The Obama Nation: Difference between revisions
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Corsi's book has been criticized for its factual inaccuracies by news organizations such as ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'',<ref name="KLinthicum-12Aug2008">{{cite news | title = Book attacking Obama makes the bestseller list | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] | first = Kate | last = Linthicum | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-trailcorsi12-2008aug12,0,2342201.story?track=rss | date = [[2008-08-12]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> the [[Associated Press]],<ref name="ap-8-15">{{cite news | title = Two books, two styles, one target: Obama | work = [[Associated Press]] | first = Christopher | last = Wills | publisher = [[Google News]] | url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gM7mJRqi2SSqU69XN_Jk4vf8t7TQD92IV1QO0 | date = [[2008-08-15]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> [[Time (magazine)]],<ref>{{cite news | title = Scholarship | work = | first = Joe | last = Klein | publisher = [[Time (magazine)]] | url = http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/08/scholarship.html | date = [[2008-08-13]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> [[Newsweek]],<ref name="Newsweek2008-16-8">{{cite news | title = Outside The Beltway: Jerome Corsi and the Coarsening of American Politics | work = | first = | last = | publisher = [[Time (magazine)]] | url = http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/theruckus/archive/2008/08/16/outside-the-beltway-jerome-corsi-and-the-coarsening-of-american-politics.aspx | date = [[2008-08-16]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'',<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news | title = Barack Obama attacks best-selling book as poisonous crap | publisher = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | first = Toby | last = Harnden | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2565470/US-elections-2008-Barack-Obama-attacks-best-selling-book-as-poisonous-crap.html | date = [[2008-08-16]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> ''[[Editor & Publisher]]'',<ref name="edpub">{{cite news | title = This Time the Press Does Not Wait to Hit a Swiftboater's Claims | work = [[Editor & Publisher]] | first = Greg | last = Mitchell | url = http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/columns/pressingissues_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003839465 | date = [[2008-08-15]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'',<ref name="guardian">{{cite news | title = New anti-Obama book not entirely accurate in every respect | first = Oliver | last = Burkeman | work = [[The Guardian]] | url = http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/usa/2008/08/new_antiobama_book_not_entirel.html | date = [[2008-08-16]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> [[CNN]],<ref name="CNN-14Aug2008"/> ''[[The Independent]]'',<ref name="Independent-14Aug2008"/> and ''[[The Boston Globe]]''.<ref name="BGlobe-14Aug2008"/> According to ''The New York Times'', "several of the book's accusations, in fact, are unsubstantiated, misleading or inaccurate."<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> Peter Wehner of ''[[Commentary (magazine)|Commentary]]'' wrote: "conservatives should not hitch their hopes to" Corsi's book because "it seems to be riddled with factual errors — some relatively minor (like asserting that Obama does not mention the birth of his half-sister, [[Maya Soetoro-Ng]], in ''Dreams from My Father''; Obama does mention her), and some significant (suggesting that Obama favors withdrawing troops from Afghanistan; he wants to do the opposite)."<ref name="Commentary-15Aug2008">{{cite news | title = The Obama Smears | url = http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/wehner/20471 | work = [[Commentary (magazine)|Commentary]] | date = [[2008-08-15]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> |
Corsi's book has been criticized for its factual inaccuracies by news organizations such as ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'',<ref name="KLinthicum-12Aug2008">{{cite news | title = Book attacking Obama makes the bestseller list | work = [[Los Angeles Times]] | first = Kate | last = Linthicum | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-trailcorsi12-2008aug12,0,2342201.story?track=rss | date = [[2008-08-12]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> the [[Associated Press]],<ref name="ap-8-15">{{cite news | title = Two books, two styles, one target: Obama | work = [[Associated Press]] | first = Christopher | last = Wills | publisher = [[Google News]] | url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gM7mJRqi2SSqU69XN_Jk4vf8t7TQD92IV1QO0 | date = [[2008-08-15]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> [[Time (magazine)]],<ref>{{cite news | title = Scholarship | work = | first = Joe | last = Klein | publisher = [[Time (magazine)]] | url = http://www.time-blog.com/swampland/2008/08/scholarship.html | date = [[2008-08-13]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> [[Newsweek]],<ref name="Newsweek2008-16-8">{{cite news | title = Outside The Beltway: Jerome Corsi and the Coarsening of American Politics | work = | first = | last = | publisher = [[Time (magazine)]] | url = http://www.blog.newsweek.com/blogs/theruckus/archive/2008/08/16/outside-the-beltway-jerome-corsi-and-the-coarsening-of-american-politics.aspx | date = [[2008-08-16]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'',<ref name="telegraph">{{cite news | title = Barack Obama attacks best-selling book as poisonous crap | publisher = [[The Daily Telegraph]] | first = Toby | last = Harnden | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/uselection2008/barackobama/2565470/US-elections-2008-Barack-Obama-attacks-best-selling-book-as-poisonous-crap.html | date = [[2008-08-16]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> ''[[Editor & Publisher]]'',<ref name="edpub">{{cite news | title = This Time the Press Does Not Wait to Hit a Swiftboater's Claims | work = [[Editor & Publisher]] | first = Greg | last = Mitchell | url = http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/columns/pressingissues_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003839465 | date = [[2008-08-15]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> ''[[The Guardian]]'',<ref name="guardian">{{cite news | title = New anti-Obama book not entirely accurate in every respect | first = Oliver | last = Burkeman | work = [[The Guardian]] | url = http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/usa/2008/08/new_antiobama_book_not_entirel.html | date = [[2008-08-16]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> [[CNN]],<ref name="CNN-14Aug2008"/> ''[[The Independent]]'',<ref name="Independent-14Aug2008"/> and ''[[The Boston Globe]]''.<ref name="BGlobe-14Aug2008"/> According to ''The New York Times'', "several of the book's accusations, in fact, are unsubstantiated, misleading or inaccurate."<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> Peter Wehner of ''[[Commentary (magazine)|Commentary]]'' wrote: "conservatives should not hitch their hopes to" Corsi's book because "it seems to be riddled with factual errors — some relatively minor (like asserting that Obama does not mention the birth of his half-sister, [[Maya Soetoro-Ng]], in ''Dreams from My Father''; Obama does mention her), and some significant (suggesting that Obama favors withdrawing troops from Afghanistan; he wants to do the opposite)."<ref name="Commentary-15Aug2008">{{cite news | title = The Obama Smears | url = http://www.commentarymagazine.com/blogs/index.php/wehner/20471 | work = [[Commentary (magazine)|Commentary]] | date = [[2008-08-15]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> |
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''[[The Washington Post]]'' called it a "innuendo-filled, mistake-riddled biography" in its online election diary ''The Trail''.<ref name="kornblut">{{cite news | url = http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/08/15/obama_camp_pounces_on_mccain_c.html | title = McCain Corsi quip irks Obama camp | work = [[The Washington Post]] | date = [[2008-08-15]] | first = Anne E. | last = Kornblut | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> Kate Linthicum of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote "being No. 1 [on the best seller list] doesn't necessarily mean being accurate" in regard to Corsi's claims about Obama's religious faith.<ref name="KLinthicum-12Aug2008"/> [[The Politico]] reported that Corsi's book "left a trail of wild theories, vitriol and dogma that have called into question his credibility."<ref>{{cite news | title = Wild theories of 'Obama Nation' author | url = http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12526.html | first = Kenneth P. | last = Vogel | work = [[The Politico]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> The British newspaper ''[[The Independent]]'' called Corsi's book "a hatchet job on Obama".<ref name="Independent-14Aug2008">{{cite news | title = From the author who destroyed John Kerry, a hatchet job on Obama | first = Rupert | last = Cornwell | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/from-the-author-who-destroyed-john-kerry-a-hatchet-job-on-obama-894532.html | work = [[The Independent]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate |
''[[The Washington Post]]'' called it a "innuendo-filled, mistake-riddled biography" in its online election diary ''The Trail''.<ref name="kornblut">{{cite news | url = http://voices.washingtonpost.com/the-trail/2008/08/15/obama_camp_pounces_on_mccain_c.html | title = McCain Corsi quip irks Obama camp | work = [[The Washington Post]] | date = [[2008-08-15]] | first = Anne E. | last = Kornblut | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> Kate Linthicum of the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' wrote "being No. 1 [on the best seller list] doesn't necessarily mean being accurate" in regard to Corsi's claims about Obama's religious faith.<ref name="KLinthicum-12Aug2008"/> [[The Politico]] reported that Corsi's book "left a trail of wild theories, vitriol and dogma that have called into question his credibility."<ref>{{cite news | title = Wild theories of 'Obama Nation' author | url = http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0808/12526.html | first = Kenneth P. | last = Vogel | work = [[The Politico]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> The British newspaper ''[[The Independent]]'' called Corsi's book "a hatchet job on Obama".<ref name="Independent-14Aug2008">{{cite news | title = From the author who destroyed John Kerry, a hatchet job on Obama | first = Rupert | last = Cornwell | url = http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/from-the-author-who-destroyed-john-kerry-a-hatchet-job-on-obama-894532.html | work = [[The Independent]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> |
