Rep. King Stands by Prediction That Obama Presidency Would Be Welcomed by Terrorists
U.S. Rep. Steve King, R-Iowa
DES MOINES, Iowa — An Iowa Republican congressman on Monday defended his prediction that terrorists would celebrate if Democrat Barack Obama were elected president, despite a rebuke from aides to John McCain, the GOP’s apparent presidential nominee.
“(Obama will) certainly be viewed as a savior for them,” Rep. Steve King told The Associated Press. “That’s why you will see them supporting him, encouraging him.”
King said his offices have been bombarded with calls — positive and negative — since he said Friday that Al Qaeda “would be dancing in the streets in greater numbers than they did on September 11 because they would declare victory in this war on terror.”
King cited Obama’s pledge to pull U.S. troops from Iraq, his father’s Muslim roots in Kenya and his middle name, Hussein, which King said has a meaning to terrorists.
Asked about the remarks as he campaigned in Mississippi, Obama said, “I think that Mr. King has it backwards. The fact that the continuation of a presence in Iraq as Senator McCain has suggested is exactly what, I think, will fan the flames of anti-American sentiment and make it more difficult for us to create a long-term and sustainable peace in the world.
“But I have to say that Mr. King and individuals like him thrive on offensive or controversial statements as a way to get in the papers, so I don’t take it too seriously. I would hope Senator McCain would want to distance himself from that kind of inflammatory and offensive remarks,” Obama said.
Aides to McCain also disavowed King’s comments.
“John McCain rejects the type of politics that degrades our civics … and obviously that extends to Congressman King’s statement,” spokesman Brian Rogers told The Associated Press.
Last month, McCain also denounced his introduction in Cincinnati by talk-show host Bill Cunningham, who referred to Obama three times as “Barack Hussein Obama.”
Obama supporters have claimed such tactics are being used to imply that he is a Muslim.
The Illinois senator, born in Hawaii to a white Kansas woman and a Kenyan man, is a Christian and has said he has little connection to the Islamic religion, though he acknowledges spending part of his childhood in largely Muslim Indonesia.
He is right! Hussein is out to destroy our country! Wake up America!
Rep. King should be reminded that al qaeda stated long before 9/11 that there aim was to draw the U.S. into a protracted war with either Iraq or Iran. We took the bait. They are not interested in accommodation; they want a war in order to recruit more and more moderate Muslims to their fringe cause. George Bush is the one doing their bidding. Obama will spell their demise. Once we go back to rational policy, they lose the battle of opinion. Then they will fade away. Don’t believe me? Read the CIA’s report on how radical Islam recruitment has “substantially increased” as a direct result of the Iraq war.
Looks like others will do allthe dirty work for McCain cause he is too frail and old to do it himself. If the phone did ring at 3am would McCain even hear it ringing? Obama clearly is the RIGHT choice for OUR president. May God bless him. Obama ‘08 YES WE CAN!!!
The king of Syria has endorsed Obama. Obama plans to withdraw troops from Iraq which would make it a prime place for terrorist groups to claim territory and act in secret. Obama’s voting record indicates that he is against gun ownership. Obama is willing to meet with leaders of countries that harbor and support terrorists. Obama’s religious affiliations and public comments indicate that he leans toward Palestinian stances on Israel. Radical Islam has a lot to gain if Obama is the next president.
Obama is not a muslim, but he does appear to hold many of the same positions as muslims.
I just don’t understand why someone would be offended by their middle name and refuse to use it IN PUBLIC or for anyone to address him by it AND TAKE IT AS AN OFFENSE. Why is it an insult ? Maybe because there are ties with Muslim cultures ? We got rid of a Hussein in Iraq and some folks want another HUSSEIN in the White House. This is just MARVELOUS.
What morpnic remarks. I realize we have freedom of speech, but some things, people just need to keep to themselves. How did he possibly get elected? I don’t know if he realizes this , but his comments do nothing but cause controversy and instill fear in the populace as a whole. Why is he harping on the middle name. He is making a judgement without taking some time to know the person. I would like to see if he is up for re–election, what would happen. Why is it the repilicans versus the democrats. That’s one of our problems. We are categorized, whether by race, creed, color, relegious preference, whatever. When will we ever live in a society that it doesn’t matter if you are black, white,jew, greek, ricj poor, etc. It’s people like this elected official that keeps a lot of narrow minded people in bondage. What makes him think that for a moment, that because he thinks Barrack Obama is a muslim, that anyone of us non muslim human beings can’t go “off” for no apparent reason. He needs to either recant those remarks and apologize to all his fellow senators, congressman, and the american people.
It’s true! They have already celerated by citing Mr. BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA name in some Muslim country. To them “American is changing”!! That’s scary!
First let be know that I am and will always be a Republican/Conservative. This does not mean that I will not consider voting Democrat if my conscience leads me in that direction.
Having said that, what is the big deal if Sen. Obama’s middle name is “Hussein”. WHO CARES!? I personally do not care if any of his names are of Muslim / Islamic / Arabic (which ever is correct) descent. If the voters think that he can do a better job in 2009, then so be it. Just because he may be setting in the Big Chair in Washington does not make him all powerful. Last I checked, WE THE PEOPLE run this country. If something happens that we do not approve of, we have ways of fixing it. Oh! Wait a minute, I just realized that a large percentage of us just sit back and complain and whine. That is why we are in the state that we are in.
The only people that will be dancing in the streets will be the ones that succeeded in voting in their chosen candidate. Al-Qaeda is already dancing in the streets of the hide outs in Afghanistan. They just love watching a Super Power trying to tear itself apart during election time. It is not going to matter if we pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan, they will be at war with each other. They have been for over 4000 years. Nothing is going to change, unless they change it. What a concept! People making changes for the better. Does this sound familiar to any one? Does 1776 ring a bell?
I personally would not mind seeing an African American Man or a Caucasian Woman (just not Billary) in the White House. With the exception of President Kennedy, we have had nothing but OLD CAUCASIAN MEN in the White House. It is time for a change. Unless Senator McCain can show just cause why he should be President, being a War Hero is not justification all by itself. I would shake his hand and thanks him for his service to this country during that period, but I would not vote for him as President because of it. He needs to come out on the stump with some valid reasons why he should be President. If he does that, and my conscience directs me, I will vote for him. As it stands right now, Senator Obama is getting my vote.
Representative King! What have you done to stop Al-Qaeda besides run your mouth? Personally I think that you wanted your 15 minutes of fame. Well you got it. No go away unless you have something productive to add.
WHY are SO many poeple turning in to cult members with their eyes rolling in ther back of their head for Osama Hussien?
We HAVE to stop Rodam Hussein.
How the HELL could we put this guy in the white house when we KNOW he is going to sit down with the terrorsts?!?!?? He says this and IS PROUD OF IT!!!
WTF?!?!?!?
WAKE UP Obama sheep! He IS NOT the black JESUS. Don’t be SO STUPID
Stop this nonsense. None of this will happen.
The Republican party is all ready doing what they do best when
they fill they may be defeated. Play unfair, unlawfully and have to get their fingers in everything.
It is factual… look at what happen last election.
Republicans are putting this out in the media to the American People.
Play the mentality game. Using Obama’s name and family history.
So if Obama does get the nomination, they think that McCain will
have a automatic win.
Either party whom gets in office has enormous amount of work ahead of them.
It does not matter whom or what party is in office when it comes to the United States being under attack
There is a Republican President in office and we got attacked.
It has definitely been a interesting race thus far. Only to get more mud sling
and in depth..