NPR covered this very briefly on the June 18th edition of "All Things Considered": http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91658107

That's the only news org I've heard about it from, though, so I would agree that it still "slipped through the cracks."

Finally! I was wondering why this hadn't been mentioned here.

To me it sounded more like the volunteers were the problem. I think the first one was a bigger problem, it sounds like she was being hyper-sensitive to the various idiots who claim Obama will immediately invite in Muslim extremists (you know, 'cuz Bush doesn't deal with extremists of any religion or anything) and make the White House look like Aladdin's palace (seriously, someone sent this anti-Obama email with doctored photos of exactly that). The second one probably was told not to let people in who had on headgear, but followed the rule a little too strictly. She should have known that religious headgear is generally accepted as an exception to rules like that or at least gone and checked with a superior. You'd have to be pretty stupid not to realize how negatively something like that could impact a campaign.

I was glad to read the girl's friends didn't ditch her to get the good seats.

I actually heard it discussed on cable news yesterday, albeit in the context of a larger discussion about Obama's "Muslim problem".

In any case, I'm very sorry that this happened.

To be honest, I wasn't really happy with them listing "Barack Obama is a Muslim" as a "smear" on his Fight the Smears website. 1.2 bilion people are Muslims; it's not, in itself, a bad thing.

Sad all around.

I read this on CNN last week, right after it happened. http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/06/18/obama.event.ap/index.html

I was surprised that it hadn't been mentioned at my usual haunts.

I hope that Obama's campaign has been making sure to educate their volunteers and workers to avoid this kind of misstep in the future.

Actually, this story has been out for at least three or four days. I wondered why Feministing didn't carry it.

But now that you are, how about updating it with the latest news about how Rep. Keith Ellison, the only Muslim House rep, had a show-down with Obama at the Congressional Black Caucus meeting in which Ellison challenged Obama to explain why the latter had not acted/apologized as soon as he knew of the incidents.

Do I think the volunteers' actions were reprehensible? yes. Do I expect politicians to move quickly on any subject that would damage their ambitions (and believe me when I say that pics of Obama in front of women in hijab would hurt him)? Nope. I'm glad Ellison held Obama accountable.

Unfortunately, the Obama campaign was damned if they do and damned if they don't in this situation. Considering the rumors already floating around about his middle name and that he was supposedly schooled in a madrassa, I actually think this was a smart move on their part. It just sucks that it means excluding people who shouldn't be excluded. I totally believe that Muslims should be upset about this, but I also think this says more about the absurd xenophobia of Americans than it does about his campaign.

I agree with wax ghost- Obama has to tiptoe through everything because of our country's inability to break its puritan, colonial mindset. He's too black, he's too muslim, he's too elitist, he's too foreign... I truly wish those girls could've stayed on stage, showing their support, and have the campaign send a strong message at the same time: we are united for change- all of us, of every background, religion and race. Unfortunately...this country isn't ready for it.

Frankly I think this is proof of what a hypocrite Barack Obama is. What he should have done from the beginning, given how he's supposedly such a "different" politician who's going to bring "change," is make it clear that even though he's a Christian, there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a Muslim, and to imply that there is is offensive and ignorant and un American. I'm sure that had this happened in the McCain camp, the same people rationalizing for Obama would be all over it. And no I don't support McCain or intend to vote for him, in case you're wondering. I'm just tired of phony politicians trying to pass themselves off as the second coming.

I have to agree with waxghost.

Tangotulip, it's not necessarily the nature of politician himself but indeed the "political climate" that he runs in. Obama, or anybody else, has no political chance in the USA if they publically uphold or defend the religion of "evil doers". Remember the Pennsylvania primary when Hillary swept Obama by a large margin? Why? Because a lot of voters simply thought of Obama as a "muslim", or "terrorist" or, "one of those people". It's not the ignorance of politicians, but of voters, that causes this.

I'm sure it's true that Obama's people did this because of the idiotic public perceptions about Obama and Muslims, but that doesn't make it ok. What if a white politician didn't want any black people sitting behind them?

Obama has outright said that this is also Muslim nation. Hell, they're using that very quote against him in South Dakota.

If a white politician's volunteers did this, it still wouldn't be his fault.

Incendria, absolutely. I didn't want to make it sound like I thought it was okay. It's not. But I don't know what the alternative is and don't necessarily automatically fault Obama for it either... which also doesn't mean that there isn't an alternative or that Obama isn't at fault at all but that from my position, the biggest problem is the fear and ignorance that most Americans have of Islam. If it weren't for that, this would be a lot more clearcut.

Unfortunately...this country isn't ready for it.

Seriously?! I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sick of hearing "our country's not ready for it." That's not a valid excuse when discussing the possibility of a black leader, so why is it an excuse when we're discussing the inclusion of Muslims?

Mixed reactions to this when I read about it a few days ago. I wholeheartedly believe that this is something that Obama supporters have chosen to ignore/gloss over, or ever worse, rationalize with a bullshit "ends justifies the means" excuse. I guess those accusations of racism and discrimination are better aimed at Hillary supporters.

(I do, however, recognize that pretty much everyone is inclined to give their chosen candidate more leeway than they'd give others, right or wrong.)

