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Politico's Simon cropped Wright quote, claiming he "made it legitimate" to use Obama's middle name

April 30, 2008 12:53 pm ET
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SUMMARY: In writing that Rev. Jeremiah Wright "made it legitimate" to use Sen. Barack Obama's middle name, the Politico's Roger Simon selectively quoted Wright saying at an NAACP dinner, "Please run and tell my stuck-on-stupid friends that Arabic is a language; it's not a religion. Barack Hussein Obama. Barack Hussein Obama. Barack Hussein Obama." Simon omitted the portion of Wright's remarks that immediately followed the part he quoted, in which Wright appeared to criticize those who use Obama's middle name.

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In his April 30 Politico column discussing Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr., Sen. Barack Obama's former pastor, chief political columnist Roger Simon pointed to conservative radio host Bill Cunningham's repeated references to "Barack Hussein Obama" at a February 26 rally for Sen. John McCain, writing: "Remember how, to his credit, John McCain strongly denounced the talk show host who repeatedly used Obama's middle name at a speech? Well, McCain doesn't have to denounce that in the future. Wright made it legitimate." As evidence, Simon selectively quoted from Wright's April 27 address at the Fight for Freedom Fund Dinner hosted by the Detroit chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: " 'Please run and tell my stuck-on-stupid friends that Arabic is a language; it's not a religion,' Wright said at a speech to the NAACP on Sunday. 'Barack HUSSEIN Obama. Barack HUSSEIN Obama. Barack HUSSEIN Obama.' " But Simon omitted the portion of Wright's remarks that immediately followed the part he quoted, in which Wright appeared to criticize those who use Obama's middle name. As Media Matters for America has noted, Wright actually said:

WRIGHT: Please run and tell my stuck-on-stupid friends that Arabic is a language; it's not a religion. Barack Hussein Obama. Barack Hussein Obama. Barack Hussein Obama. There are Arabic-speaking Christians, Arabic-speaking Jews, and Arabic speaking atheists. Arabic is a language; it's not a religion. Stop trying to scare folks by giving them an Arabic name as if it's some sort of a disease. [emphasis added]

Moreover, in asserting that McCain deserves "credit" for denouncing Cunningham, Simon failed to note that Cunningham had a history of using Obama's middle name prior to his appearance at the February 26 rally, an appearance that the McCain campaign reportedly coordinated. Nor did Simon note that McCain's denunciation of Cunningham is part of a pattern of smears against Obama that McCain subsequently denounced or distanced himself from.

From Simon's April 30 Politico column:

Wright is not just a loose cannon; he is a loose weapon of mass destruction -- and one that can easily be used by Obama's opponents.

Remember how, to his credit, John McCain strongly denounced the talk show host who repeatedly used Obama's middle name at a speech? Well, McCain doesn't have to denounce that in the future. Wright made it legitimate.

"Please run and tell my stuck-on-stupid friends that Arabic is a language; it's not a religion," Wright said at a speech to the NAACP on Sunday. "Barack HUSSEIN Obama. Barack HUSSEIN Obama. Barack HUSSEIN Obama."

Gosh, that muddled point really helps in a country where 15 percent of voters already mistakenly believe Obama is a Muslim.

— K.H.
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    • Author by pete592 (April 30, 2008 1:04 pm ET)
         

      Making a mockery of those who are tyring to be "conservatively funny" is akin to legitimizing it?

      Only in the wacko world of Politico.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by open_mind (April 30, 2008 10:20 pm ET)
           
        Does anyone know McCain's middle name off the top of their head?  It's Sidney.  Yes.  That's right.  Personally I would prefer Hussein.  It's got more flavor.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by mr. l (April 30, 2008 1:21 pm ET)
         
      '.. a loose cannon of mass destruction...' give me a freakin' break.  This is off- topic, but has anyone seen the cover/and articles in this week's *News*week magazine?  A picture of arugula and beer and in between, the words 'Obama's bubba gap'.  And there an article written by Karl Rove in it... I must leave now to read his words of wisdom.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by nerzog (April 30, 2008 1:25 pm ET)
         
      So, Arugula is supposed to be "elitist"? I've eaten it at Olive Garden and Ruby Tuesday's in salads. Am I, too, an elitist? If so, I demand a raise.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by dbeden4153 (April 30, 2008 1:31 pm ET)
           
        You didn't eat it at Applebee's did you?  Then you're elitist ;)
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Limit Corp. Ownership (April 30, 2008 1:27 pm ET)
         

      Thanks for the heads-up Mr. L....

      I need some toilet paper.  I'll just go ahead and pick up a Newsweek.

      Can you imagine them ever taking a crap on Gramps McCain this way?  Unthinkable.  The corporations wouldn't allow it.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by therick (April 30, 2008 2:37 pm ET)
           
        When you're done, don't forget to flush the Rove, and shake the handle if it keeps running.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by nerzog (April 30, 2008 1:28 pm ET)
         
      Don't expect the Troglodytes to let this go. Some of the more mainstream talking heads seem willing to move on, but it's laughable to hear people like Chris Matthews talk as if this story has a life of its own, and they have no choice but to cover it....nonstop. I guess they also have no control over what stories they ignore, like Pentagon Toadies lying on TV?
      Report Abuse
      • Author by snoopy (April 30, 2008 2:21 pm ET)
           
        All this fuss about wright, how about a little outrage about tancredo? Only an idiot would suggest that we build the fence north of Brownsville, texas. As far as this wright thing goes, I'd say David Rees sums it up perfectly.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by dbeden4153 (April 30, 2008 2:46 pm ET)
             

          Wow, he advocated actually giving up a piece of U.S. soil.  What balls this man has, and it's a wonder he still holds any kind of elected office.

