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The Anatomy of a Smear
Here's how the right's big eleventh-hour smear on Obama was carried out.
First the Murdoch-owned Times of London reported Thursday that Obama's aunt, Zeituni Onyango, is living in a Boston public-housing complex. It's unclear how the paper learned of the woman's presence in the U.S.
From there, the story quickly got taken up by the right-wing echo chamber. Fox News (also Murdoch-owned, of course), Drudge, the Boston Herald, and various conservative blogs -- as well as some mainstream outlets -- began breathlessly hyping the story.
But the Times had been unable to tie up one key detail. It reported:
The Times could not determine their immigration status and an official at Boston City Hall said that Ms Onyango was a resident of Flaherty Way but not registered to vote on the electoral roll. However, that Ms Onyango made a contribution to the Obama campaign would indicate that she is a US citizen.
But that was easily taken care of. The Associated Press was the first to confirm, in a story posted this morning, that Onyango is here illegally after her request for asylum was rejected by an immigration judge four years ago.
But note the way in which AP seems to have obtained the information. High up in the story, it reports:
Information about the deportation case was disclosed and confirmed by two separate sources, one a federal law enforcement official. The information they made available is known to officials in the federal government, but the AP could not establish whether anyone at a political level in the Bush administration or in the McCain campaign had been involved in its release.
In other words, it looks like someone in the Bush administration leaked the information, with the goal of throwing a last-minute wrench into Obama's campaign. And someone else confirmed it, with similar motives.
On the record, of course, the Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, a unit of the Department of Homeland Security, is telling reporters it can't comment on any individual person's immigration status. It would appear to be a violation of department procedures, at the least, to leak such information.
We've seen this same tactic used recently by the Bush administration. Earlier this month, law enforcement sources leaked the news, also to the AP, that the FBI has begun a nationwide investigation into ACORN. Again, the obvious purpose of the leak was political -- to bolster a Republican campaign to stoke fears about voter fraud, in an effort to de-legitimize an Obama win. The Justice Department still has not confirmed the existence of the investigation.
Josh
Zachary
The repubs are bastards, and they know they have no chance, so they are doing everything they can to divide the country.
I pray for a landslide victory for Senator Obama so that the repubs party will be destroyed.
November 1, 2008 12:08 PM | Reply | Permalink
hahaha, and your wish of destroying a party is a unifying idea for your country? I guess to you, having just one party means the country is unified, is that how Democrats think? Either join our party or else be destroyed?
November 1, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Destroying the Republican party of dirty tricks and smear tactics would be a damn good thing.
There's nothing wrong with having an opposition party, au contraire, it's a sign of a strong, healthy democracy. But when one side repeatedly tries to steal elections, disenfranchise thousands of voters, lie and generally use immoral tactics, then that party may very well need to be destroyed, by the voters.
Fifty years ago, the Republican Party was largely made up of honorable, if stodgy types but in it's present incarnation, even Liddy Dole has gone to the dark side.
November 1, 2008 2:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
It's last-minute desperation on the part of a trailing campaign, but shouldn't someone running for president know that his aunt is an ilegal alien AND shouldn't a campaign know if a donor is non-American and therefore donating money illegally?
November 1, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
The AP story reports that she is his "half-aunt" (whatever that is - sister of a subsequent wife maybe?) on the side of his father who abandoned Obama at a young age. No indication that they were close. So the question of should he have known about her status is silly.
On the donation issue, it does seem that some mechanism is required to improve checking of citizenship of donors. An on-line declaration probably isn't sufficient. Perhaps a national on-line voter registry and a law that only permits donations from registered voters.
November 1, 2008 3:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe legal permanent residents are allowed to contribute to campaigns even though they are not allowed to vote.
November 1, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
The AP story reports that she is his "half-aunt" (whatever that is - sister of a subsequent wife maybe?) on the side of his father who abandoned Obama at a young age. No indication that they were close. So the question of should he have known about her status is silly.
On the donation issue, it does seem that some mechanism is required to improve checking of citizenship of donors. An on-line declaration probably isn't sufficient. Perhaps a national on-line voter registry and a law that only permits donations from registered voters.
November 1, 2008 3:34 PM | Reply | Permalink
Even the BHO campaign admits she had at least five contacts with him, including attending his 2004 swearing-in. And, when she called him in 2006 I'm absolutely positive he at least wondered to himself in what status she was in. The bottom line is that he and his campaign are stupid, or lying:
http://24ahead.com/blog/archives/008275.html
November 1, 2008 4:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oh, give me an effing break. She's a grown woman (and only a distant relation); he's not responsible for her status. And if he had inquired about her status, you'd be jumping on Obama for trying to interfere in the process.
But please feel free to imagine that this is the deal breaker for Obama. Let's see, how many have there been now? Rev. Wright, (non)plagiarism, William Ayers, the flag pin, the pledge of allegiance, the national anthem...
November 1, 2008 6:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
Now that her privacy has been destroyed,
her asylum case broadcast to the world,
her dignity smeared,
her understated pride in a younger relative on the verge of becoming president turned into a weapon against him,
find out who leaked this information.
