Giuliani Blasts Obama For Links To Middle East Scholar Previously Funded By McCain
Giuliani Blasts Obama For Links To Middle East Scholar Previously Funded By McCain
In recent days, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) and his surrogates have attempted to paint Sen. Barack Obama (D-IL) as holding anti-Israel views because of his relationship with Palestinian-American Professor Rashid Kahlidi. Last night on Fox News Channel, Rudy Giuliani continued the anti-Khalidi campaign by claiming that he holds a “very hostile view of Israel” and has “a connection to the PLO.” Giuliani disapprovingly noted that the Woods Foundation funded “Khalidi’s organizations” while Obama was a board member:
Senator Obama and Ayers, sitting on the Woods board, gave something like $70,000 or $80,000 to Khalidi’s organizations that participated in giving — doing these exhibits which would, I think, tell just one side of the story in terms of the Middle East. … But — and all that is available from public record.
Watch it:
In fact, the “public record” shows that Khalidi is a well-respected, mainstream scholar of Middle Eastern studies. As the Washington Post explained in a 2004 profile of Khalidi and his book Resurrecting Empire:
Among other scholars who specialize in the region, [Khalidi's book] isn’t a radical take on the present state of affairs. Michael C. Hudson, director of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies at Georgetown, describes Khalidi as preeminent in his field, a courageous scholar and public figure. [...]
Khalidi’s book is equally critical of corrupt Arab nationalist regimes and Israeli policies in the occupied territories. It is measured, perhaps even a bit safe in its main argument.
Further demonstrating the inaccuracy of the McCain campaign’s characterization of Khalidi is the fact that while McCain served as chairman of its board, the International Republican Institute distributed several grants to the Palestinian research center co-founded by Khalidi.” Seth Colter Walls reports:
A 1998 tax filing for the McCain-led group shows a $448,873 grant to Khalidi’s Center for Palestine Research and Studies for work in the West Bank. … The relationship extends back as far as 1993, when John McCain joined IRI as chairman in January. Foreign Affairs noted in September of that year that IRI had helped fund several extensive studies in Palestine run by Khalidi’s group, including over 30 public opinion polls and a study of “sociopolitical attitudes.”
As Ezra Klein notes, “This, of course, just goes to show how absurd it is to suggest that Khalidi is some sort of radical polemicist. The guy is such a credentialed and respected scholar that even right-leaning organizations have funded his work, simply because it’s good work.”
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7INfm99741E
October 29th, 2008 at 4:05 pmHere we go again with this nonsense! Guiliani needs to just retire with his cross-dressing self! He really needs to stick to the facts and quit spewing these lies. It’s not going to work – give it up Dumbliani!
October 29th, 2008 at 4:06 pmIt’s ALWAYS opposite day in gop-land! Whatever the gop accuse the Dems of doing is exactly what the gop are doing!
October 29th, 2008 at 4:07 pmTry closing a few of your Windows, bagdude…. you’re on the wrong site!
October 29th, 2008 at 4:08 pmLooks like somebody forgot to tell Rudy he’s irrelevant.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:10 pmSorry, I just thought it humorous.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:10 pm“Rashid Kahlidi? 9-11? What? Where’s my ball gown?!”
October 29th, 2008 at 4:12 pmSo, basically, if you disagree with the Republican Talking Points, no matter how respected a scholar you are, you are tarred and feathered as a ‘radical’.
If knowledge is power, these guys couldn’t turn on a penlight….
October 29th, 2008 at 4:16 pmHey bagdude, which of the dress wearing characters was Rudy?
October 29th, 2008 at 4:19 pmGiuliani’s tarring the guy he’s shilling for with the same brush he’s using to stain Obama. He REALLY needs to do more research before he shoots off his mouth.
And speaking of shooting off his mouth, why are we still listening to this man? Hasn’t he become irrelevant by now?
October 29th, 2008 at 4:20 pmThe wheels of stealing the election are in full swing. Maybe Khalidi can sue for defamation of character – ASAP.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:20 pmThe one that was either concerned or couldn’t stop laughing, I cant tell.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:21 pmWhat the? I did not hear a mention of 9-11 in that clip. This must’ve been a Rudolph impostor! Where have you gone, real rudy?
