More Proof that Hillary's Surrogates are Collaborating with Republicans to Smear Obama

[Emit]

And in this case, it is a clear effort to use religion and race to stir up Jewish versus Muslim controversy. How absolutely Machiavellian to use religion to stir up the masses!

Good for the Jews?
Hillary Clinton's surrogates are questioning Obama's commitment to U.S.-Israel relations.

~snip~

In one case, Daphna Ziman, a longtime friend of Hillary Clinton's who has co-chaired several events for her, forwarded an e-mail from the Republican Jewish Coalition, a grass-roots GOP group, criticizing Obama for proposing a Muslim summit. In a Jan. 31 interview with Paris Match, Obama said he wanted "an honest discussion about ways to bridge the gap that grows between Muslims and the West." Ziman, in her Feb. 2 e-mail, responded, "I am horrified at Mr. Obama's point of view." Her e-mail, sent to a group including Mike Medavoy, a Hollywood producer who supports Obama, contained a press release from RJC executive director Matt Brooks. "Nowhere in the Paris Match article does Senator Obama affirm Israel's right to exist," Brooks wrote. (Ziman says "the campaign had nothing to do with" her e-mail.)

In an e-mail sent Feb. 4—a day before Super Tuesday—Clinton finance official Annie Totah passed along a critical essay by Ed Lasky, a conservative blogger whose own anti-Obama e-mails have circulated in the U.S. Jewish community. Totah wrote: "Please read the attached important and very disturbing article on Barak Obama. Please vote wisely in the Primaries." (She didn't respond to a request for comment.)

~snip~

http://www.newsweek.com/id/114723


Here is another example of an email being forwarded by Daphna Ziman, a Hillary Clinton bundler well-known in Los Angeles and longtime friend of Hillary Clinton’s:

H'w'd Clinton Bundler Slams Obama, Media
More evidence that the bitterness among the Clinton and Obama camps is seeping down to the donor level.

Daphna Ziman, a Hillary Clinton bundler well-known in Los Angeles political/entertainment circles, raised a lot of hackles last month for an e-mail that questioned Barack Obama's support of Israel.

Ziman writes, "Never in any political race before this presidential “War of the media”, have I witnessed such a censorship of questions that ordinarily would be welcomed. The phenomenon of Barack H. Obama is not just that of a youth movement marching towards the most powerful job on the planet. Or the fact that an African American presidential candidate is inspiring the crowds of college graduates. But the fact that NO QUESTIONS ARE ALLOWED, or if a direct question is posed that there is an inevitable sigh of “How dare you ask?”"

Obama supporters would surely mention one word in rebuttal: "Rezko."

She goes on, "Well, I have many questions that I dare ask Barack (must not mention middle name or else) Obama.
1. Were you born Barry Dunham or Barack Hussein Obama?
2. Did you change your name? When? Where? And Why?
3. Was there a naming ceremony? Where? Under what circumstances?
4 .Why are we not allowed to mention your middle name?""

The full works below:

The Road to the White House is Paved by a Distorted Media
By Daphna Ziman

~snip~

http://www.wilshireandwashington.com/2008/03/hwd-clinton-bun.html

Daphna Ziman has sent yet another email, alleging that Rev. Eric Lee "... made harshly anti-Semitic remarks in a keynote address..." and is doing her best to connect her alleged story to Rev. Wright and Obama by proxy:

2008-04-09
Jewish philanthropist accuses black pastor of anti-Semitism
Including: Email text, statement from Rev. Lee, Daphna Ziman video

~snip~

An email from prominent Jewish philanthropist Daphna Ziman, who is known for her work with Los Angeles social causes, is circulating rapidly because of its accusations that a black pastor at an event where she was being honored made harshly anti-Semitic remarks in a keynote address.

The email connects remarks allegedly made by the Rev. Eric Lee, president and CEO of the Los Angeles office of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), to sentiments expressed by the now-notorious Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Lee denied Ziman's account of his speech (see official statement below).

~snip~

http://jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=19187

See also: http://web.israelinsider.com/Articles/AntiSemi/12781.htm

Daphna Ziman was interviewed by Roger Simon of Pajamas Media, a right wing group. You can view the email and her interview with Pajamas Media here: http://jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=19187

edit spelling/correct word

[TheWraith]

1. I think you mean "collaborating," not "corroborating."

The later means to affirm or back up. The former means to conspire.

[Emit]

2. lol, yes, thank you.