Do NOT let allow this woman to be another expendable female victim of the Republican party.
The staging of events in Boston causes me to wonder why her appeal for asylum was denied.
Obama's half-brother, locked in poverty and violence in Kenya, has been tracked down by the Telegraph. He admits to denying being related to Barack Obama because he is ashamed of his living conditions.
Read a little bit about conditions and then ask why his aunt was NOT granted asylum:
"If anyone says something about my surname, I say we are not related. I am ashamed," he said.
For ten years George Obama lived rough. However he now hopes to try to sort his life out by starting a course at a local technical college.
He has only met his famous older brother twice - once when he was just five and the last time in 2006 when Senator Obama was on a tour of East Africa and visited Nairobi.
The Illinois senator mentions his brother in his autobiography, describing him in just one passing paragraph as a "beautiful boy with a rounded head".
Of their second meeting, George Obama said: "It was very brief, we spoke for just a few minutes. It was like meeting a complete stranger."
George added he was no longer in contact with his mother and said:"I have had to learn to live and take what I need.
"Huruma is a tough place, last January during the elections there was rioting and six people were hacked to death. The police don't even arrest you they just shoot you.
"I have seen two of my friends killed. I have scars from defending myself with my fists. I am good with my fists."
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2590614/Barack-Obamas-lost-brother-found-in-Kenya.html
-----------------
Why was she denied asylum?
Please look at how Obama's aunt spent some of her time while in Boston:
Zeituni Onyango, former computer systems coordinator, Boston
I joined Experience Corps because: I felt that I should help the children in my community. I love people and enjoy interacting with them. My friend had so many wonderful things to say about her work with Experience Corps. Also, I was idle, and this was a chance to get involved.
I know I'm making a difference when: I see the change in children I have worked with. All children are fine as long as they have a good foundation, but there is no foundation without literacy.
My favorite part of tutoring with Experience Corps is: Being able to help children succeed. As an older adult I feel I have much to give young people - as well as my peers. Experience Corps has given me that opportunity.
Working with students teaches me: Just how much I can impact the education of children in the school system. I learn different strategies and approaches to help children and also to improve myself. In addition, being an Experience Corps member has taught me that I can be a leader in my community.
http://www.experiencecorps.org/news/enewsletter/Voice-2007-04.cfm?version=print
Those are her words about her volunteer work with children.
November 2, 2008 9:10 AM | Reply | Permalink
This is a non-story...LOL! Obama had no knowledge of her status so I don't see the big deal.
The people who are going to care wouldn't be voting for Obama any ways.
I guess this is the best that the Right wing could do since Ayers, Wright, Khalidi, and now Obama's half-aunt are not going to make much of a difference on things.
It's still the economy stupid!
November 1, 2008 12:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think the Republicans are going to push the fact that she donated $$ to the campaign, and she's not a U.S. citizen. Remember--their complaint all along has been that Obama is receiving all this money, and we (the repugs) have no idea where it's coming from. They won't touch the immigration aspect because they don't want to piss off Latino voters. But look for McLame to talk about this aunt's campaign contributions and how perhaps thousands of other non-U.S. citizens have also donated to Obama's campaign.
November 1, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
It is so nice to see smears falling apart. October has been full of surprises. Imagine what they'll be saying by Monday!
November 1, 2008 12:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
Hold on--
Obama has an aunt who is
1) Living in the country illegally
2) Living in public housing
and
3) Illegally donated money to his campaign?
Leaving aside whether it is relevant, Is it true? And if it is true, how is it a smear?
November 1, 2008 12:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
Not only that, but it's a half aunt -- his father's step sister.
Just so you know ... in case you ever run for public office, you are responsible for every single thing any of your relatives do, even the ones with whom you have limited contact. It's all on you, pal. Oh, I meant to say ... except if you're a Republican, in which case families are off limits. Got that?
November 1, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
I still can't get over the fact that Palin's husband was/is a secessionist and that Palin appears to have supported his party in Alaska, and that this isn't a big problem for her.
November 1, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
Talking points my father, a senior official at ICE in the DHS, loves to push:
ACORN and Obama are involved in massive voter fraud
9/11 is Clinton's fault
The Democrats are infiltrating the DHS
Things like 'Alberto Gonzales' and 'politicization of the DOJ' don't seem to register with him on the surface when I argue with him, but I know that he won't be afforded the same legal immunities he and other agents have been afforded during the Bush administration for 'doing the right thing' for the White House.
November 1, 2008 12:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
How does he respond to the fact there is zero incidence of "voter" fraud. If he's anything like my brother, he just doesn't want to know the truth about things if it disagrees with his already formed opinion. I really hated shooting him.
November 1, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Jaymay, it's a smear because:
1) The information had to be 'leaked' since legally its confidential.
