Barack Obama calls New Yorker cartoon an 'insult against Muslim Americans'

Democratic presidential presumptive candidate Barack Obama went on CNN's "Larry King Live" last night to discuss the controversial New Yorker cover depicting him as a Muslim and his wife Michelle as a militant.

"Well, I know it was the New Yorker's attempt at satire," Obama told Larry King. "I don't think they were entirely successful with it. But you know what, it's a cartoon, Larry, and that's why we've got the First Amendment. And I think the American people are probably spending a little more time worrying about what's happening with the banking system and the housing market, and what's happening in Iraq and Afghanistan, than a cartoon. So I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about it."

When King asked if he was bothered by reports that some Americans believed that he is Muslim and was raised in a Muslim home, and how he would remedy that, Obama replied:

"Well, you know, by getting on Larry King and telling everybody I'm a Christian and I wasn't raised in a Muslim home and I pledge allegiance to the flag and, you know, all the things that have been reported in these e-mails are completely untrue and have been debunked again and again and again. So, hey, all you can do is just tell the truth and trust in the American people that, over time, they're going to know what the truth is."

He also stated his belief that the cover was more of an insult to Muslim Americans.

"You know, this is actually an insult against Muslim Americans, something that we don't spend a lot of time talking about. And sometimes I've been derelict in pointing that out. You know, there are wonderful Muslim Americans all across the country who are doing wonderful things. And for this to be used as sort of an insult or to raise suspicions about me I think is unfortunate. And it's not what America is all about."

What do you think of Obama's opinions?

Comments

[Gorelick]

Why is he pretending not to be as smart as he is. I can't stand when he does that and that's why I don't want to vote for him.

[Owen Glendower]

Wouldn't this be the same Barack Obama who refused to wear an American flag in his lapel? Refused to put hand on heart during the national anthem? Whose friends include some of the most radical 60s leftovers, e.g., Ayres, Dohrn, Pfleger, Wright, friends who wish they had done more bombing in their salad days? Whose wife (that would be Michelle, not Cynthia) constantly runs America down as a land teeming with racism, where "they" are always "moving the bar on you"? The country is so racist that a black senator earning $1.4 million per annum comes out of nowhere to secure his party's nomination for president. Yes, Michelle, "they" have really kept you two down by constantly "raising the bar." And none of this can be commented on without drawing down jeers of "racist"?

[Dr.Dawg]

This from the fellow who doesn't want to be photographed next to women in hijab?

The only reason the New Yorker cover became an issue is because jittery liberals thought that "ordinary Americans" would take it seriously. That's condescending, but even if true, it's just a cartoon!

Barack should have stopped talking after making that obvious point. I bet when he first saw it, he laughed his butt off, by the way.

[Fred Berg]

On Larry King Live, Mr. Obama stated that "there are wonderful Moslem Americans all across the country who are doing wonderful things." Perhaps Mr. Obams is correct, but I have not heard of any hospitals, public universities or any other major public institution being founded or significantly supported by Moslem Americans. Moslem Americans seem to be very good at criticizing American values and culture, but not very good at supporting American institutions in any meaningful way.

[Beth]

His wife Cynthia?! lol

[Uncle Sam]

Fred you are a bigot with a small penis.

[T A]

As a Muslim American I take great offense to that. My parents are hard working doctors who spent their lives working for others and used their earnings to provide their children with a quality education so that they would not make ignorant statements like Fred Berg. By making those comments you show that you have no values or culture and that you do not support American institutions in any meaningful way. Rather, you make divisive statements which hurt this country that has provided such wonderful opportunities for my family and the millions of immigrant families upon which this country was founded upon.

[Mohammed Askari Chandoo]

In response to Mr. Fred Berg's comments: Wow! What a generalization you make regarding Muslims. Muslims have tried very hard to integrate into the U.S., and are as supportive of our country as anyone. As a very small example, a group of us Muslims goes to soup kitchens in New York City on Christmas day to serve meals to the needy. We do this because of humanity and because our faith commands us to treat everyone kindly, which is far more than I can say for your comments.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

Good thing his opponent is that guy that jokes about killing all Iranians... you know, the supposed foreign policy "expert."

He's a funny guy with a wild and crazy temper who calls his drug-addled wife a C**T in the presence of reporters.

Always statesman-like, at least after he's had a nap.

[AK]

So do be a "wonderful American," you have to have founded or supported a hospital, public university or other major public institutions?

[mal]

The only folks who are "outraged" by this cartoon are those who don't know how to read .
Before they open their mouths they should read the title of the article that the cartoon was part of.
The title reads" The Politics of Fear".

[baka]

Once again, Obama proves that he is a man of class. He did not use this as a chance to win points. He handled the matter with grace and sound judgment. He refocused on the issues and that is why he will be our leader. He knows where the high road is.

[Marku99]

Hey Gorelick!

Did you get your moronic talking points from that idiot Sean Hannity. You are one of those dumbass americans that does not no shit about being american.

1) you put you hand on your heart for the pledge not for the National Anthem. It's a song not a pledge.

2) Wearing a flag on your body is actually anti american and disrespectful to the flag, it only to be worn by community service officers or the militarty...It's flaG CODE..CHECK IT OUT YOU IDIOT

3) Why don't you just admit that you are you racist and not be such a chicken shit.

