McConnell: I Take Obama 'At His Word' That He's A Christian

[onehandle]

Source: Huffington Post

With a growing portion of the populace convinced that President Obama is a Muslim, political observers and reporters have begun asking just how such information could be so widely disseminated. On Sunday, their ears perked a bit when Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) would only go so far as to take Obama "at this word" that he was a Christian.

"The president says he's a Christian. I take him at his word," McConnell told Meet the Press host David Gregory. "I think the faith that most Americans are questioning is the President's faith in the government to generate jobs. We've had an 18-month effort here on the part of this administration to prime the pump, borrow money, spend money, hire new federal government employees, sending money down to states so they don't have to layoff state employees. People are saying: Where are the jobs? The president's faith in the government to stimulate the economy is what people are questioning."

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/08/22/mcconnell-obama-christian_n_690412.html

[AlinPA]

1. A low blow. Typical of what we are up against.

[wordpix]

16. this is the best McConnell can do...pretty bad

[SpiralHawk]

2. Even for a guy without a chin, that is so pathetically weak (R)

Ptoooey on republicon dividers.

[Catherina]

3. Someone else, can't remember who it was, said he took Hillary Clinton at her word

why the big fuss now?

McConnell went on to explain what he meant too.


Rather than get all offended that some people think Obama could be a Muslim, I wish people should fight back against hateful anti-Islam bigotry. Our answer should be "so what if he is" as we stand shoulders high next to Muslims. Acting is if being a Muslim is so bad that Obama must be protected against such a *smear* is as bad as using it as an insult.

[ej510]

5. McConnell is a self hating gay man. Who needs to be exposed.

[BillH76]

14. I'll take you at your word that you know this.

[sandnsea]

10. When she said "Bobby Kennedy was assassinated in June"

Because you know, anything can happen.

He took her at her word that she didn't mean she was waiting around for someone to shoot him so she could be the candidate.

[tblue37]

56. Ah, that's the "at her word" remark being referenced. nt

[dave29]

12. disagreed. People who know better should not inflame people who do not.

Fighting back against the charge makes it more "newsworthy" and therefore it takes up yet another news cycle. I'm not saying don't push back and say "so what" but the correct reposnse would be, "he's a Christian and you and I know it"

[Catherina]

18. No. The correct reponse is "what difference would that make in your eyes"?

You don't fight against bigotry by giving people a single inch that there's something shameful about being Muslim, or Jewish, or Black...

We disagree on this.

[dave29]

20. I'm sorry if you don't think this is politics

I agree with you. I guess we disagree about the immediate answer to the question or wheter it should even be asked at all. There is nothing shameful about being Muslim, Jewish, Black, anything. The question itself suggests there is. Without a rigorous defense against charges that there is something wrong with that, it will not end. It's the subtle coded language in the response that bites at me, because I know how it works, I've seen it throughout my life.

My beef is with supposedly smart folks who run this country using coded language to inflame people who ARE bigots. So maybe we are talking a bit past each other. All of these folks who continue pushing buttons knowing that it is riling up their voters, without providing the rigorous defense you suggest instead are not helping at all, they are making matters worse. And keeping it in the news cycle has proven to further spread the hate. Why do more people think Obama is a Muslim now than previously? Why do more think he is not even a US citizen? It's because of these scenarios where folks who know better push those buttons. It's not a matter of so what, it's a matter of honesty about our President's faith and citizenship.

And no it would not matter if he was Muslim. Giving them an inch to hold onto hate without resoundingly fighting back against bigotry is EXACTLY the problem.

I guess the question I would ask is why isn't the defense you suggest being employed?

[Karenina]

42. Bingo.

[Chulanowa]

52. Funny you mention Sec. Clinton

Didn't she also weasel-word about Obama's faith during the campaign?

[24601]

53. The "so what" would have to do not what what his faith is, but what

he had told us. He has no obligation to discuss his faith at all; however, when he chooses to speak out, he has an absolute obligation to be truthful without equivocation or evasion. To do otherwise puts him in the league with you know who.