2) The suggestion that 'living in public housing' is a government handout, or the redistribtion of wealth McCain is bleating about
3) Obama's campaign was the one who disclosed the donation information
All of this is another lame attempt at guilt by association, like every other piece of tripe the Republicans have been spewing. You tell me why an immigrant that's slipped through the cracks of the Justice Department, living in what even Murdoc calls 'rundown' public housing, and donating $5 to a $700 million campaign is newsworthy? Oh, wait... because it's a SMEAR!
November 1, 2008 1:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Worse, it's abuse of power. That's why folks like Obama need to stand strong on issues like FISA. It's all of a piece and whether it hurts Obama or not now it will hurt others in the future.
November 1, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
So you agree that the Ohio supporter who abused their power by prying into the personal life of Joe the Plumber should be prosecuted, right?
November 2, 2008 7:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
Sure, if the information was obtained illegally. But the fact that Joe the Plumber just magically happens to be related to Charles Keating, coupled with the fact that McCain's dragging him along on the trail, suggests that he was a McCain plant from the get-go. In which case, his privacy is something he's obviously decided to throw out the window. Too bad his 15 seconds won't even last 15 seconds.
November 2, 2008 10:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
The right wingers are going crazy. First they try to make an issue of Obama's "spread the wealth around" comment, now they are making an issue of his aunt living in poverty in the U.S. and his brother living on a dollar a month in Kenya. Next, they are going to try and put the two together and say Obama should "spread the wealth around" to his family members living in poverty. Ha, now what right wingers, this liberal is one step ahead of you guys. Hats off to the AP for implying that the McCain campaign had something to do with the release of the information without any proof. See, not all news sources are conservative.
November 1, 2008 1:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
If - that's a big if - the alleged facts are correct, then it's not really a smear, merely a dirty attack involving a candidate's relative and an illegal leak of information out of the government for political purposes - not acceptable conduct! This sort of attack is an adverse reflection on the Republicans and not on Obama, who has nothing to do with the situation. And the topic of immigration, legal and not legal, has hardly been an issue in this campaign - no one seems to care this year. The election is not going to be influenced by this nonsense.
November 1, 2008 1:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
Pure desperation, and it won't work -- not this time.
November 1, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
All I hear is a resounding *yawn*.
November 1, 2008 1:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Josh,
The guy who wrote the Times piece, James Bone, is their New York correspondent with particular duty at the UN. He carried water for the neocon effort to discredit Kofi Annan - Annan called him "childish" and "unprofessional".
November 1, 2008 1:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have been watching FOXNEWS all morning and for whatever reason they are not pushing this story.
I am very surprised by that considering that the genesis of this story rest with the Times of London.
Something is going on, but can not put my finger on it.
We will know tonight when Sean comes on, something tells me he will be all over it. If not, I think someone in FOXNEWS has decided not to push this story. We know that FOXNEWS has daily talking points.
November 1, 2008 1:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I have been watching FOXNEWS all morning and for whatever reason they are not pushing this story.
I am very surprised by that considering that the genesis of this story rest with the Times of London.
Something is going on, but can not put my finger on it.
We will know tonight when Sean comes on, something tells me he will be all over it. If not, I think someone in FOXNEWS has decided not to push this story. We know that FOXNEWS has daily talking points.
November 1, 2008 1:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
Immigration is a taboo issue. Plus, Obama's had no knowledge of this aunt immigration status and his didn't steal, cheat or harm anyone, so there's no story. Millions of immigrant Americans can sympathize with Barack's aunt. And let's not forget immigrants vote!
November 1, 2008 1:26 PM | Reply | Permalink
What a tacky, dirty and low down attempt at a october-november suprise. What is this assupmtion that we are to be responsible for distant half relatives? If thats the case let me get on the phone and call my 2nd half cousin on my father's side Michael Jordan and ask for a few bucks. I never met the man but hey maybe he can a gal out:)
November 1, 2008 1:25 PM | Reply | Permalink
It may not be necessary, but the obvious refutation for Obama surrogates would be to highlight this as a leak from the Bushies on the McCain campaign's behalf. One more Bush/McCain linkage to prove the point.
November 1, 2008 1:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is legally actionable. This woman should file a criminal complaint. ACLU can file on her behalf and if they have it together should do so on Monday when the courts open.
November 1, 2008 1:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think in terms of political moves, the ACLU should not enter the fray.
Bad mojo right now.
November 2, 2008 12:14 AM | Reply | Permalink
let's see: half-aunt here "illegally" after request for asylum was denied.
OR
sharing the stage today with an avowed admirer of hitler's ability to connect with people. (which leads me to wonder whether mccain's smear the other day about khalidi being the same thing as mccain sharing the stage with a neo-nazi was just trying to soften the blow of actually planning to share the stage with arnold the next day).
ummm, i'll go with the guy with the half-aunt thing.
November 1, 2008 1:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
I am sorry, folks, but this IS an issue.
There are still LOTS of low-info undecideds out there or those that are "loosely" for Obama.
The intent of throwing this story out there is to sway them.
This is an OUTRAGE and the lack of hitting back on this outside of TPM is concerning to me and shows the fear of complacency that Obama has been speaking of.