I also acknowledge that Obama's got his back against a wall with this issue and it really seems like he can't win either way. (Not to self promote, but the glaringly offensive photo I posted a blog entry about is a perfect example:
http://kendallmck.wordpress.com/2008/06/13/and-it-begins/

What's the solution then, when you can't please everyone? How about just doing what's fucking right? That's what it really comes down to - having the guts to do what you know is right. Fuck, conservatives have been taking the most stubborn of stands, regardless of who they offend, for years under the delusion of "right." Time for us to nut up since we actually are right.

I also don't necessarily believe that Obama should be held responsible for the actions of a volunteer/intern, but that's politics I guess.

And yeah, like everyone else has said, "Muslim" is not an insult. Jesus.

Unfortunately...this country isn't ready for it.

Seriously?! I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sick of hearing "our country's not ready for it." That's not a valid excuse when discussing the possibility of a black leader, so why is it an excuse when we're discussing the inclusion of Muslims?

Mixed reactions to this when I read about it a few days ago. I wholeheartedly believe that this is something that Obama supporters have chosen to ignore/gloss over, or ever worse, rationalize with a bullshit "ends justifies the means" excuse. I guess those accusations of racism and discrimination are better aimed at Hillary supporters.

(I do, however, recognize that pretty much everyone is inclined to give their chosen candidate more leeway than they'd give others, right or wrong.)

I also acknowledge that Obama's got his back against a wall with this issue and it really seems like he can't win either way. (Not to self promote, but the glaringly offensive photo I posted a blog entry about is a perfect example:
http://kendallmck.wordpress.com/2008/06/13/and-it-begins/

What's the solution then, when you can't please everyone? How about just doing what's fucking right? That's what it really comes down to - having the guts to do what you know is right. Fuck, conservatives have been taking the most stubborn of stands, regardless of who they offend, for years under the delusion of "right." Time for us to nut up.

I also don't necessarily believe that Obama should be held responsible for the actions of a volunteer/intern, but that's politics I guess.

And yeah, like everyone else has said, "Muslim" is not an insult. Jesus.

Obama called both women himself to apologize, it wasn't just the campaign who apologized. The sad part is that the Obama campaign is swinging too far out to one side on this issue by trying to make sure that this "Obama is a radical Muslim" rumor dies before going into the general election. There are a lot of Muslims in the US and this is actually a teachable moment with the general population to demonstrate the differnence between radical Islamists and the general Muslim population in the US and around the world.

"I'm sure it's true that Obama's people did this because of the idiotic public perceptions about Obama and Muslims, but that doesn't make it ok. "

So true. If the polls did not have Obama - McCain so close, Obama could simply lose the points to those too xenophobic to see beyond the hijab or Islam in the US.

But Obama's apology and other appearances with those in "muslim dress" suggest the sentiments do not come directly from him. His statements could certainly be stronger.

If one were not a politician (or their supporters) with an eye on the numbers, it would be much easier to do what was right, which was gladly accept the needed support and denounce incidents like these.

"The men said the volunteer, a 20-something African-American woman in a green shirt, asked if their friends looked and were dressed like the young men, who were all light-skinned and wearing suits. "

Asked what they looked like and dressed like? WTF? By a volunteer? Someone needs to be let go after a stern talking to.

Tangotulip, have you ever bothered to read on the issue.
the anger should be directed at those that try to paint obama as a muslim in order to scare americans. not obama, who is simply stating a fact that he isnt a muslim. obama has said he isn't a muslim nor is there anything wrong with being one.

his take on the issue is commented on, in part, in this article from the nytimes

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/09/opinion/09kristof.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

What's the solution then, when you can't please everyone? How about just doing what's fucking right? That's what it really comes down to - having the guts to do what you know is right. Fuck, conservatives have been taking the most stubborn of stands, regardless of who they offend, for years under the delusion of "right." Time for us to nut up since we actually are right.

Exactly! Especially because Obama said he was going to be right on day one.

No way should this be accepted or glossed over.

i was speaking to a few of my friends yesterday who were commenting on this story, and one of them just said "well no wonder there's so much animosity against the US, they invade muslim countries stating they care about the people-yet its blatent that they hate muslims",i must admit i was taken aback by the whole idea that simply being labeled a muslim is a negative thing but i still said thats unfair-you can't label all american's when it seems small groups of people (like the media and government) tend to be the mouth pieces for an entire nation.

i really hope the whole "don't vote for obama-he's a muslim" does not continue because it paints america as a xenophobic nation which may make relations between countries even worse which is the last thing we need.

I think the volunteers did the right thing. In feminism or any search for equality, there is a reality we have to deal with on a daily basis and the ideal reality that we would like. The ideal reality is that no one would care or not vote for Obama because there is an assumption or accusation that he is a Muslim. The reality we have to deal with right now is that he will lose votes if the Republicans can get the american public to believe Obama is a Muslim or smypathic to terrorism in anyway, shape or form. Even if that is just that he has a name kind of similar to Saddam Hussein and Osama bin Laden. Just that alone could get him on the no fly list and could cause him to lose the election. Sad, yes, but it's the reality we have to deal with.