Tennessee Republican Party Slams Barack "Hussein" Obama

On Monday, the Tennessee Republican Party dropped the H-bomb, adorning a press release with Barack Obama's middle name, Hussein, and associated him the Muslim religion by running the 2006 photograph of the candidate wearing Somali tribal clothing.

Here's the first paragraph of the release:

The Tennessee Republican Party today joins a growing chorus of Americans concerned about the future of the nation of Israel, the only stable democracy in the Middle East, if Sen. Barack Hussein Obama is elected president of the United States.

Ostensibly, the press release was written to react to Louis Farrakhan's Sunday endorsement of Obama.

A Knoxville, TN newspaper reports that the Tennessee Republican Party stands by the release in its entirety on the grounds that it "has to inform the base" of Obama's background.

An RNC spokesman did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The news media in TN is circling, though, ensuring that the story will remain alive for a while down there.

Update: Condemnation from Sen. John McCain and Sen. Lamar Alexander.

Update Part II: A "clarification" on the website now reads:

This release originally referenced a photo of Sen. Obama and incorrectly termed it to be “”Muslim” garb. It is, in fact, Somali tribal garb, hence, we have deleted the photo. Also, in order to diffuse attempts by Democrats and the Left to divert attention from the main point of this release - that Sen. Obama has surrounded himself with advisers and recieved endorsements from people who are anti-Semitic and anti-Israel - we have deleted the use of Barack Obama’s middle nam

Comments

It'll be interesting to see if the RNC really wants to be the party of the racists and the xenophobes. Those people exist, of course, but I wouldn't call them a "broad coalition."

Posted by evie | February 27, 2008 2:16 PM

Bring it on, I'm confident that the number of people who are going to be pursuaded by this trash is much smaller than the number who are going to be turned off by it. THis stuff could even serve as a good inoculation for the general elecion swift boating to come.

Posted by RG | February 27, 2008 2:24 PM

Oh crap. I was counting on the Ignorant Bigot vote to help the democrats carry TN this year.
Sigh.

Posted by maryQ | February 27, 2008 2:32 PM

Gee, they used it a single time in a written statement!!! What's wrong with that??

You are getting way too oversensitive...

Posted by apol | February 27, 2008 2:50 PM

I just called the TN GOP and asked the lady who answered the phone if she was proud of the press release that is up on their website regarding Senator Barack Obama. She told me that she can't answer for the Party. I said, No, are YOU personally proud, as an American, of the TN Republican Party's press release?

She hung up on me.
LMFAO!

Posted by Jan | February 27, 2008 2:52 PM

If this gets Bill Hobbs fired from the TNGOP then it will all be worth it. I can guarantee you that he is behind this. Guarantee it. What I don't understand is why Bill Hobbs is on Marc Ambinder's blogroll.

Posted by Elrod | February 27, 2008 2:53 PM

Here is the original National Examiner tabloid version of the picture. The article is entitled: Obama's Shocking Al Qaeda link:

http://patdollard.com/wp-content/uploads/2286994669_426a7d669e_b.jpg

Though I'm not sure, I think it can be turned into a tool of self-parody, and I think a PR genius could negatively brand those who use this picture as self-confessed tabloid-variety white trash.

Of course he would have to use code words like "poorly educated," "low-income", "rural Americans." And it could backfire, since they may have already bought the Examiner!

For the more thoughtful, this version shows that Obama was actually wearing khakis as well as his red polo shirt underneath the traditional robes. According to the AP, during the time he was traveling with a retire Air Force General who is now an adviser to his campaign. (I wonder if the Air Force General is also a muslim sleeper agent. Curious minds want to know.)

It appears also that Obama may have been involved in local attempts to quell some of the violence there.

The Examiner story suggests the Kenyan leader, Odinga, an Anglican, "reportedly has shady ties to the Muslim, community which undoubtedly has Al Qaeda cells." So there you have the proof.

There is a playable race card here because it continues to show the lengths to which some will go to paint non-Muslim blacks as Muslims, and its not clear that traditional Somali garb is "Muslim."

