About us Login Get email updates
Research
Print

Wash. Post's Cohen ignored Obama's criticism of Farrakhan and award by church magazine

February 05, 2008 1:53 pm ET

SUMMARY: Ignoring Sen. Barack Obama's statement "condemn[ing]" Louis Farrakhan's "anti-Semitic statements" and his church's decision to give Farrakhan an award, Washington Post columnist Richard Cohen wrote: "I know what Barack Obama was doing when he refused to confront his minister about the latter's embrace of Louis Farrakhan. He was ducking an issue with no upside for him."

8 Comments

In his February 5 Washington Post column, Richard Cohen wrote: "Look, I know what Barack Obama was doing when he refused to confront his minister about the latter's embrace of Louis Farrakhan. He was ducking an issue with no upside for him." In fact, Obama addressed the "issue." On January 15, after Cohen reported that Trumpet Newsmagazine, which is published by the church Obama attends, gave Farrakhan the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award, Obama issued a statement "condemn[ing]" Farrakhan's "anti-Semitic statements" and said of the award: "[I]t is not a decision with which I agree."

Cohen wrote on January 15: "Every year, [Trumpet] makes awards in various categories. Last year, it gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it said 'truly epitomized greatness.' That man is Louis Farrakhan." That same day, the Post's The Trail blog provided this statement from the Obama campaign:

"I decry racism and anti-Semitism in every form and strongly condemn the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan. ... I assume that Trumpet Magazine made its own decision to honor Farrakhan based on his efforts to rehabilitate ex-offenders, but it is not a decision with which I agree."

From Cohen's February 5 Washington Post column:

I was not alone in suggesting that on the flag issue, Clinton was readying herself for a presidential race and trying to blunt her image as a harridan of the political left. The New York Times reached the same conclusion and accused her of pandering. Again, precisely so.

Look, I know what Barack Obama was doing when he refused to confront his minister about the latter's embrace of Louis Farrakhan. He was ducking an issue with no upside for him. He will not get my Profiles in Courage award for this, but the rest of his record overwhelms this one chintzy act.

— L.K.A.
Support Our Work


Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by thomp.steve9098 (February 05, 2008 2:19 pm ET)
         

      When was the award actually announced?  Anybody know?  Most people here probably don't care, but if someone knows, please enlighten.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by nerzog (February 05, 2008 2:49 pm ET)
         
      If Obama wins the nomination, this is one battle he'll have to fight aggressively. I listened to one of the local Flying Monkey Talk Radio shows this morning, and a caller stated "as fact" that Obama refused to be sworn in on the Bible. This lie is already imprinted on the collective Troglodyte subconscious.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by hstybuf6553 (February 05, 2008 7:59 pm ET)
           
        is flying monkey a specific reference to something.  it kind of reminds me of an old flash gordon episode, or the wizard of oz and wicked.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by pete592 (February 06, 2008 1:51 am ET)
             
          My guess is the flying monkeys that Wayne spoke of in the Wayne's World movie, which fly out of a particular body orifice at the exact moment that something seemingly impossible actually happens. 
          Report Abuse
        • Author by nerzog (February 06, 2008 1:04 pm ET)
             
          Actually, as I use it, Flying Monkeys is a metaphor borrowed from a Liberal Talk Show host. It refers to all the Professional Propagandists dispatched on Talk Radio and Cable TV to spread the GOP's lies. They include, but are not limited to, Rush Limbaugh, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin.... you get the picture.

          I think it is a fitting description of these scumsucking screechmonkeys, don't you?
          Report Abuse
          • Author by nerzog (February 06, 2008 1:05 pm ET)
               
            Oh, I almost forgot... for those too young to remember, the reference comes from the Wizard of Oz. Specifically that scene when the Witch is sending the army of monkeys out to do her bidding.
            Report Abuse
    • Author by pete592 (February 05, 2008 4:20 pm ET)
         

      Wow, three posts in a row about Obama from the "Hillary campaign site".

      Uh oh!  Daily Kos Convention quote in 5...4...3...2...1...

      Report Abuse
    • Author by eweston8542983 (February 05, 2008 7:17 pm ET)
         
      Y'know a funny thing happened to me, on my way to the inquisition.
      Report Abuse

my.MediaMatters.org

Login  Sign Up

Push Back

Phone calls, emails and letters from the public do make a difference. Remember that to be effective you must be polite, and professional. Express your specific concerns regarding that particular news report or commentary, and indicate what you would like the media outlet to do differently in the future.