Obama rally interrupted by protesters

Senator Obama and his campaign do not want his presentations interrupted but they fail to extend this courtousy to his critics.

Earlier this week the Obama campaign sent an e-mail calling for supporters to flood WGN-720 radio when they took exception to Phil Rosenberg interviewing a critic of Obama's. This was after Phil contacted the Obama campaign and offered to have someone from their organization to respond to the critic.

This is the second time this month that the Obama campaign acted in this fashion regarding WGN and individuals that take a critical view of Barack Obama.

On both occasions the radio station with Obama supporters blocking discussion.

I wonder why Obama allows his supporters to interfere with others 1st Amendment rights?

Hey joe,
Didn't you read the story? It refers to "racially charged signs," which is a the way a family newspaper reports that unrepeatable, hateful things were written on those signs. Republicans and other rightwing freaks have coopted the word hate, but to equate race-baiting with "criticism" is a new low.

The Swamp should honor the journalistic code of ethics when reporting, and be very careful to avoid a writing bias that would promote racial animus. Reading the Swamp, it would seem that the protesters were white racists exhibiting racial prejudice. In fact, CNN reported that the protesters were a group of about 10 African-American protesters holding signs that called themselves, "Blacks Against Obama." Please, Swamp, don't go there. The credibility of the media because of their bias for Obama has already taken a body blow. Attempting to garner sympathy for an African American candidate in the dishonest way which your reporting does only inspires people to discount what they read. And that, as The Little Boy Who Cried Wolf discovered, can have truly tragic consequences.

Joe - when you post a comment make sure you get the name of the host right.

The Obama campaign merely asked for supporters to respond to false and inflammatory comments made by two guests of this host. The first guest appeared during the Democratic convention - how did the host think he was going to get someone from the Obama campaign at the last minute - and the host did admit that the first guest was a last minute booking. The Obama campaign asked for callers to be respectful, but to voice their opinion - their 1st Amendment right.

Senator McCain has asked that we stop yelling at one another when protestors have interrupted his speeches in the past - I agree with him.

The protestors at the Obama speech today were disruptive - there were approximately 10 of them - should they have been allowed to disrupt the event without consideration for the thousands of other people who came to see the candidate? I do not think so.

Interesting report. The way this reads one would think white racist protesters interrupted the Senator's speech in Fla. today. In fact, they were African American protesters whose signs demanded to know what the senator would do for the black community and decried his support of gay marriage. I think important details left out indicative of sloppy journalism. Or, heaven forbid, media bias.

Hey David,

Chew on your words, then rinse and spit.

"Hey joe,
Didn't you read the story? It refers to "racially charged signs," which is a the way a family newspaper reports that unrepeatable, hateful things were written on those signs. Republicans and other rightwing freaks have coopted the word hate, but to equate race-baiting with "criticism" is a new low.

Posted by: David | September 19, 2008 2:18 PM"

Republicans couldn't care less about the 4th Amendment, but they DO GET TICKED when you try to take assault weapons away from them and try to limit their ability to call a .... well, you get the picture. That old "Politically Correct." It's SUCH a nuisance, isn't it?

Based on the photos I see, the signs had very little to do with race and almost everything to do with abortion and gay marriage. Stop injecting race into everything. I know that many of you think that projecting racism onto anyone critical of Obama is some sort of clever debate technique, but really it's just getting tiresome.

It's funny that people think there is a media bias to this article simply because it doesn't mention the race of the protesters. There is obviously a photo of the protesters. The article states the signs were "racially charged" which some clearly are. Should they also break down the number of audience members cheering and booing the protesters by race as well? Just because you automatically assume the protesters were white without having to have someone tell you they aren't does not point to media bias but rather to your own personal bias. I am not an Obama or McCain supporter at this point. I just think it's ridiculous to call this media bias.

Huh?

This makes about as much sense as the women who switched their support of Hillary to Palin...

Just people promoting a website - take a look at the signs. Some people will do anything for attention.

Looks like racial hate is backfiring onTEAM OBAMA-

I think I see John D. and Paulo in there!

I've felt he has been in danger almost since the announcement in February 07.
This incident say something about how well the audiences are being "vetted".

You didn't see this kind of disruption in Hillary's appearances, or any of W's.

M.C. Cain got heckled a couple of times by women in pink outfits.

Only in the case of Barack have there been so many apparent lapses in security.

Well the comments seem divided, 50/50. For all of you who assumed the protestors were white supremacists, shame on you.

The protestors were African American. Go to the Miami Herald (herald.com) for more coverage and an audio interview.

I guess it is all right for African Americans to make a racially charged protest, without it being labeled as "racist."

Thsi gathering of 10 or so black people does seem very natural. I hope we could check the identity of the demonstrators, and who is really behind.

Did any of you look at the web site displayed on the protester's signs? This is the first time I have visited this site, and did so because it came up early on a search on this event.

Hutton,
I checked it out. Looks like something Palin would come up with.
Seriously, they are insane.
But, it is one more reason we can't allow the Palin/McCain ticket to win.

I was there and they were not just holding signs. They interrupted his speech and began chanting "Obama go home". I'm sorry, but no matter who you're voting for, what beliefs you hold, what political party you belong to, etc., it was incredibly rude and disrespecful not to mention obnoxious as hell. Period. But Obama handled it with grace, dignity, and professionalism.

I was there and they were not just holding signs. They interrupted his speech and began chanting "Obama go home". I'm sorry, but no matter who you're voting for, what beliefs you hold, what political party you belong to, etc., it was incredibly rude and disrespecful not to mention obnoxious as hell. Period. The KKK sign put it way over the edge. But Obama handled it with grace and dignity, telling them that they were free to hold their posters, but asked them to be quiet so people could hear what he was saying. I was impressed with his composure, patience, and respectfulness, even for those who obviously don't deserve any.

mcbush finally hires a few black people to do somethng besides cook and clean.

As an African American...blacks usually do not take such stands on the issues printed on their home made signs. The one that sticks out the MOST was "Jess Jackson hates Obama."...these were young people who could have been paid to do what they do. One has to wonder if they were even registered to vote! By the way ehere is Jess Jackson? This is second time there was a protest and each time Jesse Jacksons' name appeared! Talking about an angry/jealous man...that is what he is. It would not surprise me at all that somehow Jackson is connected to these young man. What a shame to pass down the BS from generation to another. I am just happy not to see or hear from Jesse Jackson, Sr.
Obama-Biden 08!