October 29th, 2008 at 4:22 pmWill there be any repercussions for all of the smear jobs done to decent people?
October 29th, 2008 at 4:28 pmBut his name is Rashid Kahlidi! What a scary-sounding name! He must be a terrorist!
Israelis good, Palestinians bad, doncha know.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:29 pmThis is the smear du jour.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:32 pmLook for a new one every day through November 4th.
No matter that McCain is more closely affiliated with this professors who is maligned today — the point is made to the low-informed voter that there is another “rumor” involving “suspicious academics” who may be “communists” or subversives.
Another distraction to the voter and the Obama campaign to defend – another talking point repeated ad nauseum by the talking heads because they wouldn’t/couldn’t research the veracity of such claim before they repeat it.
Republicans seem to be distrustful of intelligent people. If people devote their lives to academia, they are not “right” — after all one is supposed to use one’s inherent intelligence for personal avarice — that’s the American way.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:34 pmo/t a bit in case you, like me, could use a chuckle.
Obama in a rally today:
“Lately he’s called me a socialist for wanting to roll-back the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans so we can finally give tax relief to the middle class. I don’t know what’s next. By the end of the week he’ll be accusing me of being a secret communist because I shared my toys in kindergarten. I shared my peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
October 29th, 2008 at 4:34 pmOlbermann, you did what I asked last night and called Sarah Palin out on her own brand of socialism and I thank you. Now, flat out call her for the liar she is. There is abasolutley no reason why her campaign should in any way try to bring down a very respected professor with their lies. And where in the hell does McCain stand on this?
For anyone that has done their research, it appears that McCain likes and respects Professor Rashid Kahlidi. What does he say about this? Someone really needs to reel this woman in. She is seriously becoming a threat to the American People.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:35 pmWell, it looks like the GOP strategy for pulling off an upset win on Nov. 4 is to just make shit up and say it loudly enough so that enough people will buy it just long enough to vote Republican.
Who knows? It may just work.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:35 pmKhalidi said Wednesday, “I am not speaking to the media at this time, and certainly not until this idiot wind passes.”
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/29/campaign.wrap/?iref=mpstoryview
October 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pmIt works for the %23 crowd. not enough to sway it.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:40 pmWhy not. It worked for 26 years. I guess they figure they didn’t work it hard enough in 2006, and it will start working again if they just work it harder.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:41 pmIgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:
For anyone that has done their research, it appears that McCain likes and respects Professor Rashid Kahlidi. What does he say about this? Someone really needs to reel this woman in. She is seriously becoming a threat to the American People.
I say now’s the time to run an ad about Sarah Palin’s “witch doctor” pastor. I understand why Obama has kept a hands-off attitude towards Palin, but there’s no reason why Move-On or some other organization can’t go after her for that connection. Then they need to do one of her friendly association with AIP. Many people don’t know about either of these because the MSM has virtually ignored both of them.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:41 pmEver notice how much Rudy looks like an older version of Joe the Plumber?
I wonder if Rudy was Joe’s mother in some past life.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:43 pmRudy’s gotta make that hay while the sun’s still (kinda) shinin’. A year from now, he won’t even be able to get his leering, greedy face on Fox.
Hey Righties, How’s it feel to have this skeevy big-city phony as one of your most “high-profile” voices??
October 29th, 2008 at 4:43 pmGhouliani is mad that they didn’t fund his mistress’ new clothes and jewelry.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:44 pmPete said:
October 29th, 2008 at 4:44 pmKhalidi said Wednesday, “I am not speaking to the media at this time, and certainly not until this idiot wind passes.”
Was that a Dylan quote?
I’m starting to like this guy.
Professor Kahlidi deserves this disgusting smear — why??
Did the racists in the McCain campaign use the Google to find foreign sounding names associated with Obama?
I hope Professor Kahlidi has a good lawyer.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:44 pmI think the McCain campaign has been reduced to Hail Mary smears. They are flinging mud randomly, hoping they get some on Obama, but no longer even caring if they smear their own candidate in the process, figuring it’s worth the risk.
