Heady

I’m beginning to get a little concerned about the Obama campaign.  I’m beginning to think that they’re starting to realize that they’ve managed to beat Hillary’s team on a regular basis and they’re pushing the envelope a bit too far because of it.

Case in point, the picture of Obama in Somali garb.

According to the fine folks at the Drudge report (undeserving of a link — that site, not the picture, you can find that on Politico’s main page), it was sent to them by someone in the Hillary camp.  Obama’s team is running with that, claiming this is another attempt to paint Obama as a divisive figure with ties to Muslim states.

And that’s about the most ridiculous thing they could have said.

Let’s break down the Obama campaign’s response to the picture.

First, they side with the Drudge Report on the source of the picture, even though there’s no proof of it.  That is NEVER a good move.

Second, they are implying that there is something inherently wrong with wearing traditional Somali garb.  Yes, the majority of Somalians are Sunni Muslims, but isn’t this the campaign that’s fighting against fearmongering and blind hatred?  Isn’t this supposed to be the campaign that’s above that kind of petty behavior?

Third, this makes the Clinton campaign’s argument for them.  Their hard line these last few weeks is that Obama is all talk and no walk.  So now we have a picture of Obama in Somali clothing and they’re acting like someone just unearthed a time stamped picture of Barrack doing lines off a hooker’s ass right after last week’s debate.  You can’t run on a ticket of hope and freak out at something so clearly benign.

Yes, I know that the media could have run crazy with such a picture.  But given the amount of good standing Obama has in the primaries, a simple explanation that he was visiting Somali and donned the tradional garb as a sign of respect would have been enough.

To mangle the bard, me thinks he doth protest too much.

What’s most disconcerting about this is that it doesn’t bode well for the general election.  The Republicans will dig up things far more divisive than African clothing.

Then again, I heard Obama won’t even say the Pledge of Allegiance, so I don’t think I’ll vote for him, anyway.