For one S.D. voter, Barack Obama has problems on two religious fronts

If there was one sliver of a silver lining in the ongoing embarrassments caused Barack Obama by his membership (which he gave up this past weekend) in the Trinity United Church of Christ, it was -- some of his partisans asserted -- that the controversies would help douse the rumor-mongering that he's a closet Muslim.

That may be wishful thinking, if the attitudes of a voter The Times' Noam Levey encountered in South Dakota today are at all indicative.

Levey was with Hillary Clinton as, in what may be her final full day on the campaign trail, the Democratic presidential contender worked hard to score one last victory in Tuesday's South Dakota primary. Her schedule took her to Tally’s Restaurant, a landmark in downtown Rapid City famous for pigs in a blanket made with Buffalo sausage.

It was all fairly typical -- she gave a speech, smiled and posed for photos and talked with patrons about healthcare and asked young people about their student loans, shaking her head at the amount that one young woman said she was wrestling with.

In her brief talk, she zeroed on the message that, against lengthening odds, she keeps hoping will resonate throughout her party and stall Obama's seemingly inexorable march toward its nomination. Referring to the presidency, she said, “I want you to think hard. Who would you hire to do this job.”

Few of her listeners needed any convincing that she would be the right choice. And one of those Clinton backers, 48-year-old Cheryl Chamberlain, was in no mood to transfer her allegiance to Obama, citing a litany of reasons that can only cause eyes to roll within his camp.

“I won’t vote for Obama,” Chamberlain told Levey. “You go on the Internet and see him associated with that church, with the Koran. He won’t wear a flag pin. … After 9/11, there is absolutely no way I’d support someone who is associated with the Koran. I won’t support terrorism.”

-- Don Frederick

Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[Evil Pundit]

Considering that Obama's church supports Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, there's a legitimate ground for associating it with the Koran.

[tlsmith1963]

This is what I would say to Chamberlain: I don't wear a flag pin, either. Is loving your country all about wearing a silly pin or waving a flag to you? It's about more than cosmetic appearances.

I would also say that she needs to educate herself about Obama & stop listening to blowhards like Rush Limbaugh who tell lies about him.

[GC]

Racism is hilarious ... And sad.

[Darlene]

Cheryl Chamberlain is 100% correct.

Barack = Muslim

HUSSEIN = Muslim

Obama = Muslim

I would never vote for NoObama.

[Sterling Greenwood]

The only people I've met who are upset with Obama's "religious issues," are those who didn't want him to win in the first place.
Sterling Greenwood
Aspen Free Press

[Jkan]

Muslim or nt, Obam is not QUALIFIED!! Period.

McCain/Jindal will put his ego to rest, come November.

[Charles Venus]

There was a saying from the GI's in WWII that they fought the war "for motherhood and apple pie." With a Democrat in the White House we'd be fighting for abortion rights, gay and lesbian rights and human embryo experiments. Think twice before you put Obama in that House.

[Greg]

9/11... I hear planes are dropping in the mall of Washington DC. Me and 2 coworkers go out to kick some behind along with some others probably already doing so if we find some planes. There were none.

But oops... neither one of us had flag pins so I guess we weren't acting very patriotic that day huh?

If people would take the time to listen and not just hear they would understand what the man is saying.

He is not against the lapel pin.
He merely states that anyone can wear a lapel pin.
A terrorist could wear one to fool so many that thinks wearing one makes you patriotic. I have family who are former military who take pride in their service and they don't walk around in lapel pins except on special occassions. It doesn't make them any less patriotic.
Patriotism is not about the pin, but about your heart and wearing the pin can be a good disguise of your heart my friends.
Oh... keep in mind Rev Wright did his time defending this country. Do you think he is more or less patriotic than Chenney or Bush?

[Fred]

The whole flag pin nonsense reminds me of that episode of "Seinfeld" where Kramer enter an AIDS walk to help the charity, but is then attacked by ribbon bullies when he opts not to wear an AIDS ribbon.

(See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8FA3C7ntJc )

[Greg]

Darlene....
Didn't Roots teach you anything?

The father side of his family wasn't brought over on a ship and sold and forced to leave behind his name of heritage.

Whipper: Your name is Toby!
Kunta: They call me Kunta Kinte! (WHIP!)

I have a family member that tried Muslim and he said Obama is no more Muslim then the Whites who fear him.

