Jerome R. Corsi's book about Barack Obama is a good example of the right wing's racial fear-mongering.
Corsi is the Harvard Ph.D. who is credited with launching the attack that weakened Sen. John Kerry's presidential campaign and led to the infamous "swift-boating."
Unfit to Command was largely discredited, but not before it had done huge damage to Kerry's campaign because it distracted voters from the issues and distorted truth.
By now, I think I've heard just about every lie and smear Obama-haters have used in an attempt to scare white Americans away from his campaign.
If nothing else, they are extremely prolific, and cling to the most bizarre stories about why Obama is scary.
But Corsi's tome The Obama Nation takes the cake.
Let's start with the cover and its title. Corsi's play on words is sure to be a big hit with conservative talk show hosts and Internet chat room commenters.
In reducing Obama's race for the presidency to an "abomination," Corsi is using the same tired tactics that were used when it became clear that the late Harold Washington would likely become the first black mayor of Chicago.
Corsi's words are meant to warn skittish white folks that an Obama in the White House would be the beginning of the end.
And the racial cues are obvious.
Instead of a warm and smiling Obama peering from the cover, Simon & Schuster and its editor, Mary Matalin, a former Republican operative, chose a menacing and noticeably darker photograph of Obama.
Origin of black churches ignored
Corsi's book made the front page of Wednesday's New York Times even though the reporters acknowledged that several of the book's charges are "unsubstantiated, misleading or inaccurate."
But because there is such intense interest in Obama, Corsi's book is a No. 1 New York Times best seller despite the fact his sole purpose for writing the book is to defeat Obama.
Obviously, it won't do any good for the Obama campaign to go blow for blow with Corsi over his claims that Obama has "extensive connections with Islam and radical politics," or for him to refute other outrageous claims Corsi makes about Obama's life.
A rebuttal would only fuel more interest in the book and put more money in Corsi's bank account.
That's a lowdown dirty shame since it would mean that Corsi and the book's publishers are being rewarded for their exploitation of racial fears.
I was especially offended by Chapter 7: "Meet Reverend Wright," where Corsi talks about black-liberation theology as if he is talking about a gathering of Ku Klux Klansmen instead of a ministry dedicated to fighting injustice here and abroad.
And Corsi's distortion of the roots of the brand of theology taught in many black churches is alarming because it ignores how black churches came into existence in the first place.
Black people didn't have a choice.
Ludicrous argument
Indeed, the first black African Methodist Episcopal Church was founded in 1794 when angry white church officials snatched Richard Allen, Absolom Jones and Williams White from their knees during a worship service because they would not pray in a segregated area of the church.
It was mainly the black church that helped launch the civil rights movement, and the black church that gave blacks and whites involved in that movement a safe haven from the hordes of racists determined to keep America a separate and unequal nation.
To hear Corsi tell it, black-liberation theology is a threat to white America because teaching black people to worship a black Jesus sends a dangerous message.
"Put simply, black-liberation theology reinterprets the biblical history and teachings of Jesus Christ to advance a revolutionary racial message," Corsi wrote.
Simply put, that is ludicrous.
There's nothing revolutionary or racial about a black child getting on his or her knees and praying to a black Christ, any more than it is for a white child to get on his or her knees and pray to a white one.
But that is not why Corsi is picking this bone.
He's hoping his book will give credibility to the smears you can read for free on the Internet.
Only now -- it'll cost you.
Mary Mitchell is a columnist for the 
It's an OBAMANATION!!
The truth hurts!
How do you like it Ms. Mitchell! You constantly race bait in your column and back Obama because of his blackness. You are an angry light skinned woman who is trying to be blacker with your racist rhetoric. The book may have some inconsistencies, but it shines a light on Obama's distortions. And the book is a best seller and is rated high because it exposes this loser for what he is. A fraud upon the American public. He won't answer direct questions or anything with specificity because he is about an image, not truth. What will you say about the probable race riot when he loses? That it is justified?
it's hard to tell who the bigger racist is Corsi or mitchell.
