Conspiracy theory- Obama: A militant Muslim operative intent on destroying America.

[Droopy]

I'm sure you all have heard that one by now. If not, it's a conspiracy theory developed by right wing tin foil hatters. It would be laughable if people weren't buying into it, my folks included.

I went over to my mom and step-father's place today and I asked them if they were going to be voting in the primary. We live in Ohio. Both of them started telling me about how Obama is a Muslim who hates America. They were repeating lies that they had heard from their co-workers about Obama without actually investigating the facts. My step-father said more than one time "and that's a fact" after repeating some slanderous lie. They didn't know that they had bought into some misinformation and they are not prone to paranoid fantasies. I did the best I could to set them straight and I think my mom might vote for Obama. I think my step-father is a lost cause who will probably vote for McCain in the general election.

Obama needs to defend himself on this one. Yeah, it's a stupid conspiracy theory, but evidently some people are buying it. If Obama has learned anything from the Kerry campaign he should know that he needs to get on top of this and not let himself be swift-boated. What has he been doing to set the record straight? All I've seen so far is a little blurb in the news on the internet about him discussing his religion when asked to. I don't have a TV.

Edit for grammar.

[adoraz]

1. I heard this BS from a friend of mine (republican)

I just called him ignorant and that was that.

Really, how stupid do people have to be to actually believe this stuff?

[stellanoir]

3. I was astonished that a man I've worked with for 9 years and always respect espoused

the very same BS.

I straightened him out but I found it terribly disheartening that I had to do so.

He's really quite intelligent and insightful generally.

[Johnny__Motown]

2. Once the GE campaigns start this can be addressed more directly. it is less of a factor in a Dem

primary.

Just one more reason to end this sooner than later.

[whatchamacallit]

4. The Saudis already have a president in their pocket, his name is Bush

They don't need "muslim sleeper Obama" they already own our asses.

[yardwork]

5. Right-wing Republican crap. I'm sure that it will be unleashed big time

if Obama wins the nomination. This time, maybe the country is ready to refute it. I hope so.

[CJCRANE]

6. Bush is the Petrodollar Candidate

and already achieved his objectives.

[zabet]

7. I actually heard a dumbass say

they need to offer Obama a
pulled-pork sandwich to see
if he refuses to eat pork. :eyes:

I may not support him in the
primaries but attacks like this
show how narrow-minded some people
are.

[rodeodance]

8. He spoke out this once I once---Has he done other times? I hope he does.

[OhioBlue]

9. it's going around big time in my part of Ohio too

I expected it from right-wing ditto head types that get no information that hasn't been spoon fed to them from Faux or Rush

But freakin' County party leaders sent this crap around a few months ago - a few of us slapped them down with replies to all.

But seriously, if it wasn't so sad it would be quite funny that these people can actually believe that a sitting U.S. Senator, Candidate for the Presidency hasn't had a background check by the FBI and CIA, that a sitting U.S. Senator doesn't say the Pledge???

How stupid can they be? Chain e-mail and talk radio are lowering the collective I.Q. of our citizens.

[babylonsister]

10. He is speaking out - "Obama defends his Christian religion"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080302/ap_on_el_pr/obama

Obama defends his Christian religion

1 hour, 35 minutes ago

NELSONVILLE, Ohio - Democrat Barack Obama says he's tired of questions about his religion. The Democratic presidential candidate told a town hall meeting Sunday in Nelsonvile, Ohio, in the state's rural southeast, that he is a devout Christian who prays to Jesus every night. He told audience members they would feel right at home at his church in Chicago.

Obama said misinformation — including long-standing suggestions that he is a Muslim — is being spread by his opponents.

A voter questioned the Illinois senator about his religion as he and rival Hillary Rodham Clinton crossed paths heading into Tuesday's primaries in Ohio and Texas.

[jlpohio69]

11. I am a Hillary supporter, but I agree this attack on BO is crazy...

I also have some good friends who are republicans, and they are getting this stuff in their e-mail daily, and MANY of them believe this stuff. This will run like wildfire if he does not address this more stongly. I am supporting Hill here in Ohio, but if she is not the nominee in the GE, I will support BO, so I want him to nip this now so it is not an issue later this year. The repugs will use this against him in the GE.

[Droopy]

14. I agree, jlp. Welcome to DU.

:toast:

[Faygo Kid]

12. So sorry about your family. That must be awful.

I have been fortunate. Mom was an FDR Dem, and my late former in-laws were wonderful, anti-war activists. I only regret that all of them died during this despicable presidency. They would have been thrilled to see Hillary and Barack running. Just thrilled. I think Mom might have supported Hillary, but I know the in-laws would have backed Barack.

[indimuse]

13. i've also read on many forums..

he will not have the respect we think..BECUASE he carries the middle name Hussein ...we may be progressive enough...BUT there are millions in mid east who will not like it one bit...will cause bitterness...etc...:shrug:

[PresidentObama]

15. My dad supports Hillary. Mom supported Edwards. And they're both buying into this Muslim bullshit.

[theredpen]

16. Sign of hope

This comes up frequently on Free Republic, and there is always a contingent that shoots it down pointing out (correctly) that "we will look like idiots for attacking Obama on these false grounds."

Freepers are partisans through and through and I think that some Freepers believe this because they want to believe negative things about Obama. I'm starting to wonder whether the people who believe this bullshit would have ever voted for him in the first place — or Clinton for that matter.

[pretzel4gore]

17. A ha! That explains his name!

'O' bama! See...just like 'O' sama, but...with a 'b'
clever them ah-rabs!
(baseball bats- used in the great triangular game, and also for knocking sense into mt rightwing heads)

[stillcool]

18. That's one of my favorites!!

December 10, 2007
Third Clinton Volunteer Knew Of Smear E-Mail

A third volunteer for Hillary Clinton's campaign was aware of a propaganda e-mail alleging that Barack Obama is a Muslim who plans on "destroying the U.S. from the inside out."

"Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential Candidacy," the email reads. "Please forward to everyone you know. The Muslims have said they Plan on destroying the U.S. from the inside out, what better way to start than at The highest level."

Two Clinton volunteers, Linda Olson and Judy Rose, have already been asked to resign from the campaign for their roles in forwarding the e-mail. The AP reported yesterday that Olson, a volunteer coordinator in Iowa County, sent a version of the e-mail to 11 people, including Ben Young, a regional field director for Chris Dodd's campaign. Young passed it on to the AP.
http://hotlineblog.nationaljournal.com/archives/2007/12/third_clinton_v.html

[PseudoIntellect]

19. He's also the Antichrist according to a lot of Youtube videos.

And tons of people are buying into it.