Author David Maraniss Distraught Conservatives Using Book to Debunk Obama
Liberal historian and Barack Obama biographer David Maraniss is almost beside himself that people everywhere are talking about his new book Barack Obama: The Story.
While most authors would be overjoyed at the amount of free publicity that Maraniss is receiving, the veteran author is almost distraught that conservatives are talking about the book in a way he didn't intend--to debunk many of the lies and half-truths that President Obama told about his young adulthood in his autobiography, Dreams From My Father.
As conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh noted during his radio program on Wednesday, Maraniss is “in crisis” because “the right wing” is using his book to point out “all the things in Obama's autobiography which are not true.”
Limbaugh stated that Maraniss is “vetting Obama and doesn't realize it” by “documenting lies and falsehoods, and as far he's concerned, all he's doing is getting the record straight” by “poking holes” in information from the president's book, "Dreams From My Father."
The radio host turned to comments the author made during that morning's Starting Point, a CNN program hosted by Soledad O'Brien:
I don't know what's happening here. The right wing has taken my book. I'm not a fact-checker here, I'm a historian. I'm just helping get the record straight.
Limbaugh stated that the tumult over the 641-page book by Maraniss is causing such trouble because “what he's doing is demonstrating that nobody questioned anything in Obama's books.”
Maraniss continued that challenging the incidents and people listed in the president's autobiography is “not the point of my book. I'm not writing it as a fact-checker. I'm writing it as a historian.”
Referring to "Dreams From My Father," Maraniss indicated that “a memoir is far different from rigorous factual biography.
It's not as though I'm trying to say, "Ah-ha, I got you," on each point. It's just I'm trying to present the way I really found it, which is in many cases different from what he presented.
But the author noted that he almost didn't write the book because he feared that the “right wing” would dismiss the book while “cherry-picking every single negative thing in it to use against Obama.”
Limbaugh responded that the book “was supposed to be a campaign valentine” for the president, but instead, it has led to people asking where the press was when they should have been vetting Obama during the 2008 presidential election.
While acknowledging there are discrepancies between what really happened and the way the president presented it, Maraniss tried to defend Obama's memoir by stating:
He wrote it when he was in his thirties before he was running for president. He had no clue that people like me would be coming along later and trying to tell the real story.
Stating he was “incredulous over this,” Limbaugh indicated that in his autobiography, Obama stated that his grandfather, Hussein Onyango Obama, was taken prisoner and tortured by the British during the Mau Mau rebellion.
“It didn't happen,” Limbaugh said, noting that was one of many lies in Obama's autobiography pointed out by Buzzfeed:
Also, Regina, a friend at Occidental who Obama writes about as a symbol of the authentic African-American experience, turns out to be based on Carolina Boss, who is white. Regina was the name of her Swiss grandmother.
In addition, Obama's description of his friends as “an alienated ne'er-do-well 'club of dsaffection,'” were actually “decent students and athletes who went on to successful careers," Limbaugh noted.
And perhaps the most surprising information Maraniss learned was the fact that the president's mother left his father, not the other way around.
When you get into all these things in detail, what becomes obv ious is that all of these lies and composites and whatever other techniques that one uses in memoir now have been created to make Obama out to be a victim. He's a victim of an unstable family. He's a victim of a white-oriented basketball coach. He's a victim of the Brits who put his grandfather in jail and tortured him. He's a victim here and a victim there.
As a result of the controversy caused by the book by Maraniss, the upcoming Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare, the scandal over the Fast and Furious gun-running program, and several other problems, Limbaugh concluded that “the bad week of Barack Obama has morphed into a bad two weeks and looking now to be a bad month.”
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Comments
What do You call a Historian that doesn't fact check ....,
Submitted by nixon on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 6:26pm.
A Liar !!!!
OR...
Submitted by Unsane on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 7:08pm.
...or freaking incompetent (at BEST).
I need to see this joker's credentials...
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
NewsBusters - Four Years Late - But Glad You Caught Up
Submitted by zeestephen on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:07am.
RE : "And perhaps the most surprising information Maraniss learned was the fact that the president's mother left his father, not the other way around."
World Net Daily researched and documented this fact four years ago.
Three weeks after Obama's birth, Obama's mother was living in Seattle and attending the University of Washington.
In fact, probably half of the "revelations" and "revisions" in the Maraniss book have been previously published at WND.
Unfortunately, WND is a "Birther" publication, and its reporting is completely ignored by NewsBusters and most other mainstream Conservative websites.
World Nut Daily
Submitted by Unsane on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 9:16pm.
