I think Obama handled Garb-Gate all wrong

[mtnsnake]

The way he acted so offended, you'd think that he was embarrassed by the entire thing. I'll bet the people in Kenya are real thrilled how Obama seems to be so ashamed of having his picture shown with him wearing the native attire of their country.

If Obama had come right out and stuck up for that picture, instead of denouncing how someone leaked it, he would have come off as a much stronger personality than he did by acting so uncomfortable about it.

I mean really. What the heck is there to be so ashamed of by wearing the attire of the country in which he was a guest? Even at the debate last night he acted as if the picture was such a bad thing.

As a guest of the Somali people, he should've acted proud to have worn their garb. I can't understand why he just didn't stand up for himself.

[Emit]

1. How much are they paying you, mtnsnake?

;)

[mtnsnake]

3. Not enough

[anigbrowl]

14. Don't flatter yourself. This may be your lamest OP so far.

[mtnsnake]

21. Even worse than the last time you told me that?

[anigbrowl]

26. I don't recall saying that before, but if I did, yes.

[Emit]

28. mtnsnake probably is referring to 'you' in the collective sense

he can't keep track

[babylonsister]

2. Of course you thought that.

:eyes:

[MadBadger]

4. Well duh

Of course you would think Obama did wrong.

[mtnsnake]

7. Hey, I'm just trying to have him learn from his major mistakes like this one

in case he becomes our nominee.

It's never to early to get prepared.

[jgraz]

5. Can you help me out? I'm a bit confused here.

Is this the Anger or Depression stage of realizing your candidate has lost the nomination? :shrug:

[mtnsnake]

23. denial

:shrug:

[cali]

6. lol!

your post is beyond tone deaf. And as a bash, it's moronic. Why don't you spend some time analyzing your candidate's shitty campaign and its endless fuckups than bitching about stuff like this? May I remind you that Obama is beating your goddess?

[mtnsnake]

12. So you're not interesting in seeing Obama better himself? I thought you supported him

I don't know about you, but I don't want him acting ashamed of something he shouldn't be acting ashamed of...especially if it happens during a general election. Yikes, you really act like you don't want to win or something.

[Bicoastal]

8. Take your snake out of your mountain, dude.

For the most part, the African people LOVE this guy. Enthusiasm for him even threatened to upstage Bush when he went there.

Everyone knows how this game is working. The GOP opposition still thinks it'll be easy to smear him--which is why they're always so incredulous when it doesn't work.

[FrenchieCat]

9. I suggest that you provide the Hillary campaign with some pointers....

cause they need them more than the Obama camp.

Explain why this didn't help Hillary to Mark Penn, K? :eyes:

[Occam Bandage]

13. Oh, he has.

[mtnsnake]

15. Thank you, OB

Hey, anything I can do to help. Wow, I can't believe how ungrateful they are that I'm giving Obama some good tips.

[Occam Bandage]

17. I know, you're only helping. We should be chipping in for a payment fund.

[ginantonic40]

10. I don't recall him personally addressing it at all but

maybe you could link to his statement. Ignoring it and letting surrogates mock the tactic seems to be the apporpriate course.

[mtnsnake]

27. Oh geez, he sure has. Heck, didn't you even watch the debate last night?

He surely didn't act like the photo was something to be proud of, otherwise he wouldn't have expressed his displeasure that someone leaked it. He even said that he took Hillary's word that her campaign had nothing to do with leaking it, to her best knowledge. You don't say something like that if you're happy about that photo.

To me, he could have simply saved himself a lot of trouble by just explaining clearly that he was a guest of that country and that there is nothing wrong with wearing their garb in respect of that country.

[ginantonic40]

36. Watched some not all. After 4 or 5 they start getting redundant.

When they post the transcript I'll check out what he said. If he said it embarrassed him then he showed a uncharacteristic thin skin. If he claimed it was leaked he's mischaracterizing it. The picture has been public since at least May of 07. But in the final analysis it's all irrelevent minutia anyway.

[mtnsnake]

38. Sounds good

If he said it embarrassed him then he showed a uncharacteristic thin skin

He didn't say it embarrassed him. However, his entire camp ACTS as if it's something to be embarrassed about.

I think he could have put the whole thing to rest if he stood up for the picture immediately, instead of acting like it was something that shouldn't have been leaked.

[MediaBabe]

55. Doesn't George Bush wear local garb in other countries?

I recall seeing pics of GWB and he didn't whine that it was unfair they were "leaked" LOL And he's a REAL whiner.

[Occam Bandage]

11. You know, it's funny. According to y'all, every dust-up was handled brilliantly by HRC, and Obama

always noobed into failure. But yet, over the course of Hillary's hundred great victories, he managed to turn a 25-point Hillary lead into an Obama victory. It just doesn't square.

[mtnsnake]

19. Nope, I've mentioned in the past some things Hillary was doing that I thought she should change

and this is (I think) the first time I've pointed out Obama making a major mistake, strategy wise during his campaign, isn't it?