The source of the leaks needs to be identified and I think that Obama campaign shoul dput out a better response more along the lines of stop digging into this woman as she is just a distant relative having nothing to do with the campaign and was scared to go back to Kenya.
If we cannot touch Joe the Plumber, then she should be off limits.
November 1, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
There will (or at least should) be an audit-trail of anyone who accessed her records. This won't come out before Tuesday, but I hope someone can follow it up.
E.g., as was done at State:
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/03/21/politics/main3957054.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_3957054
and with Joe Wurzelbacher:
http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/10/27/copy/joe28.html?adsec=politics&sid=101
November 1, 2008 1:39 PM | Reply | Permalink
How can the Obama campaign take money from illegal aliens? Do we know how many more donations are there from people who are not eligible for donations?Obama's campaign should be considered illegal if he takes illegal donations. When athletes takes steroids they get disqualified, why should Obama not be disqualified?
November 1, 2008 1:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
if we disqualified him, we wouldn't be able to force your racist ass to bow before allah 5 times a day after obama wins.
you douchebag.
November 1, 2008 1:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
I guess, you are more interested in my login name than talk about why it is ok for Obama to take money from illegals to beef up his campaign cash.
November 1, 2008 2:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
no, idiot. i'm more concerned that you're part of the racist right wing who is terrified that a terrorist muslim baby killer is going to be elected president.
like i said, you're a douchebag.
john mccain has taken plenty of illegal contributions, as well, if that's your REAL concern, though. of course, that's not your real concern, is it, troll? i already identified your REAL concern, didn't i?
November 1, 2008 2:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
The woman made a $5 contribution not 5 million! I'm sure he could have managed without it and has because the donation was returned! BTW, she isn't even a BLOOD relative. She is his father's STEP sister which means she is not even related by blood to his father! She would have to be a HALF sibling to be blood related. Give it a rest!
November 2, 2008 1:16 AM | Reply | Permalink
McCain took $70,000 in one day from a guy. The system is not perfect. Can you guarantee that the same has not happened with McCain's campain?
November 1, 2008 2:17 PM | Reply | Permalink
That guy who gave McCain $70,000 wasn't a US citizen, either. Chinese national.
November 1, 2008 11:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
The woman made a $5 contribution not 5 million! I'm sure he could have managed without it and has because the donation was returned! BTW, she isn't even a BLOOD relative. She is his father's STEP sister which means she is not even related by blood to his father! She would have to be a HALF sibling to be blood related. That he did not know she was in the US illegally or otherwise is quite believable! Give it a rest!
November 2, 2008 1:18 AM | Reply | Permalink
Time to break out the TPM Trollbegone spray again...
November 1, 2008 1:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
Immigration is at the heart of the Latino vote and any attack by the McCain camp would hurt them with the Latino voters who are already leaning at 65% Obama. If the right pushes this issue hard the Latino votes could possibly increase tremendously in Obama's favor.
November 1, 2008 1:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
I disagree. I think we should stop feeding this story. This story is not getting any traction on TV.
The more layer it gets the easier to justify its coverage. I think right now is not getting a lot of coverage because immigration will not confirmed her status and it hard to figure out an angle about this that will reflect negatively on Obama.
If Bill Ayers did not bring him down, I doubt this story will do it.
November 1, 2008 1:48 PM | Reply | Permalink
Another smear: I have just received an anonymous text message announcing that video has surfaced of Michelle Obama smoking crack. They will truly resort to anything.
November 1, 2008 2:00 PM | Reply | Permalink
Somebody posted the question of how someone who is illegally in the US could contribute to a campaign. The answer is that anyone can contribute to a campaign and the only way that a campaign would know that they were not a citizen or permanent resident would be if the person self-disclosed. It is very likely that McCain also has unqualified foreigners who have contributed to his campaign. When the campaign learns of it they return the money.
By the way its not just "illegal aliens" who are ineligible to contribute, the prohibition includes anyone who is not a citizen or lawful permanent resident -- that means that legally admitted foreigners are ineligible to contribute.
November 1, 2008 2:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
I didn't see the original AP story, but this is included in the story now:
Another desperate McCain action? As a sitting Senator, how hard would it have been to find a supporter within ICE willing to help him out?
November 1, 2008 2:09 PM | Reply | Permalink
Why isn't anyone reporting that Vice-President Cheney's cousin is living in the country illegally.
November 1, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
You know all media lines are tapped and nothing gets leaked without the FBI and therefore Bush and the DoJ, knowing about it. They know who leaked the info yet the expect the American public not to believe it was a set up because we haven't "proved" it.
But what is truly amazing is how or why the right thinks it will make a damn bit of difference in making up your mind to vote for Obama. How exactly is this supposed to impact the candidate in any way. It's like saying "Obama has a brother...did you hear me...I said Obama has a brother".
"Oh, you're right..can't vote for him now".
Why is it even a headline? The right is just laughable in their self destruction. Sooner or later Drudge will be broken up as we learn to shun him and his news organization. It's already to the point that more and more people ignore the news and look on it as propaganda or as coming with an agenda.