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[[Media Matters for America]], which describes itself as a progressive organization dedicated to countering "conservative misinformation in the U.S. media",<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/about_us/ | title = About Media Matters | publisher = [[Media Matters for America]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> has pointed out numerous instances of inaccuracies in the book<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/items/200807310003?f=h_top | title = First reported allegation in Corsi's Obama attack book is false | work = [[Media Matters for America]] | date = [[2008-07-31]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref><ref name="MMfalsehoods">{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/items/200808040005 | title = Unfit for Publication: Corsi's The Obama Nation filled with falsehoods | work = [[Media Matters for America]] | date = [[2008-08-04]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> and in Corsi's statements promoting the work.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/items/200808020004?f=h_latest | title = On three ''Hannity'' programs, Corsi offered another falsehood: Obama supports abortion '<nowiki>[a]</nowiki>fter a child's born' | work = [[Media Matters for America]] | date = [[2008-08-02]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> Paul Waldman of Media Matters appeared with Corsi on ''[[Larry King Live]]'' when they discussed the claims.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/embed/larryking-20080813-corsi | title = Larry King Live Corsi and Waldman | date = [[2008-08-13]] | work = [[Media Matters for America]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> [[MSNBC]]'s [[Contessa Brewer]] confronted Corsi with these alleged inaccuracies; Corsi disputed Media Matters' allegations.<ref name="MSNBC">{{cite episode | title = MSNBC Live | date = [[2008-08-05]] | series = [[MSNBC Live]] | station = [[MSNBC]] | airdate = 2008-08-05 }}</ref> |
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The book also contains what the ''[[The Washington Post]]'' describes as "potentially offensive passages" about Barack Obama's personal and family life, such as one stating that Obama is less identified with his American roots than his "African blood".<ref name="WaPo_081408">{{cite news | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/13/AR2008081303959.html | title = New Books Aim To Unweave the Obama Narrative | first = Eli | last = Saslow | work = [[The Washington Post]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> Corsi also writes: "[[Ann Dunham|Obama's mother]] chose another [[Third World]] prospect for her second husband, a second man of color, to be her mate.", noted by CNN as "lines some might consider [[Racism|racially insensitive]]."<ref name="CNN-14Aug2008">{{cite news | title = Book on Obama blasted for 'vicious innuendo' | url = http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/14/corsi.book/ | first = Jessica | last = Yellin | work = [[CNN]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> The [[LA Times]] also pointed to a line by Corsi claiming "Obama wants to will all the white blood out of himself so he can become pure black," citing "bigoted comments."<ref>{{cite news |title=McCain catches heat over apparent comment on Corsi's 'Obama Nation' | url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obamabook16-2008aug16,0,5599468.story |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2008-08-14}}</ref> The ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' called it "an abomination," and said the book "exploits racial fears [and] hate in [an] effort to scare white America."<ref name="suntimes08-14-2008">{{cite news | title = Latest smear against Obama an abomination | first = Mary | last = Mitchell | url = http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1107452,CST-NWS-mitch14.article | work = [[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> Corsi has drawn criticism for scheduling an appearance to promote the book on the [[The Political Cesspool]], a "pro-White" [[Talk radio|radio talk show]] described as "[[White nationalism|white nationalist]]" by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name="Memphis Sewage">{{cite web | url = http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=817 | title = Memphis Sewage: In Tennessee, a Racist Radio Host Thrives | publisher = Southern Poverty Law Center | date = Fall 2007 | first = David | last = Holthouse | accessdate = 2008-07-29 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/items/200808140003?f=h_top | title = Corsi reportedly scheduled to appear on "pro-White" radio show | work = [[Media Matters for America]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-14 }}</ref> He previously appeared on the show on July 20th.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200808150009?f=h_top |title=Corsi's previous appearance on "pro-White" radio show was streamed live on "White Nationalist" Stormfront.org |publisher=[[Media Matters for America]] |accessdate=2008-08-15 }}</ref> |
The book also contains what the ''[[The Washington Post]]'' describes as "potentially offensive passages" about Barack Obama's personal and family life, such as one stating that Obama is less identified with his American roots than his "African blood".<ref name="WaPo_081408">{{cite news | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/08/13/AR2008081303959.html | title = New Books Aim To Unweave the Obama Narrative | first = Eli | last = Saslow | work = [[The Washington Post]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> Corsi also writes: "[[Ann Dunham|Obama's mother]] chose another [[Third World]] prospect for her second husband, a second man of color, to be her mate.", noted by CNN as "lines some might consider [[Racism|racially insensitive]]."<ref name="CNN-14Aug2008">{{cite news | title = Book on Obama blasted for 'vicious innuendo' | url = http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/08/14/corsi.book/ | first = Jessica | last = Yellin | work = [[CNN]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> The [[LA Times]] also pointed to a line by Corsi claiming "Obama wants to will all the white blood out of himself so he can become pure black," citing "bigoted comments."<ref>{{cite news |title=McCain catches heat over apparent comment on Corsi's 'Obama Nation' | url=http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-obamabook16-2008aug16,0,5599468.story |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=2008-08-14}}</ref> The ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' called it "an abomination," and said the book "exploits racial fears [and] hate in [an] effort to scare white America."