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March 20, 2007
Don't be afraid of the M-word, Obama!
[ UPDATE: Jihad Watch's Robert Spencer says the same thing. Sort of. ]
Anya Kamanetz - author of a self-absorbed whine about upper middle class 20-somethings in debt - thinks it's "awesome" that Obama grew up Muslim.
The LA Times has the utterly charming story of his early childhood in Indonesia today--playing in the muddy streets, raising pet crocodiles, and attending mosque on Fridays.America, the world's most multicultural society, is currently in a no-win standoff with Islamic civilization. Who better to reengage with the so-called "Arab street" than President Barack Hussein Obama? How great an effect would it have on the Islamic world to have the most powerful man in the world saying, "I was taught the wisdom of the Koran, and I believe in the Constitution too" ?
And not only that, he actually lived in a developing country! He went to school with 'middle-class' kids who had no shoes! Talk about an invaluable perspective for the leader of the free world.
This one story made me more excited about Candidate Obama than anything that came before it. Some people say he's not "black enough"? Whatever. He should be playing up his cultural uniqueness for all it's worth. Don't be afraid of the M-word.
I didn't know his middle name was "Hussein." Not that there's anything wrong with that.
Surprisingly, several of the HuffPo commenters take her to task, for example:
Look, Obama is a good enough candidate but to suggest that we should elect him because it would-- supposidly-- please the "Arab Street" is ludicris.First, he would be the AMERICAN president, whose job would be to serve the American people and their interests. Electing someone because it would satisfy other nationals is warped.
Secondly, it wouldn't necessarily make muslims happy. Bush and Rice say nice things about Islam all the time. A lot of good that does us.
Thirdly, what's with the romance and concern with the "Arab Street"? I know I'm not going to cave in to the ravenous demands of fist pumping, effigy burning mobs by handing them my vote for my president to them, and neither should you.
By: CincyDude on March 16, 2007 at 03:18am
Judith | 03/20/07 at 12:52 AM | Categories: - GOTV '06 to '08
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Comments
With all the silly things that are posted on HuffPost alone, I don't see what's problematic about this post (the unfortunate use of the term, "Arab street" aside). Her central argument has some merit - Obama's background does gives him a natural edge in exploiting America's soft power. Isn't it better for our president to appeal to the more moderate elements of the Islamic world through style than appeasement?
I agree with CincyDude that it wouldn't matter, it would be a cosmetic element which would elicit a lot of surface approval from France, the Saudis, etc. but wouldn't change anyone's actual geopolitical behavior.
Anyway Obama is a Christian now. In Islam apostasy is punishable by death. The Islamists are not going to be charmed by him, and the Arab street which hates us take their cues from them. Now that he is trying to be hawkish on Israel they will like him even less.
Judith | March 22, 2007 01:39 AM
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