It’s actually a wonder to behold. I don’t think I have ever seen a level of desperation this high in a campaign — not even when Clinton looked like he was going to beat Daddy Bush in ‘92.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:45 pmThe music group, X’s, lyric comes to mind. “We’re desperate. Get used to it.”
October 29th, 2008 at 4:45 pmFrom “The Bourgeois Blues,” Hudie Ledbetter (aka “Ledbelly), circa 1925…
“Them White folks in Wash’n'ton
they know jis how,
call a colored man a “n****r
just to see him bow…”
Via Wiki:
e might ask, “Offense to whom?” since the song was written for black folks, by a black man who knew whereof he spoke…
As my favorite blues dude, says, If you ain’ a-scared, you ain’t RIGHT!”
October 29th, 2008 at 4:47 pmPoor Rudy.
He was really hoping to land a job in the next administration.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:49 pmChuck Feney Says:
——————————————————————————–
Hey bagdude, which of the dress wearing characters was Rudy?
Actually I think Palin would be the Helen Keller character falling from the stage. Rudys the one helping her back to the stage and McCain was watching in horror.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7INfm99741E
October 29th, 2008 at 4:50 pmbagdude Says:
Was that a Dylan quote?
I’m starting to like this guy.
I don’t know the source but, “this idiot wind” is a great description of the Reichwing’s screeching.
October 29th, 2008 at 4:50 pmRudi you are an embarrassment to all us transgendered folks.
I have two words to say to you about 9/11, TPASS COMMUNICATORS.
Now take that sashaying dress of yours and “walk gentle into that good night”
October 29th, 2008 at 5:08 pmSpeaking of which:
Someone’s got it in for me,
they’re planting stories in the press
Whoever it is I wish they’d cut it out quick
but when they will I can only guess.
***
Idiot wind, blowing like a circle around my skull,
From the Grand Coulee Dam to the Capitol.
– Dylan
October 29th, 2008 at 5:11 pmJohn Vietcong McCain FUNDED Khalid. He’s a sick man who made tapes bashing America for the Vietcong, and who was friends with Pinochet.
October 29th, 2008 at 5:25 pmPerhaps Khalidi can sue Palin for her fear-mongering smears & lies about him.
October 29th, 2008 at 5:35 pmI feel cheated. McCain promised us better material, not crappier material, in the last days of the campaign.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiBWkNFtrEg
October 29th, 2008 at 5:35 pmAnd this is just more proof that Palin really has no idea what she’s talking about.
October 29th, 2008 at 5:37 pmUgly ugly desperation
They re trying to scare people of Obama connecting him with a scary sounding Arab name like “Rashid Khalidi” and labeling this respected professor “radical” “Palestinian” “anti-Israel” “antisemitic” “PLO”. And of course also accuse Obama of hiding his past, not being honest and truthful about his association etc. The goal is to make uninformed people believe Obama is somehow connected to terrorists in the Middle East
despicable
October 29th, 2008 at 5:40 pmgnoranceIsNotBliss Says:
Olbermann, you did what I asked last night and called Sarah Palin out on her own brand of socialism and I thank you. Now, flat out call her for the liar she is.
Since he counted all the lies told by Palin and by the McCain Campaign for a week, with a promise to donate a $100 for each lie told already, I think him writing that check on the air for $3600 to the Alaskan Special Olympics already made the point that she is a liar. =D
October 29th, 2008 at 5:57 pmCNN has Palin’s attacks on their website, but no mention of McCain’s ties to the same man, nor the fact Khalidi is a respected scholar.
October 29th, 2008 at 5:57 pmZooey Says:
Professor Kahlidi deserves this disgusting smear — why??
Did the racists in the McCain campaign use the Google to find foreign sounding names associated with Obama?
I hope Professor Kahlidi has a good lawyer.