Stop hiding and just admit you are racist.

[isonprize]

I have never seen a flag pin on Sen. Hillary Clinton. Sen. John McClain wears a flag pin sometimes, sometimes he doesn't. Sen. Obama wore a flag, stopped wearing a flag pin, wears a flag pin occasionally, now.

WHAT DIFFERENCE DOES IT MAKE in a person's ability to run the United States of America??

[Vietnam]

You've got to be kidding. You guys are an utter parody of all that it means to be American. Muslim = terrorist? No wonder you're called flyover country.

[08vote]

Did Obama EVER insinuate that Clinton was a Lesbian, while she insinuated on CBS (a mainstream media outlet) that Obama could possibly be Muslim. Did you see or hear outrage of that CBS insinuation from the Obama Campaign, but yet heard outrage from the Clinton campaign of sexism.... this prolonged election brought out some pretty ugly stuff, not the least of, YOUR TOTAL IGNORANCE - you don't want believe in Obama's Christian faith because you already have your minds made up and only seek that information that validates your own misconceptions and prejudices.

Incidentally, with the help of the Los Angeles Times blogging corner, I can count on my finger the number of positives spins given to Obama, while Hillary on the hand, has not only gotten a FREE PASS from her supporters but 80% of the blogging coverage of Hillary at this web site has consistently been mostly positive; and never to the slant nor to the degree of negative coverage as the LAT has given to Obama.

[08vote]

AND BY THE WAY, IT'S NOT OBAMA THAT HAS THE TWO RELIGIOUS PROBLEMS, IT'S THE IGNORANT (AND CLOSET BIGOTS) WHO HAVE THE PROBLEMS!

[jerry]

Darlene you are a racist

Darlene=Nazi

I would never believe No Nazi Darlene

[mike]

booo hooo ... get over it, or move to another country with your ignorance. 'cuz barack is the next president of the united states. you probably wouldn't have voted for him anyway, with or without his "church problems".

[Ted]

Why are some many Americans off their rockers? He's not a Muslim!!! How many times do you have to hear it?! Not only that, but in the mean time you have all taken the time to degrade Islam by associating its holy book, and any/all of its followers with terrorism. You would think I was crazy if I said all christians bomb abortion clinics.. wouldnt you? You are just as crazy. Barack is not a muslim, and has never been a muslim, so take your crude, and idiotic remarks elsewhere. P.J O'rourke may have been right when he said that the best argument against deomcracy was a 5 min. conversation with the average voter.

[Jeshurun Jakes]

This is a no-story indeed. I can't believe you wasted my precious two minutes talking about an ignorant woman from South Dakota who's unashamed of her apparent ignorance and would rather keep her head buried deep inside the sand. We all know that Obama is not a Muslim, has never been; he wears the flag pin and he loves this country more than those who feel that America should be a warring nation.

[ruth]

what is it with americans who have such religious intolerance?
1. Obama is a christian and it would appear from his life until now, he is someone who has a true understanding of being a follower of Christ -
2. I am not so sure about either Hillary or John McCain - maybe churh goers but where is their personal relationship you guys look for?
3. Musims are NOT terrorists - pleeeese - there are some terrorists who are musims- dont be so basically confused. It's little wonder the rest of the world increasingly thinks USA wants to live on it's own planet.

All I can say is thank God for Obama - an intelligent, person who may really be able to bring some change to america - you guys need him but it looks like a heck of a lot of you are going to be struggling with your intolerance.

[CB]

As Ron White once said... You can't fix stupid.

[Margaret]

Ummm, where's Hillary's flag pin? Not sure I've ever seen her wear one.

[Irishspacemonk]

Obviously appealing to her base...uneducated, white American's making less than $15K and voted for bush in 00, 04

[Thomas]

wow. this chamberlain lady is a joke. now islam = terrorism? im not even muslim but that is completely racist and ridiculous. she won't support someone just because they are associated with the koran? since when did being muslim automatically associate you with terrorism. i can't believe this is even a story.

[Wilford Brimley III]

I am very proud of my country! I wear a flag pin in the shower! I love Jesus, and Elvis and puppies! I drive a Chevy and eat apple pie at least twice a day!
I read about an unknown native tribe discovered in South America! We need to send our military over there to liberate those people and teach them about democracy....
McBush'08

[Joan]

If I were Hillary Clinton I would be embarrassed by the comments of some of her supporters.

