We've already seen in this election cycle a real sensitivity in the Obama-ogling media to any suggestion that Obama be mischaracterized as a Muslim. But will the media allow the Obama campaign to have it both ways, as Muslims voice hope that his upbringing in Islamic Indonesia will allow him to bring the echoes of detente to the "so-called war on terror"? Agence France Presse reports:
Delegates at a US-Islamic forum voiced support on Monday for U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama, although some warned against expecting any radical policy change irrespective of who captures the White House.
Obama, who is vying to become the first black president of the United States, won overwhelming support in a mock election by more than 200 American and Muslim delegates at the US-Islamic World Forum in the Qatari capital. His Democratic rival Hillary Clinton and Republican candidates won only a handful of votes.
Around 280 public figures and academics from 32 countries, including Afghan President Hamid Karzai and the US ambassador to the United Nations, Zalmay Khalilzad, attended the fifth edition of the forum due to end in the gas-rich Gulf state later Monday.
Many Muslim delegates said they hoped to see Obama win the Democratic nomination and go on to be elected next November to succeed US President George W. Bush.
"I would like to see Obama become president of America because he champions 'change and hope', which we Muslims need as much as the Americans do," Islamic television preacher Amr Khaled told AFP.
Khaled told the forum that he speaks "on behalf of millions of Muslim youth who seek work, respect and freedom," and urged the next US administration to "solve the political problems in Palestine, Iraq and Afghanistan, and not to mix between Muslims and extremists."
"The Indonesian people would love to see a (US) president who has studied at an elementary school in Jakarta," Din Syamsuddin, chairman of Muhammadiyah, one of Indonesia's largest Islamic organisations, told AFP in a reference to Obama.
But Dhiya Rashwan, an Egyptian expert on terrorist groups, warned that US policy under the next president would be "a continuation of current policies, though in a less extreme way than the conservative Republican administration".
The Bush administration has "planted landmines everywhere" for its successor, making it impossible for the next president to suddenly reverse course, Rashwan said.
One example is the arms deals concluded by the Bush administration "to counter Iran and terrorism ... The arms industry will not give up these deals under any circumstances," he said.
The Bush administration has also "imposed phobia" on the Americans, something US politicians will find difficult to change, Rashwan added.
The Bush administration is generally unpopular in the Middle East and Islamic world due to the US-led invasion of Iraq, the "war on terror" which is often associated with anti-Islamic sentiment, and Washington's perceived bias for Israel.
A major theme in the 2008 election will be over the perceived need to improve America's image internationally, just as John Kerry insisted in 2004. Is the job of commander-in-chief to keep America safe, or make America popular? They don't have to be mutually exclusive, but what if the Democrats place popularity abroad above security at home?
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.





















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They have a lot in common,
February 20, 2008 - 09:42 ET by general companyThey have a lot in common, they both blame the USA.
"Always do right. This will gratify some people, and astonish the rest". Mark Twain
America, not so proud
February 20, 2008 - 10:01 ET by Tim GrahamDesperate spin from Obama campaign manager David Axelrod on Michelle trashing America:
Spin, spin, spin... When we
February 20, 2008 - 10:38 ET by JerrySpin, spin, spin... When we sing "America The Beautiful", are we talking about the beautiful American political system? When we say "God bless America", are we seeking God's blessings upon our political system? I don't think so. If she meant it to be about our "politics" she would have said it.
When asked if he went to war with Iraq to derail the impeachment vote: “I don’t think any serious person would believe that any President would do such a thing." - President Clinton (Dec 1998).
The enemy within...
February 20, 2008 - 10:18 ET by PlaceboOf course, Muslims love Obama and why not… this is obvious, with his unabashed and obvious kowtowing to the enemies of America and Western-Democracy. Not unlike his airy-fairy leftist disciples, he, also, loathes everything for which this nation stands.
We are up the creek without the proverbial paddle if this seditious (even more so than Hillary) and alleged messiah, eventually, becomes president. Israel will be subdivided out of existence; America will become a mere remnant of its former self… France-like.
We ain’t seen nothing yet, folks: our nation is teetering on the brink and Barak will give the final push!
The enemy within is more dangerous than the one without.
Isreal
February 20, 2008 - 14:41 ET by iveseenitall"Isreal will be subdivided...". You've got that right, Placebo. And so much of that should be placed on the American Jews who have bashed their true friend, President Bush, without mercy. Joe Lieberman knows it; that's why he's backing McCain.
NEVER,NEVER trust a "liberal"
the harmless pill
February 20, 2008 - 21:59 ET by WesenI am afraid things may go something like that... and if so, how could it be anything else but the judgement of God?
Awwww!