THIS GUY HAS A BOOK THAT HAS MORE HOLES IN IT
THAN SWISS CHEESE!
HE IS MAKING MONEY HAND OVER FIST WITH A GARBAGE
OF A BOOK, LIKE DON KING SAID, ONLY IN AMERICA!
WHY PEOPLE BUY CRAP LIKE THIS IS BEYOND ME, STOP
WASTING YOUR MONEY ON FALSE INFORMATION!
YOU CAN BELIEVE KARL ROVE AND HIS MINIONS ARE
BEHIND THIS GUY AND THEY TOLD HIM PRECISELY WHEN
TO RELEASE HIS BOOK!
JOHN MCCAIN IS GOING TO LEARN THAT WHEN YOU GET
IN BED WITH DOGS YOU GET FLEAS!
It is time for Obama to go in atteck mode. Mccain does have alot of bagage. Dose anyone remember when he was under invastigation in the early 90s? The only thing that saved his political career was Desert Storm, so the media switch its intention to the war. He has flip flop on every issus. Where does he really stand?
"Instead of a warm and smiling Obama peering from the cover, Simon & Schuster and its editor, Mary Matalin, a former Republican operative, chose a menacing and noticeably darker photograph of Obama."
You have got to be kidding me...
Mary Mitchell = FAIL
It is time for Obama to go in atteck mode. Mccain does have alot of bagage. Dose anyone remember when he was under invastigation in the early 90s? The only thing that saved his political career was Desert Storm, so the media switch its intention to the war. He has flip flop on every issue. Where does he really stand?
This reporter and her commentary like many of the Obama supporters tries to make corsis arguments seem ludicris, rather than actually look at the details and the statements and thier origins. In fact many of the statements about black liberation theology are true and would be backed up by Rev. Wright for example.
additionally, what the Reporter does here is actually devoid of any analysis. For example: " I was especially offended by Chapter 7: "Meet Reverend Wright," where Corsi talks about black-liberation theology as if he is talking about a gathering of Ku Klux Klansmen " here the Reporter compares chapter 7 in the book to the KKK, NOT the actual book author corsi. The reporter is trying to discredit the whole book and its facts, by attaching derogetory statements that have no connection to the actual book. as well, why doesnt the reporter site any actual wording from that chapter, so we can see if in fact this is the case. She does not as so its her opinion here that is stated as "fact". this is shameful reporting and again lacks any fair analysis.
I think people should read the book and decide for themselves, in a free society this is whats called freedom of speech.
and lastly, that Corsi is the book ties Obama to Radical Islam is not far off, in fact his HOME DISTRICT in Illinois is also the home of the NOI, Nation of Islam, headed by Louis Farakan. Additionally some of the Obama Staffers were former NOI employees, so its reasonable to assume that they were connected to and supported Farakans hate speech and radical ideas.
I don't know what's being taught in every Black church but in my church I am taught to worship Jesus and praise him for his works, not his color. The bible tells us that God made us in his image, so I don't see anything wrong with someone praying to God using whatever image s(he) can relate to. I sincerely hope that Mr. Corsi took into consideration that the KKK uses the same idealogy that God is white to further their belief that Whites are superior to every other race. Yet that has not stopped Americans from electing a White president for every term. If more people would stop looking at Mr. Obama as a Black man and look at him for the qualities he possesses as a man, America would be a far better place. If he were not Black, what would be the problem with him as a candidate? This is question that we as a nation in crisis must ask ourselves, whether we believe that he as a man, not as an African American, can successfully run this country. Many Black ministers are not fighting just because, they are fighting because there are still injustices taking place everyday in Black communities, there are still disparities in the health and education systems, there is still racism in the workplace. Until all people see that the color of someone's skin does not entitle or strip them of their rights and liberties, we are going to have the Martin Luther Kings of the world working everyday to see that justice is done. I also believe that referring to Obama's campaign as an 'abomination' is very wrong and shows just how ignorant some can be. We are being led right now by one of the dumbest people walking the earth and people have the nerve to call Obama an abomination. Sounds to me like there are some good ole boys that are scared of change!
Many, Many things in the book are true.