Posted by paulc | February 27, 2008 2:56 PM

They not only put it out, but then they backed it up a second time. Your move, Senator McCain.

Posted by John M. | February 27, 2008 2:56 PM

Sure enough, check out Bill Hobbs' pathetic defense of it here. He brings up some adviser nobody's ever heard of and uses it to claim that Obama is not only anti-Israel but pro-Hamas! And then he tries to compare it to using Hillary Rodham Clinton's middle name. What a jackass.

Posted by Elrod | February 27, 2008 2:58 PM

Obama supporters are just... plain crazy. Now you are forbidden of stating the guy's middle name...

Posted by Hummm | February 27, 2008 2:59 PM

>Now you are forbidden of stating the guy's middle name...

No, free speech, remember?

But yes, do expect those of us with more than two brain cells huddling together for warmth to see your pathetic innuendo for what it is.

Posted by mike2R | February 27, 2008 3:08 PM

I didn't know Tennessee Republicans knew how to write.

Posted by wj | February 27, 2008 3:25 PM

So, first we have a mosque that is burned down in Columbia, TN with swastikas and racial epithets.

Then, we have news of a noose at a middle school in Franklin, TN.

Today, we hear from the TN Republican Party that "we have to inform the base" about Barack Obama's background.

By "base," are we referring to people with racist attitudes, or someone else? Please clarify, TN Republican Party.

Posted by benintn | February 27, 2008 3:31 PM

Squeal like a pig! Suuuueeeey!

Posted by Bubba | February 27, 2008 3:35 PM

An honest question to Obama supporters:

Why hasn't he already denounced DNC personal attacks on John McCain? Is he to be taken seriously when he says he wants a clean campaign or not?

Posted by as | February 27, 2008 4:09 PM

Race Man by Sean Wilentz
How Barack Obama played the race card and blamed Hillary Clinton.

http://www.tnr.com/politics/story.html?id=aa0cd21b-0ff2-4329-88a1-69c6c268b304

Stop the victimization, please.

Posted by Mary P. | February 27, 2008 4:11 PM

Hey, Obama: "I have some news. Al-Qaeda is in Iraq. Al-Qaeda is called al-Qaeda in Iraq…. I will not surrender to al-Qaeda.”

Does Obama reads newspapers? Doesn't he knows that Al-Qaeda is in Iraq already?

Posted by apol | February 27, 2008 4:12 PM

My, my. Look who's come out to play, some Suueeeeyyy Republicans.

What "personal" attacks on McCain?

Al-Qaeda is in Iraq because we invaded the country, destroyed the infrastructure, and couldn't maintain order. It's all part of the Grand Strategy.

Posted by wj | February 27, 2008 4:45 PM

apol, if you or sen. mccain had watched the debate, you would have understood the context in which obama was speaking in reference to al-quaeda. sen. clinton's answer was almost identical to obama's.

i also did a little research into the purportedly anti-semitic advisor that mister hobbs makes reference to, robert malley, who was an advisor during president clinton's administration. i've never heard of a jewish anti-semite.

finally, mary p., that was an interesting article you cited. the length of it had me thinking mr. wilentz got paid by the word, but then i found out he's close friends with the clintons...interesting...

Posted by misterchi | February 27, 2008 4:56 PM

Hey, Obama: "I have some news. Al-Qaeda is in Iraq. Al-Qaeda is called al-Qaeda in Iraq…. I will not surrender to al-Qaeda.”

Does Obama reads newspapers? Doesn't he knows that Al-Qaeda is in Iraq already?
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

BUT LIKE OBAMA SAID, AL-AQAEDA WASN'T THERE, UNTIL BUSH'S WAR!!!!! THE GOP DUPED US ALL! WHY DIDN'T BUSH TELL OUR MILITARY TO BOMB PAKISTAN, BEFORE BARACK OBAMA SUGGESTED FOR BUSH TO DO IT? WHEN THE BUSH ADMIN. DID BOMB PAKISTAN, WE GOT AL-QAEDA'S NUMBER 4!!! LOL!!!

