Obama at UNITY convention in Chicago

-Well maybe if these journalists made up 80 percent of the current major media, average people would be aware of these *numerous* occasions where he has gone as far as denounce the rumors AND go on to defend Muslims. This way ahm seasoned journalists in the Swamp like ahm Frank James wouldn't be writing such stories still in January of *08.* "Obama's no Muslim but why no defense of Islam?"http://www.swamppolitics.com/news/politics/blog/2008/01/obamas_no_muslim_but_why_no_de.html
Obviously it is a catch 22 and that is why the media do not spend countless hours on it like an Anna Nicole funeral for fear it might not dispelling but confirm the rumors.
-Europe *hungry* for US *involvement.* I guess if you will it it will be.....I always felt that Europeans don't like to see America meddle in others affairs (unless they benefit too). It was clear and documented that right after 9/11 America enjoyed unprecedented support from Europe and the world. I don't think that a speech as politically driven but as well received as it was *in parts* (US leader attraction/nukes/ torture) will be enough to give Obama a chance to go back in time and enjoy the same level of cooperation and understanding. You don't get to do overs, not even if your are portrayed as being THAT charismatic. Clearly and sadly it takes a very tragic and unfathomable event.

"I have visited mosques here in my community, repeatedly, and met with Muslim leaders on a wide range of occasions" ~ Obama

This is heretofore unknown information. This is big news. What mosques did Obama visit and which Muslim leaders did he meet with?

Les Payne says, ""The mainstream media love John McCain. They cheer for him all the time." Anyone else want to claim that the media are objective? The problem is, where do the American people go for honest, unbiased reporting of the forthcoming election? Even Pravda was never this one-sided.

This is heretofore unknown information. This is big news. What mosques did Obama visit and which Muslim leaders did he meet with?

Posted by: Breaker | July 27, 2008 3:57 PM

Does anybody else get tired of ankle biters like this one. Muslim Muslim Muslim....get a life fruitcake.

Thank you, John, for this. A friend had said he wa speaking at Unity Church in Chicago--what a great surprise. NABJ consistently asks the best questions of candidates during election cycles. (is that why McSame avoided them?)
Obama did a great job explaining the no win situation he's in re: the Muslim (non) bru ha ha.
I want to see this on C-span.
Does anyone know if it's up yet?

OK, I've voted Democratic since 1988. I voted for Carole Moseley-Braun and Obama for Senator, but now I'm thinking of voting for McCain. I'm sick and tired of being discriminated against because I am white. It is time to put slavery behind us. There never was slavery in Chicago, Chicagoans fought to end slavery, and why are we being punished for something that happened a thousand miles away and 150 years ago!

Well, there's professional decorum and then there is actually being a professional. Anyone who would call himself or herself a "journalist" and then squeal "He touched me!" when shaking hands with a politician – whether Democrat or Republican or Libertarian or whatever – violates even the lowest standards of professional decorum and should go find another line of work. Anyone who would call him or herself a "journalist" and yet has to be instructed that people are watching, so watch how far you go in expressing your enthusiasm for a politician, might uphold the "decorum" part of the equation, but clearly is also not a professional in the sense of their chosen career. They, too, should consider a career in PR. Commentators like Les Payne, obviously, can say what they please, as that is their job. But if his standards reflect changing standards of professionalism for journalists, Obama's presidential press conferences will be a hoot.

Anyone else want to claim that the media are objective?
Posted by: Jason | July 27, 2008 4:34 PM

McBush was invite and declined the invitation. I don't understand how he and his supporters whine about the media then decline.

On the subject of affirmative action, I know of many people, like Obama, who are the children of interracial marriages. I know of some who have often gone on to marry those of races distinct from that of their parents, as well.
So I would ask the presumptive POTUS, how should affirmative action apply to, say, a son whose mother is half-black & half-white (like Obama) and whose father is Mexican? Or a child whose mother is half-Korean, half-Anglo and whose father is half-black, and half-Puerto Rican? Affirmative action is an outdated policy created for a time now gone. Obama should stop living in the past and pandering to those who do. That is, after all, what he and his supporters say all the time about Republicans when they discuss long-held policy positions.