It's World Nut Daily, and it is a Conspiro site for sure.
They sure got that prediction about the "North American Union" all wrong, didn't they?
They are on par with the National Enquirer.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
The Amero
Submitted by Free Stinker on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 9:30pm.
Wasn't WND also trying to "warn" us about "The Amero" ? :-\
/// Sarah Palin Fan since July 11, 2007 /// خال
The NB Memory Division!
Submitted by Unsane on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 9:54pm.
Indeed they were!
And the Conspiro set of NB (Ten7s, alamojb, et al) are not here to either explain why, when I visited Canada recently, I had to change my currency from U.S. to Canadian dollars or why I went through the CBSA - AND the CBP! In short, they won't come back here and explain why and how they could be so wrong.
Nor are they ever going to apologize for their boorish behavior, attacking people who shredded their pet conspiracy theories using nothing more than sheer logic.
"CONSUMED DEMOCRACY RETURNS A SOCIALIST REGIME" - Slayer, "Fictional Reality", from Divine Intervention (1994)
Leftist Lynch Mob
Submitted by Samaritan01 on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 6:42pm.
When the Socialists are stringing Maraniss up to the nearest tree his last words will be,"But I only told the truth!"
Poor deluded fool......
It could be a lot worse
Submitted by needle on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 6:43pm.
I find it interesting that David Maraniss was not out to get Obama, not at all; he was merely trying to steer narcissist Obama's account of himself as a your stereotypical victim's victim towards a more factually account.
In other words, it is not the sort account one might get if, say, Tina Brown were writing about Sarah Palin's life.
- Looking forward to the self-annihilation of the Manipulated Stories Machine.
So what?
Submitted by Scrap Iron in Texas on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 7:23pm.
This book will be flying off the shelf.
Conservatives will but every copy they can find.
Isn't that a GOOD thing? I mean, you sell two million copies and make a whole boatload of money- sounds like the American dream to me.
Do you remember when AP hired about 10 fact checkers for
Submitted by merly1 on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 7:24pm.
Palin's first book?
Think there is a media double standard.............................
:oD
You know as well as I do
Submitted by ricklail on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:02am.
You know as well as I do conservative books are full of lies but liberal books are the gospel truth. Why od conservative books out sell liberal's? Glenn Beck's new book, Cowards, is number 1 on about all the best seller list except one. Would you want to guess which one that is? Try the NT Slime.
Oblivious lib
Submitted by Quasi-socialist on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 7:26pm.
You might be able to authoritatively establish the truth of someone's claims. You can't authoritatively establish what it means: that's dogma. These proponents of "open-mindedness" really have a problem when people take from facts what they would rather not have them take from it.
Who cares that you're not a fact-checker! A fact-checker and a historian have in common that they are supposed to establish what really happened and what didn't. You're point is stupid.
It can be argued that Darwin didn't want to justify Eugenics when he wrote "No one who has attended to the breeding of domestic animals will doubt that this [that the "weak members of civilised societies propagate their kind"] must be highly injurious to the race of man. It is surprising how soon a want of care, or care wrongly directed, leads to the degeneration of a domestic race; but excepting in the case of man himself, hardly any one is so ignorant as to allow his worst animals to breed." It's stated as if it were a fact that no knowledgeable or experienced person could doubt, thus a fact that we have have injured our race by allowing the weak members to breed. The counter is expressed as "ignorant". It's other people that decided they wouldn't put up anymore with the ignorance of injuring the race by building "asylums for the imbecile, the maimed, and the sick" or instituting "poor-laws".
Darwin's own feelings to the contrary that we could not "check our sympathy, even at the urging of hard reason, without deterioration in the noblest part of our nature." didn't rise to the same expert and non-ignorant level. But no fewer people were sterilized and killed by eugenicists because Darwin had these sentiments about some fluffy "noblest part of our nature", when he had documented the undoubted harm that an expert could tell you about and the ignorance of doing it otherwise.
You establish facts, not sentiments and not morals.
Historian
Submitted by rusino on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 7:35pm.
Well, I believe that an Auto-Biography is supposed to tell the 'true story' of the Authors life. If an Historian disects the tale and finds discrepancies they are fair game for further examination.
What does it say if your autobiography is full of lies ...
Submitted by ombdz on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 7:43pm.
Pretty said, actually. Among Obama's biggest problems is that, to quote Arthur Miller, he's "liked, but not well liked." Not a good situation to be in as President. Because when times get tough, and your reservoir of good will is a bit shallow, you find out who your friends are - and aren't ... http://bit.ly/qVdDUt
answer
Submitted by LionKing on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 8:57pm.