Obama did refute some.
There is stuff in Obama's book that are not true, so no one should buy it??????
This is true racism at its' deepest core.
ANYBODY WHO PEDDLES A BOOK ON FOX NEWS ISN'T
CREDIBLE ANYWAY!
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS WATCH WHO COMES ON FOX
NEWS, KARL ROVE, GERALDINE FERRARO, JUAN WILLIAMS,
ALL OF THESE PEOPLE HAVE A FLAW IN THEIR
CHARACTER!
SEAN HANNITY IS THE BIGGEST LOON OF THEM ALL!
Obama is a brave man who still believes in dreams. Unfortunately he nor any other black man, black woman, or any other minority will win the U.S. presidency until the next century. American's have learned to thrive on fear. Its fed to us daily to supplement our confusion and ignorance. Fear of death, fear of gun violence, fear of loss of employement, fear of bird flu, fear of environmental collapse, fear of being fat, depressed, ugly, fear of the black race, fear of being known that you fear! These fears are the weapons of choice to keep those in power unchallenged by keeping the majority focused on one or more of these arbitrary feelings. Fear is the new religion based on faith given by the spoken word of an authority. Only when enough of us are fed up and disregard our fear can we challenge that authority to bring about a change for the better. To bad there is not enough of us, yet!
Mary, I don't like negative stuff, either. Everybody has some dirt-in-their closet, as they say. But be outraged at BOTH sides..Come on, last Saturday's commentary in YOUR paper by LA writer Robert Scheer. Saying McCain started the Russia-Georgia war. That was beyond ridiculous.. And the liberal blogs going after Cindy McCain for her half-sister. Especially when it now turns out Obama himself has a half-brother living on a dollar a month.
Any comments on David Freddoso's book? Now tell us how that is an abomination. I do agree though; it is abominable that anyone would actually be interested in piercing "The One's" shroud of secrecy. How dare they request documents on the Annenburg Challenge! How dare they highlight the fact that our new messiah has no record of reform or bipartisanship! How dare they ridicule the handmaiden of the white chicago politicians you rail against on a weekly basis! RACISTS, I TELL YOU. They're all RACISTS. Why don't these idiot Republicans understand that this is "change we can believe in" instead of continuing the discriminatory practice of actually evaluating a candidate's worthiness?
Ms. Mitchell,
Obviously you are quite biased regarding Obama, I am not. It was clear that after the media honeymoon Obama experienced for the last year or so, he was bound to get nailed for his voting record, lack of experience and the company he kept.
As a white man, I don't care a bit about color of skin, to judge that way is wrong, and that goes for ALL OF US! If Obama wins in November I will be very surprised due to his lack of substance and intensely liberal agenda. Give me Colin Powell or Condaleeza Rice any day, I'd vote for them in a flash.
Sorry, but this is only going to get worse with Rezko and Ayers soon to follow, the UIC papers will hurt him big time.
wow - stifle dissent much? Submitted a post over an hour ago, and it has yet to appear. thanks for making my point, providing me with no small amount of satisfaction and completely validating my disdain of your journalistic integrity.
Keep up the good work
Instead of getting upset by Jerome Corsi, people need to investigate him and his "friends". You will find that he is in bed (or in the closet) with some very interesting people who have an agenda that they are working hard to push. I also find it interesting that his publisher's ties to the Democratic party have not been more throughly investigated, as well. Kerry and Obama are (or were) threats to a particular power base that stands (stood in Kerry's case) to benefit if they are knocked off. Wake up America! It's not about Black or White........it's about power and who will get to wield it.
And on the subject of Black Liberation theology, it was interesting that "Pastor" Rick Warren denounced it. It seems that he thinks that Black people should stay on their knees praying to Jesus for "good" white folks to liberate them and never dare question or challenge them on any level. I guess that Dr. King and his black and white followers were unpatriotic and dangerous if Corsi and Rick Warren are to be believed.
Now those two boys and their pals are the "real Christians", except, if you use their flawed "logic and research skills" Jesus Christ was a dangerous rebel as well.
