AFL-CIO launches campaign to dispel Obama rumors
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/07/29/art.rumors.cnn.jpg caption="A new AFL-CIO mailer seeks to dispel continued false rumors about Obama."]
(CNN) - The nation's largest labor conglomerate says it's set to launch a major effort Tuesday to dispel ongoing rumors surrounding Barack Obama that continue to percolate more than 18 months after the Illinois senator launched his White House bid.
The organization is set to send out mailers to more than 600,000 union homes in crucial battleground states - including Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin - that directly address the false rumors that he is not a Christian, refuses to wear a flag pin on his lapel, and was not sworn into the Senate on the Bible.
It also beats back claims the Democratic presidential candidate was not born in America and refuses to put his hand on his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance. (view the mailer [PDF])
A majority of AFL-CIO's membership is considered part of the working-class demographic - the key voting bloc that overwhelmingly supported Hillary Clinton in the prolonged Democratic primary race and is likely to play a key role in the battleground states this November.
Watch: Obama battles rumors online
The AFL-CIO is also sending out a second mailer that features testimonials for union workers in support of Obama's policies on job creation, health care reform, and worker's rights. (View the second mailer [PDF])
"The mailers are the leading edge of a massive campaign in August to clearly define Sen. Obama among millions of union voters and to contrast the policies and plans of Sen. Obama with those of Sen. [John] McCain," AFL-CIO spokesman Steve Smith said.
That massive campaign will include a large-scale mobilization effort in 24 states, targeting 13 million union voters. The organization will also deliver more than 1 million fliers touting Obama's record at work sites across the country in August.
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Good Idea:)!
Another effort from the Socialist Unions to sell their candidate to the
American electorate. Who are you going to believe, Obama's own
book or the propaganda from the AFL-CIO. The history is there all you have to do is be willing to face the truth. Born a Muslim, Raised a Muslim will always be a Muslim.
YES WE CAN, YES WE CAN,
NOT THIS TIME
THE TIME IS OURS
About time, Rush Limbaugh and Sean Hannity will be upset.
All we ask is for the truth to come out. No more lies and distortions by the right wing radicals.
What record? I am not aware that he has a record on anything, except arrogance.
Sean Hannity and Rush Limbaugh will upset now with their lies with faux news.
This whole election is becoming one big joke.
The money that is being spent to get votes is truly bordering on obscenity.
It appears that elections in America are for sale.
Let the candidates present their stand on issues and debate them.
I am sure that Americans are of sound mind to make their own choices.
Endorsements , be they from politicians or celebrities , are vaccuous statements and organizations who try to sway the voter , usually have their own agenda.
Politicians should be reminded that they are public servants , that means, ' to serve the public and not themselves '.
Good call by the AFL-CIO. McCain's camp best be mindful of the sort of dirty campaign ads running on his behalf. McCain's record may just come back to haunt him.
Only the dumb and misinformed still believe the rumors. The type who don't pay attention to the election until 2 days before it is time to vote.
SCREW OBAMA ONE VOTE AT A TIME!
If we'd get past all this nonsense on both candidates, we'd have a lot better chance to discuss issues and solutions. For the record, both candidates were born in U.S. territory. McCain in the Canal Zone and Obama in Hawaii. McCain's now Baptist and Obama, despite the vitriol, is a Christian. Some organization should do the same for McCain and the groundless charges of senility and so much more. Sometimes I think we are a nation of idiots.
Beware of swiftboaters of a different name. Rumors shall fly and the ultra right shall lie through their teeth once again.
YESSSS! no more jibber-jabber. Now we will start to see the landslide affect
On the way to victory.
I think it is sad that Obama has to come out with having to explain himself for being an AMERICAN. You sick conservatives..I should say the ones that are closed minded. It is truely sad.
The greatest car salesman ever Obama.This guy will not be our president he will not have town hall meetings.Just listen to him answer unscripted questions.He stutters like a teenage boy.I want to go to one of his big events and turn the teleprompter off.
As a retired dem. union member, my comment is keep in mind that Obama is no Colin Powel. I would say that 90 percent of us veterans will be backing Mcain- he knows what the sting of battle is all about. Yes Obama is very smart but not ready to run this nation. I was very disapointed that Biden was not picked to be the Demo. candidate.
Is it true that he rides a unicorn that has a rainbow coming out of its butt?
I'm all for what they're doing but to a lot of "white" folks, it still won't matter because they will still vote based on color anyway.
What are they going to do to dispell the fact that he has no experince,he's got to spend the first four years making his strongest affiliates happy in order to get re-elected, and what are they going to do to erase twenty year affiliations and friendships with the likes of the Rev Jeremiah Wright, Bill Ayers,and Father Pfleger? How are they going to handle that?? They better get behind McCain,if they want a future!
Let's see, at least half of these mails will be in the trash bin without opening! No joking!
I noticed their mailing doesn't try to say Obama is not a socialist. Oh, that's right, THEY CAN'T!
It is so sad and pathetic that efforts have to be made to dispell suche out and out lies about Obama – who & how did these rumors even start in the first place?
So much for campainging on the issues – did this all start with the Hillary Clinton campaign against Obama.
I wonder how much this is costing him?