Oh, and could someone please follow up and ask Obama what he believes should happen to affirmative action when Hispanics become the majority in the USA? Demographics say it will happen sometime this century. So what happens when whites become a minority? Will they become eligible for affirmative action, too?

Wow, so he doesn't necessarily oppose slavery reparations. That is scary. Maybe Germany was the right place for him to give his first European speech. Holocaust denial is a crime, and they are full on proponents of the punishment for hate speech concept. Pretty antithetical to what the US stands for.

"He (Obama) said a crowd of 200,000 he attracted for a speech in Berlin showed "how hungry" Europe is for more American involvement."

Obama must be either kidding or ignorant.

How more involved can Americans be? Considering that:
1. The majority of foreign troops fighting terrorists in Afghanistan and Iraq are Americans.
2. The US paid for approximately 25% of the United Nations budget.
3. The US paid for approximately 50% of the World Food Program to feed hungry people all over the world.
4. The US spends billions of dollars in fighting AIDS/HIV in Africa.

I can go on and on...

Obama needs to quit blaming this country for his perceived lack of "involvement" from the US. It's great to play this blame game while he was in Germany or France, but that game doesn't work well here at home.

Barack Obama's trip to the Middle-east and Europe was very important and successful. His political opponents attacked him for lacking experience on foreign policy. As the Douala of Cameroon say,"If you want to marry a monkey's daughter, you must climb to the top of the tree." Well done Senator !
Guy Blaise

The Windy Citizen has photos and the full audio from the Unity interview over here:

http://www.windycitizen.com/news/south-loop/2008/07/27/obama-calls-for-more-troops-in-afghanistan-increased-support-for-afghani-

Posted by: Ryan | July 27, 2008 6:34 PM

Just curious--how does the percentage of what the US spends on the military budget compare with the percentage of all this "giving"? And how does the percentage of what we gross as a nation compare with the percentage of all this giving? And is there any other country in the world that gives a greater percentage out of its national income than we do?....

tom, JB and PJ

What are you talking about? Have you read the entire article or just the headline and the first few lines? Have you looked at the interview? He has spoken about how affirmative action has to change and how many other things must be taken into consideration including the plight of poor kids who are white. He pointed out that poverty is the issue and it is that for which affirmative action is necessary.

I suppose you, tom, will say that there were no Native Indians in Chicago, so why should he speak of addressing the Native American issue as he did. The effects of slavery did not stop with the end of the civil war and did you know that there were lynchings in Chicago? and strong KKK action and membership????

For once, think and read completely people and do your research. I looked at the event on TV. and looked at the replay. This article is deceptive.

2. the LA times has the results of a study that puts to rest all that nonsense about Obama getting more favor from the media. See the link

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-onthemedia27-2008jul27,0,2066363,full.story.

I still can't believe Obama decided not to visit wounded American soldiers in Germany and played basketball instead.

Could it be there weren't enough wounded 'minority' soldiers in Germany...or does he just love basketball that much?

Paulo

I think they should lose the affirmative action all together. I think abuse of that system has caused bad blood amongst the races. People have taken advantage of that system, demanding to get things they aren't qualified for over more qualified candidates. Companies are threatened with law suits constantly, and out of fear they capitulate. People have lost promotions over others complaining they should get a turn, when they may have time on the job, but not the capabilities to handle it.If someone tries to fire someone of color for doing a poor job, they threaten to sue, and companies back down, while employees watch others get fired easily. It causes bad blood. Companies can get stuck with poor minority employees simply because the system is terribly flawed. Tackle that one!

I would like to have heard a more definite response on reperations. No one should get reperations. It's the most obscene idea I've heard of. I don't like the room he left in that response AT ALL.

