South Carolina State Senator Compares Obama to bin Laden, At Least By Name
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A Republican state senator is being criticized for a post on his blog that shows photos of Barack Obama and Usama bin Laden wearing similar clothing, along with a line that says the difference between them is “a little B.S.”
The image was posted on Sen. Kevin Bryant’s blog on Friday. It appears to be a photo of a T-shirt with images of bin Laden and Obama wearing turbans and the words “OBAMA” AND “OSAMA,” with the “B” and “S” highlighted in red.
“It’s just one of those pictures that I received by e-mail,” Bryant told The Associated Press on Monday. “I hope people will understand the sarcasm in it.”
He said he had been unaware of the uproar last week over a caricature of a turban-wearing Obama and his militant wife on the cover of The New Yorker.
“As a matter of fact, I was on vacation last week and I wasn’t aware of that New Yorker picture,” said Bryant, a 41-year-old pharmacist and first-term senator. “So I guess that’s coincidence.” He said reactions have been mixed.
Bryant said he is concerned about Obama’s foreign policy stances and his commitment to fighting terrorism. He also asserted that a double standard applies to political criticism.
“I see a lot of hypocrisy of all the things that are said about our president, yet Sen. Obama is untouchable. Nobody seems to have a problem when they bash Bush. It seems like a double-standard to me.”
The state Democratic Party chairwoman called the posting a “desperate and juvenile attempt” by Bryant to get attention for his re-election bid.
“That kind of ignorance and hatred, I’m surprised to find it exists,” Carol Fowler said. “South Carolinians are not ignorant, hate-filled people.”
By Monday evening, the posting had generated 22 comments on Bryant’s Web site, most chastising the senator. One called the image “very funny.”
NOBAMA- NEVER
Typical republican shady behavior, not really suprised. There is surley more to come from the uneducated people from the Shouth and Bible Belt, just wait until September rolls around.
Shame on you Larry Craig, those airport bathrooms are not meant for that!
“a ‘desperate and juvenile attempt ….That kind of ignorance and hatred, I’m surprised to find it exists,” - Carol Fowler.
Dear Carol,
That is EXACTLY what I said every time Obama slammed Clinton with some dismissive, patronizing remark. It is EXACTLY what I said every time the Obama campaign yelled “RACIST!” whenever anyone questioned his evident superiority, or asked him for an explanation about his long and complex ties with terrorists, both domestic and foreign.
That is EXACTLY what I said every time more than 90 per cent of blacks voted for Obama in the primaries, only because they think he is black.
And that is EXACTLY what I say every time the odious Michelle Obama opens her mouth and shows her bitter disdain of everything American.
This is totally disgusting no matter whose side you are on. This is not surprising to me however. It is so sad that electd officials would stoop to something as tasteless as this to get re-elected. I know many people from this wonderful state. One of my closest friends was a victim in the 9-11 attacks. How could Bryant wanto bring this horrible day up in a sarcastic manner. It is not funny at all. It is my hope and prayer that they would not re-elect someone with these views. He says he meant no harm-he is a liar as well as tasteless and disgusting.
Different spelling of the name….same philosophy.
For the real message and the comedy of it all, just take a look at exactly who is doing the criticising and examine their respective motivations.
Sam In Townville, SC
A very apt comment from Allen Hoban! Ditto my man! State Senator Bryant certainly ruffled the feathers that needed some ruffling. Good for him; if daily “Bush bashing” designed and approved by Obama and his camp is OK, let them have the same medicine and let them swallow it! If “much more of the same” is good for them they must not whine if they get it back in equal measure! I like Bryant’s own comment where he says: “I hope people will understand the sarcasm in it.” Great summary; exactly the way to treat the Supreme Savior of the World!