Legal Commentary

Obama Is Not A Muslim, Not That There Is Anything Wrong With That

By Big Tent Democrat

Discussing this Byron York article, TPM has the following headline on a Josh Marshall blog:

The bitch Prez Brought It on Herself Himself

Josh Marshall

Straight men who've ever listened to a Judy Garland album beware. Byron York explains why President Obama has only himself to blame for many people believing he's a Muslim.

I think we all know what York is up to, but Marshall's reaction is telling (and ironic given his own sexist statements during the 2008 primary fight) -- people thinking Obama is Muslim is not a good thing politically. It's obviously evidence of bigotry against Muslims in the United States. But notice what is not happening on this score - no one is standing up to this bigotry and saying 'so what if he is?' Instead, from the White House on down, the meme is being fought against. And the reason is obvious - it is politically damaging.

Given the huzzahs provided to President Obama's statements on the Cordoba Center - the "pols must fight bigotry everywhere they see it" idea, even if it is counterproductive - I ask myself why more people do not make the argument I posit above - the 'so what if he is?' point. More . . .

One obvious answer is it is not true that Obama is a Muslim. But a lot of false things are said about Obama, why push back so hard on this one? Especially, push back in a way that makes it seem that being Muslim is a negative thing? Why not take the opportunity to turn this into a "teaching moment," as so many urge for the Cordoba Center controversy?

The answer, my friends, is politics. And I think that is an acceptable answer. I've said it so many times that I am sure you are all sick of hearing it from me - our pols do not lead us on moral questions, they follow. The reason why? They are in the business of getting elected.

Arguing about the idea that being called a "Muslim" should not be a pejorative is an important fight - but it should not be fought by the most important Democratic politician 3 months from an election. The fights for Dem pols have to be about enacting good policy.

Let me put it this way, I wish the President had spoken on the need for a larger stimulus in the beginning of his term and passed on the Cordoba Center controversy. It would have been better for Dems and the country.

Speaking for me only

Full post as published by TalkLeft on August 20, 2010 (boomark / email).