If I were running the Obama campaign, I would have leaked that photo.

[hiaasenrocks]

I'm not saying they did leak it, I'm just saying that if they had it, they would have been smart to leak it.

This is the type of thing that we know could be used to drum up fear, so if you have it, you leak it now and let the storm blow over now. If you have it and sit on it, and it somehow surfaces in, say, October...you're going to have a little problem.

Just something to think about. Again, I'm not accusing the Obama camp of leaking it themselves, but if it turns out they did, I'll be giving them kudos for a good strategic move.

[TheDebbieDee]

1. Anything's possible........

[Melinda]

2. And WTF is wrong with the photo anyway?

Jesus Christ, people need to quit buying into Rush/Hannity/RW speak!!!

The RW has fear mongered liberal democrats into ninny's!!!

[hiaasenrocks]

7. Do you disagree that *some* people will see it an recoil?

Whether they're justified in doing so is irrelevant. This type of thing is subjective and you're going to have differing opinions. If something creates a problem, you have to deal with it.

[Melinda]

18. People will *recoil* because we allow the media to set the tone...

and transmit the message.

Call bullshit on it.

The only thing wrong with the photo is that we bend to Drudge and his ilk, and then set about to do their work for them.

Stand up and say "NO MORE"

Democrats are NOT XENOPHOBES.

[hiaasenrocks]

21. I'm not disagreeing with you on that.

I'm simply saying that you know people will recoil. Their reason for doing so, and whether they are justified in doing so, is irrelevant.

[Melinda]

35. Their reasoning is totally relevant, sheese. It's the same reasoning that has caused DU

to become fervently psychotic today.

It's a guttural, automatic response to the message that the Bush administration and the republican party has pounded into the masses since 911... be afraid, be very afraid.

Well, I for one am most certainly unafraid of cultural differences, other nations, peoples and their customs. I am proud that my children look to character and not packaging in their interactions with others as they travel through their experiences in this lifetime.

I am proud that Barack Obama has the empathy, tolerance, acceptance and respect for other cultures and their differences. It is what I expect from all democratic leaders.

THis hullabaloo is such bullshit.

Be the change you wish to see, and remember: a movement always begins with one.

[hiaasenrocks]

We agree that some people will recoil at the photo.

That's a start.

Your strategy would be to try to talk sense into the ignorant people who recoil. Good luck with that!

I guess if you say "Be the change you wish to see, and remember: a movement always begins with one" enough times, you'll just change their minds on the spot.

Kumbayah....

[Melinda]

41. And the earth is flat. n/t.

[hiaasenrocks]

43. That's in line with your reasoning. Good point.

[ElsewheresDaughter]

37. here is what is wrong.......

this is how it is being used

there is absolutely nothing wrong with the photo at all...but the fucking swiftboaters have this viral on the web today.

[hiaasenrocks]

38. But Melinda says people just shouldn't think like that. So...they won't!

:sarcasm:

[Melinda]

48. Don't deliberately distort my words; it's unbecoming to a supposed democrat.

That is not at all what I said, and unless you have comprehension issues, you know it.
:eyes:

[Melinda]

47. And yet you are the one posting it here (& stealing bandwidth to boot)

Your post includes a ridiculous lie of a story along with the photo, and by posting both, you not only perpetuate the lie but multiply it expotentially. I'm certain the right-wing thanks you ever so much!

[Kurt_and_Hunter]

3. Again... How do you "LEAK" a published online magazine article that has been online since 2006?

[mrreowwr_kittty]

6. Drudge says he has an email from the Clinton campaign commenting on it.

Can't blame Google for that.

[rodeodance]

28. and you believe even though he has not produced the email:

Forum Name Latest Breaking News
Topic subject Clinton spokesman says campaign knew nothing of Obama photo
Topic URL http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...
3197560, Clinton spokesman says campaign knew nothing of Obama photo
Posted by Freddie Stubbs on Mon Feb-25-08 04:17 PM



Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) - A spokesman for Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton says her campaign knew nothing about a circulating photo showing Barack Obama in traditional garments during a visit to Kenya.

The photo in question shows Obama in a white turban and robe during his 2006 trip. The gossip and news Web site The Drudge Report said the picture is being circulated by "Clinton staffers" and quoted an e-mail from an unidentified campaign aide.

Drudge didn't include proof of the e-mail in its report. Clinton spokesman Howard Wolfson says none of the campaign officials have seen the e-mail in question. And he says the campaign would welcome any independent reporting that anyone has done on the matter.

Earlier, aides for Obama accused Clinton's campaign of "shameful, offensive fear-mongering" upon news of the photo's circulation.

Read more: http://www.action3news.com/Global/story.asp?S=7922829

[Eric J in MN]

36. That denial is mediocre.

There are probably about a dozen people employed by the campaign who are authorized to contact the press. If Howard Wolfson said he asked all of them if they sent it, and they all said no, that would be meaningful.

But for Wolfson to say:

"No, not to my knowledge...I've never seen that picture before. I'm not aware that anyone else here has. I'm not aware that anyone here has circulated this e-mail."

...without saying IF HE ASKED the relevant people, doesn't mean much.

