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Pics of Obama in Muslim Garb Circulated on Web

Media news aggregation site The Drudge Report is reporting that Clinton staffers are distributing pictures of Barack Obama dressed in the traditional garb of a Somali elder. The picture was taken in 2006 while Obama was on a five-country tour of Africa.

Sen. Barack Obama in traditional Somali garb.

This is the photo being distributed around the Internet of Sen. Barack Obama in traditional Somali garb.

AP photo


"Wouldn't we be seeing this on the cover of every magazine if it were HRC?" wrote one campaign staffer in an email allegedly obtained by the Drudge Report.

"On the very day that Senator Clinton is giving a speech about restoring respect for America in the world, her campaign has engaged in the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering we've seen from either party in this election," Obama campaign manager David Plouffe said in an e-mail to reporters.

But in an e-mail response just sent out by the Clinton campaign, they say Obama should be "ashamed."

"If Barack Obama's campaign wants to suggest that a photo of him wearing traditional Somali clothing is divisive, they should be ashamed," said Maggie Williams, the Clinton campaign manager. "Hillary Clinton has worn the traditional clothing of countries she has visited and had those photos published widely. This is nothing more than an obvious and transparent attempt to distract from the serious issues confronting our country today and to attempt to create the very divisions they claim to decry.


Drudge also included photos of other U.S. politicians dressed in native garb during visits to foreign countries, including Clinton.

Meanwhile, Andrew Sullivan of The Daily Dish writes that if the Clinton campaign wanted to push the Obama family's connections to Islam in front of the U.S. public, it would have been easier for the Clinton campaign to just distribute this column about Obama's Kenyan family by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof.

 

Comments (Send a comment)

It has been a tough decision on who to support but Clinton is fast making it an easier choice.Perhaps we should find some childhood Halloween pictures. Was she every a witch?

Sent by Michael Jacobs | 12:01 PM ET | 02-25-2008

The issues of the economy, health insurance, Iraq, terrorism are the only issues that are important. The motives of any group or people who detract from these issues by posting these images should be questioned.

Americans need to stick to the issues and not be swayed by fabicated media buzz. The United States needs to move forward and regain our leadership and respect in the world community.

Sent by Martin Verona | 12:03 PM ET | 02-25-2008

Soooo, when is someone going to act a bit more mature, presidential, adult-like? Is this the means of unifying the Democrats? I'm beginning to see why the Democrat's symbol is an ass. Maybe it's time to rethink Ralph Nader.

Sent by David Murray | 12:18 PM ET | 02-25-2008

If the clothes are more important than the man (or woman), perhaps we should forget the campaigns and simply vote on whether, as a nation, we prefer blue, black, brown or grey as the suit color for our President. Keep it simple.

Sent by Richard Heller | 12:37 PM ET | 02-25-2008

I would also recommend the following as a helpful (and funny) reminder to keep things in perspective:

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42332000/jpg/_42332248_bush_afp203b.jpg

Sent by MJ Kuhns | 12:43 PM ET | 02-25-2008

If people spent half as much time watching reality tv as they do researching Obama I think the delegate count might be different. He is to polarizing....My vote is for Hillary

Sent by Andrea Street Austin TX. | 1:01 PM ET | 02-25-2008

Just STOP it, will you? Media need to just focus in what is truly new and noteworthy, and leave the public alone to make thier own decisions.

Sent by f. gourlie | 1:05 PM ET | 02-25-2008

Is this "Muslim garb" or just the clothing indigenous to the place of origin?

This looks like a Karl Rove piece of mis-information.

Might be that someone who wants to get back into the White House may have let this one "slip out".

Sent by Dave Rosen | 1:24 PM ET | 02-25-2008

I just think that Hillary Clinton is getting desperate. She has been getting very petty in her statements, and, now this is showing how low she will go.

Sent by Diana | 1:46 PM ET | 02-25-2008

I'm a lifelong Democrat and I voted for Bill twice - would have voted for him twice more had the Constitution allowed it. But the Clintons' tactics since South Carolina have turned me against both of them to the point that I'd vote for McCain over her if she were to win the nomination. She certainly has provided me with no grounds to think she deserves my vote.

Sent by Lisa | 1:56 PM ET | 02-25-2008

so this is how Obama is going to bring us together and bridge differences? I'll vote for Hillary thank you.

Sent by pat | 2:08 PM ET | 02-25-2008

The outrageous, vulgar, deceptive tactics of the Clinton campaign machine has made the differences between Senator Obama - a true dedicated and honest leader, and Senator Clinton and her divisive, destructive, shameful and arrogant conduct crystal clear for all of America.