[Catherina]

54. Further burying millions of Muslims demonized and in league with you know who

That's my point.

Islam is not a dirty word. It's not an insult to be a Muslim and we shouldn't act as if it's an insult to be *accused* of being one.

[tblue37]

55. I think that's backward. Hillary said that "as far as she knew," Obama was not a Muslim,.

That's similarly weaselly. I like Hillary a lot, and I am glad she is SS. I think she is brilliant in that role, and I think she also would have been a good president, but I winced when I read that comment from her.

I agree, though, that all this noise obscures the fact that it is hateful that he should even have to "pass" a "religious test," especially since the Constitution explicitly forbids such a test. It is also hateful that this noise is based on the presumption that there is something wrong with being a Muslim (or with not being a Christian), so that it is a charge one must be defended against.

I am an agnostic, and I am always offended to see politicians wearing their religion on their sleeve--but I realize that the way thigns are now, few politicians could ever get elected without at least pretending to be not just Christian, but sanctimonious about it.

[namahage]

62. Speaking of Hillary Clinton...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/2/19235/02786/275/467539

[flor-de-jasmim]

4. It was Clinton who said he's a Christian, "as far as I know".

[mike r]

8. She also said "there isn't any reason to doubt that":

http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/03/clinton-says-ob.html

STEVE KROFT: You don't believe that Senator Obama's a Muslim?

HILLARY CLINTON: Of course not. I mean that's, you know, that, there is no basis for that. You know, I take him on the basis of what he says, and, you know, there isn't any reason to doubt that.

KROFT: You said you take Sen. Obama at his word that he's not a Muslim...

CLINTON: Right, right..

KROFT: …you don't believe that he's a Muslim.

CLINTON: No! No! Why would I? There's nothing to base that on. As far as I know.

[DCBob]

21. The "afaik" was really not necesary..

Now the RW scumbags are playing the same game. It's digusting.

[Dr.Phool]

6. Take my word for it.

McConnell is an asshole.

[madamesilverspurs]

7. Uh huh.

And I could say, "McConnell says he's human. I take him at his word," and I could say it with the very same degree of sincerity.


-

[PatSeg]

9. That is coded political talk

It is said in such a way as to leave some doubt as to what religion Obama is. That isn't the way someone responds when they are certain about someone. It also keeps the Muslim fear thing out there. The appropriate response would be, "Of course he is. What difference does it make?"

[dave29]

11. it's politics. Hillary said the same during the primaries.... "as far as I know"

it took a while for her to get off my list with that comment. I've never liked McConnell, so he doesn't get a pass.

yeah here it is:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/03/hillary-obama-not-muslim-_n_89546.html

[Capitalocracy]

19. She's on my list for Honduras

but that's another story entirely

[Snotcicles]

13. Mitch don't give a crap about workers, it's a family thing ( Link )

I know it's an old article but it helps tie it all together.
http://firedoglake.com/2008/02/15/whats-wrong-with-elaine-chao/

[yourout]

15. Frankly I could care less if he was a Muslim. So what if he was?

I don't judge someone by the God he claims or doesn't claim.

I judge him by how he treats his fellow man.

I know a ton of "Christians" that would rather step on a man that fell down than help him back up.

[Plucketeer]

24. You are SO spot on!

I don't care WHO he prays to, or if he's sincere when he does pray. Actions speak WAY louder than ethereal entities. For me - until I witness the rapture taking place, or some being walks amongst us performing real, irrefutable miracles - I just want a good president.

[dave29]

32. Good for you.

If only a good 20% of the electorate wouldn't bomb your house for saying you were a "Muslin."

[Diane R]

33. +1003

[Fire1]

17. As much as I can't stand McConnell, I agree with his

sentiments on this issue. JOBS,JOBS,JOBS!!

