Gawker
A photo of Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama wearing sort of an apron-looking thing and a funny turban? A Hillary Clinton staffer asks (according to Drudge): "Wouldn't we be seeing this on the cover of every magazine if it were HRC?" Uh, sure. Sure we would. The photo, from 2006, shows Obama "fitted as a Somali Elder, during his visit to Wajir, a rural area in northeastern Kenya." It was sent around by Clinton's press office (once again, according to Drudge) this weekend, in an apparent attempt to prove that the Illinois Senator is a Muslim terrorist who wears a dress. Mischievous Matt Drudge gave the story an amusing anti-Clinton spin. Because his relationship with her is complicated.
Back when Hillary was inevitable and unstoppable, Mr. Drudge seemed rather pleased. "I need Hillary Clinton. I need to be part of her world. That's my bank," he famously announced. Clinton's camp, perhaps not sufficiently wary of the man who nearly took down her husband, reached out by appointing former DNCer Tracy Sefl their unofficial Drudge emissary.
But Drudge, who enjoys being convinced of his importance, dislikes being portrayed as manipulatable. Shortly after the New York Times brought the world the story of how Matt and Hil are sitting in a tree, the Drudge Report reverted back to its traditional "merciless smearing of that Clinton harridan" mode, with the photos of Hil becoming even more grotesque and unflattering than ever before, the most pointless anti-Clinton stories suddenly getting major play, and the treatment of Obama remaining surprisingly even-handed.
Which, perhaps, explains this story, the clearest proof yet that if Clinton's campaign hasn't yet removed Ms. Sefl from the Drudge beat, they really ought to. Drudge, handed a hilarious photo of a Democratic politician, one that he could play as proof that this politician was un-American or too "different" or "foreign" to be president (a media narrative portions of the Right have been trying to push as Obama surges), turns it into a story of Hillary Clinton's inept and straw-grasping team. He even includes a cute little "EDITOR'S NOTE" explaining that "other leaders have worn local costumes," which he follows with hilarious pictures of Hillary, G.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton looking like ponces in wacky clothes. Amazing.
Update/Clarification: Ms. Sefl has denied being involved in sending the picture to Drudge. And we believe her! Because, rly, she's too smart for this kind of foolishness.
Comments
the sheer obamacity of it all. now hillary will fire this staffer and replace her with an aging media wonk who wears tin-foil hats and keeps his websites wonderfully "1990s."
So, if we elect Obama, the terrorists have won?
If this picture is real it is pretty damning. Barry Hussein can say bye bye to winning any states in the south or midwest in the general election after this picture circulates.
WHITE HOUSE ROCK
Bill Clinton was Jack Kennedy redux,
A rock star whether dressed in sweats or tux.
Unfortunately for Hillary, this thorn:
Barack Obama is Bill Clinton reborn.
Bush visited Hogwarts?
Obama needs to learn to play dress-up like Bush:
@She Blinded Me With Omniscience: Especially the sassy codpiece!
@IndianSlipper: No particular offense, but "...terrorists have won" jokes really need to be put out to pasture at this point.
@actorpull:
But if we do that, the terrorists have lost!
Pareene;
Do you feel a strain in your stomach after trying to construe a point out of all that?
I am a little lost on what you really intend to say...
This looks like a campaign staffer that is "out of the loop" on the actual spin that Clinton wants to put on anything. Regardless of the campaign this staffer works for, it's a sign of ignorance to circulate a photo like this and use it as a talking point. Jabs at this late of a stage don't really work.
Why is it amazing? Are you referring to the alleged Drudge flip flop?
Hate sex between Drudge and HRC begins November 5, 2008
@mitchel_stevens: Wait for it...
It's amazing what Barack can do with a roll of toilet paper.
"manipulatable"? really?
@Clarence Rosario: I'd take Obama in a dress/turban/robe thing over Bush in a fighter pilot outfit anyday.
@She Blinded Me With Omniscience: the above comment was intended for you.
@actorpull: Duly noted.
@the babemeister: Oh? Why do you say that? Because he visited a foreign country and participated in a tribute they were paying to him?
Or just because he's, you know, dark-skinned and has a foreign-sounding name? If that really made a major difference to most voters, do you think Obama would have been leading the national polls over Mccain for as long as he has?
can this election nonsense be over now? please?
@the babemeister: I really hope that was inteded as snark... otherwise, whaaa?
@MisterHippity: Possibly he was to be kidding?
@In Other News...: @hypocriteoath: Or maybe its more of the astute, spot-on political analysis we've come to expect from our friends at Fox News?
The Clinton staffer is right, of course. It would indeed be news if Hillary wore a dress.
@hypocriteoath: He's a once-banned troll from Wonkette. Ignore, ignore.
@La Cieca: at least a flattering one.
I hope J. Peterman is already all over this. Screw the Urban Sombrero -- bring on The Urban Turban.
When it comes down to do or die, liberal whites are just as bad as Republi-CONS.
Ah well, no matter. He's still gonna win...and I hope he renditions her flabby ass to Gitmo.
Well, now I don't think there's any chance Hillary will be on Obama's ticket. Edwards is the safe and best bet. What a disgusting, old-timey campaign Clinton is running.
cooking w/ barack?
Obama obviously doesn't know how to put that thing on, which ought to be reassuring to those who worry he might be the Muslim Candidate.
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