Posted by Jamie | February 27, 2008 5:02 PM

Hey, Obama: "I have some news. Al-Qaeda is in Iraq. Al-Qaeda is called al-Qaeda in Iraq…. I will not surrender to al-Qaeda.”

Does Obama reads newspapers? Doesn't he knows that Al-Qaeda is in Iraq already?
__________________________________________________
_________________________________________________

BUT LIKE OBAMA SAID, AL-AQAEDA WASN'T THERE, UNTIL BUSH'S WAR!!!!! THE GOP DUPED US ALL! WHY DIDN'T BUSH TELL OUR MILITARY TO BOMB PAKISTAN, BEFORE BARACK OBAMA SUGGESTED FOR BUSH TO DO IT? WHEN THE BUSH ADMIN. DID BOMB PAKISTAN, WE GOT AL-QAEDA'S NUMBER 4!!! LOL!!!

Posted by Jamie | February 27, 2008 5:03 PM

Someone should ask Senator Lamar Alexander if he denounces should obviously bigoted tactics. They should also ask Tennessee's Republican lieutenant governor, Ron Ramsey.

Posted by Floyd | February 27, 2008 5:36 PM

Yesterday weren't we praising McCain for his quick denunciation of excactly this type of politics? Where is the rejection of this type of stuff today?

Posted by Bill | February 27, 2008 5:46 PM

Yesterday weren't we praising McCain for his quick denunciation of excactly this type of politics? Where is the rejection of this type of stuff today?

Posted by Bill | February 27, 2008 5:46 PM

What fear and hate-mongering? You cant mention that his middle name is Hussein or you're a racist?

What's troublesome is there's been no mention up until this last debate of Sen. Obama's ties with Louis Farrakhan and the Nation Of Islam. Even those connections to him through his own Church.

How is that fair?

If it were McCain that would be front page news. Or heaven help Hillary Clinton if she were connected with him.

Does he get a free pass because he's african american? Or because his name is Hussein?

He is a presidential candidate and he preeches unity and "owning up" to problems. These are valid questions to bring up during an important time in our country's history.

The media finally asked him about it and he stumbled for an answer. Finally he said he rejected Farrakhan. I wonder if he rejects donations from him and his organization as well?

How about his Church?

McCain apologized for Cunningham's remarks even though they werent suggestive of anything other than whats on the record.

Sen. Obama has said he'd meet with any leader, no matter the circumstance or what they've done.

That includes all those leaders Cunningham talked about.

Now it turns out that a radical muslim leader is endorsing him. (Farrakhan) He's already been forced to reject that, why not his church as well, who supports Farrakhan.

Wouldnt that be fair?

And if not, why?

Posted by Michael | February 27, 2008 6:12 PM

The only surprise here is these comments are actually printed on letterhead of the TNRP. The boldness of such bigotry is not uncommon to the "old" south. However, if the Republican National Committee does not denounce and/or sanction the TNRP, what is the message of the grand old party.

Just imagine is Jesus resided in the Biblebelt, what would HE do and my apologies for the swooping generalization. The new south has demonstrated a propensity for growth in acceptance as well tolerance for differences.

Shame on the TNRP.

Posted by John3:16 | February 27, 2008 6:32 PM

What's a big deal about his name? Shouldn't one be proud of one's heritage? Ok, Barack Hussein Obama. It's his real name. So what?

Posted by Anonymous | February 27, 2008 6:35 PM

What a bunch of ignorant, xenophobic racists.

BTW, do you happen to know the name of the most fervent supporter of American interests in the Middle East ? The late King Hussein of Jordan !!!

A great REPUBLICAN (with Upper case) gentleman, Mr. William Buckley passed away today. I am glad that he didn't get to see the lows to which his beloved party had sunk. Pathetic !!

Posted by Pedro | February 27, 2008 6:53 PM

What a bunch of ignorant, xenophobic racists.

BTW, do you happen to know the name of the most fervent supporter of American interests in the Middle East ? The late King Hussein of Jordan !!!