Slander and liable suits seem to be in order, you becha. **wink**wink**
October 29th, 2008 at 6:03 pmjust got home… getting caught up, my TP fix…
found this article on the googlenews page, knowing the story from bits of randi’s show…
this palin statement is RICH:
“It must be nice for a candidate to have major news organizations looking after his best interests like that,” Palin said in Bowling Green, Ohio. “Maybe some politicians would love to have a pet newspaper of their very own. In this case, we have a newspaper willing to throw aside even the public’s right to know in order to protect a candidate that its own editorial board has endorsed.”
are they blockheadedly stupid or outright LIARS…
it’s a cinch they think the people are stupid… too many are…
McCain, Palin criticize L.A. Times over Obama video
October 29th, 2008 at 6:18 pmhttp://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/middleeast/la-na-video30-2008oct30,0,7519467.story
I rebuke Rudy Giuliani, McCain, Palin and all of their supporters’ evil tactics (words and deeds) in the name and blood of Jesus, and send all of them back to the pit of hell where they come from. I plead the blood of Jesus for Barack Obama, Joe Biden, their families, their campaign, and Sen. Obama’s presidency.
Not any of McCain’s WEAK campaign tactics, the RNC, and his supporters’ attacks of lies, hatred, fear, racism, and division WILL NEVER PREVAIL against Sen. Obama – this nation’s next Commander-in-Chief !!!
You [ Barack Obama], are from God and have overcome them [the enemy's attacks, schemes, and plots ] , because the one [God] who is in you [ Barack Obama] is greater than the one [the enemy ] who is in the world. – 1 John 4:4
No weapon forged against you [ Barack Obama] will prevail, and you [ Barack Obama] will refute every tongue that accuses you [ Barack Obama] . This is the heritage of the servants [ Barack Obama] of the LORD, and this is their [ Barack Obama] vindication from me,” declares the LORD. – Isaiah 54:17
” I [ God ] will send my terror ahead of you [ Barack Obama] and throw into confusion every nation you [ Barack Obama] encounter. I [ God ] will make all your [ Barack Obama] enemies turn their backs and run.” – Exodus 23:27
They will fight against you [ Barack Obama] but will not overcome you, for I [God ] am with you [ Barack Obama] and will rescue you,” declares the LORD. – Jeremiah 1:19
The Lord will rescue me [ Barack Obama] from every evil attack and will bring me [ Barack Obama] safely to his heavenly kingdom. – 2 Timothy 4:18
11 For he will command his angels concerning you [ Barack Obama] to guard you [ Barack Obama ] in all your ways; 12 they will lift you [ Barack Obama ] up in their hands, so that you [ Barack Obama ] will not strike your [his] foot against a stone. 13 You [ Barack Obama ] will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you [ Barack Obama ] will trample the great lion and the serpent. – Psalm 91:11-13
I have given you [ Barack Obama ] authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you [ Barack Obama ]. – Luke 10:19
It’s time for the American people to get it right and NOT vote for McCain-Palin, instead vote for change. It’s time for this country to turn the page and seek a new and better future for ourselves and our children.It’s time for REAL change in Washington, it’s time to elect Barack Obama for president !
Obama-Biden are the wiser and stronger team to solve the crucial challenges we have in this nation and abroad !
Amen.
October 29th, 2008 at 7:17 pmHi Tracy_5:
October 29th, 2008 at 8:49 pmWeird. I never saw you as an ideologue before. I always thought you were just one of those pissers and moaners about paying taxes. This crap has no legs for the basic reason that it is crap. So whatcha building these days with those lame ass nonunion f ucknut laborers?
It’s getting to be kind of silly. Any thing that McCain throws out at Obama, it only takes about a day for us to find the charge is true against McCain as well. You would think that McCain would think these through a bit more. http://straighttalkonmccain.blogspot.com/
October 30th, 2008 at 1:01 amAre there any Republican leaders who aren’t sleazebags? He didn’t do anything on 9/11 and certainly didn’t protect the rescue and cleanup workers, many of whom are now dying.
Giuliani should be ashamed of his behavior on 9/11. not proud of it. He’s just another Republican con man. He turned New York City into a police state. That’s really what Republicans want in this country…with them the dictators.
What’s wrong with you? Aren’t you putting your country first, you morons! I say we make John McCain tell us how we can get bin Laden, even if we have to torture him.
October 30th, 2008 at 3:41 amGuiliani is surely putting himself to shame. As Mayor of NYC he was kind of progressive on some points especially his first term (second term he became a egotistical control freak). He had to given that he had to lead a Democratic city.
Now he has morphed into this Right wing talking head that spews the party line crap without even questioning any of it. Sad.
October 30th, 2008 at 11:27 am