[Mike03]

16. He seemed to handle it perfectly, much better than I would have.

He is striking the right tone through almost every crisis; that is one reason he has really captured my attention since Edwards and Biden dropped out.

[Shine]

18. I don't even think it's an issue anymore. That's old news and people have moved on by now.

seriously, that was soooo last week. :D

[mtnsnake]

20. No longer one for us, but you can bank on it that the repukes will file it away until summer

so Obama should let it be known that there is nothing to be ashamed of instead of trying to run from it like he did all last week.

[Gloria]

22. Good point. He could have been "black and proud"

and told Drudge to shove it. I guess he picks and chooses...OK with assuming Drudge is correct, too...

[fujiyama]

24. I kind of agree

This thing was going to come out sooner or later and I just don't see the big deal in him dressing up in an African outfit. I was in India recently and wore a traditional Indian outfit one of the days. Big freakin deal. I don't get the outrage on his part. But if Hillary did release this as a smear (and I'm not completely convinced it was her), she had to have known this wouldn't be an effective attack.

If there's one thing we should know about modern politics, it's a nasty game. We're in the era of swift boats. Obama has to realize that Hillary been soft compared to what he'll expect from the repukes.

[zonkers]

25. Obama should have worn that costume for the last debate.

[Sparkly]

29. At the risk of being attacked, I wondered the same.

It wasn't a secret, or photoshopped, or some shameful indiscretion. I know the 'context' was meant to insult him, but why not turn the insult on whoever thinks he was doing something wrong?

Same with his middle name, same with the fact that he's black. I'd like to hear him come back with the equivalent of, "Yeah and? What's your problem?"

[mtnsnake]

31. Yeah, exactly, Sparkly

I don't know...I just think he could've made the whole thing disappear quickly if he approached it like there was nothing to be ashamed of to begin with. Instead, his entire camp made like someone leaked something terrible.

[Bluerthanblue]

30. At least get your facts right !!- He was NOT dressed in the attire

of his "country"- His fathers homeland is Kenya NOT Somalia- The clothing was traditional Somalian Muslim clothing-
And yes, he was in Kenya when he was asked to put on the clothing, but Somalia and Kenya are two separate and distinct NATIONS- on the continent of Africa.

You don't fool anyone with your lame posts that pretend to show genuine thought and concern, when they are nothing more than stupid, poorly veiled attempts to discredit the candidate that you clearly despise. Your fake 'what the heck is there to be ashamed of by wearing the attire...." bullshit is really getting old.

You also don't do Hillary any benefit when you act like this 'in her support'-

Please reconsider your foolish campaign-

:shrug:

peace~

[mtnsnake]

33. You are truly thick. I never said "his country" and you're lying about the rest of it

Read my post again, genius, and you'll see that not only are you mistaken but you're a kingsize fool for saying what you just did.

[Bluerthanblue]

47. Read your own words again yourself Snake

"I'll bet the people in Kenya are real thrilled how Obama seems to be so ashamed of having his picture shown with him wearing the native attire of their country.


The people of Kenya are his fathers people- The clothing was Somali. Read your sentence again, and ask yourself what kind of sense it makes.

Kingsize fool?- meet mirror.


:shrug:

peace~

(I'm no genius, never claimed to be- I have only a HS diploma- )

[mtnsnake]

49. Yeah, the native attire of "their" country, not "his country" like you said I said

but you know what? You can post back and change it if it makes you happy and I won't have anymore problems with it. It just isn't worth it.

BTW, it's clear to me that Obamaites are not interested in doing anything constructive about any of their idol's problems but would rather piss and moan over any least little bit of criticism their idol gets (I'm not referring to you, btw).

Peace back at ya :)

[Bluerthanblue]

52. thank you for wishing me

peace, and for not just blowing me off.

I apologize for my own snarky tone- it isn't necessiary or appropriate.

There are many people on DU who post crap about both candidates- sometimes very rude, trivial crap.

I try not to do it myself- but I'm terribly far from perfect.

I don't see Obama as an "idol"- and I know for a fact he is not perfect and don't think he believes he is either. We all do a dis-service to our candidates when we get carried away and treat one another like enemies, rather than passionate people who sincerly want to help America get back on a better path, and to move ahead to a promising future.

Again, I apologize for my own bad attitude.

and thank you for sharing the desire for
Peace~

:hi:

[mtnsnake]

53. No problem, glad you posted

and sorry if I seemed snarky myself in return.

but I'm terribly far from perfect.

Well, we both have something in common then. lol

:hi:

[Sparkly]

43. About the "fake 'what the heck is there to be ashamed of...

...by wearing the attire....' bullshit."

I'm not being fake. (I don't think mtnsnake is, either.) What the heck is there to be ashamed of by wearing the attire? I'm quite serious.