[saracat]

3. And Barack "collaborates" with no one to smear Hillary?

Barack never is negative? Gimme a break. perhaps he can go back to issuing his 4 page "racist" memo's and kissing up to Lieberman.This double standard bit really is irksome. Obama is no saint. He is a Chicago pol.

[maddiejoan]

4. shhhh

you'll make them start crying again

[Emit]

9. maddiejoan

Are you supportive of this type of collaboration with Republicans?

[maddiejoan]

13. What kind of question is that?

I don't even acknowledge that it's a collaboration.

How ya like them apples?

[Emit]

14. lol!

Of course you wouldn't see it as a collaboration. Silly me. What was I thinking?

[maddiejoan]

16. You seem to act as if we are familar with each other.

Who are you?

Cause I've never seen any of your posts before.

[Emit]

19. Who am I? LOL. You ask that on an anonymous message board?

I was merely responding to your post above. My apologies if my responses to you were too 'familiar.'

I had to do a search to even see if I ever conversed with you before, because I am not familiar with you, either. Seems we've crossed paths at least once before:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=4757971#4758009

On edit, it's ironic that the subject matter of our previous 'discussion' is of similar content.

[maddiejoan]

20. at least your idiocy

is a constant.

[Emit]

21. You are behaving rudely.

Why are you being so rude to me?

[maddiejoan]

22. I guess

because you started it?

[Emit]

23. Excuse me, but, ' I ' started it?

I merely asked you a question.

[maddiejoan]

24. delete dupe

[maddiejoan]

25. leave out the patronizing LOL next time, cupcake

[Emit]

27. You are the one that stepped in here

with your 'shhh-you'll make them start crying again' silliness and all.

Look, maddiejoan, I was dead serious when I asked you above if you are okay with this kind of collaborative effort between Hillary surrogates and Republican groups. The lady went and interviewed with Pajamas Media, for chrissakes! Can you honestly say that you are comfortable with your candidate using Republican talking points to get at the other Democratic candidate? That's all I asked. Plain and simple, and now you end up in a tizzy? What is up with that? Can we not even discuss the matter?

[maddiejoan]

29. are you?

Obama uses "RW style attacks" constantly --you seem to have no problem with that.

[Emit]

30. What I posted about is more than just a "RW style attack," IMHO. But, if you can supply an

example of a RW style attack that Obama has employed, with links and all, I will respond, and let you know if I am 'okay' with it.

In the meantime, you still haven't answered whether you support this action I posted about in the OP or not. It's okay to support your candidate and not agree with everything they do, you know.

[maddiejoan]

31. because it's a silly question

which is WHY my first response was that I don't even acknowledge that it's a collaboration.

see how that works.

[Emit]

34. No, I think it is not silly

A long-time friend of Hillary's and campaign bundler for Hillary is forwarding right wing emails to other Democrats and Republicans as a means of attacking Obama. The California director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Larry Greenfield, forwarded Ziman's email story on to others:

...Ziman's e-mail soon moved across the globe, aided by dissemination on April 9 on StandWithUs' 50,000-member listserv. Jewish organizations in Los Angeles heard from folks in Chicago and New York and the South, from Israelis and Europeans. It got additional attention when the Los Angeles Times reported the "rift" a week after it began. Many who shared the e-mail added their own commentary.

"It's no secret: the black community is riddled with Jew-hatred," Robert J. Avrech, a screenwriter who is Orthodox, wrote when posting the e-mail to his well-trafficked blog, Seraphic Secret. "And with so many apologists for Jeremiah Wright on the left and in the Jewish community, well, Jew-hatred has found a comfortable home not just in the black community but in the Democratic party."

Larry Greenfield, California director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, added a similar sentiment in bolded letters when he forwarded Ziman's missive: "Anti Americanism, Anti Zionism, Anti Semitism mark today's left."...

In forwarding this e-mail along, which has happened countless times now, Larry Greenfield, California director of the Republican Jewish Coalition, added this commentary:

"Daphna and Dick Ziman are friends of mine, and very partisan Dems and friends of Hillary.

They are respected citizens and honorable people.

If they are souring on Obamamania, this could be a good sign that realism is creeping into Jewish liberal minds. Anti Americanism, Anti Zionism, Anti Semitism mark todays left. THE POINT IS THE LEFT HAS TAKEN OVER THE DEMOCRAT PARTY. LETS ASK JOE LIEBERMAN."

The problem with that argument is that the Zimans aren’t just "friends" but are major supporters of Hillary Clinton, and Daphna previously questioned whether Obama is a safe vote for Israel.

http://lukeford.net/blog/?p=2720



Sure looks like a collaborative effort to me. Do you support that behavior or not? That was all I asked.

