Clinton Staffers Circulate "Dressed Obama" photo. More damaging juvenile behavior!!

[Windy]

CLINTON STAFFERS CIRCULATE 'DRESSED' OBAMA
Mon Feb 25 2007 06:51:00 ET

With a week to go until the Texas and Ohio primaries, stressed Clinton staffers circulated a photo over the weekend of a "dressed" Barack Obama.

The photo, taken in 2006, shows Obama dressed as a Somali Elder, during his five-country tour of Africa.

"Wouldn't we be seeing this on the cover of every magazine if it were HRC?" questioned one campaign staffer, in an email obtained by the DRUDGE REPORT.

In December, the campaign asked one of its volunteer county coordinators in Iowa to step down after the person forwarded an e-mail falsely stating that Barack Obama is a Muslim.

http://www.drudgereport.com/flashoa.htm

When is the DNC going to step in!! This will hurt us in the general!

[cali]

1. This has already been posted twice

Why waste one of your allotted posts on it?

[Windy]

4. Didn't see it Cali... sorry. And it should be a subject of discussion for the party.

I hope this is addressed.

[zanne]

9. Well, I hadn't seen it before just now. nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

2. Drudge is the one widely circulating that picture, along with you

This was being circulated among "stressed" staffers - Drudge wants it out in the world now, and now you are helping him do that.

It is a real photo, and that photo exists in the world. The Republicans no doubt know about Obama's trip to Kenya and have this photo also. So some Clinton staffers who are human beings not wired completely differently than partisans here at DU are sharing their own thoughts about how the Repbulican Party will use these types of real photos against Obama if he is our nominee - they believe Clinton should be the nominee and think Obama will be vulnerable to Republican attacks. Duh, they are partisans in this match

But the Republican Party did even better than just save this photo later to attack Obama. Drudge uses a spy to get hold of a Clinton staffer's internal email and splashes it on his web site knowing Democrats like you will help him pump this into the next big controversy that undermines both Clinton and Obama, by filling the internets with this image and your outrage. Now the media can cover your reaction to it, and of course print this photo and post this photo near and wide for people to find and share.

Good work.

[Windy]

8. Clinton is playing dirty. Its sad and disturbing. If you support this tactic

and if our party condones this sort of garbage by voting for this woman, then this country is in worse shape that I even realized.

[wndycty]

10. As long as Drudge is reporting it its OK if Hillary calls Obama the N word. . .

. . .attack the messenger. That is the Clinton camp tactic.

[Tom Rinaldo]

30. What you are doing is supporting Drudge's tactic

All he cares about is getting the "Obama is a muslim" attempted smear cirulated far and wide. If he accomplish that by getting Democrats to force it onto center stage by our repeated fights about it in public, thus driving wedges into our unity for the fall in the process, it is only that much better.

There is absolutely no indication that any Clinton staffers were doing anything other than buttressing their own morale by "talking" among themselves about what a sitting target Obama would be for the Republican hate machine in the Fall - which is a reason for them to fight harder for their own candidate. It wasn't going public from them.

So now Drudge posts the photo himself and frames it saying "look what Clinton staffers are doing". Well in reality Clinton staffers - many of them being democratic activists with personal profiles undistinguishable from most DUers - were doing the type of thing that we do all the time among ourselves, sometimes in small guarded circles and sometimes in places like here. They were paying attention to where the hits will be coming from and how. But Drudge could count on you and some other Obama supporters to pick this up and go nuclear with it.

If Drudge had just published this photo of Obama, which of course he could have done any time that he wanted and would have done sooner or later, folks here would be saying "Don't help Drudge attack Democrats - he is slime". Folks here would say "Don't pollute DU with that crap - we know the Republicans will fight dirty we don't have to help them do it". But no that is not what we are doing because Drudge was clever enough "to bring Clinton into it".

So now you gladly will do Drudge's work for him calling public attention to a "muslim looking" photo of Obama - because you get to rant against Hillary while doing so.

[wndycty]

40. I think Hillary staffers sending this pic out are supporting Drudge's tactic

:kick:

[ruggerson]

44. how do you know if they're "sending it out"

it's on DRUDGE! And even he cleverly uses the word "circulate." Grow a brainstem.

[MadAndy]

46. Man, you KNOW she did it, why you got to pump this crazy conspirasy sh*t?

Like they never done this racist stuff before. I even bet you they wont deny it.