November 1, 2008 2:14 PM | Reply | Permalink
First, Obama met his father only once when he was 10, then he went on a personal pilgrim in search of his identity to make peace with his soul on his ancestry. He bared it to the world in his biography. And now distant relatives who have had no impact on his life are being fished out to reflect something on Obama?
Keep your eyes on the ball, Obama is an American running for the president of the US and he's gonna be exactly that. For the rest of the issues, let the law take its course.
November 1, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
Mike --
Actually Hannity the idiot is way ahead of you. I've already heard him call Obama a hypocrite for having poor relatives. Apparently, he thinks that advocacy of a progressive tax system obligates Obama to share his still fairly modest wealth with hoards of relations he may barely know. (I don't know how big his father's Kenyan family actually is, but I imagine it's substantial.) The fact that he has a family of his own to consider including two daughters who are likely to grow up and attend really expensive schools and he and Michelle are still far from vastly wealthy (though I admit they'll eventually be able to write their own ticket re: book deals and speaking fees, whatever happens in the election) doesn't even enter into it.
Of course, as an advocated of idiocy and selfishness, Sean isn't obligated to share anything with anybody even though it's entirely possible he's wealthier than Obama is. Meanwhile, Obama is obliged to put himself in the poor house supporting anyone with a familial link. Got it.
November 1, 2008 2:16 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is slopy on Obama's part, he should have known about this mess. Anyway, immigration is an explosive issue and i don't see how Republican can use this to their advantage.
November 1, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans behind this stunt must be really stupid. Don't they realize that they are solidifying Latino support for Obama? There are a number of undecided Latinos -- some of whom supported Hillary in the primary and have not completely made the switch -- and who will now empathize with Obama because they, too, have undocumented family members in the US. Immigration is an important issue in the Latino community. These Latino voters would cancel out or even outweigh the number of Anglo independents or undecideds who would break for McCain, even if this story happened to be true.
November 1, 2008 2:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
I second that argument...Obama should not talk about this issue at all. The election is pretty close.
I just came back from canvansing today...Obama is going to win big in PA
November 1, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
Gbenga:
I am nervous about PA. Can you tell me why you think we are going to win there big?
November 1, 2008 2:58 PM | Reply | Permalink
I knocked on 105 doors in Delaware County today. I did not see one single McCain's voter. The only Republican woman i met is voting for Obama on the Election Day.
Delaware County went for Gore and Kerry in 2000 and 2004...i think it is going to go Obama on Tuesday.
There are a lot of Africans in Delaware County, they are all voting for Obama. The GOTV effort is pretty good...Obama is going to win PA. I don't see how McCain can win this state.
November 1, 2008 3:30 PM | Reply | Permalink
The Republicans behind this stunt must be really stupid. Don't they realize that they are solidifying Latino support for Obama? There are a number of undecided Latinos -- some of whom supported Hillary in the primary and have not completely made the switch -- and who will now empathize with Obama because they, too, have undocumented family members in the US. Immigration is an important issue in the Latino community. These Latino voters would cancel out or even outweigh the number of Anglo independents or undecideds who would break for McCain, even if this story happened to be true.
November 1, 2008 2:22 PM | Reply | Permalink
The existence of Obama's aunt in Boston was news sometime this past week and was covered in a "cute story" way. (I think I saw the story from a link in Ben Smith's Politico column.)
Did that story lead to ICE's investigation of her or was the first story a leak from an already active investigation? Surely oppo research by Bush appointees must've been covering this angle for months. Did they deliberately wait 'til now to spring it?
November 1, 2008 2:27 PM | Reply | Permalink
When this story first surfaced a couple of days ago, part of the spin of the story (not said explicitly but implied nonetheless) was that Obama was a cruel and heartless nephew for not having any contact with his Aunt who was living in poverty in Boston. And, oh, by the way, she has managed, despite her poor circumstances, to donate a few dollars to his campaign despite never having heard from Obama or seen him. Now they want to tarnish him by saying that she's illegal (as if he is some sort of conspirator in that). Ridiculous.
November 1, 2008 2:46 PM | Reply | Permalink
What people really should be focusing on, is the Bush administration's abuse of power. Far more of a threat to the Republic, than a 56 year old auntie.
November 1, 2008 3:03 PM | Reply | Permalink
For this to be a "smear," some important part of the story would have to be false.
It's a true story. It's not a smear.
November 1, 2008 5:04 PM | Reply | Permalink
so if the AP came out with a huge story about how mccain cheated on his first wife with cindy, would that be a smear?
if they included in that story the fact that he and cindy got the marriage license while john was still married to his first wife, would that make it a smear?
if they also included in the story how it was her money that funded his ascent into american politics, would that make it a smear?
if they also included in the story how cindy stole drugs from her charity to feed her addiction, would that make the story a smear?
i think i can stop there, although there are lots of other non-smeary facts to the biography.
i mean, all of it's true, right? so it wouldn't be a smear, right?
November 1, 2008 5:45 PM | Reply | Permalink
C'mon.