[maddiejoan]

35. For the last time

I dismiss your premise.

Next you will ask me if I still beat my husband?

[Emit]

36. You didn't even read the links

did you?

So be it. Goodbye :hi:

[donheld]

44. She's alway's been rude, that's why I call her

ignored.

[Emit]

47. nah -- probably just bitter

;)

[cali]

26. *snicker* says she who wrote the wonderfully stupid

finger OP.

:rofl:

thanks for the laugh, sweets.

[maddiejoan]

32. ???

I wrote no such OP.

You're think of Maddy.

I'm Maddie.

[Emit]

41. It is easy to get them confused

I've done it before, too, and apologized immediately, which fell on deaf ears. Maddy, Mags, maddie -- I'm beginning to wonder if they are not all but one poster, their message and demeanor are so similar. (I'll catch crap for that, but that's how I see it, 'cause it is so hard to tell them apart.)

[gal]

37. Isn't it Hillary that likes to cry?

She cries and whines.

[Emit]

5. Got any emails from Obama surrogates to back that claim up?

Or are you just blowing hot air?

I can't believe that the HRC supporters can't see the significance of this. Conspiring with right wing groups to take down a Democratic nominee is no big deal, just a means to and end for you, huh? Using Machiavellian style politics to play off of people's fear and prejudice is all okay because it's just a means to an end. Shameful!

[PoliticalAmazon]

6. Give it a rest. She's collaborating with Republicans. She's a traitor. n/t

[TheWraith]

7. What kissing up to Lieberman, pray tell?

I'm waiting for you to bring up the "mentor" thing--which is an assigned position in the Senate--and the primary endorsement, which Clinton did as well.

[TahitiNut]

17. Waaah! Bobby did it, too, mommy!!

Project. Deflect. Ignore. Whine.

Such infantile crap. :puke:

[IsItJustMe]

8. She might be nasty and she might be mean, but I have never met another who could smear like she can.

[Cha]

10. She's like a scorpion..

personfied that just happens to be related to mites. There needs to be a big ol' Eagle come down and swoop 'er up.

[IsItJustMe]

15. Wrong answer, she is the

Roller Derby Queen
(JIM CROCE)



Gonna tell you a story that you wont believe
But I fell in love last friday evenin
With a girl I saw on a bar room t.v. screen

Well I was just gettin ready to get my hat
When she caught my eye and I put it back
And I ordered myself a couple o more shots and beers

The night that I fell in love with a roller derby queen
Round and round, oh round and round
The meanest hunk o woman
That anybody ever seen
Down in the arena

She was five foot six and two fifteen
A bleached-blonde mama
With a streak of mean
She knew how to knuckle
And she knew how to scuffle and fight

And the roller derby program said
That she was built like a fridgerator with a head
Her fans call her tuffy
But all her buddies called her spike

You know that I fell in love with a roller derby queen
Round and round, oh round and round
The meanest hunk o woman
That anybody ever seen
Down in the arena

Round and round, go round and round
Round and round, go round and round
Round and round

Well I could not help it
But to fall in love
With this heavy-duty woman
I been speakin of
Things looked kind of bad
Until the day she skated into my life

Well she might be nasty
She might be fat
But I never met a person
Who would tell her that
Shes my big blonde bomber
My heavy handed hackensack mama

You know that I fell in love with a roller derby queen
Round and round, oh round and round
The meanest hunk o woman
That anybody ever seen
Down in the arena

Round and round, go round and round
Round and round, go round and round
Round and round

[Cha]

33. Not to me..it's not wrong.

hilary is a scorpion personfied. There needs to be a large bird come outta the sky and swoop her up for lunch.

[Andy823]

11. Only other one I can name

Who could smear like her was "George W. Bush", and that's one thing that scares me about Hillary!

[starroute]

12. The Republican Jewish Coalition is hardly "grassroots"

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Freedom%27s_Watch

Freedom's Watch, the "$200 million mouthpiece for military action", was "hatched" in March 2007 at the "winter meeting" of the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) in Manalapan, Fla., where keynote speaker Vice President Dick Cheney "accused the Democrat-led House of Representatives of not supporting troops in Iraq and of sending a message to terrorists that America will retreat in the face danger."


http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Republican_Jewish_Coalition

Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC) was described in 2005 as "a big money pro-Israel lobby group linking Jewish-American neoconservatives to the Christian Right and Israel's Likud government." . . .

