The Nazi death camp that Barack Obama's great-uncle helped liberate

Barack Obama, at a Memorial Day event in Las Cruces, N.M., credited his great-uncle, Charlie Payne, as being among the U.S. troops who liberated the Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz.

The trouble with that bit of history -- as the Republican National Committee pointed out today -- is that the Soviet Red Army was the military force that liberated the World War II death camp.

The RNC seized the opportunity to fire off a news release, saying that “unless his uncle was serving in the Red Army, there’s no way Obama’s statement yesterday can be true. Obama’s frequent exaggerations and outright distortions raise questions about his judgment and his readiness to lead as commander in chief.”

The Obama campaign soon acknowledged that the Democratic candidate made a mistake. It explained that Obama’s great-uncle was in the 89th Infantry Division that helped liberate another notorious death camp, Buchenwald. Obama, the campaign said, “is proud of the service of his grandfather and uncles in World War II -- especially the fact that his great-uncle was part of liberating of one of the concentration camps at Buchenwald.”

All of which raises the question: What's worse, Obama's apparent gaffe or the RNC pouncing on a Holocaust-related historical mistake for political advantage?

-- Stuart Silverstein

Comments

[Lanny Davis]

This shows that Obama is going to lose the white Nazi vote. in the general. Vote Hillary

[americanwoman]

OK, his uncle was in WWII, Wright was his pastor, he has some shady friends, blah blah blah, Can this candidate spend 24 hours talking about policy and facts? Diesel prices are killing my business, will he permit new refineries, will he allow drilling in alaska? if not, what does he think he can do to help me.. I know he is not a republican, I get it, stop talking about them and start talking to me. I get that McCain won't be voting for him, he needs to get that I would love to vote for the first candidate that stops yacking about the competition and starts talking to me. If I spent every sales call just bad mouthing my competitors, people would get really tired of me.

[Joe]

> The most disturbing part of his claim is that nobody in the press would even bother to check out his claim.

Is that why we're not reading stories about this anywhere?

[Gmartine]

wow. I am a republican and it is pretty pitiful to watch other people slam obama for mistaking which concentration camp his familly member helped liberate.

[Adam L]

OMG WRITERS BE CAREFUL WITH TITLES!
This reads "The Nazi Death Camp Barack Obama's great-uncle actually helped" on igoogle's new's feed.

[T.Peters]

I think all the back and forth is child's play! We need someone who is truly looking out for what's best, our childrens future! But this world has forgotten! It's been over come with WHAT ABOUT ME!!! I don't think Hillary or Barack know what truth or gaffe is if they looked it in the face! And as for the RNC and the DNC thats their job, they do it well! I think it say's alot about a person, when the statement is accurate! Not an error of judgment,false move or anything in blunder matter.

[Michelle]

This isn't a lie folks. It is the truth. Obama just got the concentration camps wrong.

A lie is if Obama totally made up the who story and he didn't. The story is overall true.

[JMEB]

I am thoroughly amused by Republicans' desperate spin on this as having ANY meaning.

I mean does it really matter whether Obama's relative helped liberate Auschwitz, Buchenwald or any other Nazi death camp? Why on earth would he want to lie about the name of one over another?

The GOP is desperate. McCain is an old, cranky liar who is this year's Bob Dole. They're trying to sink the Obama juggernaut, but their attacks are weak and, frankly, really ridiculous.

[hypocrite Obama]

Obama didn't credit his great-uncle. He said his "uncle."

Anyone can see he did so deliberately on the tape. He says "I had a ...(he was about to say great-uncle here but pauses awkwardly and then decides to say "uncle")

That's why he says the grammatically awkward, "I had a uncle" The word "a" would be used for great-uncle.

It is significant because it shows he is calculating and disingenuous, all the while hypocritically playing "gotcha" with Clinton's harmless and historically ACCURATE RFK reference.

Moreover, it is nauseating how he exploits the great horror of the Holocaust for his own poltical gain just to win favor with the Jewish vote. Why haven't we heard about this "uncle, great-uncle" before?

[americanwoman]

OK, his uncle was in WWII, Wright was his pastor, he has some shady friends, blah blah blah, Can this candidate spend 24 hours talking about policy and facts? Diesel prices are killing my business, will he permit new refineries, will he allow drilling in alaska? if not, what does he think he can do to help me.. I know he is not a republican, I get it, stop talking about them and start talking to me. I get that McCain won't be voting for him, he needs to get that I would love to vote for the first candidate that stops yacking about the competition and starts talking to me. If I spent every sales call just bad mouthing my competitors, people would get really tired of me.

[Anonymous]

you are a useless journalist. let's focus on american issues.

[Me]

Obama makes a gaffe = free pass by the media + free damage control + bury any reference on back pages.

Anyone who opposes Obama in the political arena makes a gaffe = constant reporting of it, pointing out how age is a factor, sexism, racism, and generally making the political candidate seem to be dumb, ignorant, and evil. Also, continue reporting the gaffe on the front page.

[Kay B. Day]

Had Clinton or McCain made a statement with incorrect facts about a matter like this, can you honestly say you'd have written your headline or your column in the manner you did?

All good and well if you support Barack Obama. But at least be honest about it.

