Posted on 10/26/2007 3:45:59 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
Barack Obama, the Democrat aiming to become America's first black president, has condemned Republican slurs about his background after a leading candidate confused him with Osama bin Laden.
In what aides claimed was a slip of the tongue, the former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney accused the Illinois senator of urging terrorists to converge in Iraq — as the al-Qa'eda leader did in a tape released this week.
In the midst of criticising Democrats' foreign policy, he said: "Actually, just look at what Osam — uh — Barack Obama, said just yesterday. Barack Obama calling on radicals, jihadists of all different types, to come together in Iraq."
Speaking on the campaign trail in New Hampshire, Mr Obama expressed scepticism that Mr Romney was genuinely confused, and warned that Republicans would try to "make me into this foreign, clearly black person, and to scare you".
Answering a question about negative campaigning the New Hampshire town of Dover, he tried to laugh off the comparison between himself and bin Laden, saying: "I have a lot of trouble growing a beard, and he lives in a cave".
But it was clear that Mr Obama and his team suspect Mr Romney is attempting to subliminally associate him with the terrorist.
In July Mr Romney was photographed smiling with a supporter holding a sign saying "No to Obama, No to Osama and Chelsea's Moma", the latter a reference to Hillary Clinton.
During nine months of campaigning, Mr Obama, 46, the son of a Kenyan father and white American mother, has very rarely mentioned his background, presenting himself as a candidate for voters of all types.
But delivering his message of change, he does deploy it as a tactical weapon.
He told the audience in Dover: "The day I am inaugurated, the country will look at itself differently, but perhaps more important the world will look at America differently."
He went on to say that because he had a grandmother in a "little African village with no water or electricity" he would have more credibility with African leaders when it came to discussing both aid and the need to tackle corruption.
Though Mr Obama trails Mrs Clinton in the polls, there is plenty of fight in his campaign.
In New Hampshire, the first major primary, only 17 per cent of voters have decided who they will back, and observers note that the state has served up surprises before.
Mr Obama's long-held opposition to the Iraq war and plans to improve health care are also well received by independent voters who outnumber Democrats.
Gee, I’m sorry about that, Osama...errr...Obama.
“...warned that Republicans would try to “make me into this foreign, clearly black person, and to scare you”.”
Well, that and there’s that Mohammedan stuff too. :)
I thought Teddy Kennedy did it first.
Whatever you say, Osama.
Pretty thin-skinned for a presidential candidate...
Ok we’ll just call him Hussein from now on..................
“No problem, Hussein.”
Okay from now on we’ll just call you Hussein so there’s no confusion.
LOL ... He did.
Funny, I don’t remember any outcry from “Osama bin Osama bin Laden OBama” when Ted Hic-Kennedy made the same slip of the tongue.
Great minds, separated by mere seconds.
Second of all, Obama is white. He just happened to have an African sperm donor. He was raised mainly by rich, white grandparents after his "Daddy" split at age two and his mommy proved incapable of holding a second marriage together or raising a kid on her own. He's very fortunate that his Mommy's parents were both rich and willing to do her job.
But he has yet to write a book about them or even give them an honorable mention in the book he wrote about his invisible father.
Then CNN followed:
Indeed. Gotta be quick on FR!
Not a word when Ted Kennedy did it.
Sorry. Don’t want to offend Yo Mama, Obama
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