Of all of the Obama responses, the response to support for Affirmative Action was the most troubling for me, an African American. I'm troubled because as related here, there are few Americans of any hue who recall the purpose and history of this policy. Affirmative Action was a policy devised by the Nixon administration designed to achieve eventually equal opportunity for those historically denied such equal opportunity. One of the tenets of this policy is the application of equity a legal position which approaches equality by applying fairness in order to accomplish equality. I support Obama because while I appreciate his emphasis on class as in the examples he cited here, the true need for Affirmative Action is designed to correct historical and current discrimination based upon the status of blacks as slaves and the continued racial segregation practiced by essentially whites. As a comment accurately noted the potential for Hispanic population growth rendering whites a national minority, one might assume a need for Affirmative Action if such a circumstance rendered that population victims of discrimination.So if one day we should wake up to 90% of all of the Senate, Fortune 500 Corporations and most major Newspaper Editorial boards and reporters, College Presidents and other social and political positions filled by Hispanics..... then Affirmative Action, the American way.

Michael-in the fight for better opportunities, a number of Blacks have taken a program meant to help their situation (current,not slavery 143 yrs ago) and turned it into a nightmare, not only for empoyers, but for fellow employees as well, and ALSO for those qualified who are wanting to be treated equal who don't play the victim game.

I think the single biggest cover-up in our day, would be the complete and utter disregard by Blacks to publicly acknowlege all the outrageous ABUSES that have spawned in what started out to be a well meaning program of Affirmative Action.

I moved to Illinois a couple of years ago, and I was blown away in hearing my best friends accounts of ABUSES in businesses here. Employees making claims of mistreatment over the drop of a hat and making false legal threats, false legal cases, and repeated EEOC claims to gain complete power over employers. While Blacks as a whole over look this serious issue, other employees see their races get fired for their misdeads, while they see some of these Black employees who have abused the system ramain employed no matter what they do. It's so beyond belief.

A good example of the mentality that has aided these abuses, would be when Jesse J. went after Obama for talking about what Blacks do wrong. It's so engrained in the Black culture, NOT to address their own abuses of other races, and that bad blood has been the norm for years. It's time for some changes. People are sick and tired of this. No one is interested in Black issues or cries of something being unfair (especially find slave talk rediculous under the circumstance I'm sharing here). Blacks just tune them out, and ignore serious problems Whites have with your race. Honesty would be refreshing.

@PJ

You got it ALL wrong. This is because that you think reparations for 40 Acres and a Mule is all about money.

Senator Obama never called for reparations because he knows that racist people like you would lose their already feeble minds.

As African Americans we can give white people something that they can't get for themselves -- FORGIVENESS.

FORGIVENESS does not come without cost:

YOU HAVE TO STOP USING RACE AGAINST US!!!

Bill- First off, I don't need forgiveness for what I have done in life, I want to see an apolgy from your race for ignoring reverse racism all these years, in all aspects of life, apartments, and business.

Obama has race baited more than once that we've seen. Example:He also expressed reservations about making reparations to African Americans and other groups for past deeds. "The best reparations we can provide are good schools in the inner city and jobs for people that are unemployed," Obama said>

Trying to get the angry black person to think he has RESERVATIONS about reperations (like it's possible-wink wink) shows his disgusting use of hate politics. Commenting that the best REPERATIONS that can be provided would be schools and jobs. Using the word reperation as if White have all abuse Blacks, is beyond race baiting those angry Blacks.

I really do think that he has been in a Chicago Bubble for so long that he doesn't know how to even speak to a TYPICAL WHITE person. He tries to attract Black voters with racist sentiments that are laced all thru out his comments (antagonizing the ANGER VOTE).

I don't respect him, and while I seriously took a fair look at him as an undecided this year, I will not give my vote to someone who can't be a fair president to ALL people. His church tainted him to much.

It's only right and proper that Obama give a speech to his most enthusiastic supporters--the media, which gives 15 times as much money to Democrats as to Republicans.

The media--the Dem Party's core constituency.

bill "hussein" arschloch r,

Quit sniping and state your position - are you somehow disputing the assertion that the press is openly advancing the candidacy of Obama, and has failed to objectively report on the campaign even more egregiously than normal?