...it says that Obama is the MOST transparent POTUS ever!
I don;t buy that he is liked,
Submitted by MrSnuggles on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 11:01pm.
I don;t buy that he is liked, people just don't want to be called racist so they say they disagree with his policies but like him personally.
Obama
Submitted by TRH on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 7:56pm.
Losers lie.
Sadder and sadder
Submitted by Chicagoray40 on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 8:29pm.
What this shows is that half the country all the way to the underlings of Obama have let him skate all his life as he's a new and improved race hustler out of the old Jesse and Al mold except coming from a different angle, a 'white' African American liberals knew they could ride like a government mule all the way to Utopia using the race card, rabid Bush hatred on the left and stupidity as well to launch the perfect puppet up to 1600.
This is how it all went all O's manipulative life: "If we ask that question are we being racist, will I get in trouble for discriminating asking him where he was born, where's his school records, where's momma, where's daddy, who's paying your freight here at Harvard, who paid for Columbia seeing it cost a couple hundred g's back then even" etc etc...
VOILA, the impervious PC BS BO shield that cannot be penetrated or will be by the MSM. Period. It's now the leftist minority pandering "Favor non whitey" decade with these people and that's all there is to it. Prop em all up thanks to bad and very ugly history we had nothing to do with and send US the BILL? Not anymore because everyone knows the race hustle now thanks to this ghetto training wheels friendly fired hydrogen bomb of a presidency and most have had enough. 50 yrs is plenty.
He was picked and anointed as Rush always says, he wasn't running for president, he just won a senate campaign where he admitted he wasn't schooled enough at that time and we know now still to be president. He also promised he would not run if asked to once he won that famous senate seat he barely shiiite in (and left about 10 of his supposed friends careers in shambles in it's wake, Blago etc) before being pulled out as the Liberal Messiah brutha from anutha mutha...
Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe. –Albert Einstein My Twitter
Maraniss is just
Submitted by motherbelt on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 8:36pm.
Maraniss is just "recalibrating [Obama's] inarticulately worded statements."
Indeed!
Submitted by nixon on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 8:43pm.
His past is just evolving .
You nailed it, nixon
Submitted by Galvanic on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:22am.
I'm no expert, but It appears that Maraniss' discovery of many lies in Obama's autobiography is consistent with the behavior of a narcissist. Obama wants to be admired by all -- and especially acceptd by black Americans -- and he wasn't comfortable with the truth of his life. So he fabricated one, and few until now have dug into the facts.
Maraniss' status as a nationally know author now sheds light on much of the earlier discoveries of lesser known researchers, and thus becomes more difficult to refute. But this will not spare Maraniss from being scourged by the Left, especially the Race Industry. Get Maraniss and Roland Martin on the same set and watch the explosions.
Obama's Evolution. Where's
Submitted by Blonde on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 10:35am.
Obama's Evolution.
Where's BK when you need him? I see Obama riding down the road in his choomwagon, eating a fido burger, while talking to his imaginary (girl? boy?) friends....with dreams of a faux father dancing in his head.
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)
Maraniss....
Submitted by bigdaddy on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 8:55pm.
...obviously another bigoted, hateful, racist...
He should have titled his book "Wet Dreams of My Absent Father".
As the messenger …
Submitted by JeffC... on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 10:02pm.
… he's getting shot at. Doesn't he watch the news and see what the media are supposed to do?
One Lie
Submitted by bmacdmac on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 11:05pm.
That one lie has lead to a life time of lies. I talk to many moderate Democrats during the course of a week and even they are starting to see that Obama is a fake, fraud and the were fooled into voting for him.
This alleged "historian"
Submitted by seanrobins on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 11:36pm.
This alleged "historian" probably should have limited his primary "source" material for Obama's own writings, if he is concerned about accidentally get the facts straight. What a moron.
sean robins
It was hard
Submitted by Okieflyover on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 11:39pm.
For Obama to lock down facts about himself in a book he probably didn't write.
hmm, he is going to have to
Submitted by hoosherdaddy137 on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 11:42pm.
hmm, he is going to have to find another group to pander to now in order to win at least a couple votes back. Well since Bill Whittle has been talking trash about "bro-nies" The prez will come out and say he loves the ponies too.
So if I'm understanding the argument,
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Thu, 06/21/2012 - 11:53pm.
He was a liar when in his thirties too? Your point is?
Boy Baraka Obama IS a lie -
Submitted by killa37 on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 12:55am.