Yet, a deeper question needs to be raised regarding what might motivate Mrs. Clinton to conduct herself in such a vengeful, reprehensible manner:

Could it have anything to do with preserving her Yucaipa / communist China investment deals carried out by her husband, that were hidden from the public - and that go directly to raising questions about whether Mrs. Clinton is capable of preserving the public's trust when it certainly appears that her duties as public servant seems to have been put on the back burner when it came to the Clintons making lucrative profits from foreign investments that at the very least would seem to appear as an egregious conflict of interest, since Mr. Clinton (Hillary's husband) was the individual who pushed NAFTA through, which cost thousands of AMericans their jobs along with substantial losses ( health care, their homes, everything they worked for) while there are numerous corporations that benefitted from NAFTA that seem to be funding Clinton's campaign, and it appears that in some instances, deals were struck that call to question Mrs. Clinton's ability to serve the public's interest over her own interests for personal gain?

IS THE REAL PICTURE, THE ONE WHERE THE TRUTH HAS BEEN GETTING OBLITERATED BY CLINTON-DISTRACTION DEFAMATION METHODS, THAT ARE AIMED AT DESTROYING A GOOD, HONEST SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS?

Bill Clinton May Get Payout of $20 Million
By JOHN R. EMSHWILLER
January 22, 2008; Page A1

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120097424021905843.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

Mr. Clinton is negotiating to end his relationship with Mr. Burkle's Yucaipa Cos. as part of a broader effort to protect the presidential campaign of his wife, Sen. Hillary Clinton, from potential conflicts of interest. Details of Mr. Clinton's involvement in Yucaipa and his efforts to unwind it come from documents and interviews with people familiar with the matter.
The former president has had links to Yucaipa since early 2002, when Mr. Burkle -- a longtime friend and political contributor -- offered him a role there. Mr. Clinton's association with the firm began at a time when he was looking to earn large amounts of money, partly to pay heavy legal bills accumulated to defend himself and Mrs. Clinton from several investigations during his presidency.
Now, as he negotiates with Yucaipa to withdraw from the relationship, he is a wealthy man, thanks partly to tens of millions of dollars he has earned making speeches around the world.
Mr. Clinton initially signed on with Mr. Burkle as a senior adviser to closely held Yucaipa. As part of that arrangement, Mr. Burkle agreed to give Mr. Clinton a share of the profits from two Yucaipa domestic investment funds if their returns reached a certain threshold. Mr. Clinton's adviser arrangement ended in early 2007, five years after it began. But Mr. Clinton still hasn't settled the issue of his payout.
Under his arrangement with Yucaipa, Mr. Clinton has the right to opt out of a particular investment, according to people familiar with the matter. Mr. Clinton exercised that option in the Xinhua case -- possibly out of concern that such an alliance could cause headaches for his wife's presidential bid. Yucaipa invested about $25 million in the company.
In an October filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning the Xinhua investment, Yucaipa disclosed that one member of its global fund's general partnership was Dubai Investment Group (YGP) Ltd., which is connected to a much larger group of entities owned by Sheik Mohammed that has investments around the world.
Since leaving the White House, Mr. Clinton has had various contacts with Dubai. For example, Sheik Mohammed last year pledged financial support to a Clinton charitable initiative, and the former president's foundation has a scholarship program at the American University in Dubai in cooperation with the emirate's ruler.


Maybe there really is a "LOT AT STAKE" for Mrs. Clinton, and Bill Clinton.
Maybe it's to the tune of TWENTY MILLION DOLLARS...and COUNTING.

Sent by Hope | 2:15 PM ET | 02-25-2008

This is a non issues, but he still looks better than Hillary and her pantsuits.

Sent by Tom Mattey | 2:30 PM ET | 02-25-2008

Another day and another chapter in "silly political season." I'm hoping that NPR gives us relevant info on the issues. Coverage of these high school food fights is a disservice to its readers. The only thing this blog tells me is that Hilary has taken her broom out of the closet; she's only hurting herself.

Sent by Roger | 3:02 PM ET | 02-25-2008

Those media dorks need to stick with Americas Next top Model or Brittney or whatever floats their boat. At this point, it's beyond nervewracking. It's bad enough that campaigns are not about our country anymore, and that reporters do not report, but expect to be "schmoozed" by candidates. This kind of crap is too much. I doubt if either candidate on either side has time to think this stuff up. Looks like something that a bored internet meddler did on their own. And with a name like "Drudge Report"? !!! Yep, sounds completely credible. They must think the public are idiots, but unfortunately, many times, the public believes such garbage.

