Tuesdays with Paulie 2/26/08

Obama addresses concerns of Jews in Cleveland
Senator tries turning the table on community

It appears that Obama is concerned about the Jewish vote and how they perceive him. The Illinois senator had an unscheduled meeting Sunday morning with Jewish leaders in Cleveland. Obama fund-raiser Ron Ratner hosted the event in the suburb of Mayfield Heights, which was attended by over a 100 people. However it appears according to some reports, that Obama may have answered a few questions to the satisfaction of the attendees, but he also raised new ones.

Sun Times reporter Lynn Sweet who is Jewish and very liberal, wrote about the meeting in her Monday morning column. Without being there it is hard to know exactly what took place. However you can tell by the way she worded and downplayed certain subject matter, she certainly is part of the liberal media who is trying to undermine the legitimate concerns Jews and friends of Israel have with Obama.

Sweet wrote, "his (Obama) church, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, has created problems for Obama in Jewish circles. A magazine connected to Wright honored Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan, and last month Obama said he condemned "the anti-Semitic statements made by Minister Farrakhan" and disagreed with a decision to honor him."

Hold on there Lynn. Honoring Farrakhan was only the cherry on sundae of the problems Wright has caused Obama regarding Jews. You never mentioned the decades of anti-Semitic remarks Wright has made from his church pulpit. Wright and Farrakhan have been a Jew-hating team for three decades. Sorry Lynn, it's more then just one-night honoring Farrakhan.

Obama tried to turn the table on the attendees regarding Wright by insinuating that most likely everyone in the room had family that had made remarks, "that they don't agree with, including, on occasion, directed at African Americans." This comment came after the senator stated Wright is like an, "old uncle who sometimes will say things that I don't agree with."

Hey Barack, let me clue you in. Sure we all have a relative like that. However we understand the ignorance in their comments and take their opinions with a grain of salt. You still place great value in the opinion and guidance of a racist, anti-Semitic hate monger. We don't value the "old uncle," but you do.

In what your brilliant blogger saw as a blatant accusation by Obama that the concerns of Jews were motivated by discrimination, Obama told the gatherers his Kenyan grandfather was a Muslim and he has been a member of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago for 20 years. "This is an improvement because you don't think I am Muslim," Obama said.

Granted many people including some Jews have raised Muslim concerns, but as far as the Jewish community as a whole is concerned, the Muslim question was never in play because we know full well you belong to a Christian church that happens to be headed by a Jew-hater. Is that an improvement sir?

Overall it appears that nothing was resolved in Cleveland. Obama will still get the support of far-left Jews, but as time goes by and more focus is placed on his relationship with his anti-Semitic pastor and anti-Israel foreign policy team, moderate Jewish Democrats and Independents may find it very hard to cast a vote for Obama. That be said, he can kiss any chance at Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania good-bye.

For a more in-depth and honest look at Obama's comments in Cleveland, check out a recent article in American Thinker by Ed Lasky. Don't just take my word for it.


McCain shows class and character
Repudiates comments denigrating Obama at rally

During a campaign rally today in Cincinnati, radio talk-show host Bill Cunningham introduced sen. John McCain, the soon to be GOP nominee for President of the United States. During his appearance he made several insensitive/hate-bating remarks toward Democratic front runner Barack Obama

Cunningham called Obama a "hack Chicago-style Daley politician." He also said he couldn't wait until the media "peeled the bark" off Obama, insinuating that he had dubious financial dealings. A direct reference to Obama's relationship with indicted fund-raiser Tony Rezko.

Making matters worse was Cunningham's attempt to instill fear and hate into the campaign, by continuously using Obama's middle name "Hussein" when mentioning the senator. Sadly, I have heard too many right wing talk show hosts deliberately use Obama's middle name to incite fear and hate in their listeners. Any host who claims they are only using his real middle name is full of it.

When McCain learned of Cunningham's antics before he arrived at the event, he took the stage, repudiated the comments then took full responsibility for the incident. "I take responsibility and I repudiate what he said," McCain stated. "I will not tolerate anything in this campaign that denigrates either Sen. Obama or Sen. (Hillary) Clinton.''

For years your brilliant blogger has despised Cunningham. I have heard him guest host for syndicated radio programs as well as appear on Hannity and Colmes. He has always been a liability to the conservative cause, inciting fear as well as bringing an intellectually inept opinion to the debate.

There is no doubt that McCain brings a level of integrity to the political process that is rarely seen these days. Instead of shrugging off the comments, claiming he didn't say the words, he took responsibility and ripped the culprit for mudding up the race. Good for you sir and thank you.

As far as Cunningham goes, he had left the building not hearing McCain repudiated his remarks. When he learned he had been chided by McCain, he responded on his show. He told his listeners: ‘”I’ve had it with McCain. I’m going to throw my support to Hillary Rodham Clinton.”

Congrats Mrs. Clinton you have an a**hole throwing his support your way.


Rezko bombs hitting their targets
Gov. Blagojevich named 'Public Official A'

For over two years Illinois residents have been waiting for confirmation of what they already knew. Governor Rod Blagojevich is public official "A" in the public corruption case against the governor's indicted fundraiser, Tony Rezko.

For my readers outside Illinois, you may be familiar with the name Rezko. The indicted political insider has been mentioned by the national press on a very few occasions due to his dealing with Barack Obama.

Keep your eyes and ears open regarding the upcoming trial involving Rezko. Federal prosecutors are alleging that he extorted illegal payments and campaign contributions from firms seeking state business according to a recent motion filed.

Making matters potentially worse is that a federal judge has granted the feds permission to raise allegations at trial that are not part of the Rezko indictment. This has numerous politicians shaking in their boots. One may be Barack Obama who purchased land from Rezko at a price much lower than market value.

This could get interesting.

Paulie