<ref name="suntimes08-14-2008">{{cite news | title = Latest smear against Obama an abomination | first = Mary | last = Mitchell | url = http://www.suntimes.com/news/mitchell/1107452,CST-NWS-mitch14.article | work = [[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> Corsi has drawn criticism for scheduling an appearance to promote the book on the [[The Political Cesspool]], a "pro-White" [[Talk radio|radio talk show]] described as "[[White nationalism|white nationalist]]" by the [[Southern Poverty Law Center]].<ref name="Memphis Sewage">{{cite web | url = http://www.splcenter.org/intel/intelreport/article.jsp?aid=817 | title = Memphis Sewage: In Tennessee, a Racist Radio Host Thrives | publisher = Southern Poverty Law Center | date = Fall 2007 | first = David | last = Holthouse | accessdate = 2008-07-29 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://mediamatters.org/items/200808140003?f=h_top | title = Corsi reportedly scheduled to appear on "pro-White" radio show | work = [[Media Matters for America]] | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-14 }}</ref> He previously appeared on the show on July 20th.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mediamatters.org/items/200808150009?f=h_top |title=Corsi's previous appearance on "pro-White" radio show was streamed live on "White Nationalist" Stormfront.org |publisher=[[Media Matters for America]] |accessdate=2008-08-15 }}</ref> |
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=== Examples of specific inaccuracies === |
=== Examples of specific inaccuracies === |
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==== Religion ==== |
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⚫ | ''The New York Times'' noted the book's assertion that Obama attended an incendiary sermon by the Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] in [[Chicago]] on a date when Obama was in fact giving a speech in [[Florida]].<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> Asked about the discrepancy, Corsi told the ''Times'', "There is a dispute about the date [...] We can nitpick the date to death."<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> Corsi added that his "fundamental point" was that Obama had a close association with someone promoting [[black liberation theology]]. The ''Times'' further noted that while Obama is a [[Christian]], the book contains statements arguing that he has "extensive connections to Islam".<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008" / |
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==== Drug use ==== |
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⚫ | ''The New York Times'' article also |
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==== Marriage and family ==== |
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Corsi provides the wrong date of the Obamas' marriage.<ref name="PicklerAP-14Aug2008"/> Corsi also asserts that Obama's father [[divorce]]d his mother under [[Islamic law]], a claim which contradicts the version of events presented by Obama in ''[[Dreams from my Father]]''.<ref name="MMfalsehoods"/><ref>Dreams From My Father, by Barack Obama, pages 125-126, ISBN 1-5683-6162-9</ref> |
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Corsi claims that Obama did not dedicate his book, ''Dreams from my Father'', to his grandparents. In the book, however, Obama writes, "It is to my family, though -- my mother, my grandparents, my siblings, stretched across oceans and continents -- that I owe the deepest gratitude and to whom I dedicated this book".<ref>Obama 1995: xvii.</ref> Corsi also says that Obama does not mention his half-sister [[Maya Soetoro-Ng]] in ''Dreams from my Father'', when in fact she is mentioned on page 47.<ref>Obama 1995: 47.</ref> |
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⚫ | ''The New York Times'' noted the book's assertion that Obama attended an incendiary sermon by the Rev. [[Jeremiah Wright]] in [[Chicago]] early on the morning of [[July 22]], 2007, a date when Obama was in fact giving a mid-afternoon speech in [[Florida]].<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> Asked about the discrepancy, Corsi told the ''Times'', "There is a dispute about the date [...] We can nitpick the date to death."<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> Corsi added that his "fundamental point" was that Obama had a close association with someone promoting [[black liberation theology]]. The ''Times'' further noted that while Obama is a [[Christian]], the book contains statements arguing that he has "extensive connections to Islam".<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008" /> |
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⚫ | When discussing the house Barack and [[Michelle Obama]] bought in 2005, Corsi cites a [[February 1]], [[2008]] [[Salon.com]] article for the claim that Chicago businessman [[Tony Rezko]] (since convicted of [[fraud]]) "found the house for Obama." |
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⚫ | ''The New York Times'' article also described Corsi's assertion that Obama had "yet to answer" whether he "stopped using [[marijuana]] and [[cocaine]] completely in college, or whether his drug usage extended to his law school days or beyond."<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> At another point Corsi wrote, "How about in the U.S. Senate?" However, the ''Times'' quoted Obama writing in his memoir that he had "stopped getting high" when he moved to New York City in the early 1980s. It also quoted ''[[The State Journal-Register]]'' of [[Springfield, Illinois]], which reported Obama's response to a question about his drug use: "I haven't done anything since I was 20 years old." Obama turned 20 in 1981. Corsi told the ''Times'' that "self-reporting, by people who have used drugs, as to when they stopped is inherently unreliable."<ref name="RutenbergBosman-12Aug2008"/> In the book, Corsi says that Obama may still be using drugs today, but does not provide evidence for this claim.<ref name="PicklerAP-14Aug2008">{{cite news | title = Obama campaign issues rebuttal to book's claims | work = Associated Press | publisher = [[Google News]] | first = Nedra | last = Pickler | url = http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j-xORhpHhivePOAxUDFJ3U1xmjJAD92IBGSG1 | date = [[2008-08-14]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> |
