A PLACE FOR ALL THE OBAMA SMEAR CAMPAIGN STUFF

In Obama's own words

Quote:

In Obama's own words

I had been wanting to go back through and fact-check these misquotes for some time. It's been tough since none are cited by page number (no surprise) so I finally decided to just download an unabridged copy from ebooks.com to assist in the search and go through each one below. I hope that you find this useful in quickly dealing with these emails and posts. I also found it worthwhile at this point to just re-read and put into context many of the rites of passage I think many of us can relate to in this well-written account that just so happens to be from a great candidate for President. As for the target audience:


There are some who have already made up their minds and will see what they choose to see regardless of context. This is not for them.

There are others who are equivocating or Democrats or Independents or new voters or Republicans "on-the-fence" and, although they may not find the source of the original taken-out-of-context sound-bites credible, could be left with an impression that, until they or someone else do a little more digging, may sit in their minds to come back again on election day. This is for them.

Finally, for those of us who look forward to voting for Barack Obama in November I hope this is a tiny way to take another look at this very insightful and truly American story. This is for you too.

Following is each (mis)quote in bold followed by the actual quote and context with paginated citations so that anyone can check for themselves and/or build on this:


Misquoted and out of context from Dreams of My Father: 'I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites'

In the paragraph prior to this quote (Introduction: pp. xiv-xv), Obama talks of his mother's 6 year old cousin who had "already lost" his innocence after reporting to his parents that some of his first grade "classmates had refused to play with him because of his dark skin". As you read further you can see the implications of this on Obama's life growing up and why he felt compelled to bring up his mother's race until "the age of 12 or 13":

Actual quote:"When people who don't know me well, black or white, discover my background (and it is usually a discovery, for I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites) I see the the split-second adjustments they have to make, the searching of my eyes for some telltale sign." (Introduction: Page xv)



Nowhere to be found in Dreams from My Father: 'I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mothers race.'

I cannot locate this anywherein "Dreams of My Father" after searching on each key word through an unabridged copy downloaded from ebooks.com. We can simply shoot this one quote down and rightfully attack the credibility of the entire post.



Misquoted and taken out of context from Dreams of My Father: 'There was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white.'

When Obama was still in New York (after graduating Columbia) and at the point of almost giving up on organizing, he gets a call from Marty Kaufman who had "started an organizing drive in Chicago and was looking to hire a trainee." (Story begin on page 140). After talking about Chicago, the Cubs, his organizing efforts, Harold Washington, the South Side community, etc... he offers Obama the job with a small salary and travel expense. When Marty leaves, Obama walks home and thinks about this man and the offer (starting his community organizing days in Chicago):

Actual quote: "He was smart, I decided. He seemed committed to his work. Still, there was something about him that made me wary, a little too sure of himself, maybe. And white - he'd said himself that was a problem." (Page 142).

Later, Obama sits down on a bench to consider his options. A "black woman and her young son approach" and the boy asks him why the East River goes one way and the other. Obama explains the tides. "The answer seemed to satisfy the boy..." "As I watched the two of them disappear into dusk, I realized I had never noticed which way the river ran. A week later, I loaded up my car and drove to Chicago." (Page 143). Obama quickly recognizes that his back and forth on Marty, the situation, etc... is like the East River - it's going to go back and forth no matter what - it's time to act and he does.



Taken out of context from Dreams of My Father: ; 'It remained necessary to prove which side you were on, to show your loyalty to the black masses, to strike out and name names'

(Page 101). Obama is IN COLLEGE. He is posing, finding his identity.
Prior to this quote he explains the early pressure of fitting in with the so-called campus "radicals" to "avoid being mistaken for a sellout." (page 100). Starting on page 101 right after the quote, he goes through an incident where he is "called out" on this attitude. Thinking back, he realizes that "the whole year seemed like one big lie..." as he then matures beyond this perspective (Page 102).

I am sure none of us copped similar attitudes while in college or in our late teens/early twenties.



Altered quote and completely taken out of context from Dreams of My Father: 'I never emulate white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa , that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela.'

Actual quote: (in context, is addressing his earlier attitude towards his step dad and grandfather): "...men I might love but never emulate, white men and brown men whose fates didn't speak to my own. It was into my father's image, the black man, son of Africa , that I'd packed all the attributes I sought in myself, the attributes of Martin and Malcolm, DuBois and Mandela." (Page 220).

In the very next paragraph Obama writes, "Now...that image had suddenly vanished." " To think all my life I had been wrestling with nothing more than a ghost!" as Obama comes to terms with the image versus the reality of his father.

Anyone out there not go through a similar process with their father?


Audacious quote-twisting and re-creation of meaning from Audacity of Hope: 'I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction.'

Actual quote: "Of course, not all my conversations in immigrant communities follow this easy pattern. In the wake of 9/11, my meetings with Arab and Pakistani Americans, for example, have a more urgent quality, for the stories of detentions and FBI questioning and hard stares from neighbors have shaken their sense of security and belonging. They have been reminded that the history of immigration in this country has a dark underbelly; they need specific reassurances that their citizenship really means something, that America has learned the right lessons from the Japanese internments during World War II, and that I will stand with them should the political winds shift in an ugly direction." (page 261).

Ticomaya wrote:

Quote:

In Obama's own words

You don't think a person can be smeared with their own words?

It is just one of the reasons I feel Obama could could lose as he is an easier target whilst Hillary has been targetted but has survived all Republican smears.

Talk, the Republicans have boxes and boxes of oppo on Hillary that they hoped to drag out in 2004, and then were looking forward to using in 2008. No reason to use it before she's the nominee -- they WANTED her to be the nominee SO they could use that stuff (and get McCain in).

And has Bill gone that long without a single extra-marital dalliance?

sozobe wrote:

Talk, the Republicans have boxes and boxes of oppo on Hillary that they hoped to drag out in 2004, and then were looking forward to using in 2008. No reason to use it before she's the nominee -- they WANTED her to be the nominee SO they could use that stuff (and get McCain in).

I think it's safe to say you can't speak for all Republicans, soz, and you certainly can't speak for me. I have NEVER wanted the Hildabeast to be the nominee.