Obama: Fighting the smears--with smears
From Barack Obama's new site, claiming to fight "right-wing" smears (translation, rumors begun by Hillary's campaign, that are now blamed on Conservatives)...
LIE: Rush Limbaugh says a tape exists of Michelle Obama using the word “whitey” from the pulpit of Trinity United
That's correct. It is a lie. Rush never said it. At least they got this one right.
LIE: Blogger Larry Johnson writes “New and dramatic developments. This is a heads up. I'll post the news Monday morning by 0900 hours.”
Yes, he wrote that, and then posted an update. He claims to know 5 people who have seen the tape. Odd that they'd quote this bit and not the more pertinent quotes that actually claim the existence of the tape. It seems that so far all we know is that Obama has an odd definition of what constitutes a lie.
LIE: Proven GOP sleazemeister Roger Stone says he has “credible evidence that some indelible record exists” of a tape of Michelle Obama using the term “whitey.”
From the StoneZone...
If [sic] fact the transcript from Geraldo Rivera, ‘GERALDO AT LARGE,’ on FOX shows that I said “there's a buzz, which I believe now to be credible, that some indelible record exists” of a tape of Michelle Obama using the term “whitey.” I never used the expression “credible evidence.” I clearly gave my opinion that the tape existed and did not claim that I had seen it
Stone is misquoted by Obama and called a "sleazemeister" (which would seem to qualify as a smear, wouldn't it?)
LIE: Blogger: “Tape was filmed between June 26th - July 1st 2004 in Chicago, IL at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition Conference at Trinity United Church: specifically the Women's Event.”
The "Blogger" would be Hillary supporters, who blog at HillBuzz. They link to the post on a secondary page, but fail to note why a pro-Hillary blog would be "right-wing".
Ultimately those who say the tape exist could be making it up as a ploy, or it could exist. Equally the Obama campaign could know the tape does or may exist and be denying it in hopes that perhaps those that claim they have it, simple saw a live program, and are claiming they have a tape.
Personally, I suspect that if the tape exists, it would have been released already, unless those who have the tape want to ensure it's used against THE DNC candidate. I still doubt that it will make that much impact because the MSM have shown all along they are perfectly willing to let any and all slights by Obama and anyone associated with him, slide by.
What's so ironic about the page thus far is that while, weakly, defending Obama against the suggestion that such a tape exists, Obama smears anyone and everyone who dares suggest it exists, or even--in the case of Rush Limbaugh--simply notes the rumor, without giving any credence to it. So Obama fights the smears with smears of his own. Not a very dignified approach for someone who wants to be our president.
Posted by Danny Carlton at June 16, 2008 9:02 AM