[rodeodance]

44. I do not care what you think--but the OP has been trolling that Clinton camp did not deny it.

[hiaasenrocks]

45. Don't bother. Rodeodance believes Hillary can do no wrong.

[tekisui]

9. dupe.

[tekisui]

10. Good point.

I want to know if it was being sent out by the Clinton campaign. I want them to deny it, or Drudge to put out the proof of where it came from.

[Quixote1818]

14. Do you have a link to that article? nt

[hiaasenrocks]

23. Semantics.

You get it circulating to inoculate yourself against it at a later date. Just like any other potentially damaging comments, photos, writings, etc. It's SOP in political campaigns.

It's kind of the same thing about the McCain/Iseman story. They'd rather deal with it in February than in October.

[OzarkDem]

4. One thing if they leaked it, another to try to blame it on Hillary

It wouldn't surprise me, either. They seem to excel at gutter politics. Guess its their Chicago roots.

[Bluerthanblue]

5. Well, I'm glad you aren't then- and have to ask how you would have

it circulating among Hillary Staffers?

If it turned out that the Obama camp 'leaked' the picture, I would be very disapointed in them, and would need to hear Obama condemn them and the incident soundly- in order to continue to respect him.

peace~

[hiaasenrocks]

12. Why would you condemn the leak, IF it hapened?

Seems like a good strategic move, considering that you pretty much know it'll come out at some point.

And why would you rather deal with it in October?

[Bluerthanblue]

30. for many of the reasons I am NOT a republican- because I

believe that there is a better way than playing on the worst in people.

And because USING gossip and insinuations and mockery to 'win'- isn't winning. If my candidate can't win - without being deceptive- cannot win on the merit of THIER OWN abilities and ideas, then they shouldn't win.

We have come to a place where we justify doing some pretty awful shit in this country- and in even in this party- using the "well- everyone does it" groundless excuse.

I don't want to just claim to be a part of something that offers a 'better way'- I want to live my life in 'A BETTER WAY'- as much as is humanly possible. I know this sounds idealistic, and I'm at the end rather than the begining of my earthly time, - maybe that is why this is so personal to me-

It's not like 'we have all the time in the world'-

We can't wait till others 'do the right thing' before we make that commitment ourselves. If we do, then nothing will ever improve.

I'm ranting- I'm sorry. Life is very short and precious. Be who you are- who you want to be- as authenticly as you are able, RIGHT NOW- and you won't have so much to regret in the end.

peace~

[hiaasenrocks]

32. Ah, idealism.

The death knell of strategy.

[MonkeyFunk]

8. nobody needed to leak it

it's been out there for awhile.

I can't believe the hysteria her over a simple photograph.

[anigbrowl]

13. It's not about the photo and you know it.

Stop being so disingenuous.

[MonkeyFunk]

20. Well

you guys think Barack's very own name is a smear.

The point is, the photo's been out there. I saw it long before it appeared on Drudge. So the notion that any campaign "leaked" it is just nonsensical.

[hiaasenrocks]

27. ........

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=4768417&mesg_id=4768665

[Quixote1818]

11. Maybe, but why not leak it after he just won the nomination? Why take the chance

of doing it just before Texas and Ohio?

[hiaasenrocks]

17. That's a good point.

I guess I would amend my theory to say: depending on the internal numbers I'm seeing.

[Levgreee]

15. It would be much smarter then, to leak it after they have sealed the primary

I don't buy your scenario as a smart choice for the Obama campaign

[kwenu]

16. That sounds pretty stupid as a strategy.

might make sense to a RepubliKKKan.

[hiaasenrocks]

19. So you'd rather wait and see if the opposition springs it on you in October?

Yeah, good idea.

[GrantDem]

22. Good point. However...

The pic is much ado about nothing. It is not uncommon for Senators, Congresspersons, Presidents, etc. to wear traditional dress when visiting other countries.

[hiaasenrocks]

24. Right.

But you have to consider the potential for people who don't know that to recoil at the picture out of fear.

[GrantDem]

33. You're absolutely right...

Unfortunately, we still have people that are ignorant to various traditions and customs.

[Maddy McCall]

26. I agree.

[Maddy McCall]

25. Sure. Leak it, point the finger at Clinton, then play victim.

It's plausible.

[persistant]

29. I am convinced it was leaked by Obama radicals

probably claiming to be from the Clinton campaign.

I mean if it was the clinton campaign they wouldn't say, "Here Drudge.
Don't tell anybody we gave this to you." DOH

[mrreowwr_kittty]

31. How did they get it?

[hiaasenrocks]

39. I'm not "convinced" of it, but if it turns out to be the case, they deserve credit.

It would be a good move.

MAYBE it would be better to wait until after TX and OH, but as one poster above mentioned, all the news after tomorrow will be about the debate. This is a one- or two-day story, at best.

[scheming daemons]

34. You have a point.....

...because tomorrow through the weekend will be all about the debates.

If Obama's camp put this photo out... it is a one-day story... then it is gone. Smart play.

[Freida5]

40. I have been thinking that all day. I believe BO campaign leaked pictures

to take the discussion off of issues, distract the voters and focus the campaign back on race where they want it to mobilize his base

[hiaasenrocks]

42. We disagree on the motive. n/t

[LiberalFighter]

46. They should had photoshop to have the robe a purple color

with gold fringes. And maybe a halo over his head.