[margaret]

You...BAACK HUSSEIN OBAMA...are an insult to ALL MUSLIMS. How dare you leave the faith of your fathers and become a PSEUDO CHRISTIAN...even JESUS CHRIST would denoounce you for your 'BLACK FUNDAMENTALIST LIBERATION' CHURCH! ! ! Just in case any of you white folks don't know what that means....just ask JEREMIAH WRIGHT...and he'll tell you that it means 'BLACKS FIRST AND BLACKS ONLY! ! ! If you don't believe me...just read Michell Roinson Obama's Senior Thesis from PRINCETON UNIVERISTY. 89% of the Black Students at the University never even fille it out to return it to her...That should tell you just how much she was even like by Blacks! ! ! We don't need this RACIST as our First Lady....and we certainly don't need a MUSLIM TURNED CHRISTIAN to be the target of every Jihadist out there!

[Brandon]

Um, you folks seem to have got this really wrong. The final quote from Obama is clearly referring not the The New Yorker Cartoon as 'an insult against Muslim Americans', but is in fact referring to the idea that his being a Muslim, if he were, would be bad thing. That is what is clearly insulting.

[Laura]

Cynthia?? Try Michelle. This is real valid.

[Boris Whorelock]

Obama is lying - again. His campaign originally put out the statement that Obama was not a PRACTICING Muslim... Yes not that he was never a Muslim - but that he just wasn't practicing it anymore. In fact, Obama wasn't a Christian until Reverend Wright introduced Obama to Jesus 20 years ago (now there's a really scary thought - the Jesus most of us know does not preach racism and hatred.) Obama was registered at two schools in his youth as a Muslim. His father and entire patrilineal family tree is Muslim... He is Muslim by blood. There is no way to deny that, no matter how hard you all try. The fact that Obama is harshly denying that he was ever Muslim now is really messed up. What is his motive for fooling everyone? And why is everyone so afraid to admit the obvious? We are about to elect a man who we know nothing about, who hides his past, who attended a racist, anti-American church where they passed out Hamas and Hezbollah writings to the members, who keeps secretly meeting with Hamas and Hezbollah and has friends who are terrorists, who won't let anyone ask any tough questions, and who refused to show a birth certificate - and then finally put a doctored one up on his site... I mean - where does the controversy end and why is everyone trying to pretend there is no controversy? Wake up people! HUSSEIN is a strictly Muslim name (ever hear of Saddam Hussein?)

[Elizabeth Snead]

Re: Cynthia/Michelle

Sorry, guys! I had just churned out about 6 blog items and the one before Obama was about Alex Rodriguez's women.

I must have had Cynthia stuck in my head and mistyped .

Even the Copy Desk missed it so don't be too mad at me. They try to go over my stuff with a fine tooth comb, thank god!

Thanks for catching my mistake. My bad!
Elizabeth

[oweng]

Dear Marku99
May I call you dear? All God's creatures are dear in my sight.
Your intemperate remarks should have been directed at me, not the unfortunate Gorelick.
As for Mr. Hannity, I have heard perhaps 10 minutes of his radio show in the past year. No, I can assemble an argument by looking at facts. Can you, as one of those who presumably “no shit about being American”? (Apparently, mastery of the basics of English syntax and orthography is not amongst the skills you have acquired.)
Allow me to answer your objections seriatim.
1. So one may not put hand on heart during the Star-Spangled Banner? Because “it’s a song not a pledge”? Thank you for the clarification, a most useful distinction.
2. You may wish to consult the Flag Code, Section 8j: “a flag patch may be affixed to the uniform of military personnel, firemen, policemen, and members of patriotic organizations … the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.” Since Sen. Obama is neither in the military nor police dept. nor fire dept, you probably do not consider the US Senate or Democrat Party patriotic organizations? Even in that case, the Flag Code does not impute anti-Americanism to those who choose to wear a pin. Or am I misreading this?
3. When bereft of arguments, resort to an ad hominem attack.
I’d wager that Sen. Obama is proud to have such an eloquent defender of his ideals amongst his legions of supporters.
Have a nice day.

[Dianne Smilton]

Obama should get over it. This was a character and it was Funny! Especially their garb and fust bumping. Stupid just like they are!!! Vote McCain or don't go and vote Democratic. He can not make one bit of a difference for these United States.

[Bill]

Obama is not a Muslim and if he was then what would be the problem. He has spent his adult life trying to improve the lives of others. He is a patriot. More so than the ppl on this page that want to spread lies and use these lies to try and scare people. You are unpatriotic (for spreading lies about an American citizen) and lazy (for not checking your sources thoroughly). This would almost make you a traitor. I invite you to check your facts and to not be so gullible.

[M Woody]

They say the man has no sense of humor... that he needs to break the ice with the American People (and late-night talk show hosts). Maybe he needs to give a press conference, dressed in the full Lawrence of Arabia suit, with Michelle as Angela Davis in the background, and get it over with.

Just leave the burning flag out of it.

[Heavy sigh]

"Obama was registered at two schools in his youth as a Muslim. His father and entire patrilineal family tree is Muslim... He is Muslim by blood. There is no way to deny that, no matter how hard you all try."

Jesus' father and mother were BOTH Jewish, and he attended nothing but Jewish schools. He is Jewish by blood! But we don't hold that against him, or insist he is not a Christian, do we? If you would study the tenets of your own faith, I think you would find that accepting Jesus Christ as your savior is the only qualification for being a Christian, and your ancestry and education are completely irrelevant!

[peacelover]

Why don't we all just get along...

[pacificGatePost]

OBAMA WILL HAVE DIFFICULTY MEETING EXPECTATIONS, EVEN HIS OWN ---

Obama’s impossible road ahead:

http://pacificgatepost.blogspot.com/2008/07/why-obama-will-win-but-cant-deliver.html