February 20, 2008 - 12:00 ET by drillanwrIsn't that special ... The "Muslims" have their token apostate ...
When you men get home and face an anti-war protestor, look him in the eyes and shake his hand. Then, wink at his girlfriend because she knows she’s dating a pussy… ~ Attributed to General Tommy Franks
apostates come in handy!
February 20, 2008 - 12:03 ET by TruthMongerapostates come in handy!
You can be sure Obama makes
February 20, 2008 - 14:26 ET by bigtimerYou can be sure Obama makes CAIR and all their ilk very very happy campers.
David Bauder, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
February 20, 2008 - 14:46 ET by ZayneHave you seen this story about the employee who mistakenly flashed a picture of Osama bin Laden on MSNBC as Chris Matthews talked about Barack Obama?
http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=cp_fpfs1pmkq14&show_article=1
This stroy will be droped so fast you'll never know it happened.
Zayne... Maybe that was
February 20, 2008 - 14:57 ET by bigtimerZayne...
Maybe that was Shuster working behind the scenes until he comes back on air...
LOL!
msnbc sure is making a lot of apologies lately, to make it all up to us out here they can rid us of the mindless insanity from the insane one...Olbermann.
He won't be loved by Muslims for long
February 20, 2008 - 17:04 ET by libliebusterAmerican muslims might support Obama for the moment, but they might change their tune if he finally declares that he is christian - not muslim. Google "apostacy" if you are interested in the automatic death sentence Obama will receive in islamic countries practicing Sha-ria law. I wouldn't be surprised if a fatwa is issued against him.
It doesn't matter if he has ever been a practicing muslim or not. According to islamic law - any person born of a muslim father is a muslim. Those born as a muslim that later reject the faith are dealt with much more harshly than either infidels that have never accepted islam or muslim converts that later reject it.
I lived in an islamic country for 5 years. The arab muslims don't consider American muslims to be "real muslims". They consider them to be only a step above we infidels - but just a tiny little step. I could quote some of the things the arabs said to me about the American muslims but it would probably have to be censored out of this comment.
Those mosques funded and staffed by the radical islamic groups like the Shi'ites and the Wahabi-ists will not be preaching support for Obama - they will attack him as a traitor to their faith.
Oh boy
February 20, 2008 - 17:14 ET by dvdaughtryDon't let the Truth Monger see this...
Pastor of Islamic Outreach says Obama Is A Muslim!
February 20, 2008 - 17:23 ET by GilI was passed this post from a blog by a friend. It appears to be a legitimate Christian pastor who posted his VERY INTERESTING opinion on Obama. How come no one is interviewing him from Clinton's camp? Surely there would be ample fodder for attack from Hillary if there is merit in this story? What do you all think.. is this story true? If so, why is everyone quiet about it?
Ishemuslim? wrote:
-- February 15, 2008 5:13 PM
http://truckandbarter.com/mt/archives/2008/01/iraqidinardiscu.html#133752
Gil, Instead of copy and
February 20, 2008 - 17:28 ET by LeonGil,
Instead of copy and pasting this tripe, you probably should have done the right thing, marked it as spam, and moved on.
This is the biggest pile of garbage I've read in a long time. Congratulations on believing it was even remotely worth sharing. We are all dumber now b/c of your post.
Thank you.
How long before Sharia law
February 20, 2008 - 18:05 ET by ConservativeRexHow long before Sharia law starts creeping into the US? Will it be after this next presidential election? Or the next one? I have no doubt an attempt will be made to institute a form of Sharia law in this country in my lifetime, and I am in my fifties.
We allow multiculturalism to dictate how laws are enacted in this country now, but how much more in the future? Any of you have Muslim female doctors? How would you feel about using them, knowing that they can not bear their arms for washing because it is against Sharia law? Still feel good about accomondating Muslims?
The truth is, this is not a Muslim country, it was never meant to be a Muslim country. We can not afford to accommodate them without them accepting and adopting OUR rules for life here. Anything else will literally be the death of us, and our nation. As always, the choice is clear. Are we up for the task? We'll see.
Straw man.. personal attack
February 20, 2008 - 21:48 ET by Gil"We are all dumber now b/c of your post."
Well, maybe YOU are, Leon.
Brilliant argument though. (NOT)
When you cannot attack the position, go for personal attack and defamation.
Straw man.
An intelligent reply would address ANY of the points in the post.. such as the position of the Islamic faith on those who leave it, Obama having never been declared by them as an "infidel" and why it is that Muslims are joyously embracing the man who is, according to some, a Christian and so to the Islamic religion an "infidel".
Not an issue in sight.. just drivel.
To each his own. I know the folks on this site, they tend to have discernment. They can sort through the chaff. Let's leave it to them to use their judgement on it.