The following members of the Republican Jewish Coalition board of directors are connected with President George W. Bush and the Bush administration.

<The list that follows includes a large number of prominent Bush supporters and fundraisers, including Ken Mehlman and Mel Sembler.>

In February 2005, the RJC "began running full-page ads in major Jewish newspapers across the country featuring a large photo of militants strapped with explosives coddling a young Palestinian boy. Above that arresting image is a quote by Dean: 'It's not our place to take sides.' Below the photo are quotes by Democrats critical of Dean. The ad effectively equates Dean's election with the appeasement of suicide bombers." . . .

In October 2006, on the eve of the 2006 Congressional elections, the RJC "call into question the loyalty of Jewish Democrats, and their party's attitude toward Israel" by running ads which "focused on supposedly 'anti-Israel comments' made by prominent Democrats, and the declining support for Israel amongst grassroots Democrats ... in nearly 30 Jewish weekly newspapers nationwide", with plans to expand into "additional publications."

[Emit]

28. Thanks for that. Looks like Lieberman has collaborated with them, as well

No surprise there:

Lieberman Address to Republican Jewish Coalition

"Now is the time for choosing"


WASHINGTON - Senator Joe Lieberman (ID-CT) today delivered remarks to a Leadership Meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

In the address, Senator Lieberman said:

"My friends, as Ronald Reagan once said, now is the time for choosing. If we stand united through the months ahead, if we stand firm against the terrorists who want to drive us to retreat, the war in Iraq can be won and the lives of millions of people can be saved. But if we surrender to the barbarism of suicide bombers and abandon the heart of the Middle East to fanatics and killers, to Al Qaeda and Iran, then all that our men and women in uniform have fought, and died for, will be lost, and we will be left a much less secure and free nation. That is the choice we in Washington will make this summer and this fall. It is a choice not just about our foreign policy and our national security and our interests in the Middle East. It is about what our political leaders in both parties are prepared to stand for. It is about our very soul as a nation. It is about who we are, and who we want to be."

The full text of the speech, as prepared for delivery, is below:

"Thank you so much for that kind introduction. It is a pleasure to be here among so many friends.

Now, I know there are some who are probably wondering—what is a nice Independent Democrat from Connecticut doing at a Republican event like this?

Well, a funny thing happened on the way to reelection last year... And as Rabbi Hillel said, the rest is commentary.

In all seriousness, many of you in this room stood with me last year through the long journey up a winding road that was my 2006 reelection campaign. You came to my side without regard for party affiliation, and you stayed there even after I ran as an Independent but said I would caucus with the Democrats. Your non-partisanship in my race is a model for what our politics should be. I thank you personally and deeply for it. I could not have won without it.

And I pledge to you that I will do everything I can to vindicate your confidence.

~snip~

For many Democrats, if President Bush is for it, they must be against it. If the war is going badly, it is bad for Republicans and it is good for Democrats. It is as simple as that, and it is as wrong as that.

For many Republicans, the unpopularity of this war and this President has begun to shake their will. They say that they have no choice but to abandon General Petraeus and his strategy because the American people tell the pollsters they want out. If previous generations of American leaders had allowed their conduct of war to be shaped by partisanship or public opinion polls, we would not be the strong and free nation we are blessed to be today.

Republicans in Congress delude themselves if they think they will be helping either themselves, their party, or their country if they now attempt to wash their hands of Iraq, out of a sudden sense of political anxiety.

Democrats in Congress delude themselves if they think they will not be held accountable for the bloody consequences of the retreat from Iraq they seek.

~snip~

http://lieberman.senate.gov/newsroom/release.cfm?id=274426

[stillcool]

18. it seems to me

that the campaign strategy is to play games with the media and blogs via hit jobs, and smear campaigns. I liked this one from a while back...by a reporter from ABC..back in February...

Clinton Camp Pushes O-Bomber Links: Ignores Her Own Radical Ties
By: Justin Rood

Feb. 22, 2008—
ABC News - The Hillary Clinton campaign pushed to reporters today stories about Barack Obama and his ties to former members of a radical domestic terrorist group -- but did not note that as president, Clinton's husband pardoned more than a dozen convicted violent radicals, including a member of the same group mentioned in the Obama stories.

"Wonder what the Republicans will do with this issue," mused Clinton spokesman Phil Singer in one e-mail to the media, containing a New York Sun article reporting a $200 contribution from William Ayers, a founding member of the 1970s group Weather Underground, to Obama in 2001.