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==== Voting and political record ==== |
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Corsi claims Obama "has pledged to reduce the size of the military." However, Obama's [http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/Defense_Fact_Sheet_FINAL.pdf "Plan for a 21st Century Military,"] posted on his website, includes this statement: "Expand to Meet Military Needs on the Ground". Adding more troops is a major stressing point in the document.<ref name="MMfalsehoods"/><ref>{{cite web | title = A 21st Century Military for America | url = http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/Defense_Fact_Sheet_FINAL.pdf | format = PDF | publisher = [[Obama for America]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> When referring to Obama's "antiwar... foreign policy," Corsi says Obama plans to withdraw troops from Afghanistan. Obama sponsored a January 2007 bill, the [[Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007]], which called for reducing the number of troops in Iraq and implementing some recommendations of the [[Iraq Study Group Report]].<ref name="MMfalsehoods"/><ref>{{cite news | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/26/us/politics/26obama.html?scp=2&sq=%22Iraq%20War%20De-escalation%20Act%20of%202007%22&st=cse | title = As Candidate, Obama Carves Antiwar Stance | first = Jeff | last = Zeleny | work = [[The New York Times]] | date = [[2007-02-26]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url = http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/01/30/45227.aspx | title = Obama's Iraq Plan | work = First Read | publisher = [[MSNBC]] | first = Ken | last = Strickland | date = [[2007-01-30]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> |
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⚫ | When discussing the house Barack and [[Michelle Obama]] bought in 2005, Corsi cites a [[February 1]], [[2008]] [[Salon.com]] article for the claim that Chicago businessman [[Tony Rezko]] (since convicted of [[fraud]]) "found the house for Obama."<ref>The Obama Nation, by [[Jerome Corsi]], page 165; ISBN 9781416598060</ref><ref>[[Salon.com]], [http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2008/02/01/rezko/print.html "How Close Were Barack Obama and Tony Rezko?"] </ref> In a 2007 interview with the staff of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'', Barack Obama asserted that it was his wife who found the house.<ref name="CSTInterview-15Mar2008">{{cite news | title = Complete Transcript of the Obama interview: The Chicago Sun-Times | url = http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/844597,transcript031508.article | work = [[Chicago Sun-Times]] | date = [[2008-03-15]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }</ref> |
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In an interview with Corsi, [[Alan Colmes]] of [[Fox News]] said, "You refer to a [[YouTube]] video at the beginning of your book . . . where Obama says, 'I set a goal of a world without nuclear weapons, I'll develop new nuclear weapons on a secret global ban on production of [[fissile]] material. I'll negotiate with [[Russia]]'."<ref name="Colmes08-13">{{cite news | title = Corsi's 'The Obama Nation' Revisited | publisher = [[Fox News]] | url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,403043,00.html | date = [[2008-08-16]] | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }}</ref> Then Colmes explained, "You know that [[Henry Kissinger]], [[George Schultz]], [[William Perry]] and [[Sam Nunn]], in ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'', laid out a very similar argument but you're not pinning them as radicals."<ref name="Colmes08-13"/> In response Corsi criticized the Obama clip for having "no details."<ref name="Colmes08-13"/> |
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== See also == |
== See also == |
Revision as of 19:51, 17 August 2008
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Author | Jerome Corsi |
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Language | English |
Subject | Barack Obama, early life and career of Barack Obama, Barack Obama presidential campaign, 2008 |
Publisher | Threshold Editions, an imprint of Simon & Schuster |
Publication date | August 1 2008 |
Publication place | United States |
Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
Pages | 384 |
ISBN | ISBN 1416598065 Parameter error in {{ISBNT}}: invalid character |
The Obama Nation: Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality is a controversial book by Jerome Corsi critical of Barack Obama and his candidacy for President of the United States.[1] The book argues against Barack Obama's candidacy for U.S. president by alleging his "extreme leftism", "extensive connections with Islam and radical politics", and "naïve...foreign policy", and past drug use and connections to corrupt backers, among other things.[2] The book has been criticized as containing factual errors[1][3][4][5][6][7][8][9], racially insensitive,[10][11][8], and a political "attack book" consisting of smears, falsehoods, and innuendo.[12][13][14][15]