If you are, then you are a delusional fool. No thinking commentator agrees with you, including the kneepad-wearing media losers themselves.

A couple of points..not everybody in attendance at Unity were journalists...many people at Unity were non journalists working booths promoting Amtrak, the movie industry, political insiders looking to get an early start in promoting their candidates and so on. So unless someone can prove that the person who squaled "He touched me" was a journalist, folks should give that quote a rest. For folks who want "unbaised" coverage of the campaign, there's always CSPAN. Something that many people are missing regarding Obama's Europe..there are nearly 20,000 American troops stationed in Europe, and many American citizens in Europe who will be voting on election day. Also a significant number of US workers earn a paycheck from European based corporation. Improved relations with the Europeans may encourage them to open their next plant in the US rather than Canada, Mexico or Brazil

For folks who want "unbaised" coverage of the campaign, there's always CSPAN.
Posted by: harryo | July 28, 2008 11:11 AM

The whiners on the right don't want to really have unbiased news...they have their own like Faux, Limpbag, and Vannity. They just want to use this fake aurument to their advantage. Heck..CBS edited the McBush interview so not to show his lack of knowledge once again. The poor babies.

The only reparation I'll ever pay will be at the end of a 30.06. We've already paid more than was ever owed to blacks. I never owned a slave and no slaves are still alive, get over it.

I though blacks were angry, but the comments here shown whites to be more angry. Where is the Christianity these demons been preaching, since the formation of this nation? God shall cast your high places into the earth floor.

Americans for the most part have proven--we no longer bear the responsibility to being able to maintain a sovereign nation.
Its just too bad for those who do have the ability to be informed; and make informed decisions by being responsible citizens.
And for our US TROOPS each generation being systematically sacrificed for the hoards of take-it-all-for-granted lack of mental cognitive awareness.....
It is a d ed national disgrace to give your life for such waste as we see....
whether US citizens, TRAITORS aiding and abetting illegals; sanctuary cities and their coward mayors and city counsels....
We the people as One Nation Under GOD are in self-destruct
Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto
STOP USA GIVEAWAY...it is too late....

Americans for the most part have proven--we no longer bear the responsibility of being able to maintain a sovereign nation.
Its just too bad for those who do are cocerned; maintaining due diligence to be informed; thus are then clearly capable of active participation as informed responsible citizenry.
Especially, those who contribute but do not expect a government handout on the backs of other working yet rapidly declining taxpayers...
And for our US TROOPS each generation being systematically sacrificed for the hoards of take-it-all-for-granted lack of mental cognitive awareness.....
It is a d ed national disgrace to give your life for such waste as we see....
whether US citizens, TRAITORS aiding and abetting illegals; sanctuary cities and their coward mayors and city counsels....OPEN BORDERS while our sons are sacrificed on foreign soil each generation is not a deserving society or nation.
We the people as One Nation Under GOD are in self-destruct
Do Unto Others As You Would Have Them Do Unto
STOP USA GIVEAWAY...it is too late....

No matter how good something is there was or is bad in it also, no matter how bad something is or was there is or was good in it also. This brings us to the trouble between Black and White. Slavery was both the worst and best thing to ever happen to Black america but it was the absolute worst thing to happen to White america. Slavery for the slaves was a terrible ordeal but they have all gone to their reward. Slavery for todays Blacks was a godsend. Without slavery there would be few or no Blacks in america. Most of the Blacks alive today wouldn't be because of the continual atrocities commited in Africa. For a very select few Whites, slavery was a boon, but they too ae gone to their final reward. To most whites from that era it benefited them none at all. Today the White man is burdened by the foolishness of slavery in america. They benefited nothing but have paid and paid all their life for the sins of their great grandparents. The White man has come a long way from his past and continues to improve in his thoughts on racial justice, the Black man has become more bigoted at the same rate the White man improves. I see this all from both sides because I am blended, just as Obama. Without slavery I would not be an American, most likely I would not be.

JB- the last time I checked WHITE women benefit from affirmative action as well. Especially, if their trying to start a business!

