Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Obama Rejects Farrakhan Endorsement

It didn't take Sen. Barack Obama long to reject the endorsement of controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan this past Sunday. NBC News' Tim Russert confronted Obama with the endorsement during his debate with Sen. Hillary Clinton this week. Here is Obama's response:

I have been very clear in my denunciation” of Farrakhan’s history of anti-Semitic remarks, Obama said at the Democratic debate in Cleveland, “I did not solicit his support.” Obama said he “can not censor” individual endorsements but said there is no affiliation with his campaign and Farrakhan. “I can’t say to somebody that he can’t say that he thinks I’m a good guy,” Obama said, citing his support among Jewish Americans and stating that he would make it a priority to soothe historically tense ties between the African-American and Jewish communities in the nation. “I have some of the strongest support from the Jewish community in my hometown of Chicago and in this campaign,” he said, describing himself as a “stalwart” on supporting Israel.

Obama's response wasn't good enough for Sen. Clinton. “There’s a difference between denouncing and rejecting,” she countered, “And I made it very clear that I did not want their support, I rejected it,” she said, “I would not be associated with people” that make such comments. Obama quickly responded. “I’m happy to concede the point and I would reject and denounce,” he said. “Good, good,” replied Clinton.

It's fascinating how the Carson campaign and its supporters continue to pummel this blogger for raising the issue of Farrakhan being invited to the funeral of the late U.S. Rep. Julia Carson to eulogize her and to offer his endorsement of grandson Andre Carson's candidacy to take her place in Congress. Russert, a Democrat, is considered by many to be one of the best political reporters in the country. If he saw it as a legitimate question to ask Obama about in a televised presidential debate, as clearly Sen. Clinton also did, am I wrong to raise the question? And why hasn't Carson rejected Farrakhan's support as Obama quickly did when he has been confronted with the question? Ironically, the Carsons back Sen. Clinton over Sen. Obama in the presidential race. And remember Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones (D-OH), one of the "send my seed" congresswomen who eulogized Julia Carson and endorsed Andre's candidacy? She is under fire for suggesting in an interview this week that Somalia is Obama's native country, while she was defending a picture the Clinton campaign allegedly circulated around the Internet showing Obama dressed in native wear during a trip in the past to Kenya.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

Gary, I was really struck by the silence over at Blue Indiana regarding the Russert-Obama-Clinton exchange in last night's debate over the Farrakhan endorsement issue, as well as the Tubbs-Jones flap. It really takes the thunder out of all the clamor which has been taking place over there the last few days.

Vox Populi said...

I'm proud of Obama for his rejection of Louis Farrakhan and his ministry of hate. I wish Andre Carson wold come out in equally strong terms against him.

Louis Farrakhan is the Left's equivilent of Pat Robertson or Fred Phelps.

Wilson46201 said...

"Ironically, the Carsons back Sen. Clinton over Sen. Obama in the presidential race."

HUH ???

I know the Carsons a heck of a lot better than you ever could. You just plain made up that "fact". You lie. Neither Julia nor André Carson ever expressed a leaning one way or another. Neutrality is in André's interest as it was with Julia.

Anonymous said...

Yep Wilson, I guess people lie just like you, and Andre and the rest lied to all the people of the 7th about Julia's health.


Lied. Lied. Lied. I guess the childrens tease of "Takes one to know one" fits you to a tee.

Gary R. Welsh said...

Is Bil Browning a liar as well, Wilson?

"I watched Julia's funeral this morning on TV. I was shocked to see some obviously missing dignitaries. Neither the President nor the Vice-President were there even though she was a sitting member of Congress. Neither Bill nor Hillary Clinton were in attendance even though Julia had endorsed Hillary's campaign. Barack Obama was one of the few members the black caucus not to be in attendance."

"I was also surprised how many of the speakers took the opportunity to politic on behalf of Andre Carson. It was a little over the top."

Bil Browning | December 23, 2007 1:49 AM

Vox Populi said...

Wilson hates Bil.

Gary R. Welsh said...

I know. That's why I used his quote to reply. I had eyewitnesses tell me they caught Wilson red-handed stealing Kris Kiser's campaign signs during the 2006 congressional election. Wilson still insists to this day I was lying about it.

Vox Populi said...

They need to catch it on tape next time.

Wilson46201 said...

re yardsigns: Gary Welsh also accused me of driving around and picking up large number of Kiser yardsigns. Considering I dont drive, have no license or vehicle, his charge was easily refutable.

Wilson46201 said...