Just to clarify, not every Clinton supporter is racist, and not voting for Obama doesn’t mean that you are a racist. However, Cheryl Chamberlain is a racist.

[Keith]

"stop listening to blowhards like Rush Limbaugh who tell lies about him."

Ummm, being as how she is a diehard Clinton supporter I doubt she listens to Limbaugh much.

[Tim]

I pray for you pathetic racists. Jesus still loves you, but I'm going to have to work on it.

[Ann]

I think Cheryl Chamberlain's comments about Obama has confirmed to me what I suspected for a long time.... even though we are the world's greatest nation, we have too many brain-dead and ignorant people. Does Obama have to carry his Bible in his hand so that people can see he is a Christian. I feel sorry for people like Ms. Chamberlain who will believe any junk that is put out. This is how Bush got to the White House.

[Dave]

And associating with the Qur'an is a bad thing because? Being a Muslim is bad because?

Please people if you are going to put yourself out there and comment on an article at least know SOMETHING about what it is you speak. The Qur'an teaches the SAME principles as the Bible. Love your neighbor, respect your parents, dont cheat on your spouse, etc. etc.

Extremists can use anything to justify violence. The Bible has been used repeatably over the past 2000+ yrs to justify genocide, slavery, war etc. I am a Christian. Read a book.

[Artmaker]

Do not vote for obama .com

America is in for some bad times. You asked for it.

[allison, california]

***********************************
***** Guilty by association?! *****
***********************************

You hear that a lot these days and you have to wonder about it. Rev. Wright has 20 years of association and earned an honorary position on Obama's campaign as spiritual advisor. Is it just that or is it deeper than that? Certainly, there is no doubt that Obama has repeated associations with Anti-American groups: Bill Ayers, Farrakhan, Hamas, Rev Wright, Tony Rezko, appeasement-loving groups like Iran, and now Pfleger. Who is next? He flocks to them - uhh, I meant - They flock to him in masses, endorse him, and even appeal for presidential-level security on Obama's life.

I could not possibly imagine, say if I have a child involving in a group that I don't like a gang, that the child would not learn bad/criminal habits.

Obama sits in that church for 20 years, and if he misses a surmon, Rev Wright make sure there are ways for makeup session such as purchasing a CD. If Obama claim ignorance to it then he is not fit to govern any state because he is clueless of a church of only a few thousands people. How will he handle a country of many millions? you really have 2 choices to pick, whether guilty by association or not:

1) Obama truely knows nothing of the controversial teaching. This option tells me he lacks good judgement in people and is out of touch. What kinds of people would he select to the cabinet? More Anti-Americans?

2) He knows and lie. What a two-face!

3) Both 1 and 2.

Take your pick.

Democrat for McCain!
www.hellnobama.com

[Johan Obermeyer]

McCain-Jindal all the way !

[Ben Yates]

Allison, you are being used. Obama is not associated with Farrakhan, Hamas, or Iran, just like Hillary is not associated with Farrakanhan, Hamas, or Iran. You need to realize that you're being duped.

[John Paul]

I love you Obamatons. Too stupid to see that alienating other voters while lifting up your own candidate is a phyrric victory.

I can still hear your vapid rationalizations now: "Can't you people who are turned off to Obama see how dumb you are to not think Barry is the greatest thing to happen to the world since the advent of civilization? Hillary Clinton is the worst person in the world to think she should exercise her right as a citizen to campaign and run for the president of the USA, how dare her ______ (fill in the blank with an insulting name for a female)! Anyone who supports her must be soooo dumb and a racist, we don't want anyone like that to vote for OUR Barry Obama! You Hillary supporters who claim you'll vote for McCain now are liars and would never have voted for Obama!" Keep ripping Hillary Clinton supporters so they get motivated to insure that Obama loses by actively supporting McCain. You Obamanuts are the ones with the scorched earth, take no prisoners tactics. Don't hold out the olive branch, keep putting out the vinegar. Besides you've probably alienated those people too much to win them back anyway. So when the chickens come home to roost you'll have no one to blame but yourselves and I'm convinced you'll continue to point fingers at everyone and everything but yourselves. Nice going. So when you Obama worshippers get the bad news in November you can continue your divisive vitriol and push people further apart in disunity.

