Palin blasts Obama for ties to Palestinian professor
[cnn-photo-caption image= http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2008/images/10/29/palin6.jpg caption=" Palin's criticized Obama's ties to Palestinian professor Rashid Khalidi."]
BOWLING GREEN, Ohio (CNN) - Sarah Palin thrust Barack Obama’s relationship with a Palestinian academic into the national spotlight on Wednesday at a rally in Ohio - a tactic reminiscent of her repeated attempts to tie Obama to former radical William Ayers.
Palin kicked off her rally in Bowling Green by stressing, as she always does, that “it is not negative campaigning to call someone out on their record.” In recent weeks Palin has used that line to open up an attack on Obama’s tax plans. On Wednesday, she tried something different.
“It seems that there is yet another radical professor from the neighborhood who spent a lot of time with Barack Obama going back several years,” Palin said. “This is important because his associate, Rashid Khalidi, he, in addition to being a political ally of Barack Obama, he's a former spokesperson for the Paliestinian Liberation Organization.”
Khalidi - whose name Palin mispronounced - is currently a leading scholar of Middle Eastern Studies at Columbia University, and was a contemporary of Obama’s while on faculty at the University of Chicago.
Khalidi has been a stern critic of United States foreign policy towards Israel and has accused the country of “occupying” Palestinian territories, but he has denied acting as a spokesman for the PLO.
The Los Angeles Times reported in April that Obama praised Khalidi at a 2003 going-away party for the professor when he left Chicago. The McCain campaign has pressured the Times to publicly release a videotape of the event, but the newspaper has refused, citing the request of a source.
Palin said the public has a right to know what Obama said at the event.
“And the twist here is that there's a videotape of a party for this person, back in 2003, a celebration of him, and Barack was there, and we know some very derogatory things were said there about Israel and America's support for that great nation,” Palin said.
“And among other things, Israel was described there as the perpetrator of terrorism instead of the victim. What we don't know, what we don't know is how Barack Obama responded to these slurs on a country that he now professes to support, and the reason is the newspaper that has the tape, the Los Angeles Times, refuses to release it.”
Palin accused the Times of being Obama’s “pet newspaper” and said the paper would win a Pulitzer Prize for “excelling in cow-towing.”
The Republican vice presidential nominee was joined at her Ohio rally by Joe Wurzelbacher, known to the world as Joe the plumber. It was the first time the celebrated small business owner has appeared with Palin on the stump.
Palin described Wurzelbacher as “a fellow Alaskan” because he once lived near Fairbanks.
I had a customer with the first name of Osama. Does that make him a terrorist? A doctor in my home town with the last name of Hussein? Does that make him a terrorist? Sarah Palin is such an imbecile she can't even pronounce the guy's name! Does she even know where Palesine is! GO HOME CARIBOU BARBIE!
typical republican scare tactics. Is it bad that someone can be friends with someone of a different culture and point of view. where was the outrage about the Bush and Bin ladin family friendship. If it were up to Palin the nation would go back to segregation by religion, ethnicity, culture, and party affiliation.
this repugs will stoop to any level to regain power, that is what we should be afraid of
Speaking as a single mother – Why is Sarah Palin cozing-up with Joe the Plumber? He is way behind with his child support. Is he being paid to stump with Palin and if not, then why isn't he working? Joe is just another dead-beat daddy.
My vote will be for OBAMA.
This is old news and was reported months ago. McCain praised him as well, but Palin doesn't say that does she.
She's mad because she a 'whack job' and McCain pals around with 'whack jobs'!
Where is McCain/Palin self respect. The last 8 years have brought us to this in America politics. They really think they can say anything they want and we will believe them. I feel sorry for them. They should lose they are without a soul
Sarah I realize that ever since that house fell on your sister you've been a little angry, but this is over the top for even an Alaskan politician.
Beware of the WINK!
@ BLINDSIDED
Do not pick and choose what to quote from Obama's books my dear. You either put it all up or none at all. You are incorrect with these pieces you chose from his books...stick to the facts and the truth. It's enough of the ugliness going on between the two parties and enough lies and bs.