Bil said: "Barack Obama was one of the few members the black caucus not to be in attendance."

There are over 40 C.B.C. members (all Democrats of course!) - less than 10 attended Congresslady Carson's funeral. Were the others also snubbing her because of Presidential politics? Get real!

Anonymous said...

Wilson, regardless who Julia/Andre support for president, this fact remains solid and true:

Andre has been mum on Minister Farrakhan's funeral endorsement.

Reps. Tubbs-Jones and Kilpatrick also offered up inappopriate and rude funeral endorsements, but they're not avowed racists/Xenophobes/anti-Semites as the Minister is.

Unlike others, I do not criticize or find fault with the Carson family honoring Julia's wishes to have the Minister speak at her funeral. Whomever a dying person wants at their funeral, that wihs should be granted. Period.

But in his eulogy, Farrakhan offered a blunt endorsement of Andre's campaign.

Andre has had the chance since December to disavow that endorsement. OK: disavow, rebuke, shun--whatever verb is in vogue these days. Obama's example was refreshing.

Andre, unlike Obama, has been mum. It is a fair question to ask Andre, and his silence has been deafening.

And very telling.

So now, it's a campaign issue, rightfully so, and some people are going to base their vote on this issue. Not me--Andre's overall lack of experience is my reason for voting against him.

The Farrakhan thing doesn't help with me, but it's not the only reason. When discussing this campaign with friends ans business associates, I am stunned at the number who are basing their vote solely on the Farrakhan issue.

And it won't go away. If Andre wins Mar. 11, as I suspect he will, the question will get louder for May 6. Much louder.

MissouriDemocrat said...

That funeral was an outrage by itself. They send Granny off like she was President of the United States. I applaud what accomplishments she achieved as a representative of her districts in all the positions she served, but if she really didn't like the show and they were concerned about honoring her wishes then the send off to heaven should have been more modest and in keeping with her wishes. Horse drawn Caissons should be reserved for the Chief Executive. Not even O'Bannon had such a show. And a four hour funeral? It was more a rally for Andre than a funeral for Julia.

Anonymous said...

I understand Lacy Johnson is supporting Obama, so it's not accurate to say that crew all supports Hillary.

Realistically, Hillary locked down support from most women and Af-Am's in Congress long ago, but now many of them are having second thoughts and moving over to the Obama camp (cf. John Lewis).

Andre is not a Hillary supporter.

Anonymous said...

Rumors, lies and misinformation from the Elrod gossip machine....what a sleazy campaign his people are running

Gary R. Welsh said...

Now we know why House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and U.S. Rep. James Clybourne were no-shows at the funeral.

Anonymous said...

Wilson said "Considering I dont drive, have no license or vehicle, his charge was easily refutable."

A lot of people drive other peoples cars with no license - they just do not get caught doing so.

Gary R. Welsh said...

Wilson's denials are much like Bill Clinton's "I did not have sex with that woman." You have to know how to define "sex" and what the meaning of "is" is to get to the truth.

Anonymous said...

Ugh. A Lacy Johnson reference. I just had breakfast. Please.

Lacy goes where the winds blow and he can make some money.

Anonymous said...

Obama supporter's prayer:

Please, please, please, God, make Wilson support Hillary and not Barack. We know You love all Your children, even the bad, sleazy one's like Wilson, be keep Barack safe from him and the likes of him. Please, please, please.

indyernie said...

Carson is afraid of Louis Farrakhan and his connections in DC.
Carson without Farrakhan and his connections would fail.
The Prince can't disrespect the King without repercussions.
André has never stood on his own nor achieved success without Grandma making it happen.
André Carson is a political
Lite-weight and time will prove it.

indyernie said...

"A lot of people drive other peoples cars with no license - they just do not get caught doing so."

...they are sometimes seen driving a white Towncar and followed... dirty tee shirt, yellow hair and all.
Right, Wilson!

Anonymous said...

But will Time do that in tiem to save the 7th District. THAT is the rub!

Anonymous said...

Wilson. I've SEEN you driving!
Wish I would have gotten a picture of it to prove you are a LIAR!

Anonymous said...

And never forget...Andre LIED to the entire 7th district by his ommission of the truth about his grandmother's health.

I don't have a Congressperson or a state senator right now.

Anonymous said...

"Realistically, Hillary locked down support from most women and Af-Am's in Congress long ago, but now many of them are having second thoughts and moving over to the Obama camp (cf. John Lewis).

Andre is not a Hillary supporter."

6:35 AM EST

I am offended that people would think I would vote for Hillary because I am a woman. I have more brains than that.