In a separate e-mail, Singer forwarded an article from the Politico newspaper reporting on a 1995 event at a private home that brought Obama together with Ayers and Bernardine Dohrn, another member of the radical group.
-------

Opting to leave any attacks on the issue to the GOP may be wise, as attacks from Clinton could backfire. In his final day in office, President Clinton pardoned another one-time member of the Weather Underground, Susan L. Rosenberg, after she had served 16 years in prison on federal charges.

Rosenberg had been arrested in 1984 while unloading 740 pounds of dynamite, a submachine gun and other weapons from the back of a car.
----------------------------------------
And in 1999, President Clinton also pardoned 16 violent Puerto Rican nationalists responsible for more than 100 bombings of U.S. political and military installations, after they promised to renounce violence. The attacks reportedly killed six people and wounded dozens more. In justifying the pardons, President Clinton noted none of the men had been convicted of crimes that resulted in death or injuries.
http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4330128

[Emit]

38. It is difficult to know who is feeding whom

in all this.

[stillcool]

46. Everytime I think about that one...

I go round and round in circles, only to end up in the same place..and get my 'fuck it' attitude on.

[Frank Booth]

39. I am so glad that Democrats have people like Daphna Ziman on our side. It really warms one's heart

to read how she feels that such a hateful statement as "an honest discussion about ways to bridge the gap that grows between Muslims and the West" should disqualify a person to be president.

:sarcasm:

What a piece of shit.

[Emit]

42. If the tables were reversed, and Obama were Jewish, and someone were asking these questions

She goes on, "Well, I have many questions that I dare ask Barack (must not mention middle name or else) Obama.
1. Were you born Barry Dunham or Barack Hussein Obama?
2. Did you change your name? When? Where? And Why?
3. Was there a naming ceremony? Where? Under what circumstances?
4. Why are we not allowed to mention your middle name?""

And sending emails left and right with racist innuendo and race baiting comments as she has done, can you imagine the outrage?

This is just unbelievable, IMO. I would like to know how far this goes up in the Hillary campaign -- IOW, is this a tactic that has been approved by HRC's campaign?

[Frank Booth]

43. Yeah, it's disappointing how certain types of race-baiting are still allowed and actually condoned,

by a Democratic candidate's campaign, no less.

Thank you for the work you put into this post. I never would have known about this if I didn't read it here.

[Emit]

48. Thanks, Walter. And by the way, I read here that one of these ladies, Totah,

who forwarded Ed Lasky's article on the “American Thinker” website is a member of Clinton’s finance committee, for what it's worth.

... Totah: “a Washington society figure and Armenian-American activist who’s also a member of Clinton’s finance committee.” Those who don’t personally know any other “Armenian-American activists” might, given human nature, attribute to the rest of us a love of gutter politics.

I’m not starry-eyed, nor delusional. Politics is blood sport. Of course these kinds of things will be done. But there’s a wisdom that’s expected of those holding visible positions in organizations. They cannot be associated with this kind of activity because it reflects poorly on the organization. For all I know, the Clinton campaign may have been following exactly this line of thinking by feeding Totah Lasky’s piece to disseminate...

http://www.hairenik.com/armenianweekly/com02230801.htm

[Emit]

40. Rev. Eric Lee's Response (I should've posted this in the OP)

SCLC of Greater Los Angeles Statement
April 9, 2008

On the 40th Anniversary of the assassination of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I gave a speech at a public meeting of a predominately African American fraternity on the theme of "Leaving an Inheritance to Our Kids and Our Communities".

Let me first state that at no time did I intend to offend, insult, indict or condemn any person or group of persons during any portion of my presentation. Furthermore, I did not make any statement that was offensive regarding the Jewish community and I completely deny and refute any accusation that I have done so. The accusations do not truly characterize the statements made during the presentation, nor do they accurately characterize my life or my position as President of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference of Greater Los Angeles.

Additionally, I have an existing and ongoing collaborative relationships with the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Anti Defamation League (ADL) in which we are committed to the cause of justice for our respective communities.

In a very small part of my presentation, I referenced a meeting I had with Rabbi's and other community leaders. A Rabbi stated in that meeting that the close relationship between the African American and Jewish communities had been disconnected after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King. I further referenced in my speech that my response to the Rabbi was that the Black Power Movement emerged after the assassination of Dr. King and it was a direct response to the negative characterizations of African Americans through the silver screen, TV and the music industry, industries that are perceived to be influenced by many in the Jewish community. I then stated to the Rabbis that the Black Power Movement was our effort to define for ourselves our own identity rather than be defined by anyone else. I then indicated in my presentation that I told the Rabbis' that before a genuine coalition could be rebuilt between our communities, there would have to be dialogue and efforts made to deal with the negative characterizations of African Americans.