Doesn't it stand to reason that if Obama was at all close to his aunt, and that if he knew that she was having trouble getting asylum that he would have intervened upon her behalf?
Republicans see what they want to see and they hear what they want to hear!
November 1, 2008 6:01 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is this the best they've got?
gwpriester said it all. If he knew she was in the country illegally, he either would have intervened on her behalf or urged her to return to Kenya.
What I would be interested to know - although IT IS NONE OF MY BUSINESS - is on what basis she is claiming asylum.
On both sides of my family, my ancestors fled religious persecution in Europe - in the early 18th and the late 18th century, respectively.
And when it comes to fleeing economic hardship - what do you think Irish, Polish and Italian immigrants did in the 19th and early 20th century? They (and my Dad's parents) didn't receive the same warm greeting as my early 18th century immigrant ancestors. In fact, the descendents of European immigrants who came before looked down their noses at them (although business owners were grateful for the influx of cheap labor and during the Civil War period, the Union Army for the influx of new recruits.
So what has changed? Two things: policy and attitudes.
November 1, 2008 7:28 PM | Reply | Permalink
What a pathetic, cry baby bunch of nonsense the MuckRaker is on this one. FACT: She's here illegally. FACT: She contributed to NObama's socialist ideology driven, foreign money funded, campaign. All else in this so called article is nothing more than speculation. There are no liberals and there are no conservatives. There are petulant cry babies hedonists and the mean spirited greedy. Both parties should redesignate as Demoncrats and Repukelicans. RON PAUL please save us from the divide and conquer tactic!!!
November 1, 2008 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink
But is it a FACT that she is here illegally?
Because the so-called sources will not verify it.
Because whatever anybody in a position to know has said about this woman's legal status has done so illegally.
Illegal - as in committed a crime.
So there's a fact - the so-called sources who allegedly disclosed this information - if they exist and have said what the AP says they said - have committed a crime.
If the Bush administration or the McCain campaign had any involvement, then they, too, have committed a crime.
November 1, 2008 11:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
I realize that the lady is here illegally but she did apply for asylum so there may be a very good reason she has not gone back to her country. More to the point, however, is the fact that the right wing attack machine has not hesitated to quite probably ruin the life of an older woman who lives in the projects in an attempt to hurt Barack Obama. They will stoop to anything and hurt anyone to forward their pathetic crusade to retain their power. And, boy, some of you commenters sure are good at name-calling and spiteful spews - a perfect indication that you fit right in with McCain/Palin whether you say you're with them or not (re: appeal to Ron Paul to save us...we need to damn well work together to save our great country...no one person is gonna do it).
November 1, 2008 8:19 PM | Reply | Permalink
thru,
it's a little late for "Saint" Paul to save us.
He never actually "ran" anywhere.
November 1, 2008 8:21 PM | Reply | Permalink
I've noticed a disturbing trend with AP, beyond Fournier's normal anti-Obama pieces about the young couples 'uppityness'. Even their polls are way off the mark - but Right leaning always.
Remember that AP begins charging for their services soon. But many of the large papers have refused to join their private 'club'. I've even seen Yahoo pages list 100% AP written anti -Obama articles.
Could it be just that? A major news source now trying to appeal to a chosen few by throwing repeated daggers over the wire to those pushing a specific ideological preference?
Will that be a threat to the net-roots capabilities??
November 1, 2008 10:07 PM | Reply | Permalink
mccain should be more concerned with the fake palin interview by "sarkozy"....what a fool:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4aHL12vtEM
November 1, 2008 10:41 PM | Reply | Permalink
This is a non-story --- if Sarah Palin cannot be held responsible for even her own teenage daughter's problems, how can anyone hold Barack Obama responsible for his extended family member's problems?
November 1, 2008 11:37 PM | Reply | Permalink
That FOX story doesn't actually say anything at all about her being illegal.
I've been seeing some unusually sane reporting on FOX lately.
I think they might be considering their future under Obama lol.
November 2, 2008 1:09 AM | Reply | Permalink
Lets get rid of the republicans!
i dont want my money to bail out banks!
lets have exxon pay more taxes!
November 2, 2008 1:52 AM | Reply | Permalink
1st
As for alienating the Latino votes. They need to keep some of the Western States like Colorado.
Tancredo was an outspoken Republican against immigration policy, and he has always said he’d make immigration an issue in 2008
Tom Tancredo, R-Colo., chairman of the House Immigration Reform Caucus.
Congressman Tom Tancredo, Founding Chairman Angela "Bay" Buchanan, Chairman ... Paid for by Team America Political Action Committee | 2008 Team America PAC.
The Republicans know how divisive this issue is among Voters.
2nd
When the Bush Administration wanted WAR with Iraq, they smeared Plames Husband and outed her involvement with the CIA
It's they're pattern and they're fingerprints are probably on this one.
November 2, 2008 2:07 AM | Reply | Permalink
boooooring, who cares?
This just makes me feel sympathy for immigrants which we all are descended from (most of us anyway).
Obama hasn't seen this lady in years, they don't live in the same town, I fail to see how this could hurt Obama.