[mckeown1128]

48. This actually works against the"gettingthe Obama muslim smear

out the world. The more the situation is brought to light by people like drudge and faux news(which covered it earlier) the more people hear how BS the smear is. Hell even fox news tried to set the record straight about Obama's faith this morning. Pigs are flying all over the place.

[BeyondGeography]

23. I know, she's doing us a favor

and turning people in the party permanently against her with her tactics. If we're not delusional, we're nominating Osama.

Wake up, Tom.

[Occam Bandage]

25. Jesus Christ. Clinton could send out Bill in blackface, and if Drudge reported it

you'd claim the real story was that Obama supporters were doing Drudge's work for him.

[Tom Rinaldo]

32. Clinton didn't send out anything. That's the point.

Drudge sent this out and you are helping him.

[wndycty]

42. Its the Clinton folks who sent it to Drudge

:kick:

[Occam Bandage]

57. And how exactly did Drudge get ahold of this? Telepathy?

[JackORoses]

70. so once again, Hillary is not responsible for her Campaign

If her staffers are sending this out, then she id sending this out.
Simple as that.

[Scurrilous]

3. Millions of dollars spent on consultants...

...and this is what they come up with?

Pathetic.

[zanne]

5. I was considering volunteering for her if she won the nomination.

Now I won't lift a finger. I wouldn't want to work in such a poisonous environment.

[wndycty]

6. Of course according to the Clinton supporters she could call Obama the N word but as. . .

. . .long as Drudge is the only one reporting it its OK. We have seen this before. As long as Drudge or for that matter Politico are the only ones reporting it its OK because they are right wingers. . .LOL

[Alamom]

7. # 3 Druge Dupe. nm

[CoffeeCat]

11. Welcome to the Greek System!

The Hillary campaign has evolved into a big sorority house.

OMG! This is like so totally awesome!

They'll have cool parties!!!

And more awesome pictures!!!!

BBFF!!! LOL!!

I'm texting the Pennster right now!! He so owes me lunch!!

Where's Grunewaldo! I love saying that to her face!!!!! OMG!!!!

TTFN!

[Obamaniac]

12. More racism from the Clinton campaign...

She seems to be implying that the photo somehow makes Obama more "muslim" when it is traditional "Kenyan garb." Clinton, as is her custom, is playing on the prejudices and ignorance of people to convey a message that isn't true. After all, when Hillary and Chelsea visited Africa in 1999/2000 didn't they wear traditional African clothing to show solidarity with its people?

So since this campaign began Hillary's campaign has:

Wrongly stated that Obama was a Muslim. Once it became obvious that Obama wasn't Muslim, they continued telling people that he was.

Tried to dismiss away Obama by portraying him as simply "the black candidate." She did this for the expressed purpose of turning white voters against him.

Tried to convince Hispanics that they are really anti-black and thus should not support Obama's candidacy.

Now releases an innocent photo, to THE FUCKING DRUDGE REPORT no less, trying to once again falsely paint Obama as a Muslim (even though the clothes he is wearing is African and not Muslim) even though she herself has worn similar clothing on a similar visit.

Hillary is running the most racist campaign since George Wallace's 1972 run.

[durrrty libby]

16. Clearly you are a bigot against muslims.

[HereSince1628]

13. Wasn't it Elanor Roosevelt who said You can only humilitate me if I let you?

This needs a lot more prostheses if it's gonna have legs.

[durrrty libby]

14. So you are outraged about a real pic? Interesting

Could it be on some level you must be ashamed of it?

[Occam Bandage]

22. I'm sure she's only distributing it to demonstrate Obama's respect for foreign cultures.

[ruggerson]

43. And you know she's "distributing" it how?

because the Drudgereport told you?

Utterly lame.

[Occam Bandage]

58. This is known as a "leak." They rarely happen accidentally. They *especially* do not happen

accidentally with little "Can you imagine if..." taglines.

[texas_indy]

26. The picture is good, the context of how it is being used is NOT!

But thats OK, keep hitting minoritys with your snide little remarks, looks and then pat yourself on the back becasue your so PURE AND PROGRESSIVE!!

The staffers should be FIRED for bringing it up at all!! PERIOD!!!

When you live with it day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after dayday after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after day day after day after dayday after day after day , IT GETS REAL REAL OLD!!!!!!!