The points you are missing is that it doesn't matter what the origins of the black church are, that has no bearing on Rev. Wright and what he said and what he does!! So because the church is dedicated to fighting injustice, they can say and do whatever they want?!!? You make no sense.
You also believe that putting a picture of Obama on the front cover is racist?!?! Compare that picture with those of his two books- they are the same tone!!!!
Great book that tell all. Should be mandatory reading for all voters.
It's a very informative book that should be read by all thinking voters.
I wasn’t surprised to read your article and have you bash this book Obama Nation because you are an obvious Obama supporter. I find it quite typical that Obama supporters can’t take the truth when someone talks about his campaign and his ridiculous policies just like what this book exposes about him. You talked about you heard every lie and smear Obama haters used in an attempt to scare white Americans now I hate to tell you that they are not smears or lies it is the truth. Everything that comes out of this guys mouth is shear stupidity for example that if you inflate your tires that would save as much gas if they were to drill. This is an example that this guy is so utterly stupid and has NO idea of what he is talking about. Yes inflating your tires will help with your gas mileage that you already in your car a little but that is not going to help produce anymore oil. I also find it funny when people talk to his supporters and ask what his accomplishments or anything about this record they can’t name any. This guy has NO experience on anything and he has NO clue about the first thing about Economics the Economy or Foreign Policies. I can’t see why you fools are falling all over yourself over a candidate who has NO experience and he is going to raise the taxes on everything and we will have the highest taxes in history. A fatter of fact his whole career is an absolute joke. For instance how he even became a Senator the seat was handed over to him by some Woman I don’t recall her name because she was running for some other office. Then when the elections started he ran against a nobody that the Republicans just put out there to have a candidate run because the real candidate Jack Ryan got out of the race because of some problems with his ex-wife in which we hoped that he would stay in the race but didn’t. Now if he would have stayed in the race this joke of a Senator would have lost and we wouldn’t be going thru this media loving biased coverage of a Man who has NO experience what so ever. It would seem only in politics that a person can have NO experience and if he took his NO experience resume to find a job NO one would have hired him. All you idiots need to gets off your brains and do your homework on this joke of a candidate especially the black voters because they can’t tell you any accomplishments that he has because there are none they are voting for him just because he is black and he has about 95% of the black vote now if that is not racist because then what is? His Record shows that he has no experience and when he speaks he relays a message that he doesn’t know what he is talking about and when he was a community organizer here then became a Senator he did absolutely nothing for Chicago or the State so makes anybody think that if he was President that he would do anything for the country. As a matter of fact his universal healthcare policy is a joke he wants to destroy the best healthcare in the world. Why don’t you ask people who live in Canada or other places that have this and they say that this is terrible and that they come here for there health care and let’s not forget that he wants to cover illegal immigrants. He is against drilling for oil doesn’t this idiot doesn’t understand before you can start looking for alternate energies that you have to have enough energy that you are currently using and he doesn’t want us to drill or have refineries or Nuclear Power. Obama is not a new kind of politician he is the same old Democratic politician and this book exposed him for what he is a NO a count hack who has NO idea of what he is talking about. And the people who are against abortion you need to go to this website: http://www.newsmax.com/insidecover/obama_live_born_abortion/2008/08/26/124988.html?s=al&promo_code=6883-1
And below is another true article that people need to read but I know it make a difference even if we show you the truth about this guy the fact of the matter is blacks are voting for him because he is black. Here is another example of someone who didn’t deserve the job who has NO experience Todd Stroger another person who doesn’t have a clue of what he is doing and Chicago is suffering with the highest taxes among other things so enough said about these 2 jokes of a candidates.
President Obama and
The Coming Stock Market Crash
How destructive to the U.S. economy would a Barack Obama presidency be?
An exclusive Newsmax analysis warns: There could be a very rough time ahead.
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http://news.newsmax.com/?K6CR.1puwq0OuF..WzGuDhQHeXbftfRAK&https://www.newsmaxstore.com/nm_mag/jun08.cfm?s=al&promo_code=684D-1
Beneath Obama's flowery rhetoric lies a dangerous economic plan that will wreak havoc on the American economy.