Enjoy your primary victory and don't let it bother you that more people didn't vote for Obama than did, don't forget most Republicans didn't vote for him either and it's not because they're racist it's because he's too liberal and a Democrat, maybe that's what Ed Rendell was trying to tell you people but, borrowing from Obama, he didn't say it quite right.

[Bradley]

I'm currently in the military, and the Army won't let us wear flag pins on our lapels. So is it we soldiers or the Army that is unpatriotic? Stop making a big deal out of the stupid flag pin. It's quite possibly the least important way a person could ever show patriotism.

And his association with the Koran? This Chamberlain person sure doesn't seem to keep up with reality. Perhaps it's too much for her. Perhaps she should go hide in a little hole so the big, bad Muslim conspiracy doesn't get her.

Reality check: Obama is not Muslim. Names are not inextricably linked with religion. McCain, for example, is not Catholic. Furthermore, even if Obama were Muslim (which, again, he is not), it wouldn't make a difference. So what is the people associated with 9/11 were Muslim? Buddhists attacked the US in WWII...should we shun all Buddhists? What about the Christians of Germany whom we fought in that same war? Sure many will argue that they weren't REAL Christians, but I'd argue the same about the Muslims in 9/11, who subscribed to extremist Islam as mis-interpreted by Wahab. What about the Christians of England and France, two countries with whom we fought very bloody wars? Should we never elect a Christian again?

Could someone please find Ms. Chamberlain a history book?

[Bill Causey]

The reason for everything is NOT racism. As Martin said, judge by the content of character, not the color of skin. I judge Obama by the content of his character and the fruits of his public works.

Disassociating yourself from a church after 20 years for purely public perception does not mean that you do not believe and support what you have heard and accepted for the past 20 years.

This election is not about you and me, it is about our children and their future. This world has changed so much in the last 20 years and I fear for what my son will endure over the next 20 years.

Vote for the future, not for today.

[Concerned in Kansas]

DARLENE: Cheryl Chamberlain is 100% wrong.

DARLENE= STUPID

DARLENE= UNEDUCATED

DARLENE= MISINFORMED

[DEMO MAN]

I was a member of that church for 20 but please know I was in a coma also. I rember wakeing up after I wanted to be president.

[Joe]

B. Hussein Obama is a closet Muslim and is without a doubt a "Racist". All these years I've listened intently to talk from the Black community about Racism, Well B. Hussein Obama and his church are Racists, real racists. The kind that need to be sent packing. Real Racism in this country is rare. This is real. He hates America nad everything it stands for. He should be droipped by the DNC for political reasons. If Democrats need to, start over. Get a REAL candidate.

[Charlie S]

No one has a leg to stand on to say Obama is not qualified in one sentence and then support Jindal for VP in the next. Talk about judgment, when picking a VP, you better be picking someone who is qualified to be president when that person is a heartbeat away.

So if you think a 35 year old is experienced enough for the job, fine. But you can't also say a 46 year old who has more experience than the 35 year old isn't.

Just like McCain can't cry about Obama's negotiations with adversaries as an unoriginal idea (a claim no one made) and then 10 minutes later introduce divestment of Iran as his own even though that was the Obama-Brownback bill that he voted against months earlier. Obama is way ahead of the curve on these issues compared to McCain who doesn't know a Shiite from a Sunni and shoots from his hip about how many troops are in Iraq. He's not an expert on this, he's a fraud, a poser. If we want to fix these problems, we need to start with someone who at least has his facts straight.

Vote Obama!

[Joe]

As a voter in South Dakota, I can't help but feel the last few months haven't been so much about Hillary wanting the Presidency as it has been about all the Clinton cronies wanting to get their old jobs back... and what a bunch of backstabbers they seem to be. I loved watching Terry McCaulif this morning claiming Hillary had been called a white supremist by that idoit priest... that's a stretch
But the Clintons have mastered truth stretching.
Remember... it's all about what the definintion of "is" is.
I remember the past and am not eager for more of the same old doubletalk.
I remember Hillary's last health care plan ... and how she ran for cover when the Republicans trounced her.
I've had enough of the Bill and Hillary show.
Obama remains calm and thoughtful. And yes, apparently a lot better educated.
So speaking as a white male on the low end of the wage scale... I'm voting for the black guy.

[Brad]

Darlene thinks Chamberlain is 100% right on Obama.