Released on August 1, 2008, it was #4 in sales in nonfiction during the first week of its release[16] and on August 13, The New York Times reported that the book had reached #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover non-fiction books [1], due in part to higher bulk sales.[17][18] The book was published by Threshold Editions, a division of CBS-owned Simon & Schuster, whose chief editor is Republican party political strategist Mary Matalin.[19] The title is deliberately assonant with "abomination".[9]
During the 2004 United States presidential election, Corsi co-wrote Unfit for Command, a book associated with Swift Vets and POWs for Truth that was critical of Democratic candidate John Kerry.[1][20][21] He is a regular contributor at conservative internet publication WorldNetDaily, and is associated with conspiracy theories such as the North American currency union[22][23][24][25][26] and the 9/11 Truth Movement.[27]
Content
In the book, Corsi recounts Barack Obama's upbringing and early political career in Chicago and argues that Obama is an "extreme leftis[t]" who should not be elected president. The book claims to document "Obama's extensive connections with Islam and radical politics", his "religious affiliation with ... black-liberation theology", and his associations with and connections to controversial pastor Jeremiah Wright, convicted fraudster Tony Rezko,[9] and radical activists Bill Ayers and Bernadine Dohrn, formerly of the Weather Underground.[2] The book also argues that Obama supports "far-left domestic policy" and "naïve ... foreign policy predicated on the reduction of the military", and that he is therefore unsuitable to be the President of the United States.[2] Corsi has also said his purpose in writing the book was to "defeat" Obama in the 2008 United States presidential election.[1]
Responses from presidential campaigns and other politicians
Obama campaign response
In response to the book, the Obama campaign issued a 40-page response entitled "Unfit for Publication" on the campaign website FightTheSmears.com, taking issue with assertions made in the book and alleging factual errors.[28] The campaign also issued a press release, reading in part:
This book is nothing but a series of lies that were long ago discredited, written by an individual who was discredited after he wrote a similar book to help George Bush and Dick Cheney get re-elected four years ago... The reality is that there are many lie-filled books like this in the works cobbled together from the Internet to make money off of a presidential campaign... We will respond to these smears forcefully.[1]
The Obama campaign called it "a new book of lies" and is planning thorough exposure of the book through "the Action Wire to push back against this year's vicious Republican attack book."[8] In addition, the Democratic National Committee joined the "counteroffensive" telling its supporters in an email: "The media have shown that they aren't going to stop him. It's up to you to spread the truth, so here it is. Below you will find the facts about Corsi and his desperate fabrications."[29]
Conservative commentators and others said the Obama campaign's response wasn't always accurate itself, and it gave the book more publicity,[30] likely resulting in higher sales. Jim Geraghty, writing in National Review Online, criticized the Obama campaign response for bringing up but not refuting Corsi's critcism that Obama would have been aware of the famous, controversial past of Bill Ayers when Obama knew and worked with him.[31]Radio talk show host Hugh Hewitt agreed.[32] ABC News reporter Jake Tapper wrote in his blog that "not everything in the Obama campaign’s 40-page refutation of Corsi’s shoddy and dishonest book Obama Nation is fair" and that the Obama campaign was "refuting a few of Corsi’s smears by re-writing history".[33]
McCain campaign response
When asked for a comment about the book, fellow presidential candidate John McCain said, "Gotta keep your sense of humor."[34][35] Subsequently, "campaign spokeswoman Brooke Buchanan said McCain did not hear the question, and the campaign had no comment."[34] In response, the Obama campaign said, "McCain has said he wants to run an honorable campaign, but his belief that these smears are funny makes people question whether he now approves of the same reprehensible politics used to smear his own character eight years ago."[34] The McCain campaign later said he "had misheard the question" and said they do not plan to come to Obama's defense on every attack over which they have no control.[36]
Other responses
In response to the book's publication, Senator John Kerry, the subject of a previous book by Corsi during his 2004 campaign for presidency, launched the website "Truth Fights Back". The site aims to combat Corsi's claims and "tracks, debunks, and counters the smears of the right wing against Democrats."[37]
Reception and critical review
The book was ranked #4 in sales in nonfiction during the first week of its release,[38] and subsequently rose to #1 on the New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover non-fiction books within two weeks.[1] However, The New York Times notes that the some bookstores report that sales of the book are being pushed by a large volume of bulk sales,[18][1] leading some to allege that the sales figures were intentionally artificially inflated.[39]
Corsi's book has been criticized for its factual inaccuracies by news organizations such as The New York Times,[1] the Los Angeles Times,[3] the Associated Press,[4] Time (magazine),[40] Newsweek,[41] The Daily Telegraph,[5] Editor & Publisher,[6] The Guardian,[7] CNN,[8] The Independent,[9] and The Boston Globe.[37] According to The New York Times, "several of the book's accusations, in fact, are unsubstantiated, misleading or inaccurate."[1] Peter Wehner of Commentary wrote: "conservatives should not hitch their hopes to" Corsi's book because "it seems to be riddled with factual errors — some relatively minor (like asserting that Obama does not mention the birth of his half-sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng, in Dreams from My Father; Obama does mention her), and some significant (suggesting that Obama favors withdrawing troops from Afghanistan; he wants to do the opposite)."[42]