To try to spin it to fault any party correcting such an error illustrates the complete bias in media such as this site you write for.

[Timmy]

Let's see here now folks. Hillary says she landed in Bosnia under sniper fire back in the 90's. Barak says his great uncle helped to liberate Auschwitz. John says...well John was a guest at the Hanoi-Hilton where his cellmates say he was "a very cooperative little boy" but he said he's in favor of cutting current benefits to veterans to keep them serving even longer as low-budget Rent-a-Cops for Halliburton and Schlumberger in Iraq. I don't know about you people but all three of these Career Politician Bozos are unfit for the Office of President and I am voting for Ralph Nader in November.

[cowl]

A true war hero is a person who fights bravely for what they believe in.
A true politician is a person who bravely lies to get others to believe in them.

[Nancy]

It amazes me that people can't see through this guy. The press is on his side. He basically has a free pass. I'm sure nothing will come of this because the press is in his camp all the way. How else can you explain the Rev. Wright mess and the fact that Obama and his wife (Michelle "for the first time in my adult life, I'm proud to be an American") sat in Rev. Wright's church for over 20 years and nothing has come of it. How else can you explain the fact that he is friends with the terrorist William Ayres. Not to mention his comment "typical white person". If any other candidate had this in his/her past - they would have been forced out of the race. Bottom line is that the press wants Obama to be the candidate on the democratic side. Problem is that if Obama is the democratic candidate for President - McCain will win the Presidency.

[Laurence McCabe]

Whats worse is you defending a guy who does not know who or what he is and seems to have no long term memory or LIES ABOUT IT. But of course Hilary is AN OBVIOUS BIG LIAR. And you not bias and not smart enough to cover it up.
Keep up the the good work of proving you and the LA times have no credibility. I'll be sure to tell your advertisers! You're not posting this on your blog, you can't afford the the blow to your ego!

[Salty]

You're jumping on the RNC for taking political advantage of a Holocaust-related mistake, but you give Obama a free pass for taking political advantage from the same.

And with a straight face you still tell us there is no political bias Big Media.

[BJ]

CLEARLY, this was a gaffe, and so was the statement about 57 States.

I don't have a problem with that. But please give Hillary the same due respect.

WHAT I have a problem with is...

When Obama says he will meet with leaders of Iran, Hamas, Cuba, Vanezuela, etc., WITH NO PRECONDITIONS!! THAT is an issue I have a problem with. It shows his naivete & inexperience.

NOW, he back tracks and says "of course, there have to be preparations". WHAT? This is his way of being SLICK about his policies. PREPARATIONS can be as simple as making reservations, booking hotels, packing, having an itinerary. PRECONDITIONS are achievements that must be met prior to acceptance. There is a BIG DIFFERENCE between the two words!

WHEN MICHELLE OBAMA was asked if she would support Hillary if she were the nominee... she said: "Hmmm, I would have to think about that". I have a problem with that! Especially when Hillary said she would support Barack unequivocably.

I have a problem seeing Michelle Obama in the role of First Lady, because she seems to have quite a few issues with this country and its citizens, being mean. Michelle, your husband's supporters ARE MEAN & RUDE.

Don't forget, IF Obama were the nominee, and IF you vote for him, you would ALSO be putting Michelle in a position of power. And she appears to be the one that wears the pants in this family!

[aleke]

Yeah sorry but Buchenwald wasn't a death camp, it was a forced labor camp. The difference may seem great, but only to the ignorant. In Buchenwald a ghastly amount of people, 56,000, died, but it was no match for the 1 Million dead at Auschwitz, which my great grandmother, a battlefield surgeon, helped liberate.

So I think it's safe to say that Obama's fabrication isn't very forgiving. I'm sure his great-uncle didn't have a hand in being one of those who had to notify all the families of the victims of Auschwitz, like my great-grandmother did.

The Republicans' attacks are more righteous and exacting than you would like to admit.

[Calig]

If he was so proud of his relative why didn't he take the time to learn about what happened? Sounds like he was fed that line by someone who didn't research enough. Proud or using his family history for political advantage?

[Diane]

I don't know about anyone else, but I refer to my great-uncles as uncle. So he did not make a mistake there. He did get the name of the concentration camp wrong - big whoop. Those camps were horrific and his Uncle Payne was a hero for helping to liberate one. I would be proud to have both men in my family.

As for his "inexperience" - so what. McCain and Clinton's experience have put us into a recession, people can't afford health insurance, gas and, in some cases, food. I don't think this country can stand anymore of their experience. It's time for someone new - a statesman and diplomat. It's time for Obama.

[Democrats are anal babies]

See people? I guess being a Marxist runs in the family!

[Codewiz51]

Sounds similar to the old "I took the initiative in creating the Internet" quote. Now, what was the name of that guy?

[O-ffensive]

Has anyone verified this "uncle" really existed and he did liberate the camp?

Is this the brother of the grandma Obama slammed as racist and "a typical white person?"

Why haven't we heard of him before?

And does it matter? Schwarzenegger says it shouldn't matter his father was a Nazi. Does it matter if one's distant great-uncle [allegedly] liberated a camp?

Obama looks desperate grasping at straws to get the Jewish vote. It's offensive and seedy.