Obama Overstates Kennedys' Role in Helping His Father

Washington Post ^ | March 30, 2008 | Michael Dobbs

[Kleebo151]

Addressing civil rights activists in Selma, Ala., a year ago, Sen. Barack Obama traced his "very existence" to the generosity of the Kennedy family, which he said paid for his Kenyan father to travel to America on a student scholarship and thus meet his Kansan mother.

The Camelot connection has become part of the mythology surrounding Obama's bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. After Caroline Kennedy endorsed his candidacy in January, Newsweek commentator Jonathan Alter reported that she had been struck by the extraordinary way in which "history replays itself" and by how "two generations of two families -- separated by distance, culture and wealth -- can intersect in strange and wonderful ways."

It is a touching story -- but the key details are either untrue or grossly oversimplified.

Contrary to Obama's claims in speeches in January at American University and in Selma last year, the Kennedy family did not provide the funding for a September 1959 airlift of 81 Kenyan students to the United States that included Obama's father. According to historical records and interviews with participants, the Kennedys were first approached for support for the program nearly a year later, in July 1960. The family responded with a $100,000 donation, most of which went to pay for a second airlift in September 1960.

[Kleebo151]

Looks like McCain will face one of two liars in November.

[FreedomPoster]

On page A01 of the Sunday paper!

Wow, that’s interesting.

[DTogo]

Juan McCain wants to run a “respectful” campaign, so he won’t use the ammunition Democrats hand him...

[Kleebo151]

I still don’t expect this lie to get much coverage. The media is in love with this guy. He gives them thrills up their legs.

[LucyJo]

John F. Kennedy’s Camelot.

BaracK H. Obama’s Buncha Rot

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

The minimum prerequisite for being a politician, one must be a liar and a crook.

Other things like cheating on one’s spouse, being a sexual pervert, doing drugs, doing bodily harm to one’s opponent, etc. are added bonuses for the job.

[CRBDeuce]

Looks like McCain will face one of two pathological liars in November....there fixed it.

[svcw]

With all the thrills the dems are getting I sure hope Barry wears a condom.

[savedbygrace]

You mean “It’s not amnesty” McCain?

[bannie]

Vice President Richard M. Nixon, determined not to be outdone by his Democratic rival for the White House, persuaded the State Department to drop its long-standing refusal to fund the program. The head of the Nixon campaign "truth squad," Sen. Hugh Scott, accused Kennedy of attempting to "outbid the U.S. government" in a "misuse of tax-exempt foundation money for blatant political purposes." Kennedy responded by accusing the Nixon campaign of "the most unfair, distorted and malignant attack that I have heard in 14 years in politics."

No bias in THAT paragraph!!! < /s

[bannie]

Obama's Selma speech offers a very confused chronology of both the Kenya student program and the civil rights movement. Relating the story of how his parents met, Obama said: "There was something stirring across the country because of what happened in Selma, Alabama, because some folks are willing to march across a bridge. So they got together and Barack Obama Junior was born. So don't tell me I don't have a claim on Selma, Alabama."

After bloggers pointed out that the Selma bridge protest occurred four years after Obama's birth, a spokesman explained that the senator was referring to the civil rights movement in general, rather than any one event.

Barry Hussein O. is just as big a liar as Herself, the heinous and wicked.

[bannie]

Is it just me, or does Barry use the cue-word "folks" whenever he means "white people"?

[television is just wrong]

yes i think you are right.

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

Oh yes. I almost forgot.

Being a drunk is also a resume booster.

[YOUGOTIT]

Since as I understand it his daddy was already married to a woman in his home country how did he marry the Kansas girl?

[montag813]

Yes We Can lie to you

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

“Is it just me, or does Barry use the cue-word “folks” whenever he means “white people”?”

I had not thought about that. I use it all the time. You are correct.

Maybe I should qualify and clarify that next time by saying “folks of all skin tones/shades.”

[John D]

Looks like McCain will face one of two liars in November.

It does not matter who wins the democrat primary. One democrat will face another democrat, and one liar will face another in November.

[bannie]

[television is just wrong]

the dems are full of convenient lies.