The Washington Post called it a "innuendo-filled, mistake-riddled biography" in its online election diary The Trail.[36] Kate Linthicum of the Los Angeles Times wrote "being No. 1 [on the best seller list] doesn't necessarily mean being accurate" in regard to Corsi's claims about Obama's religious faith.[3] The Politico reported that Corsi's book "left a trail of wild theories, vitriol and dogma that have called into question his credibility."[43] The British newspaper The Independent called Corsi's book "a hatchet job on Obama".[9]
The book also contains what the The Washington Post describes as "potentially offensive passages" about Barack Obama's personal and family life, such as one stating that Obama is less identified with his American roots than his "African blood".[11] Corsi also writes: "Obama's mother chose another Third World prospect for her second husband, a second man of color, to be her mate.", noted by CNN as "lines some might consider racially insensitive."[8] The LA Times also pointed to a line by Corsi claiming "Obama wants to will all the white blood out of himself so he can become pure black," citing "bigoted comments."[44] The Chicago Sun-Times called it "an abomination," and said the book "exploits racial fears [and] hate in [an] effort to scare white America."[10] Corsi has drawn criticism for scheduling an appearance to promote the book on the The Political Cesspool, a "pro-White" radio talk show described as "white nationalist" by the Southern Poverty Law Center.[45][46] He previously appeared on the show on July 20th.[47]
Examples of specific inaccuracies
The New York Times noted the book's assertion that Obama attended an incendiary sermon by the Rev. Jeremiah Wright in Chicago early on the morning of July 22, 2007, a date when Obama was in fact giving a mid-afternoon speech in Florida.[1] Asked about the discrepancy, Corsi told the Times, "There is a dispute about the date [...] We can nitpick the date to death."[1] Corsi added that his "fundamental point" was that Obama had a close association with someone promoting black liberation theology. The Times further noted that while Obama is a Christian, the book contains statements arguing that he has "extensive connections to Islam".[1]
The New York Times article also described Corsi's assertion that Obama had "yet to answer" whether he "stopped using marijuana and cocaine completely in college, or whether his drug usage extended to his law school days or beyond."[1] At another point Corsi wrote, "How about in the U.S. Senate?" However, the Times quoted Obama writing in his memoir that he had "stopped getting high" when he moved to New York City in the early 1980s. It also quoted The State Journal-Register of Springfield, Illinois, which reported Obama's response to a question about his drug use: "I haven't done anything since I was 20 years old." Obama turned 20 in 1981. Corsi told the Times that "self-reporting, by people who have used drugs, as to when they stopped is inherently unreliable."[1] In the book, Corsi says that Obama may still be using drugs today, but does not provide evidence for this claim.[48]
When discussing the house Barack and Michelle Obama bought in 2005, Corsi cites a February 1, 2008 Salon.com article for the claim that Chicago businessman Tony Rezko (since convicted of fraud) "found the house for Obama."[49][50] In a 2007 interview with the staff of the Chicago Sun-Times, Barack Obama asserted that it was his wife who found the house.[51]
See also
- The Case Against Barack Obama, a 2008 book by David Freddoso
- Smear campaign
- Swiftboating
References
- Corsi, Jerome (2008). The Obama Nation. Threshold Editions. ISBN 1416598065.
- Obama, Barack (1995). Dreams from My Father. Three Rivers Press. ISBN 1400082773.
Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Rutenberg, Jim (2008-08-12). "Book on Obama Hopes to Repeat Anti-Kerry Feat". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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- ^ a b c Linthicum, Kate (2008-08-12). "Book attacking Obama makes the bestseller list". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ a b Wills, Christopher (2008-08-15). "Two books, two styles, one target: Obama". Associated Press. Google News. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ a b Harnden, Toby (2008-08-16). "Barack Obama attacks best-selling book as poisonous crap". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ a b Mitchell, Greg (2008-08-15). "This Time the Press Does Not Wait to Hit a Swiftboater's Claims". Editor & Publisher. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ a b Burkeman, Oliver (2008-08-16). "New anti-Obama book not entirely accurate in every respect". The Guardian. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e Yellin, Jessica (2008-08-14). "Book on Obama blasted for 'vicious innuendo'". CNN. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ a b c d e Cornwell, Rupert (2008-08-14). "From the author who destroyed John Kerry, a hatchet job on Obama". The Independent. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ a b Mitchell, Mary (2008-08-14). "Latest smear against Obama an abomination". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ a b Saslow, Eli (2008-08-14). "New Books Aim To Unweave the Obama Narrative". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Tapper, Jake (2008-08-15). "The Obama Overreach: Refuting A Few of Corsi's Smears By Re-Writing History". ABC News: Political Punch. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Rutten, Tim (2008-08-16). "The extreme-right way to make a buck". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
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(help) - ^ Romano, Andrew (2008-08-15). "Overdoing the Outrage". Newsweek. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
