com/politics/obama/muslim.asp

http://www.factcheck.org/elections-2008/sliming_obama.html

Myth #4 - Obama won't put his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and the National Anthem.

This rumor goes along perfectly with the Muslim myths as it says, "See! He's not aMurkin!" Apparently this one started after a picture was taken at the Tom Harkin Steak Fry in Iowa back in September right as this group was about ready to hear the National Anthem:

From FactCheck.org:

It is true that the U.S. Code states that "all present except those in uniform should stand at attention facing the flag with the right hand over the heart." But the word "should" rather than "shall" makes that a recommendation and not a legal requirement. To confirm, we spoke with Anne Garside, director of communication for the Maryland Historical Society – home of the original manuscript of "The Star-Spangled Banner," and asked if anyone could be punished for not placing their hands over their hearts during the national anthem. She quickly replied, "Oh, of course not," adding that "there is no obligation to put your hand over your heart."

Pictures and video of Obama holding his hand over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance, The Nation Anthem, and even leading the Pledge as a member of the Senate can be found here, here and here.

Myth #5 - Obama's United Church of Christ parish is a black-only racist church.

And if you can't get a soul to believe the Muslim smears, you can always revert back to his OTHER church, the predominately African American Trinity United Church of Christ. Again from Fact Check is the email that I see copied and pasted here alot with the link. Unfortunately for recent visitors looking for black on white death and destruction, you'll now see the Church's mission statement AND and kindly while female Reverend waiting for you there to debunk this crap right there! You don't even need the email sent to you to get this - you can hear it on Hannity & Colmes nearly every night.

Subject: Obama's church

Obama mentioned his church during his appearance with Oprah. It's the Trinity Church of Christ. I found this interesting.

Obama's church:
Please read and go to this church's web site and read what is written there. It is very alarming.

Barack Obama is a member of this church and is running for President of the U.S. If you look at the first page of their web site, you will learn that this congregation has a non-negotiable commitment to Africa. No where is AMERICA even mentioned. Notice too, what color you will need to be if you should want to join Obama's church..._ B-L-A-C-K!!!_ Doesn't look like his choice of religion has improved much over his (former?) Muslim upbringing. Are you aware that Obama's middle name is Mohammed? Strip away his nice looks, the big smile and smooth talk and what do you get? Certainly a racist, as plainly defined by the stated position of his church! And possibly a covert worshiper of the Muslim faith, even today. This guy desires to rule over America while his loyalty is totally vested in a Black Africa!

I cannot believe this has not been all over the TV and newspapers. This is why it is so important to pass this message along to all of our family & friends. To think that Obama has even the slightest chance in the run for the presidency, is really scary.
Click on the link below:
This is the web page for the church Barack Obama belongs to: www.tucc.org/about.htm

It's also been reported widely that TUCC's magazine Trumpet gave Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said "truly epitomized greatness." It's covered pretty well here by Washington Post's Richard Cohen. Obama's adamant disavowal of the church magazine's decision here.

Now there are plenty of legitimate reasons to knock this candidate - his issues, his substance and his words recently are more than enough fodder for anyone. It's a shame in 2008 that we still see irrational fear and loathing of people and cultures we don't understand. We are Americans and we should be alot better than this.

Stay tuned for our next chapter in The Worst Thing You Can Say About...