The focus of my presentation was that African Americans should embrace our historical legacy as an "Inheritance of Measurable Value", and that we use our legacy to define ourselves. This message is no different than what Daphne Ziman wrote in the March issue of the Jewish Journal when she stated, "Please tell us who you are, Sen. Obama; don't let your enemies, or your friends, define you."

The Mission of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization founded by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is to redeem the soul of America. SCLC of Greater Los Angeles continues the legacy of our founder, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, by promoting the philosophy of non-violent progressive social change. Our roots extend deeply into the African American religious experience with its biblical vision of liberation of all humankind. Our goal is to realize the dream of freedom, justice, peace and equality for all by recognizing the inalienable dignity and worth of every human being.

The SCLC of Greater Los Angeles has as its mandate to organize and mobilize the strength of America's moral consciousness against the weakness of its social order. We accomplish this through the continued advocacy of justice for all people, regardless of social status, religious belief, gender, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. We affirm nonviolence as the only reasonable basis for social change and interpersonal living. These two principles are reflected in our work.
http://jewishjournal.com/home/preview.php?id=19187

[Hieronymus]

45. I know you're right. Apparently, Robert Reich couldn't abide the Republican

tactics of the Hillary campaign.

[Emit]

51. I just read some of his comments yesterday

As I read through his blog. He has been critical of her for some time: http://robertreich.blogspot.com/2007/12/why-is-hrc-stooping-so-low.html

[judasdisney]

49. Collaborating with Neocons? Just wait till Obama is President... Sabotage no-holds barred

As Reagan did to Carter, with the arms-for-hostages, the Clintons will do to President Barack.

The besieged Obama presidency will be labelled "incompetent." That'll be the goal for the Clintons.

Maybe we never really knew the Clintons. Their transformation seems so radical and artificial.

[Emit]

50. I do hope that you are not wholly accurate with that statement

[Emit]

52. Kos poster claims spouse of Clinton Superdelegate sent this email: "Debunking" Barack Obama

This daily Kos poster would not say who sent this email, but only that it was a spouse of a powerful member of Congress/Clinton superdelegate who endorsed Clinton months ago:

Emails on Obama
by poli sci prof
Fri Mar 28, 2008 at 08:45:34 AM PDT
I received this email today "without comment" from the spouse of a powerful member of Congress who endorsed Hillary months ago. The MSM needs to know that these smears aren't being sent out by ordinary supporters, but are part of a coordinated effort of Clinton's superdelegates.

UPDATE: some commenters were confused and thought I was saying that the forwarded email was written by a Clinton superdelegate. No! It was merely forwarded to my inbox by the spouse of a prominent Clinton superdelegate.

Entire email, unedited, below the fold. Can somebody get this to Keith Olberman?

poli sci prof's diary :: ::
From: [email protected] On Behalf
Of Naomi Ragen
Sent: 18 February 2008 06:03
To: (name redacted by poster to keep privacy)
Subject: "Debunking" Barack Obama

Friends,

In an election year, we need to be really careful about what we
send out and what we say about all candidates who might become
the next leader of the free world. But we also need to arm
ourselves with information.

I was very interested in the e-mail circulating quoting Newsweek
and Snopes about the "lies" being spread about Mr. Obama. I
investigated. Interestingly,the debunkers debunk all kinds of
things I never heard of, like Obama not saying the Pledge of
Allegiance, or using a Koran instead of a Bible in his swearing
in ceremony. I never even heard those, and I am glad to hear they
are lies.

But there are a number of other things circulating that haven't
yet been "debunked" and these are far more worrying because they
are true. Like the fact that Mr. Obama's church gave an award to
the notorious Anti-Semite Louis Farrakhan. As Richard Cohen wrote
in the Washington Post on January 15:" Barack Obama is a member
of Chicago's Trinity United Church of Christ. Its minister, and
Obama's spiritual adviser, is the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. In
1982, the church launched Trumpet Newsmagazine; Wright's
daughters serve as publisher and executive editor. Every year,
the magazine makes awards in various categories. Last year, it
gave the Dr. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. Trumpeter Award to a man it
said "truly epitomized greatness." That man was Louis Farrakhan."

Huh?! Say what? You mean the Farrakhan who said...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/3/28/113850/657/54/486074

[Emit]

53. kick n/t