Chamberlain = ignorant
Darlene = ignorant
Chamberlain = racist
Darlene = racist
Chamberlain = KnowNothing
Darlene = KnowNothing

KnowObama, he knows, you don't.

[EastCoast Ally]

Chamberlain in one fail swoop shows exactly why there are sterotypes about people in the middle of our country being stupid. I've heard this Obabma is a muslim comment from many campaign interviews. Are you really that ignorant? You won't find anyone on the right or left coast saying that in an interview. Wake up middle America...

[William Daviau]

Cheryl Chamberlain got left behind. Don't condemn her for that.....let's all work on the school system.

[NJ Voter]

Obama is not a practicing muslim, however, if you have read his book, you will clearly see that he praises the influence of Islam on his brother for example. He is a christian who was baptised and inaugurated to a christian faith by Rev. Jeremiah Wright. So I'm sorry, that particular slant on christianity is lacking. Jesus said turn the other cheek, and love, not berate and spit venom. So I do have questions as to how "christian" he is. And I do have concerns about his islamic sympathies. His church honored Farakhan - who is notorious for his hatred of Jews and Israel. This is what Obama's "former" church believed was worth honoring. And I'm sorry, I've read the Quran, and it specifically teaches that muslims have the responsibility to convert or kill infidels. And it also teaches deceit and lieing to do so. Tony Rezko, isn't italian folks, he's Syrian. Auchi the Iraqui billionaire funds Rezko - and was convicted of fraud in France.

I won't vote for the man, and I don't give a hoot what color he is.

[Chip Matthews]

Somehow I doubt Cheryl Chamberlain will end up being anyone's supporter. Someone that stunningly ignorant likely won't be able to figure out how to operate the voting machine.

[roger]

Come on. What kind of an article is this? Citing ONE person who won't vote for a candidate for whatever reason is ridiculous. I"m sure we could probably find someone out there who won't vote for Obama because he is absolutely convinced that Obama is an alien from the planet Twylo intent on taking over the earth to save the chickens, who, by the way, are distant relatives.

The commentary from your readers is more interesting than your article. You are better than this.

[leonardodicrapio]

Allison is not being used. Only the most devout Obama Kool-Aid drinkers could believe the positions he has taken to explain his 20-year stint at Trinity.

There are a few possible scenarios:

1. Obama is so naive that he was unaware of Reverend Wright's hate-filled rhetoric. Should I believe this scenario, it indicates to me that Obama lacks the judgement to be President of the United States. If Obama couldn't see Reverend Wright for he who he was, then he is unfit to negotiate with some of the world's worst dictators who will likely lie to his face. BTW, I don't believe this scenario, but I present it as a possible option.

2. Obama joined the church for political expediency. He didn't leave for that same political expediency (he didn't want to get torn to shreds by Reverend Wright like Oprah did when she left Wright's church). Of course admitting to this would just indicate that Obama is a typical politician (the real reason why Obama disowned Reverend Wright was because Wright said that Obama was a politician who said things in public that differed from what he said in private).

3. Every time that Reverend Wright said one of his most offensive utterances, Barack Obama just happened to not be in the church. Barack heard Wright say some offensive things but never the most offensive things. Barack hasn't told us what he considers the most offensive things because he knows that of the 3-4 things that came out in the one sermon, the press probably can't pin him down as having heard all 3-4 things, so it gives him some plausible deniability (if confronted, Obama could always say, "Well, I've heard him say 1, 2, and 4, but never number 3."

Which of the three scenarios do you believe? Only the most hardened Obama Kool-Aid drinker could believe #3.

[FlaLady]

"If people would take the time to listen and not just hear they would understand what the man is saying."
Unfortunately, his many ACTIONS speak louder than his politically expedient words.

"Oh... keep in mind Rev Wright did his time defending this country. Do you think he is more or less patriotic than Chenney or Bush? " So did Timothy McVeigh.

"Stop hiding and just admit you are racist." Sorry, anyone who can defend this man and vote for him is the racist.

"All I can say is thank God for Obama ..." No, thank God for McCain!

[charlie]

It is apparent that anyone who connects Obama to Islam and the Koran are obviously misinformed. There has been satisfactory discussion on this issue to educate all that he is not a Muslim. So, I can only infer that folks who continue to insist that he is a Muslim and therefore by extension a terrorist intentionally chose to be misinformed out of ignorance. Repeating a lie often enough does not make it a truth. Ignorance breeds racism.