February 26, 2008

An Associated Press news picture of Sen. Barack Obama trying on local cultural clothing during a 2006 visit to Kenya was posted on the Drudge Report yesterday, triggering the latest round of insulting and demeaning accusations and counter-accusations about Obama's religious background. The Muslim Public Affairs Council today called the episode a "deplorable" new low in negative campaigning during this election season.

SEE: "Obama Photo Swaddled in Mystery of Its Intent" (Washington Post, 2/26/08)

Regardless of their origin, the pictures are an obvious intent to trigger a mental picture of the Senator's so-called Muslim roots and thus undermine his campaign. Sadly, Obama has had to spend much of the campaign stressing he is a Christian not a Muslim and did not study at a "madrassa". Even more troubling however, is the fact that the mere attempt to argue that a candidate who may have any "Muslim-ness" in his family background should be automatically disqualified from the Presidency.

While religion should not be a factor in selecting a presidential candidate, distortions of faith -- which has included emails absurdly claiming Obama is a "secret Muslim" -- have become a prime example of negative campaigning.

"It is a sad day in America when a Presidential candidate is subjected to a religious test. This type of attack through religious innuendo is not only futile but un-American," said MPAC Executive Director Salam Al-Marayati. "Haven't we learned anything since the days when President Kennedy was subjected to a trial of public opinion about his religious affiliation?"

The picture -- which had previously been on various Internet sites and featured in a tabloid paper -- prompted Obama campaign manager David Plouffe to call it "fear-mongering" and "divisive politics." Meanwhile, the Clinton campaign denied having anything to do with it.