[Name removed]

34. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Fire1]

38. That wasn't a debate anywhere in his statement. You lose. n/t

[dave29]

39. I'm sorry didn't realize I was trying to win ?

Ask McConnell whether or not he believes all Americans should have access to quality jobs, even Muslims, and watch him squirm.

[Fire1]

41. Try to stay on topic. n/t

[Name removed]

43. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[dave29]

48. lets try one last time.

http://thinkprogress.org/2009/08/26/mitch-stimulus-hypocrisy/

[activa8tr]

22. Funny, I DON'T take McConnell at HIS word that he's sane.

I need some proof, long overdue.

[zehnkatzen]

23. How lame and weasely.

"I take him at his word" versus "of course, the President's a Christian, and the rumorers and whisperers are spewing nonsense", which is something like what he should have said.

But then, trying to have it all ways while undermining the nearest Democrat is how Republicans roll.

So the only thing we shouldn't be is surprised.

And who ever told any Republican that they can in any way either get my opinion about anything correct or in any way speak for me? Oh, wait ... that's what they tell themselves.

[Yo_Mama]

25. I really don't see what's wrong with this

How else would one express it?

A person's religion is defined by that person and that person alone in our society. If Obama says he is a Christian, he is.

I find the whole thing rather ridiculous - the last thing I worry about in a politician is their religion or their lack of it.

But it is an important aspect and distinction of our society, because apparently some people are claiming that Obama is Muslim because his father was Muslim, and because the law in a lot of Muslim countries is that this makes Obama a Muslim. And that is true. But still, it has nothing to do with Obama - our president is a member of our society, and in our society, a person's religion is a matter of that person's choice.

[dave29]

28. The problem is that it stokes bigotry rather than fighting it.

And it is dishonest to suggest a person's faith might just be other than they have said.

[Yo_Mama]

36. But he didn't suggest it

I'm with the other poster. I don't think this is coded language. To the extent that I am picking up any nuance, I'm picking up "and what right does anyone have to contradict him?"

Maybe I'm reading it that way because I believe that so strongly. I'm not claiming to be the most brilliant reader of nuances and coded language around....

I still think this is one of the most ridiculous and offensive things I've seen in politics. During the election I recall people complaining about the Christian church Obama had been going to for 20 years. Now he's a Muslim?

This is all too damned weird. It's surreal. There's probably no way to address it without offending someone because it's all so wacked-out. I don't want anyone writing stories about a sitting president's (or any sitting politician's) religion. I just don't think it's relevant. AT ALL.

[dave29]

47. I have been re-reading a lot of Thomas Paine lately

specifically re: freedom of religion in this country. I agree with you that there is no place in politics for discussion of ones religious beliefs whether it is to fane flames of bigoted followers or just to pry "so we can at least know he is a religious person". I think it's all gross as well.

Having said that it does not stop the reality that people (as evidenced by this story itself) jump on the opportunity to "bring it up". In this case it may have been more of the media trying to fan the flames, but McConnell was not obligated to answer the way he did. There have been several good suggestions on what the "appropriate" response should be... but the fact is, it is well documented that these types of tactics are being employed especially by those on the right who cater to bigots, racists, xenophobes and the like. We have got to call it for what it is.

In some circles these kinds of comments are as you suggest, a sort of "hey I don't really know, but for what it's worth I have no reason to believe otherwise" -- however if you watch any Glen Beck or other propagandists out there... this is all that they do all day. "I'm not saying x, I'm just saying we should really think about x, I could be wrong, but what if I'm not"

This is very powerful coding for people whom are already paranoid and or bigoted and looking for reasons to believe our President is the anti-christ. It's also just plain dishonest to suggest there is any room for doubt when it comes to this country's sordid past.

I guess it's not so much a matter of nuance as it is having seen this happen for years and years now. In some cases, you are correct, there is no double meaning. In this case, I am not willing to give the top Republican in the Senate the benefit of the doubt a few months out from the election, especially when it is clear they have been successful at making a good chunk of the country believe the bullshit coming out of their mouths on these very subjects.