Harumph. So our little half arab prince doesn't like being called a Musly. Tough cookies baby. This is a complicated issue, As I have always said "don't be a bone head and ask yourself, what would Jesus Hussein Christ do?"

INF>

A couple of points..not everybody in attendance at Unity were journalists...many people at Unity were non journalists working booths promoting Amtrak, the movie industry, political insiders looking to get an early start in promoting their candidates and so on. So unless someone can prove that the person who squaled "He touched me" was a journalist, folks should give that quote a rest. For folks who want "unbaised" coverage of the campaign, there's always CSPAN. Something that many people are missing regarding Obama's Europe..there are nearly 20,000 American troops stationed in Europe, and many American citizens in Europe who will be voting on election day. Also a significant number of US workers earn a paycheck from European based corporation. Improved relations with the Europeans may encourage them to open their next plant in the US rather than Canada, Mexico or Brazil

I don't owe anyone reparations. I never owned anyone else. Heck, I'm half Jewish so does that mean I get reparations too since the Jews were slaves to Africans long ago? Why do some think they are entitled to the fruits of others' labor? Take some personal responsibility for your lot in life and work to improve it without trying to blame others for your failure! The only one holding you back... is YOU! Listen to what Bill Cosby has to say about personal responsibility.

Obama’s admitted heavy marijuana and cocaine use in high school and college may well have played a decisive role in the development of Obama’s inflated sense of his own importance; and, his pretentious demeanor. Heavy drug use can lead to hallucinations concerning ones status of grandiosity. Another clue is Obama’s frequent confused and unintelligible babblings whenever he is subjected to a public forum where he is devoid of a prepared text by his handlers to read from; which is the reason that Obama's controllers will resist any attempt to have their candidate exposed to town-hall style forums.
Considering the fact that, if elected, Obama would be in proximity to the Nuclear Football 24/7, the American electorate has the right to know if Obama has any residual defect from his admittedly heavy former drug use. Obama's inability to overcome his nicotine dependency suggests that he remains vunerable to such addictions. Obama has the responsibility to submit to an independent medical examination to ascertain the facts concerning his substance abuse.
Until such concerns are put to rest, this man, who has exhibited a profound lack of common-sense, should never be allowed anywhere near the Oval Office. Greg Neubeck

'One journalist was also overheard wishing him luck, while another squealed, "He touched me!" as she left the ballroom.'

SO much for objective journalism.
Aren't these the same people who claimed after 9/11 that wearing a flag pin or crying for the dead was unseemly and not objective.

Stupid liberal hacks, when the Obamessiah gets control, first thing he will do is outlaw the Press. Stalinists always do that.

A little change of gears here. I found this passage from the story to be a little interesting:

'When pressed on why he seems hesitant to express regret for his opposition of a troop surge in Iraq that many now view as successful, Obama responded that a more fundamental question should be asked of McCain.

"I have not heard yet somebody ask John McCain whether his vote to go into Iraq was a mistake," he said. "I haven't, during the entire week that we were having this conversation."'

So Obama tries to deflect attention from his now obviously incorrect assesment of the "surge" by answering a question with a question. His refusal to admit that he was wrong casts very serious doubt upon his integrity. By the way, liberals LOVE to answer questions with questions. If you've ever debated one, you will see it is one of their favorite tactics. They do this because they have no answer for pointed, fact-based questions. When your entire world view is based upon emotion, rather than rational thought, the only thing you can do when faced with a rational question is to dodge it and try to put the questioner on the defensive. There is simply no substance to liberals' positions. They live in a world of childish fantasy.

"He said ... he should not be questioned on whether he showed too much audacity in making the trip."

He's not even elected yet and ALREADY he's saying he should NOT BE QUESTIONED????????? What's he going to be like if he IS elected?

And even though it's customary to campaign in the USA where the voters are, not the rest of the world, the attempt to speak in front of the Brandenburg Gate like Presidents Kennedy and Reagan bespeaks incredible presumption.

He has crossed the line into true hubris.

UNITY?? He can't even unify the Democratic Party. Visit PUMA08.com