Sent by A. | 3:06 PM ET | 02-25-2008

Two questions:
1. Why does your headline say Obama is in "Muslim" garb when the story does not?
2. Has the Clinton campaign been pressed as to whether they are the source of the photo? What is their explanation? That's more important than Maggie Williams sniping at the Obama campaign.

Sent by Kim Pearson | 3:34 PM ET | 02-25-2008

Give Me Liberty! or give me egotistic Words!(Not quite the sentiment of Patrick Henry). Show me Your History. (Not! the Movie with the words "Show me the Money" (Like Oprah and Friends Donations)) That is... the Question ? (Shakspere (That is the Question?)) Change! Change! Change! Thats all You'll have left is Change if you elect a liberal (Left Wing Radical) cause You'll be taxed to death. I'm an American Period! not a African-American, Irish-American and or (What ever)-American. Lets Start Caring About Everybody, not just a particular group (White,Black, Female,Male,etc..). Freedom and Justice for all! Government Controls Will effect our Liberties. Yes we do need Government, but limited. American Government First "Security" (no Liberties if your taken over by another government or an murderer or thief),Second is "Transportation" and the rest you can figure out. Just remember your rights end at the tip of your nose, at that point someone elses's rights begins. Government is only for common needs, not wants, You and Charities are responsible for your wants (remember the constitution). Most of all remeber God is Almighty not man. Faith in a government is only good if there is a higher power. God is mentioned all through our governments history for a reason. Our Founding fathers knew the relevance of God, but now elected oficials forgot, fredom of religion not from religion.

Sent by Freedom Call | 6:36 PM ET | 02-25-2008

Hilary is on a very slippery slope indeed, grabing at mud, rocks and any twig of incriminating evidence to deminish Obamas credibility. The sad thing is she is actually calling all forces of the Law of Attraction to herself. That what you focus your attention on comes right back at ya! Better duck quick Hillary! You asked for it dear, and it wont be coming from the gentleman wearing the robes of grace and diplomacy, Mr.Class Act himself, Barack Obama!

Sent by Shirley Blackwell | 8:16 PM ET | 02-25-2008

IT IS CHILDISH, I WON'T VOTE FOR EITHER, THE ELEPHANT WILL TRAMPLE THESE TWO asses EASILY.

Sent by SISTER | 10:23 PM ET | 02-25-2008

Sent by SISTER: IT IS CHILDISH, I WON'T VOTE FOR EITHER, THE ELEPHANT WILL TRAMPLE THESE TWO asses EASILY.

Properly put, Sister.

But, look at the prospects this way. By the time the Billaracky mule stops kicking itself, there won't be much left for the elephant to step on.

fred camorra call

Sent by fred camorra call | 9:19 AM ET | 02-26-2008

Clothes are tricky - the dress code of the wicked has become the three piece suit - our current president is a three piece suit wearing good old boy christian - he has started a war under false pretenses - refuses to acknowledge the criminality of his staff - has the former CEO of halliburton as his partner - gave the war profits to halliburton - bankrupted the country beyond the record that RONNIE R set - has given fewer open discussions than any president ever - and then they are scripted - do clothes make the MAN - we should rethink this issue - anything new has to be better than the same old song we are hearing now - we are running on fear - whatever happened to the BRAVE AMERICANS - every time a politician says BOO! WE ALL RUN & HIDE & WANT A NEW LAW RESTRICTING 300,000,000 PPLS FREEDOM TO CATCH ONE PERSON - DISGUSTING THAT THIS IS NEWS & NOT THE CRIMES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION - MCCAIN IS THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION - if you dont realize that the bush/cheny crowd has already picked the staff you for mccain need to wake up - pete m

Sent by pete margo | 8:24 PM ET | 02-26-2008

if hillary really cared about this country & not her enormous EGO she would pass the nod to obama & know she could do a great job for this country as V.P. - if she gets devisive she will split the vote & give the victory to mccain - i dont think mccain is a bad guy - i just think he has kissed the bush family ring & sold his soul - if clinton gives this victory to the bush crowd it will be selling out at the highest level at a time when we need change the most - pete m

Sent by pete margo | 8:28 PM ET | 02-26-2008

i know Muslims who tell me he is truly a Muslim. Wow! some believe he is the Antichrist..... Muslim to Christian .... to President hmmmmmmm
If Hilary looses i am going republican..

Sent by dillon devoe | 1:56 PM ET | 02-29-2008

I am very bitter for Obama and his supports. Eveytime people or anyone who say bad things about Obama the will already blame Hillary Clinton and they do anything and everthing to destroy whoever did not agree with them. It this what they call Obama will united the country. If you vote for him he will divid the country then what Bush doing right now.

Sent by STEFAN SINGHANATH | 3:08 PM ET | 04-21-2008

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