[democrank]

32. You`re such a busy little beaver, mtnsnake.

~PEACE~

[Divine Discontent]

34. I was wondering how he would handle this

I was hoping he'd say there is nothing bizarre about wearing it, I was in their country and wore their customary clothing and for anyone to bring it up and say 'ooh look at what he's wearing, he's a Muslim Terra-ist!' is unacceptable discussion in a campaign about the ideas we need to solve the problems facing this country!


did he say anything like that? I haven't seen the transcript yet, been busy.

[mtnsnake]

35. He acted like someone committed a crime by leaking a photo that no one should ever see

He should have handled it by acting like there is nothing wrong with people seeing him dressed in the garb of a country where he was an honored guest one day. Maybe he'll eventually take that posture. Who knows.

[Divine Discontent]

37. I hope he takes the stance I wrote. It's ill advised to do otherwise! n/t

[Perky]

39. Imagine our surprise that you of all people would have something negarive to say about Obama.

[mtnsnake]

41. How surprising that you continue to mischaracterize any poster on this board you disagree with

What's the matter, Perky? Can't handle even CONSTRUCTIVE criticism of your idol?

[Perky]

42. It is not constructive....it is always destructive.

I just posted that if Hillary should stay in if she sins Texaz and ohio by a hair. If Obama lost those two races by a hair,,,,,you would be calling for him to stop whining and get out of the way,

[mtnsnake]

45. Oh yeah, I forgot it's against the rules to criticize Saint Obama for anything

No matter what he does or says, he is perfect and nobody better say differently. What a joke

[Perky]

48. Did I say anything remotelylike that?

I have lots of problems with Obama. But I think he will have longer coattails and will be able to get something done on healthcare and on changing our relationship with Islam. He is far from perfect...but Hillary in my view is even farther from perfect.

[gravity]

40. He called it out for what it was

It was a political attack from the Hillary camp to imply that he was a muslim.

[jeffrey_X]

44. Exactly when/where did he act offended?

link?

[mtnsnake]

46. Sorry, links to television aren't required. n/t

[BeyondGeography]

50. Right again, Snake Person, they've completely turned on Obama in Kenya over this

Kenyan town plans demo over Obama Somali photo

By Noor Ali

ISIOLO, Kenya, Feb 27 (Reuters) - Residents of a remote Kenyan town plan a demonstration on Friday over a photo of U.S. presidential hopeful Barack Obama in Somali dress.

The picture, which appeared on a U.S. Web site, showed the Illinois senator donning a traditional white headdress and robes during a 2006 trip to Wajir in northeastern Kenya.

Aides to Obama, whose late father was from Kenya, accused his Democratic rival Hillary Clinton's campaign of "the most shameful, offensive fear-mongering" of the election season after the picture was published.

Obama has fought a whispering campaign by fringe elements that say erroneously that he is Muslim. Clinton's camp denied officially approving the photo's release.

Wajir residents plan to demonstrate in the town after Friday prayers to show their support for Obama, said Ahmed Sheikh Bahalow, an elder from ethnically Somali Wajir.

The controversy made headlines in Kenya where many people support the Democratic front-runner in the way the Irish idolised U.S. President John F. Kennedy in the 1960s -- as one of their own who succeeded beyond their wildest dreams.

Bahalow, a retired teacher, said his community was offended by the insinuation Obama had done anything wrong on his visit.

"The Somali community and in particular those living in Kenya have never been that interested in American politics," Bahalow told Reuters in the central town of Isiolo. "But we are following it keenly now because we have been provoked."

http://africa.reuters.com/wire/news/usnL27073547.html

[mtnsnake]

51. Did I say they completely turned on him in Kenya?

Funny, I don't recall saying anything quite like that.

[MediaBabe]

54. "So, what's wrong with the picture"

That's what he should have said. Be proud of what you are. But, as we have seen, he's all about attack Hillary all the time. It's his campaign strategy. Given a choice of grinning and saying "Yeah, don't I look great" he went with Hillary is despicable. And it seems to be working.

[mtnsnake]

56. You nailed it, MediaBabe

Well said

[jillan]

59. Well said!

[CyberPieHole]

57. He ran away from that image the way he runs away from his middle name...

I really don't know why? He knew the picture was taken and existed and he knew the National Examiner posted it, so it should not have come as any surprise. No, he wanted to have his CULTish followers believe the Drudge story that someone in Clinton's campaign had supplied it...that was his despicable plan. Obama has run the dirtiest and most disgusting campaigns by any Democrat I have ever seen. Obama is beneath contempt, IMHO.

[jillan]

58. I agree - and he also needs to deal with his middle name.

It doesn't stop.

I got a phonecall tonite from a repug who called just to ask me if I knew what Obama's middle name was.:crazy: My response - What is John McCain's middle name? They didn't know that, but they sure knew Obama's middle name.

Oh well - as Dan Abrams said, it's better to get all of this out in February than in October.