[customerserviceguy]

45. I'm with you on this

Whether a person is a believer of a particular religion or not, the truth is in their hearts. I know a lot of nominal Christians who do some pretty damned un-Christian things, but if I say that I take them at their word that they are Catholics, Baptists, Methodists, etc., then I'm saying that I believe them on their statement rather than how I feel about their actions.

I have Jewish friends who are kosher, and some who are non-kosher. I take them all at their word that they're Jewish, even though one group of them might disagee with the other to some extent.

[Xithras]

26. I'm confused by the reaction here.

I'm in my mid-30's, and I've always known taking someone "at their word" to be a complimentary phrase. It means that you sufficiently trust someone so that, when they tell you something, you assume it to be true.

I've used the term my whole life without ever really thinking about it. Does it have a second meaning I'm not aware of?

[dave29]

29. in politics, yes.

It's called coded language. How often do you hear Mitch McConnell get asked if he is a Christian?

[Frisbee]

30. That's they way I have always used it too..,.

but the republicans are using it to imply, without actually saying, that there's a seed of doubt in their (very small) minds. That way their racist, Islamophobic supporters can continue their claims that he is a Muslim.

[harun]

31. It came from McConnell so everyone here know's there are alterior motives.

That and I don't think I've seen McConnell tell the truth before (ever).

[Blacksheep214]

27. It's time to tax the churches!

It has become apparent that the seperations clause means nothing to people who follow Gods law and push aside our constitutional system and laws.

We have tried to ensure there are no religious tests for candidates or nominees, but despite laws to the contrary, the intrusion persists.

It's time to remove the tax free status they enjoy and make them pay for the privelege of being politically active.

America is not a theocracy and I would personally prefer it be run by atheists. Enough of this "my God can kick your Gods ass" bullshit which has led to human suffering right from the start of organized religion and their power grab.

REJECT THEOCRACY!

[Diane R]

35. Absolutely.

[LanternWaste]

61. Seems everyone's all agog about changing the constitution these days

Seems everyone's all agog about changing the constitution these days... probably there's a new, trendy t-shirt that I haven't seen yet.

[24601]

63. Why stop with Churches - why not tax all non-profits? There's $

to be made squeezing homeless shelters, non-profit hospitals, unions, legal services and the rest. The whole 501c(3) crowd has had it too good for too ling. And I'm sick & tired of bell-ringing Santas not paying their fair share of every quarter that goes into the kettle. If they weren't making money, they wouldn't have enough food to be fat.

[Blacksheep214]

65. I don't see Santa protesting against anything..

except maybe the Grinch and people who spread hate and discontent in order to attempt to control or destroy others lives.

To be allowed tax exempt status to be a pain in the ass is going to lead to what religion always leads to, violence and death.

THAT, is the legacy of religion. I see we are upholding the divisivness and hate to this day!

I did not serve in the Marines to support a theocracy. That wasn't in my oath. Fighting against all enemies foreign and DOMESTIC was!

I see a lot of domestic enemies to our constitutional way of government. This cannot be allowed!

Taxation is the lightest sanction I can think of!

[24601]

67. So to sum it up, if someone exercises their 1st amendment rights

to protest, then they need to be taxed. Only the sheep get left alone. Very chilling philosophy - exercise you rights and get a tax - I doubt that's what the founders had in mind.

And poor Cindy Sheehan - who spoke out and protested - and accepted donations. Intuition tells me that you REALLY want to tax speech with which you disagree. Thanks for serving in the Marines, but I didn't spend 25 years in the Army to support taxation against speech based on someone's PC ideas. The Constitution protects especially unpopular speech - protecting that is the heart of the 1st Amendment. And the power to tax is the power to destroy.

Not on my watch.

[Blacksheep214]

69. It's not the speech..

It's the lies and propaganda hurled with such vitriole that people are believing it. When they are wrapped in religion, free speech should be limited. Religion demands protection and I demand protection from religion! This speech is espousing hate and violence against a group of people you don't even know are guilty of anything, only guilty of not being like you.