Andre is a sexist pig. The words came out of his mouth. To him, women are objects and that is all they are good for. Of course he wouldn't be supporting Billary.

Anonymous said...

Obama’s efforts to connect to the Republican Party, specifically Bush, and Dick Chaney, of the Halliburton Company, dates back to the Presidents Grandfather, Prescott Bush, and indeed Chaney was once an executive officer of Halliburton.

The American military pounds Iraq with Artillary, bombs, and the like, destroying large sections of cities, and infra-structures, then Halliburton comes in to rebuild. Halliburton and Halliburton associated companies have raked in ten’s of billions.

Obama is just like the BIG HALIBURTAN. Haliburton has contracted to build detention centers in the U.S. similiar to the one in Quantanammo Bay, Cuba. Halliburton does nothing to earn the Two Dollars for each meal an American Serviceman in Iraq eats.

http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/

Halliburton was scheduled to take control of the Dubai Ports in The United Arab Emiirate. The deal was canceled when Bush was unable to affect the transfer of the American Ports.

Now we see what some might suspect as similiar financial escapading from the Democrats.

Two years ago, Iraq’s Ministry of Electricity gave a $50 million contract to a start-up security company - Companion- owned by now-indicted businessman (TONY REZKO) Tony Rezko and a onetime Chicago cop, Daniel T. Frawley, to train Iraqi power-plant guards in the United States. An Iraqi leadership change left the deal in limbo. Now the company, Companion Security, is working to revive its contract.
Involved along with Antoin “Tony” Rezco, long time friend and neighbor of Democratic Presidential hopeful Barack Obama, and former cop Daniel T. Frawley, is Aiham Alsammarae. Alsammarae was accused of financial corruption by Iraqi authorities and jailed in Iraq last year before escaping and returning here.

LIKE FATHER LIKE SON --
Recently, Obama's campaign staff have been vetted by the IRS to disclose his connection to the criminal money generating underworld. Besides, his connections to the REZCO MAFIA types, his up-coming tax fraud charges — Obama needs to disclose why he is a MUSLIM "PATWANG-FWEEE" and disclose Obama's MUSLIM Farrakhan mob connection to Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Its minister, and Obama's spiritual adviser, is the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. In 1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine; Wright's daughters serve as publisher and executive editor. Every year, the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said "truly epitomized greatness." That man is Louis Farrakhan. Farrakhan and Chicago's Trinity United Church are trumpeting Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama as the second coming of the messiah. Obama should stop suppoting our intervention in IRAQ. It’s time to introduce this false, fake Xerox - X box Obama and invite the self-indicting thief plagiarizing pipsqueke "GLORK" Xerox - X box to meet the Buffalo "GAZOWNT-GAZIKKA" Police Department Buffalo Creek. He is MAD!!! --

OBAM YOU'RE NO JFK --

"GLORK" Obama looks like Alfred E. Newman: "Tales Calculated To Drive You." He is a MUSLIM "Glork" He's MAD!!! Alfred E. Neuman is the fictional mascot of Mad. The face had drifted through American pictography for decades before being claimed by Mad editor Harvey Kurtzman after he spotted it on the bulletin board in the office of Ballantine Books editor Bernard Shir-Cliff, later a contributor to various magazines created by Kurtzman.
Obama needs to disclose why he is a MUSLIM "PATWANG-FWEEE" and stop suppoting our intervention in IRAQ. It’s time to introduce this false, fake "GLORK" Xerox - X box Obama and invite the self-indicting thief plagiarizing pipsqueke Xerox - X box to meet the Buffalo "GAZOWNT-GAZIKKA" Police Department Buffalo Creek.

Michelle Obama should be ashamed.

"GLORK" Michelle Obama should be ashamed of her separatist-racist connection to Farrakhan and Chicago's Trinity United Church trumpeting Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama as the second coming of the messiah. If Michelle Obama new what her husband -- the Hope-A-Dope, Fonster Monster -- Barack Obama AKA Barack Hussein Obama did in Harlem, she would wash her wide-open, Hus-suey loving MUSILM mouth out, with twenty-four (24) mule-team double-cross X-boX-BorraX. He is a MUSLIM "Glork" It’s time to introduce this false, fake "GLORK" Xerox - X box Obama and invite the self-indicting thief plagiarizing pipsqueke Xerox - X box to meet the Buffalo "GAZOWNT-GAZIKKA" Police Department Buffalo Creek. He's MAD!!!

http://www.halliburtonwatch.org/