SO, then throw dirty injun at me, or tell me how stupid injins are since the TV shows them that way, or ask me why I'm not drunk, or where my GOD DAM WIGWAM IS????? GOSH THEN WE CAN BOTH GET A GOOD LAUGH AT THE FILTY DITY INJIN AND THEN I"LL SLINK AWAY AND KISS YOU ASS BECASUE YOU SUCH A STICNKING PROGRESSIVE, RIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????????????????????????

HEY INJIN, GET BACK DAM RESERVATION!!! AND IT OK TO SAY SINCE THE OTHER SIDE SAYS IT. RIGHT??????????

AAARRRRGGGVGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[durrrty libby]

45. lol Project much? You need deep therapy, and please stop kicking your dog

[texas_indy]

49. Stick it where the SUN DON"T SHINE RACISTS TRASH!!

Hey, to bad you and your kind can't stick us in segregated camps, or working your plantations anymore, RIGHT??

Your the one in need of major therapy!

[Uben]

15. Wait til the GOP starts circulating it

It is much better it comes out now rather than later. Damn, grow up!

[maddiejoan]

17. and your source

for this originating from the Clinton campaign is Drudge?

More likely it was sent BY Drudge to some Clinton campaign staffers who then sent back a response.
win win for Drudge as they get to slime two Democratic candidates in one shot.

But --sure --why not just trust DRUDGE as a newsource.

This place has become increasingly effed up.

[Adelante]

18. Juvenile and stupid

The media will only unearth images of Hillary dressed in local garb on some foreign junket. They will tell the back story that her campaign circulated the photo of Obama, so in 'fairness and balance' they will show six of Hillary in a burqa. They will then expand the story to how her campaign, off its rails in desperation, has resorted to the same dirty tricks as her worst conservative enemies. And we all know where that goes next.

Upshot: She will regain the image of a bitch out of hell Americans want nowhere near the White House.

What in God's name is she paying these people in her campaign for? :shrug:

[Medusa]

19. Desperate people do desperate things but this is despicable

If she can't won, she damn sure wants to make sure that Obama loses in the GE. Make no mistake about it people, Hillary is not pro-Democratic, she's Pro-Clinton and the rest of the world and the Democratic party be damned.

[LisaL]

28. How can Obama lose in GE?

Him being so amazing and all.

[Occam Bandage]

20. My God, they have no shame.

[Kitty Herder]

21. I wish this primary was over so Democrats would stop attacking each other. nt

[MethuenProgressive]

24. Mods have asked that we not post stuff from Drudge.

Please respect DU.

[From The Left]

27. Thank You for Posting This

Hillary's campaign is truly desperate now. I fully expect they will pay some player to come forward with a fictional story they had an affair with Obama. Maybe another man? The Clintons are that devious.

[kstewart33]

29. She should stop this nonsense NOW.

She has the opportunity to go out like a champ. She's killing that opportunity with stunts like this.

[Tom Rinaldo]

36. She should stop all of her staff from privately speculating on how the Right would attack Obama?

Do you realize how ridiculous that is? Because that is what those individuals were doing. WE should stop doing Drudge's work for him. Because Drudge is looking for the best way to make this an explosive issue of the day so the Main Stream Media can report on this as a controversy and splash that photo all across America while getting Democrats to fight with each other.

The media covers the netroots now in case no one else has noticed. The more threads and Diaries get posted on this - the more papers will run the photo, and the closer to the front page of them it will get. Keep it up - a front page photo is still within reach.

[Windy]

39. so she uses "the right wing will use it" as an excuse to conduct a smear campaign? Disgusting! nt

[Tom Rinaldo]

50. But she is not conducting a smear campaign with this photo

that is the convenient detail left out. Drudge is the one circulating it.

And, in fact, you are proving the point that there seems to be ready made easily available stuff out there that can be used by the Republicans to damage Obama. That is a straight non doctored news service photo of Obama from his trip to Kenya. Republicans do oppositional research. They know Obama has Kenyan roots - they had staffers pour over all the news coverage of Obama's trip to Kenya. They know about that photo and likely others like it. They have infinite ways to use or abuse it any time and any way they want. It exists.

Either it is something Obama can handle, the fact that it exists, or it isn't. I think he can handle it but you are acting as if he can't. You are thinking along exactly the same lines as that private email between some Clinton staffers. "Hoo boy - I can see how Obama's enemies will try to use this". The EXACT same line of thought, or you wouldn't be so worked up over this here now.