November 2, 2008 2:34 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am not responsible legally, morally or ethicly for my extended family. If my cousin breaks the law how does that reflect on MY conduct? Blood relatives are not a CHOICE. Obama has shown great leadership abilites and sound judgement overall in his life. Like ALL OF US, he has made some not so stellar choices but have all of you NEVER MADE A MISTAKE? DO none of you have family or friends who have gotten into trouble? Come one people, George Bush and his wife have both commited many acts themselves which are bad, but the right supports them like they are angels. McCain cheated on his wife and left her in her time of need, his current wife denies that she has a sister and lied more than once about recipes she stole from online sources. These are their own actions, not an Aunt's who Obama has no right to control.
November 2, 2008 4:46 AM | Reply | Permalink
I am not responsible legally, morally or ethicly for my extended family. If my cousin breaks the law how does that reflect on MY conduct? Blood relatives are not a CHOICE. Obama has shown great leadership abilites and sound judgement overall in his life. Like ALL OF US, he has made some not so stellar choices but have all of you NEVER MADE A MISTAKE? DO none of you have family or friends who have gotten into trouble? Come one people, George Bush and his wife have both commited many acts themselves which are bad, but the right supports them like they are angels. McCain cheated on his wife and left her in her time of need, his current wife denies that she has a sister and lied more than once about recipes she stole from online sources. These are their own actions, not an Aunt's who Obama has no right to control.
November 2, 2008 4:48 AM | Reply | Permalink
The story is nevertheless a bit sticky because it targets voters who are undecided even at this late stage. Those have to be people so unreflective that a headlinenlike this, read as it were as they run might seal the deal for McBerk.
November 2, 2008 6:57 AM | Reply | Permalink
I'm not a racist, but some white folks (Republicans)are making my blood boil. It feels like i'm still living in the 1930,s...political lynchings, white women accusing black men of false crimes, smear tactics, and sublimininal messages; messages delivered by Sara Palin who suggest as they did back in the day with Dr. King, that he was a communist. Now Obama is acussed of being a communist, a terrorist, a redistributionist and so on. What Sara Palin lacks in intellegence...she makes up in stupidity!
When enough Americans realize how rotten are the fruits of the Republican party, the demand for "CHANGE" will be made for the sake of all of us!
November 2, 2008 9:24 AM | Reply | Permalink
The first statement shows the mind set of Obama supporters "Republicans are bastards". This is the most biased scenario that I have ever seen. The media is in the pocket of Obama and that is ridiculous. John McCain spent longer as a POW that Obama has been a senator. Obama has 97% of the black population supporting him. Why such a large percentage, because he is black, not because he is qualified. What are his qualifications, he has none. He has written two memoirs but initiated nothing to benefit the people while in the senate. He has become rich and done nothing but get an average of 1 million dollars a day in pork, no legislation but pork. He has very questionable ties to terrorist, domestic and international as well as criminals that help him buy a home. Recieved endorsements from countries that are our enemies. Frances leader even stated that his foreign diplomacy was naive. This is not made up or slanderous but these are facts. Why would any body want to put an individual with such limited experience in as leader of the free world. This makes no sense at all. I believe Obama is probably an individual of high moral fiber, but he is in no way ready to lead the USA.
November 2, 2008 9:55 AM | Reply | Permalink
Talk about pushes - what about the non-stop efforts, supported by the media, to hide Biden and protect Obama from answering the tough questions...
You want some insight? Read:
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=79421
To any rational person, the unanswered questions leave only deeper, more troublesome doubts about the O-man.
Push back - don't vote for Un-American Obama.
November 2, 2008 10:41 AM | Reply | Permalink
How about making sure our country survives. Open your eyes to what's really going on. What someones Aunt has done or how much money is spent on a wardrobe won't matter. Look around you. How about realizing where, as a nation, were heading. How about making sure it doesn't become Socialist Nation. If you're questioning why I say this WAKE UP! Neither candidate would be "Good" for our country or what we have left of it. No matter how much anyone wants to convince themselves or anyone else we're in a VERY SERIOUS mess. Our market is in the toilet. I love how the message we sent is of no accountability for any action. Don't worry, we'll bail you out, no matter how stupid your decisions are. I don't believe, no matter what "Party" you belong to, you want your tax money thrown away. As long as we continue to go along with the normal 2 "Parties" we'll always be where we are now or worse. Don't think it can't. No matter who you're going to vote for in this "RACE" we've already lost. When our dollar isn't worth shit. How can our country lead the world? Our forefathers based our constitution on? Integrity TRUE Integrity....Mmmmm It seems to be extinct these days. No matter what color or religion you are I believe we, as a nation, should learn what this is. Or maybe just simply hold people accountable for their actions. I'm amazed at how everyone has excuses. Even more amazed at how the public eats it up.
