This New York Times article raises the possibility:
While the senator has visited churches and synagogues, he has yet to appear at a single mosque. Muslim and Arab-American organizations have tried repeatedly to arrange meetings with Mr. Obama, but officials with those groups say their invitations -- unlike those of their Jewish and Christian counterparts -- have been ignored. Last week, two Muslim women wearing head scarves were barred by campaign volunteers from appearing behind Mr. Obama at a rally in Detroit.In interviews, Muslim political and civic leaders said they understood that their support for Mr. Obama could be a problem for him at a time when some Americans are deeply suspicious of Muslims. Yet those leaders nonetheless expressed disappointment and even anger at the distance that Mr. Obama has kept from them. [...]
For Ms. Ghori and other Muslims, Mr. Obama's hands-off approach is not surprising in a political climate they feel is marred by frequent attacks on their faith.
Among the incidents they cite are a statement by Mr. McCain, in a 2007 interview with Beliefnet.com, that he would prefer a Christian president to a Muslim one; a comment by Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton that Mr. Obama was not Muslim "as far as I know"; and a remark by Representative Steve King, Republican of Iowa, to The Associated Press in March that an Obama victory would be celebrated by terrorists, who would see him as a "savior."
And keeping his distance from the Muslim community may make political sense for Obama, sadly:
Even some of Mr. Obama's strongest Muslim supporters say they are uncomfortable with the forceful denials he has made in response to rumors that he is secretly a Muslim. (Ten percent of registered voters believe the rumor, according to a poll by the Pew Research Center.)
I have a great deal of sympathy for American Muslim voters who feel disrespected by the fact that the Obama campaign is keeping its distance. But as a social conservative Catholic voter, I can assure them that it's not much better to be eagerly courted once every four years--only to have all the soft promises and strong platforms vanish into the pale dawn the morning after election day, leaving in their wake famous quotes about suckers and fooling people and a feeling which can only be described as "voter's remorse."
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Bush invited spiritual leaders of the Arab-American community to the White House and drew a clear line between people of faith and the terrorists.
Of course, the right--including our host--criticizes him at every turn for not taking a strong enough stand against American Muslims.
He then declared war on a Muslim country, confusing the American people about who was a terrorist and who wasn't because of course any Muslim country contains terrorists and has weapons of mass destruction.
He then opened up a prison off the shores of the U.S. in order to imprison Muslims, many of whom had no connection with actual terrorists.
Yes, he is the picture of Muslim enlightenmen
Obama is a politician, period.
Mark Shields(a staunch Dem)says that Obama's dropping public financing from his campaign was an "epic reversal."
David Brooks, commenting on the same topic said something to the effect that if Obama was willing to abandon his stance on this issue, then what wouldn't he do?
In other words, Obama will do and say anything to get to the White House.
He knows that some folks think that he's Muslim, so he is not about to allow any Muslim women to sit behind him at a rally!
Some of the comments on this thread and the one that talked about Obama's birth certificate show why he has to keep his distance from some Muslims, particularly the ones that don't dress in Western style. But the concern for the feelings of our Muslim brethren from the side that usually bashes them and talks up the dangers of Eurabia and the like is truly touching.
"I have a great deal of sympathy for American Muslim voters who feel disrespected by the fact that the Obama campaign is keeping its distance. But as a social conservative Catholic voter, I can assure them that it's not much better to be eagerly courted once every four years--only to have all the soft promises and strong platforms vanish into the pale dawn the morning after election day, leaving in their wake famous quotes about suckers and fooling people and a feeling which can only be described as "voter's remorse."
Oh, I see-- you're discriminated against, just like them!
Even when discussing their issues, somehow, it's all about you and YOUR pain.
Give me a break.
I think we all need to hold off and watch what changes are really implemented before we start passing any judgement on Bhama.
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