You say he is not the promise of hope? What he is and what he stands for is change! and I do not know where you live at or where your from but look around and from my eye view...we need CHANGE!
*************************************************************
Learn about this man Mr. Obama. Do NOT just go along with the promise of hope… I know we all need things to be better. Obama is not the answer he promises:
From Audacity of Hope:
"I will stand with the Muslims should the political winds shift in an ugly direction."
From Dreams of My Father:
"I ceased to advertise my mother's race at the age of 12 or 13, when I began to suspect that by doing so I was ingratiating myself to whites."
"I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race."
There is an article in Politico today (Ben Smith) that dispells this nonsense & actually shows much closer ties between Khalidi and McCain the he is to Obama.
But the bigger issue is why is it 'wrong' to attend events with persons of opposing views? Is there anything more communist in nature then to attack people for listening to opposing views..I think not? Is this an era of McCarthyism that the McCain/Palin ticket are advocating?? Good grief, are there not enough exisitng divisions without trying to create more!! This is surely a time in our history where more diplomacy is required!
Here she goes again!
Didn't anyone told her that the Ayers attacks backslashed?
What pathetic desperation. Palin hauls out poor Joe. Practicing plumbing with no license, owing Ohio back taxes and complaining that he will continue to pay taxes on future earnings. Is this all you have, republicans??? Pathetic!
I guess McCain and Palin have given up and are continuously searching their kitchen sink. Why dont they get it ? This election is about ECONOMICS and Rovian politics is completely ineffective and irrelevant.
What business does 'Joe the Plumber' own mister Peter Hambly?
You stated in the article that he owns a small business, what small business does he own?
Do you use your brain when you post these articles?
How far can you go, Ms Palin?
I think you are performing the duties of 'ATTACK DOG' really well...
But, unfortunately, they are back-firing and are counter-productive....
And, please keep it negative, because that is helping our Obama...
Palin are you jealous of Obama or what. You are always in his kool-Aid no matter what favor it is girlllllllllllll. Grow up.
THE BEST WAY TO SHUT UP THE GOP SCUMBAGS IS TO MAKE SURE YOU AND EVERYONE YOU KNOW VOTES 100% DEMOCRATIC. GET OUT THE VOTE, TAKE NOTHING FOR GRANTED
IRRESPECTIVE OF THE POLLS.
Dear Women Against Palin,
Please go back and finish dinner before your husband gets home.
I love how delusional all of you Obamaphiles are. Are you trolling around on cnn.com because you don't have jobs? Is that why you would love Obama's wealth redistribution plans?
Heck of a neighborhood.... Bill Ayers, Tony Resko, Rashid Khalidi, Rev Wright, Louis Farrakhan, and Barack Obama !! Wow, think this typical white guy could move in?
Palin needs to shoot another moose. This woman is angry!
OBAMA&BIDEN
Is anybody still listening to this women?
must....grasp...at..straws.....
"did...did ya'll know that that thier person was once at the same hotel with a guy who knew the person who was the guy that said The plo was alright?
darn tooting terrorist!!!!"
but, abortion clinics aren't terrorists right sarah? because thier doing "gods work"
Sarah Palin..will you shut your mouth? The reason why you are loosing is because if this. I am suprise you are so DUMB to realize that the people of USA are tired of this constant hate for OBAMA. You are doomed and Alaska will regret having you ever to be governor. You are a disgrace to the christian faith and we the christian fully REJECT that. Shame on your head.
Sarah, go back to your eskimo
Lets ask Palin what she thought about the guest speaker from Jews for America that spoke at her new church. He stressed that Israel deserve every bad thing that happen and will be distroyed if they do not convert. It was Aug 15 of this year? Palin was in attendance at that service. This was just a very short time before she was tapped as McCain's running mate. It's on You Tube. She is a sheep in wolves clothing. For a woman to be this evil, praising war and devide amoung American people is Scary, Scary, Scary. If we all read our Bible the way we say we do, all of us know that GOD wants Peace and Love because we are ALL Gods children. Devision is not the answer but that seems to be the only one that McCain/Palin have.
Yana