It is reality. Obama has an unusual but familiar middle name and there are photos of him dressed in traditional African clothing. Deal with it because he will have to deal with it also. I know it will be used against Obama by Republicans and you seem to know that too. I think Obama can handle it, at least I hope so. Do I have more confidence in him than you do?

[MadAndy]

53. Right, and Willy Horton wasn't a smear either.

There is no difference between the Willy Horton ad and releasing this picture. Both send a racist message, beware the black man.

[UALRBSofL]

31. I see this as an Op-Ed piece and no credible source

And if Obama supporters believe what Drudge is saying they are being duped. Do you see a reliable source where a specific name is listed as the one circulating this photo? You don't because it's not true and Drudge doesn't want to be sued. That said, I thought of all the people on GD-P that are Obama supporters that CALI wouldn't fall for this. I can see many gullible folks here but not CALI.

[MadAndy]

33. I usually just lurk, but this racist sh*t has got to stop.

Both those Arkansas crackers should be thrown out of the party for this. Trying to smear a black man for wearing the traditional robes of his people! WTF is this? Why dont they just show a picture with a noose around his neck? The clintons use black people, but when one tries to stand up they use dirty tricks to put him in his place. Unless the party starts to condemn this sh*t, this black man will never support them again.

[durrrty libby]

47. This i s a good reason not to vote for BO. If one is not worshiping

at the Messiah's alter, they are accused of racism.

What a load of tired old Bull Shit

[MadAndy]

51. Nobody said you have to worship him, just dont smear him.

The racist Clintons are trying to turn Obama into Willie Horton. In that ad they show a picture of a black man to scare people. They dont have to say anything, they just show the pic. Its like a visual code word to work people up. Its a racist smear whether you like it or not.

[liberalnurse]

34. The only one passing this photo around is YOU.

Drudge only gets his informmation for his website from republican groups. You are facilitating the republican agenda of your own free will.

So, you are identified by the company you keep and propogate.

I have spoken

[Arkansas Granny]

35. Is there any other evidence besides Drudge to support the claim

that this was actually from the Clinton campaign? I don't remember him as being considered as such a reliable source of info in the past.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

37. says you and drudge. both of whom are highly UNreliable sources

[Marrah_G]

38. Thank you all for carrying the water for the RW !

By claiming Hillary staffers were passing it around among themselves, Drudge has convinced you all to create a huge mountain of a story.

But of course it isn't DRUDGE circulating it.... he was just innocently showing one someone told him Clinton staffers were doing.

I swear the intelligence level here sinks daily.

[Kaylee]

41. More than anything this breaks my heart....

Democrats should challenge each other as much as they want on policy differences. But to tear down your opponent using character assassination is amazing. I'm speechless that she would do this to him. You expect this from the RW, but to have your own use these tactics is just sad and troubling.

[closeupready]

52. If the story can be confirmed, I agree with you.

Upsets me greatly.

[yourguide]

54. No denial from the HRC camp

politico: http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0208/8667.html

"The Clinton campaign did not deny the charge, but did not comment further."

[MadAndy]

56. There you go. The Clintons turn the Democrats into the party of Willy Horton.

Still no condemnation from the party chairman.

[Bluebear]

59. Here YOU go. This photo started on Free Republic on 2/4

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x4758064

[Occam Bandage]

60. So that's where the Clintons got it.

[MadAndy]

61. Free Republic had it first but the Clintons used it.

And that is supposed to make it right? If FR is racist and you use their stuff, what does it make you?

[Bluebear]

63. How do you know the "Clintons used it"?

Based on what Drudge says? OK.

[MadAndy]

67. When asked they refused to deny it.

[SoxFan]

62. So they're circulating Freeper trash?

Nice.

[Bluebear]

65. Well, so is anybody posting the story here if you want to get technical.

That's "circulating" it too.

[Thrill]

55. Clinton Supporters actually approve of this?

[Baconfoot]

64. There is no way in hell the Clinton campaign is circulating this. People believe anything?NT

[NJSecularist]

66. Screw you Hillary Clinton.

This is fucking shameful, and everybody on your staff who was responsible for circling this image and trying to perpuate it as some kind of smear tactic should be fucking fired immediately.

Fuck you Hillary.

[MadAndy]

68. They should throw her out of the party for this shit. And her husband to

[Az_lefty]

69. HRC, Drudge report??? The Clinton's do not belong in the Dem party any more.