Sarah Palin came in for some praise from a very unusual source, that is to say The Washington Post, not known to be a fan of the Mama Grizzly. In a recent interview, Palin took on the people who believe odd things about President Barack Obama.
“‘Do you question his faith and citizenship?’ Palin was asked today during an onstage interview hosted by the Long Island Association. Her answer was brief and to the point.
“‘I don’t, and those are distractions,’ she said to some applause. ‘What we’re concerned about is the economy. And we’re concerned about the policies coming out of his administration and what he believes in terms of big government or private sector. So, no, the faith, the birth certificate, others can engage in that kind of conversation. It’s distracting. It gets annoying and let’s just stick with what really matters.'”
As usual, Palin cuts through the nonsense, though at a slight political risk to herself. Both people who think Barack Obama was born in Kenya and those who think he is a secret Muslim are being silly. There is more than enough reason to oppose the President and work for his early retirement from public service without getting into the fever swamps.
The Birther nonsense can be disposed of by pointing out that to be a “natural born citizen” it does not matter if Barack Obama was born in Hawaii, Kenya, or the far side of the Moon. His mother was an American citizen and therefore that makes him one.
The Secret Muslim idiocy can be addressed this way. Has anyone actually seen Obama practicing any of the five pillars of the faith of Islam? Praying five times a day? Going on the Haj? Giving alms that actually belonged to him and not someone else’s money? Just because his middle name is “Hussein” does not mean he is a secret Muslim.
True, Obama’s policies seem to be focused on appeasing Muslims, from his coddling the Iranians to his cold treatment of Israel. But that is just left-wing, anti-Israel policy that had more to do with the old adage that while the Kingdom of Heaven runs on righteousness, the Kingdoms of the Earth run on oil. And since Obama won’t allow too much domestic oil drilling, appeasing the Muslims just follows naturally.
Besides, the man who claims to have snoozed through decades of the rants of Jeremiah Wright cannot really claim to be a good Christian. Being a good Muslim is that much harder.
Sarah Palin, by taking on these conspiracy theories, may have found her Sister Souljah moment. By taking on some of the nutty thinking of some on the right, she burnishes her street cred of someone who is independent and is willing to speak truth, no matter what. Not a bad tack to take, that, for someone who may want to be president.
Sources: Palin gets it right on birthers and Obama’s faith, Jonathan Capehart, The Washiington Post, February 17th, 2011
Barack Obama’s Birth Certificate, Mark R. Whittington, Associated Content, June 10th, 2008
Obama is a Muslim, Say 18 Percent of Americans; 43 Percent Not Sure, Mark R. Whittington, Associated Content, August 19th, 2010