It seems the constitution only matters sometimes. The right to build a Muslim center doesn't count, eh? The right to be a citizen by being born here doesn't count? Electing our Senators also doesn't count?

You don't get it! You don't just get the protections you believe in. It's a package deal!

[24601]

70. Oh I get it all right - it's the speech you don't like. Don't BS us with

labeling it with pejoratives. Let the other guys get in power and it's YOUR speech that's characterized as liesa & propaganda. The 1st amendment isn't a cafeteria menu and for it to have meaning, you have to protect the Limbaughs & Becks or you don't protect the speech you agree with.

[ixion]

37. *sigh* more non-issues... who cares?

I really don't give a hoot. What I care about are his actions.

[Arkana]

40. Wow. Weak--followed up by more bashing of the President.

McConnell is still useless.

[JerseygirlCT]

44. What a snake

and a wimpy one at that.

[Bluebear]

46. And I take Eric Rudolph, Tim McVeigh etc on their word that they are Christian. nt

[Blandocyte]

49. I take McConnell at his word that he has 2 neurons to rub together

So tired of these rightwing nutjobs trying to persuade the majority dumbasses to give our country over to corporations. Too damned bad they'll accomplish that, too.

[alp227]

50. WHO CARES what religion the president is if it doesn't affect Americans' lives?

Well, besides those conservative Christians who are obsessed with the way liberals, homosexuals, and anyone who doesn't follow right-wing virtues live. But at least McConnell isn't sucking it up to the right-wing airheads.

[Jefferson23]

51. Passive aggressive schmuck you are McConnell, n/t

[SKKY]

57. Mitch McConnell says he's not racist...

...and I take him at his word.

[No Elephants]

58. .......

"SEN. McCONNELL: Well, look, I think the faith that most Americans are questioning is the president's faith in the government to generate jobs. We've had an 18-month effort here on the part of this administration to prime the pump, borrow money, spend money hiring new federal government employees, sending money down to states so they don't have to lay off state employees. People are looking around and saying, "Where's the job?"

MR. GREGORY: Right.

SEN. McCONNELL: The president's faith in the government to stimulate the economy is what people are questioning.

MR. GREGORY: That, that, that's certainly a side step to, to this particular question. Again...

SEN. McCONNELL: Well, no, I--the--I--the president...

MR. GREGORY: ...as a leader of the country, sir, as one of the most powerful Republicans in the country, do you think you have an obligation to say to 34 percent of Republicans in the country--rather, 31 percent who believe the president of the United States is a Muslim? That's misinformation.

SEN. McCONNELL: The president says he's a--the president says he's a Christian, I take him at his word. I don't think that's in dispute."

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38791058/ns/meet_the_press-transcripts

[LanternWaste]

59. Political damming with faint faith...

Political damming with faint faith.

When something is so obvious as to be sitting in front of our faces, a formal recognition of the obvious becomes little more than a disingenuous maneuver.

"my mother said she loves me-- I'll take her at her word," is something one would never hear outside of bad romance novels or inside of Washington beltway.

[NoodleyAppendage]

60. I take McConnell at his word that he's not a Pedophilic Cannibal who worships Albert Fish. n/t

J

[savalez]

64. Before Obama was elected Republicans were completely certain that he was a Christian...

from Rev. Jeremiah Wright's Trinity United Church of Christ! What happened to that? This is ludicrous.

[newspeak]

66. yeah, and did you know keeping Little Boot's "no-tax for the rich"

won't do anything to the deficit. No, it's those damn social programs we need to do away with, not increase the tax on rich to where it was before Little Boots.

I could care less if Obama is a christian, as long as he works for the majority of the people instead of the already "too big for their britches" wealthy. And, maybe McConnell could start supporting small business bills and job creations bills, instead of stalling them and crying about it.

[Old Troop]

68. Who cares what is said. The news cycle is so short that it will have zero traction.