Obama plans to return to the failed policies of high taxation coupled with an expansion of government spending.
Worse, Obama says he is absolutely committed to almost doubling the capital gains rate — something he will easily accomplish with a Democrat Congress.
In the coming months — when investors realize that Obama will raise the cap gains rate — there could be a stampede of asset sales as investors rush to take their profits now to avoid Obama's doubling of the tax rates next year.
All of these issues and more are explored in Newsmax magazine's special report "Obamanomics — the Coming Tax-and-Spend Nightmare," by Wall Street Journal columnist John Fund.
This Newsmax magazine special report gives Americans the first in-depth look at the Democratic presidential candidate's likely strategies — and how they will affect not just the larger economy, but your personal wealth as well.
Indeed, Obama makes no bones about his plans to go on a tax rampage. Not only would he increase the capital-gains tax rate from 15 percent to as much as 28 percent, he wants to allow the 2001 and 2003 Bush tax cuts to expire in 2010, which effectively raises taxes on Americans by tens of billions of dollars.
He also wants to do away with the $102,000 FICA payroll tax cap, which means anyone making over $102,000 would pay an additional 7 percent in taxes on earned income.
And the loan dividend tax rate George Bush implemented? Under President Obama it will be DOA!
If you are concerned about your wealth and family's financial well-being — and that the American economy remains strong — you must read this special report and share it with friends and family.
This wide-ranging Newsmax report explores:
How Obama's policies could cost more than $850 billion over four years
The dire repercussions of Obama's minimum wage proposal for small businesses and retail outlets
Obama aides' private and very revealing admission about the candidate's economic savvy
The surprising revelation when Barack's own tax returns were reviewed by an expert
The "proof" that Obama will kowtow to organized labor
Obama's Social Security plan: a giant income-redistribution scheme
How Obama's policies could boost some tax rates to 60 percent
Leading economist Arthur Laffer's warning on Obamanomics
Obama's policies point by point on energy, healthcare, regulation, and the housing crisis
Who would lose under Obama's tax proposals — and who would win
How Barack "flunked" an easy question on capital gains
The Democrat's contradictory statements on tax increases
Why Obama's campaign against special interests would backfire
Obama's plan to double America's foreign aid
How Obama's trade policies would damage U.S. multinationals
Obama's embarrassing denial regarding NAFTA
The National Taxpayers Union's Obama rating: just 5 percent
Obama's misguided views on technology's future
How the Democrat would undermine private sector healthcare
Obama's tactics — old left-wing populist ploys
And much more
If a conservative black candidate were nominated, one who sees the United States the way that 72% of Americans see it, he would be elected in a heartbeat. If a black candidate stood up for the Constitution and the Republic, and spoke against socialism, he would slide in just like Reagan did, in a landslide.
If Obama loses, it is not because he is black, but because he is so far to the left of the majority of Americans. Only 23% of Americans actually see the world the way Obama does. This is his problem, not his skin color.
If the party of Lincoln were to nominate a black candidate, the democratic socialists would tear him to shreds as they did Clarence Thomas when he was nominated for the Supreme Court. It isn't about skin color, but policy. Thomas was one of the most brilliant men ever nominated to the Court, but his politics didn't pass with the leftists in Congress.
Biden was the chairman of the judicial committee that tore Clarence Thomas to shreds for showing up not as a black man, but a conservative man. They railed against him for being an oreo, and an Uncle Tom, all over America. Apparently the great freedom and tolerance preached by the liberals does not extend to conservatives.
It was because he was a conservative that the democrats on the judicial committee, led by Joe Biden, crucified him. And if Obama is not elected, it will be because he is a leftist, not because he is of mixed race.
Mary, I think the problem is that some ignorant people out there really believe an Obama presidency would be an abomination. The one thing they don't realize is that slowly these people are being weeded out, passed over, left behind because of the changing ideas out there. People are moving on, both in the States and in the rest of the world. The racists and fear mongers are slowly going to be left behind unless they choose to move forward in life and GROW UP!