November 2, 2008 12:12 PM | Reply | Permalink
You fascists amaze me. You think single-party rule of the country is justified because of "Republican dirty tricks"? Are you kidding me? How is the truth a dirty trick? I mean, I could see if someone was making up some baseless accusations, but the truth is the truth. I don't believe single-party rule is ever justified. I don't feel the Democratic Party should be destroyed because of the dirty tricks they're pulling. Working to remove safegaurds put in place to prevent voter fraud and illegal campaign donations while at the same time working to disqualify military ballots is far more "dirty" than the truth ever will be.
November 2, 2008 1:11 PM | Reply | Permalink
More Anatomy
1) $800,000 to Acorn an organization dedecated to destry election process.
2) As board member $$$ to socialist Ayers, Communist Klonsky and PLO activist Khalidi
3) Training College kids to commit vote fraud.
4) Rigs campaign donations to circumvent (Break) campaign laws.
5) Redicules anti-socialists with derogatory comments "Since when is selfishness a virtue", and arrogsnt comments "I shared my peanut butter sandwich"
6) Campaigns for Odinga who encourages riots and 1500 deaths/murders including burning christins in their churches. Kenya govt calls Obama Odinga's STOOGE.
7) Product of Chicago Machine where shady dealings with convicted racketeer Rezco ended up with mysterious real estate dels where neihboring lots and wierd divisions of property netted Obama $300.000 sweetheart deal.
8) Hides all college and early records.
Obama is a typical sleazy lawyer who has no respect for the spirit of the law, as in his perverted campaign funding and ACORNS illegal activities. He won elections in Illinois by having people thrown off ballots, not by winning elections. He perverted the use of $150,000,000 in educational grants which resulted in "No decernable improvement" in schools, while other projects in Chicago such as at Dunham school showed magnificent results.
Cook county HIS HOME has over 10% sales tax, horrible schools and plenty to reform. NO REFORM or
CHANGE YOU CAN BELIEVE IN
during Obama's tenure as state Senator.
Only the Occultist Kool-aid drinkers would ignore the preponderance of negatives and put this questionable character in the white house.
There is NOTHING in my comment that is even debatable. These are known facts. Notice I didn't mention he is friends with Ayers(socialist revolutionary) or Klonsky (Chinesse communist) or Rev Wright (Anti-American)
November 2, 2008 1:53 PM | Reply | Permalink
Okay. So I'm a non Obabma lover visiting your site. Quite honestly, I don't care about his aunt being here. While she is an illegal alien who should have been deported sometime ago, I believe there are some other questions raised by this story. How can an illegal alien live in taxpayer supported housing, drawing a welfare check, and have some money to donate to a candidate that she can't even vote for? And, where is the outrage about the invasion of privacy over Joe the plumber? It doesn't matter that he might not be a plumber, who cares? He is a guy who asked Obabma a question and has had to deal with his entire life being dissected. He is a citizen of the US, she is an illegal alien. Does anyone here think that what happened to him is a horrible thing? Or does everyone think he deserved it because he made Obama look bad?
November 2, 2008 2:13 PM | Reply | Permalink
I believe that the source of the smear about the aunt is Jerome Corsi was kicked out of Kenya a few weeks ago doing "research" on Obama's relatives there and attempting to label him a Muslim. http://bit.ly/2dm388
November 2, 2008 2:40 PM | Reply | Permalink
Is it coincidental that John McCain whined on air after Obama's 30 minute ad about the "nefarious" online small donations that have been made to Obama?
Less than 4 weeks ago, the RNC complained to the FEC about "foreign" donations to the Obama campaign: http://bit.ly/2MLnsK
And now we learn through this smear of the aunt that Obama has to give back her "foreign national" donation because it is illegal:
http://bit.ly/xRO43
McCain must have been peeing in his depends all month in anticipation of this story to be leaked.
November 2, 2008 2:47 PM | Reply | Permalink
Once again, great work, Zach. We take Zach's trail one step further at RealityChex.com at http://www.realitychex.com by showing how the illegally-obtained information showed up in a Republican vendor's robocall going out to voters in swing states.
And guess what? McCain can say he didn't know a thing about it. He's shocked, shocked, to find out there are dirty tricks & illegal data-diving going on.
November 2, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink
Example of absolute tunnel vision. Why would all the democratic individuals go after an innocent bystander that ask a question like they did Joe the plumber. Why would a liberal San Francisco News Talk show call for his death. Talk about irrational and far left radical leanings, I find that absolutely disgusting. The liberal left has an agenda and will stop at nothing to accomplish their goals. Commit registration fraud, hide Obama's back ground and all of his terrorist comnections. This is Jamestown on a national scale and it is not the American Way.
November 3, 2008 9:53 AM | Reply | Permalink
She's his AUNT, not his niece. And even if she WERE his niece, she is certainly not a minor and why the hell would he be in any way responsible for her immigration status? This positively reeks.
More of the "he's not a real American" kind of bilge they are desperately trying to foist upon the public.
I think it is a bit late in the day for this kind of garbage. And I also think most of the public is aware that the reason the McCain folk are spouting stuff like this is because they have NO real policy ideas or format whatsoever. All they want is power.
November 3, 2008 4:32 PM | Reply | Permalink