if not, all i have to say is: thinkprogress is clearly a propaganda outlet.

remember joe klein!

Obama clearly has what Hillary doesn’t: conviction, judgement and the ability to bring the country together at a time of a great need. In other words, leadership.

“It’s probably not something that appeals to him, but I like the fact that his name is Barack Hussein Obama, and that his father was a Muslim and that his paternal grandmother is a Muslim.”

I’d like to know when Obama ever said his background didn’t “appeal to him.”

For the record, I agree with Kerrey. I think Obama’s family’s Muslim background could be a huge asset in America’s dealings with the Middle East. I, however, am being sincere when I say this.

CHL – let me fix your statement for you:

Being a UNeducated coke fiend and dry drunk with no executive experience is hardly a little thing.

Yeah, see? We agree on GWB.

That didn’t stop *Dubbie* from stealing the presidency, eh?

Now be fair. They’re actually for nailing up the Ten Commandments every place they can. So much easier than actually learning the Ten Commandments and following them.

I don’t doubt Obama’s trying to stay on message, as any candidate would, but if he doesn’t come out and speak about it, just as Mitt did about his Mormonism, then the Clintons are (sadly) correct, and Obama is open to a hard hit in the future.

Question is, why are the Clintons so bad at exploiting that weakness. My guess is, that they are used to setting up the kill, and letting the MSM finish off an opponent. Now that they have to pull the trigger themselves, they are shockingly hesitant, which makes them look weak and inept.

Comment by Jason M. Hendler — December 17, 2007 @ 9:15 pm

There is a big difference between wanting to hide one’s past (like Bush did with his substance abuse and his National Guard drill attendance) and wanted to stay focused on one’s message and not get sucked into an exchange about other matters (which is what Obama’s opponents want).

Obama has been honest about his past, his education, his youthful drug use, etc. (unlike Bush, when he was running in 2000). I don’t blame the man for preferring to focus on what work needs to be done in this country and what he would do as president.

In Arabic language countries it means “school” of any sort.

In non-Arabic language countries, including in South Asia and East Asia and in Africa, it is only used for Islamic schools (the word “school” having its own equivalent in the local language).

This would be one source of confusion about whether it means something inherently Islamic.

“Secular madrasah” still seems a contradiction in terms.

Obama went to a SECULAR MADRASSA, and he has my vote. Fact checking past a 5 word definition on dictionary.com is something you might want to have your interns look into.

as you’ve pointed out, cnn did a report from the actual school. if kerrey, or obama, were to deny this fact, there would be bigger problems.

Do you have ANY idea how the right wing echo chamber works? Kerrey gave them plenty of ammo and he KNOWS it.