A great REPUBLICAN (with Upper case) gentleman, Mr. William Buckley passed away today. I am glad that he didn't get to see the lows to which his beloved party had sunk. Pathetic !!

Posted by Pedro | February 27, 2008 6:53 PM

Remember the racist hatchet job that these drooling knuckle dragging bigots in the Tennessee Republican Party did on Harold Ford in 2006. Well it is in the Babble Belt so it comes as no surprise. It's the land of Southern Baptists who insist that women be subservient to men. Far right christians are just as repressive and disgusting as islamic fundamentalists. If the far right can use the term islamofascist, we can certainly talk about christofascists and the state of Tennessee is full of this extremist, racist scum.

Posted by Observer | February 27, 2008 7:45 PM

From the Tennessee Democratic Party:

Nashville- The Tennessee Democratic Party released the following statement regarding the news that Tennessee Republican Party chairwoman Robin Smith has refused to disavow earlier comments made by the Republican Party regarding Senator Barack Obama and will continue to use Senator Obama's full name as disparaging political innuendo:

"The tone and the accuracy of this release unfortunately is what we have come to expect from the Tennessee Republican Party in recent times, and this release is the worst of the bunch," said Tennessee Democratic Party chairman Gray Sasser. "It amplifies misinformation, discredited tall tales, and internet innuendo to appeal to the worst in people.

"This kind of fear mongering has no place in the public discourse. Senator John McCain has forcefully come out and rejected these types of gutter politics. Now, it is time that Republican leaders in Tennessee like Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander join their Republican nominee and disapprove of these tactics."

Posted by Tony | February 27, 2008 8:17 PM

From the Tennessee Democratic Party:

Nashville- The Tennessee Democratic Party released the following statement regarding the news that Tennessee Republican Party chairwoman Robin Smith has refused to disavow earlier comments made by the Republican Party regarding Senator Barack Obama and will continue to use Senator Obama's full name as disparaging political innuendo:

"The tone and the accuracy of this release unfortunately is what we have come to expect from the Tennessee Republican Party in recent times, and this release is the worst of the bunch," said Tennessee Democratic Party chairman Gray Sasser. "It amplifies misinformation, discredited tall tales, and internet innuendo to appeal to the worst in people.

"This kind of fear mongering has no place in the public discourse. Senator John McCain has forcefully come out and rejected these types of gutter politics. Now, it is time that Republican leaders in Tennessee like Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey and U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander join their Republican nominee and disapprove of these tactics."

Posted by Tony | February 27, 2008 8:18 PM

Give the Tennessee Democratic Party money so they can combat these idiots: I just gave $200 so they can fight these idiots. www.tndp.org/contribute.php

Posted by Tony | February 27, 2008 8:20 PM

Are these the same a-holes who gave us the Harold Ford Jr. "Call Me" ads?

Tennessee must be SO proud.

Posted by Neil | February 27, 2008 9:06 PM

@Neil: it was the Republican National Committee, not the state party, that was responsible for the anti-Ford "call me" ad.

@all: U.S. Sen. Lamar Alexander has disapproved of these remarks.

Joe
Independent
TennesseeTicket.com

Posted by joe lance | February 27, 2008 9:30 PM

This is disgusting, if I was a Republican I would be horrified.

No wonder their registered members are leaving in droves.

Posted by Barb | February 27, 2008 9:54 PM

There are almost 1 billion Muslims i the World they can not go wrong.There is nothing wrong for Barack to have A muslim father who he did not know at all. And Barack is written as BARAKA in Swahili and both Muslims and Christians swahili people are named after that. And Baraka means blessing and the name is inherited from arabic word with the same meaning. Does that make him an arab too? But name doesn't make you a muslim or an arab and Barack denounces Islam .. too bad plus majority of Americans who do not know about Islam and try to associate Islam with terrorism .. too bad, that shows lack of islamic knowledge. Majority of Muslims are peace loving people. And What caused muslims to be associated with terorrism is Oil. If there were no oil in Arab countries where the majority of people are muslims there could be no muslim terrorist.