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(help) - ^ "Publishers Weekly Best-Sellers". Associated Press. Google News. 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ "Book Attacking Obama Hopes to Repeat '04 Anti-Kerry Feat". The New York Times. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
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(help) - ^ Goddard, Taegan (2008-08-13). "New Swift Boat Book Tops Charts". Taegan Goddard's Political Wire. Political Wire. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Italie, Hillel (2008-08-05). "Anti-Obama books are best-sellers". USA Today. Associated Press. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ "Left or right, Obama books are hot". Associated Press. International Herald Tribune. 2008-08-12. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Kovach, Gretel C. (2007-12-10). "Highway to Hell? Ron Paul's worked up about U.S. sovereignty". Newsweek. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Hawkins, John (2008-08-14). "There Isn't Going to Be a North American Union". Human Events. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ Medved, Michael (2007-01-03). "The 20 Most Annoying People on the Right". Human Events. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Bennett, Drake (2007-11-25). "The amero conspiracy". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Koppelman, Alex (2007-11-25). "U.S. to merge with Mexico and Canada?". Salon.com. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Wheaton, Sarah (2008-08-14). "Anti-Obama Author on 9/11 Conspiracy". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ "Unfit For Publication: An Investigative Report On The Lies In Jerome Corsi's "Obama Nation"". Obama for America. 2008-08-14. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Rhee, Foon (2008-08-14). "DNC joins defense of Obama on book". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Levin, Yuval, "Fighting the Last War", August 14, 2008, 4:53 p.m. post at "The Corner" blog at National Review Online website, retrieved August 15, 2008
- ^ Geraghty, Jim, "Is the Obama Campaign Asserting The Candidate Didn't Know of Ayers' Past?", August 15, 2008, 8:43 a.m. post at "Campaign Spot" blog at National Review Online website, retrieved August 15, 2008
- ^ Hewitt, Hugh, "The Obama Push Back: "Ayers and Dohrn Are Members Of The Establishment"", "Hugh Hewitt" blog at Town Hall website, August 14, 2008, 6:55 p.m., retrieved August 15, 2008
- ^ Jake Tapper. The Obama Overreach: Refuting A Few of Corsi’s Smears By Re-Writing History. ABC News
- ^ a b c Rhee, Foon (2008-08-15). "Obama: Corsi book no laughing matter". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Babington, Charles (2008-08-15). "McCain has no comment on anti-Obama book". Associated Press. Google News. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
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(help) - ^ a b Kornblut, Anne E. (2008-08-15). "McCain Corsi quip irks Obama camp". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ a b Rhee, Foon (2008-08-14). "To aid Obama, Kerry takes on an old foe". The Boston Globe. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ "Publishers Weekly Best-Sellers". Associated Press. Google News. 2008-08-07. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Nichols, Michelle (2008-08-15). "'Swift boat' author turns to Obama with bestseller". Reuters. Yahoo! News. Retrieved 2008-08-16.
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(help) - ^ Klein, Joe (2008-08-13). "Scholarship". Time (magazine). Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ "Outside The Beltway: Jerome Corsi and the Coarsening of American Politics". Time (magazine). 2008-08-16. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ "The Obama Smears". Commentary. 2008-08-15. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ Vogel, Kenneth P. (2008-08-14). "Wild theories of 'Obama Nation' author". The Politico. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ "McCain catches heat over apparent comment on Corsi's 'Obama Nation'". Los Angeles Times. 2008-08-14.
- ^ Holthouse, David (Fall 2007). "Memphis Sewage: In Tennessee, a Racist Radio Host Thrives". Southern Poverty Law Center. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- ^ "Corsi reportedly scheduled to appear on "pro-White" radio show". Media Matters for America. 2008-08-14. Retrieved 2008-08-14.
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(help) - ^ "Corsi's previous appearance on "pro-White" radio show was streamed live on "White Nationalist" Stormfront.org". Media Matters for America. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
- ^ Pickler, Nedra (2008-08-14). "Obama campaign issues rebuttal to book's claims". Associated Press. Google News. Retrieved 2008-08-15.
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(help) - ^ The Obama Nation, by Jerome Corsi, page 165; ISBN 9781416598060
- ^ Salon.com, "How Close Were Barack Obama and Tony Rezko?"
- ^ {{cite news | title = Complete Transcript of the Obama interview: The Chicago Sun-Times | url = http://www.suntimes.com/news/politics/obama/844597,transcript031508.article | work = Chicago Sun-Times | date = 2008-03-15 | accessdate = 2008-08-15 }
External links
- The Obama Nation at Simon & Schuster
- Unfit For Publication: An Investigative Report On The Lies In Jerome Corsi's "Obama Nation" – Obama for America official response
- "Corsi's The Obama Nation" topic at Media Matters for America
- Truth Fights Back, John Kerry's response
- Obama's Challenge: America's Economic Crisis and the Power of a Transformative Presidency, new book by Robert Kuttner
- Change We Can Believe In: Barack Obama's Plan to Renew America's Promise, forthcoming third book by Barack Obama
- The first chapter of The Obama Nation, provided by The New York Times
- Excerpts of The Obama Nation, provided by the publisher