          And my favorite line: Tancredo dismissed Perez’s remarks as a “multiculturalist attitude toward borders.”

          Now when I first read that post at C&L, I thought "Xenophobic bigot" was a little harsh.  I stand corrected.  Perhaps Tancredo wants a "monoculturalist" attitude towards our borders.  Now which culture would that be?

          After this and Rep. Duncan Hunter the other day, I'm thinking the Right wing of the Republican party are losing their ever-loving minds.

          Report Abuse
    • Author by princeofwheels (April 30, 2008 1:31 pm ET)
         

      I am getting confused. When Rev. Wright says something that is not acceptable to to some, he is not to be believed because he is "loony". When his words are just good enough for a Ridiculous Righty smear, then he is quoted, sort of like a Biblical reference. Could this be a conspiracy, I think not. Could this be fairness to a certain candidate, I think not. Could it be a great story for all forms of media to draw in listeners/advertisers, I think I am getting warmer. Could it be politics in America...BINGO.

      The game is now on...I will go out on a limb and say that this could possibly be the turning point of this whole epic election. Sen. Obama will have Democrats rallying around him for his honesty and statesmanship when he cut his anchor and sailed into predictable, troubled waters knowing what response he would receive from the media..the word flip-flopped hasn't really been used YET. You go Barack Hussein Obama..but you still don't have my vote.

       

      Report Abuse
      • Author by nerzog (April 30, 2008 1:36 pm ET)
           
        I think you may be right. Now that he's done what the media demanded, they will find a way to criticize him for it.... either he waited too late, he wasn't sincere or he's turned on his old friend and therefore can't be trusted.

        Don't worry, they'll spin it in some way to keep the story alive.... it's what their Corporate Masters pay them to do.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by dbeden4153 (April 30, 2008 1:45 pm ET)
             

          I believe it was on Countdown the other night when KO was talking to Rachel Maddow about the different candidates views on how to lower gas prices.  He lamented "oh, so we can't really make a controversy out of this?" (I'm paraphrasing.)

          That's what it is.  They just want controversy. Controversy brings in viewers, and more viewers bumps up ad revenue.  The Democrats are in a heated contest and people are passionate about it, so they want to find anything they can that can become a controversy.

          Funny how the media is the only corporation specifically protected by our constitution.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by nerzog (April 30, 2008 1:53 pm ET)
               
            Yes, and they've squandered that distinction. There must be some reason the Founding Fathers thought it necessary to protect the Press from Government interference.... I can't quite put my finger on it...... what ever could it be.....wait, wait; don't tell me.....
            Report Abuse
            • Author by dbeden4153 (April 30, 2008 1:57 pm ET)
                 
              Corporatism?  rampant government with no over-sight?  the ability to manipulate the media to suit a particular extreme agenda?  I know that can't be all of them.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by nerzog (April 30, 2008 2:27 pm ET)
                   
                As an interesting side note, I was watching a show either on CNN or Headline News and the sponsor for the segment, complete with a little logo at the bottom, was CSX. Why would CSX advertise to consumers? Rented a railroad car lately?
                Report Abuse
        • Author by Col. Harlan Sanders (April 30, 2008 3:57 pm ET)
             

          Nerzog, regarding the no-win spin for Obama, I don't know if the bigger media is latching onto it yet, but I heard Laura Ingraham refer to Wright as "The betrayed pastor" this morning.

          I guess that's why they haven't been happy with anybody not going along with the guilt-by-association tribe, or Obama simply "disagreeing" with remarks. They were waiting for the words they could use to paint Obama as a traitor.

          I'd like to think it won't work on anyone but the 30%ers, who don't matter anyway, but I've overestimated people before.

          Report Abuse
      • Author by pete592 (April 30, 2008 1:48 pm ET)
           

        You're confused about accepting politics as usual?

        Politics as usual landed us in a Middle East bloodbath. 

        I'm not accepting politics as usual.  No one should. 

        Report Abuse
    • Author by JLyons (April 30, 2008 2:05 pm ET)
         

      Dammit the Rev Wright is not running for President.

      Report Abuse
    • Author by princeofwheels (April 30, 2008 5:07 pm ET)
         

      He might as well be running, he gets more airtime than Hillary and McBush. This guy is playing ALL MEDIA like a cheap drum. They have made him into a "persona". His books should making him another fortune. I think he followed the Anne Coulter Guide to making a zillion dollars. They say he is loony but the talk show mouthpieces wish they had his airtime. Limbaugh is probably getting a little jealous right about now.

      Wright is here to stay.

      Report Abuse
      • Author by hogprint (April 30, 2008 9:27 pm ET)
           

        Prince I think you called it.  As this election moves forward the MSM will now dial up JW instead of Rev's Al or Jesse. 

        He has the potential of becoming the go-to-rev for the 15" sound bite.   

        Report Abuse
    • Author by hogprint (April 30, 2008 9:00 pm ET)
         

      Can I use his first name Barry?  

      Seriously part of the problem that we're seeing is because this election cycle started WAYYYYY to early.  When all is said and done this thing will have drug out TWO solid years!  

      If the election cycle was shorter there would be more meat and less gristle.  That would do both sides a world of good.  Take for instance MI and FL pushing up their primaries.  It has arguably hurt the dems this cycle.  

      Unfortunately the MSM can see this feeding frenzy and I fear it will only get worse as we go forward.  

      Report Abuse
      • Author by open_mind (April 30, 2008 10:17 pm ET)
           

        I agree completely.  This process is way too long.

        Report Abuse
      • Author by solon (May 01, 2008 9:43 am ET)
           
        OH YEAH, way to early.  Too much time and too little work ethic for the media makes for a very bad election cycle.
        Report Abuse