How can Obama overcome the radical Muslim smears??

[Rosemary2205]

I have not decided on a candidate yet. It's too early for me and I've not seen any "perfect" candidates yet. Obama is one of the front runners for me and if he were to get the nomination I don't think I would have any problem with it.

But I am extremely concerned and I hope his campaign is too.

The RW smear campaign painting Obama as a closet radical Muslim has been strangely effective with even registered Democrats. Those of us who are somewhat politically savvy see right through the propaganda, but "everyday" Democrats, more than I expected, have fallen for it. Even after reading the Snopes debunk of the Fox smear and the ongoing chain email smear, the doubts remain in thier minds.

Over the last month or two I've lost count of how many "regular" folks, moderates who mostly lean liberal or Democrat or who are true Indies and vote back and forth between parties, have told me they do not trust Obama. Dozens upon dozens have gotten that chain email smearing Obama and with only a couple of exceptions it was initially believed. Even my in laws, solid Democrats who pretty much think the Republican party is the anti-christ, can't seem to get the "Obama" and "Osama" names straight.

If it is like this in just my small little corner of America, I can't imagine what Obama is up against nationwide. I know a couple of weeks ago his polling was up and he's raising decent money, but I really have to wonder what the end result will be once people hit the primary polling booth.

IMHO as a country, we NEED to be able to overcome the propaganda smears of Obama's religious upbringing. It was bad enough to paint a decorated Vietnam vet as a coward - but IMO, my very HUMBLE opinion, if the right is allowed to paint a decent man who loves this country as nothing more than a secret member of al Queda then we are all, every American, in danger of ending up in "the camps".

My 2 cents for what it's worth.

[Mz Pip]

1. He can't do what

Kerry did when he was Swiftboated and ignore it thinking it would just go away. He'll have to get out in front of this. I don't know if Obama likes to go on the attack but if he wants to have a chance at the Presidency he will need to nip this crap in the bud ASAP.

It will not go away and if the opposition see any weakness in his defense, they will attack even more so. Doesn't matter if it's true or not. That never stopped thme before and will not stop them now. The GOP wants to win and will not stop at just inuendo. Just watch them ratchet up the volume on this if they think Obama is getting traction.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[eridani]

2. Let's get real, here

Any Dem candidate is going to have to deal with something of the sort. The "too pretty and too rich" meme for Edwards frinstance. All campaigns really ought to get their anti-Swift Boat teams together ASAP.

[wishlist]

3. I also know Dems who say they can't vote for anyone with Hussein for middle name

I have had the same experience conversing with Democratic friends and relatives who have negative feelings about Obama based solely on fear of his religious background.

[jaysunb]

4. Which religious upbringing do you mean ???

?????????????

[BikeWriter]

5. Well, uh, he could change his last name to Smith...

[porphyrian]

6. Don't accept them, and don't let others frame the conversation. - n/t