Boy Baraka Obama IS a lie - his whole life has been a lie - he is living a lie - and therefore, whatever comes out of his lying mind and lying purple lips is considered to be the TROOF, by him - and he just can't see it any other way. People like this do NOT think that they are lying!!! I actually know a couple...............
➚ Honey, I shrunk the President
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 1:13am.
OH! David Maraniss! Not Rick Moranis?
I listened to Rush Wednesday, waiting for him to say the words I hadn't heard yet. That Eric Holder facilitated the deaths of over 150 Mexicans and two federal agents.
I was also dumbfounded that Maraniss claimed fact-checking was not a part of being a historian.
Cool Arrow*
Submitted by cajun2 on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 1:19am.
Please, please send ...Honey, I shrunk the President...idea to Bk ASAP. I want to see that in a photoshop all over the interwaves...LOL
the truth shall set you free...really..?
Submitted by nanoflex on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 1:27am.
An obama disciple unwittingly caused obama's "autobiography" to be reclassified...
it may now be found in the fiction section,
where it belongs.
➚ And fittingly retitled
Submitted by Cool Arrow on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 1:32am.
As "Bungle Fever"
Cool ---
Submitted by matthewdean on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 1:44am.
That's the post of the day.
(6-21 where I am, or 6-22, either one)
MD
Sheesh....
Submitted by 98ZJUSMC on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 5:30am.
Since when have facts become exclusive of history?
I'm not writing it as a fact-checker. I'm writing it as a historian.”
Ohhh...I get it. He's writing the history of a fiction. *blank stare*
*facepalm*
Truth!
Submitted by LaVallette on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 7:50am.
Fiddle with the truth especially when leaving a record, regardless of the medium, and sooner or later it will turn around and bite your ass.
Maraniss should be intellectually mature enough to realise that any problem caused to the Obummer by his honest account, are not with him but with his subject.
The only thing historians owe to their subjects and their readers is the truth.
Should've been called..
Submitted by almostacowboy on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 8:14am.
"I Dreamed Up My Father". :-/
facts, schmacks...
Submitted by Baldrickk on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 11:17am.
facts, schmacks... all dims live in a fantasy world, why would barry be any different?
Let me see if I understand this
Submitted by misterbee241 on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 12:26pm.
Maraniss, even when he caught Obama in a lie, is unwilling to admit Obama was lying. Man, that IS carrying the water.
I might have to buy the book to PO Mariniss even further.
Badge of Dishonor
Submitted by HardRightTurn on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 1:53pm.
This guy not only deserves the tainted Leftist Pulitzer Prize for fictionalizing reality, he will get it. Gag me with a spoon.
To more fully comprehend the Left, one must read “Leftism As Psychopathy” by John Ray, M.A., Ph.D. Caution, it might scare you a little bit.
http://jonjayray.tripod.com/psycho.html
Well you see Mr. Maraniss
Submitted by chiefpayne on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 2:20pm.
The problem is is that the TRUTH and FACTS which are YOUR bread and butter are essentially kryptonite to all liberals.
David Gregory Interviewing Maraniss
Submitted by gopcongress on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 3:08pm.
Here is a link to MSNBC Press Pass host, David Gregory, interviewing Maraniss. Gregory is absolutely uncomfortable, as if he's trying to find a way to discredit Maraniss' book while not dissing him totally. An NB blogger should be interested in this little tidbit.
http://presspass.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/06/22/12359329-press-pass-davi...
"The news and truth are not the same thing." -Walter Lippmann (1889-1974) FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER
The author is distraught because Conservatives are...
Submitted by jawebster1 on Fri, 06/22/2012 - 7:37pm.
quoting from his book?
He has convinced me not to buy his book. Are you happy about that Mr. Moronis?
Now not only Liberals will not buy his book, neither will Conservatives.
In debunking Obama, where did this mental midget think his potential reading audience was coming from?
Speaking of Faux-ny Obama & Composite Chicks...
Submitted by Blonde on Sat, 06/23/2012 - 12:55am.
Check this out!!!!!!!
Amazing on so many levels.....
My first observation: PLASTIC SURGERY
My second observation: The myth is unraveling at an extraordinary pace!
So many white girlfriends....so little time....and one little imaginary friend who represents all of those evil white chicks!
LAY IN YOUR STORE OF POPCORN, PEEPS....THIS IS GOING TO BE FANDAMNTASTIC!
[Edit] Take notes on the words used...."pompous", "self-absorbed", etc.
Paging Doc Sam!
Like I said.....don't burn the popcorn, peeps!
Handy Reference Guide to Obama's Gaffes and Goofs ~ Currently Numbering 200 (and Counting)