Posted by Abdul | February 27, 2008 10:31 PM

Obama supporters seem to be trying to distract from the main point of their press release by screaming charges of racism. And that's fine if you truly believe that. Speak out about it.

But why can't people ask about endorsments and donations made by racists to Sen. Obama like Farrakhan or others?

Because we've moved beyond that as a nation? Because if we ask for that information, we're all knuckle-dragging racists?

Posted by David | February 28, 2008 4:06 AM

I didn't know Tennessee Republicans knew how to write.

They can do "heh" & "indeed" quite well.

Posted by Attaturk | February 28, 2008 5:46 AM

It begins in earnest!

The "same old, politics as usual, smoke & mirrors" nonsense, or as Senator Obama called it, "the silly season".

In the last 7+ years, this type of commentary has been pivotal on having Americans take their eyes off the ball/objective and allowed the current administration to make chop sue of the Constitution and the economy of this great country.

There is another portion of this type of 'silliness' that DOES merit complete attention, though............

I wonder IF there is a 2 'birds' with 1 'stone' strategy at work here????

1st 'Bird':
Is it at all possible, that the GOP are subtlety attempting to get 'rid' of their 'maverick' candidate by continuing these attacks that split their own party and with each honorable rejection from McCain, cements the far Right Wing to NOT vote in November?

It would finish McCain who has been a thorn in the sole of the Republican platform for some time AND the GOP could 'tar' McCain instead of the party for THE LOSS of the White House in November.

2nd ‘Bird’:
Stirring up ''hate''AND 'fear'; all too often can lead to ''hate crimes''.
It is ''crazies'' who commit ''hate crimes'' and this continual assault from a part of the Republican base - the Tennessee GOP's statement, as well as radio talk show host Cunningham AND a female GOP strategist on MSNBC yesterday, can be seen as stirring up that type of frenzy or hate in those who are already overflowing with anger and frustration and have no 'TRUE' place to vent it.

IT IS DANGEROUS and DOES NOTHING to address this nation's daunting challenges.

If the GOP carries on that tact, I believe that the backlash from ALL DECENT AMERICANS ~ REGARDLESS of any political party affiliation should and will be tremendous.

GOP, continue at your OWN & Senator Obama''s peril!

Posted by Dari | February 28, 2008 11:45 AM

Now I've heard it all.... are you people a bunch of liberal hypocrites? My husband & I have been registered Republicans for more years than we can count. We are so mad that you have censored the TN State Party for their FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Is Barack Obama's middle 'HUSSEIN" OR NOT? WHY ARE YOU PEOPLE PUSSY FOOTING AROUND IT. Tell it like it is. If you can't count on the National Party who can we count on? STAND UP AND BE ACCOUNTABLE.

Posted by Ann Butt | February 28, 2008 1:38 PM

Is this the direction John McCain is bringing the Republican party? This heavy handedness towards party members to please Democrats is totally unacceptable. Have we moved so far as a party that we have even adopted political correctness? This is no longer the party I have fought for! This is no longer the party of conservative values! All I can say is...

Barack Hussein Obama

Go ahead and denounce me RNC, I will never submit!

Posted by Ken Bingham | February 29, 2008 2:36 AM

How about Huckabee, it sounds Arabic or Farsi. In Arabic "haq Abi" means "father right", or because he is a white person cannot be that..ha...

Posted by mo | February 29, 2008 8:33 AM

google: the audacity of separatism

Posted by major | February 29, 2008 9:27 AM

google: the audacity of separatism

Posted by major | February 29, 2008 9:28 AM

This is what Nancy Reagan herself once called the tactics of "extra-chromosome conservatives."

: - )

Posted by Robert Campbell | February 29, 2008 9:40 PM

I for one am glad to see that the Republicans are so worried about Obama that they are even trying to get by with this type of smear campaign. Since they can't find any real skeletons in Obama's closet they will just twist things to make something up...does this really suprise anyone?

Posted by jeycat | March 1, 2008 9:59 PM