Obama on Questions About His Religion and His Patriotism: "It Frustrates Me"

By: Maria Gavrilovic
Topics: Barack Obama

(CBS)

From CBS News' Maria Gavrilovic:

PITTSBURGH -- Barack Obama said he is frustrated by questions about his religious beliefs and patriotism, particularly because his presidential rivals are not questioned in the same way.

"It frustrates me that people would even have a question about something like that because they don't ask the same questions of some of the other candidates and that concerns me," Obama said here Monday night.

During the last weeks of campaigning, Obama has spent much of his time telling voters that questions concerning his religion, patriotism, and the "bitter" controversy are all manufactured distractions and political games. In many cases, he has blamed Hillary Clinton for instigating some of these distractions, admonishing her for not learning from attacks against her during the 1990s.

However, last night, another Pennsylvania voter asked Obama about the rumors that he may be Muslim.

"I heard on the news the other day that still approximately 10% of this country still believe you are Muslim, not that there is anything wrong with being Muslim, but are you doing anything to try and dispel those rumors?," the voter asked.

Obama blamed these rumors on e-mails, calling them "political dirty tricks" that the media has picked up on. "I am a Christian and have been a Christian. But you made an important point which is it's not just that I'm a Christian and these e-mails are misinforming people, they're also feeding on anti-Muslim sentiment and that's also wrong because we don't have a religious test in this country," Obama said. "So, I want to make sure that nobody gets hoodwinked, and if anyone gets that information you make sure you correct it because we want to make sure everybody has accurate information."

He voluntarily addressed rumors about his patriotism, telling the audience about his grandfather's military service during World War II.

"I think about the service he rendered and the service our current veterans render and that generations have rendered to make it possible for me to stand here today," he said.

"So if anybody gets the e-mail, that's not true."

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by blackyowe April 23, 2008 2:22 PM EDT: I am very concerned about Obama''s affiliation with Rev.Wright. That sort of religious affiliation is as troubling and Bush and Co. and the Christian Coalition. I am Presbyterian and a Christian but I deeply concerned. I see little that is mainstream in Obama''s church. We have had enough extremists in power. I no longer trust Obama because of this connection.; Reply to this comment


by truth-hurts April 23, 2008 4:43 AM EDT: If Obama wins the nomination,

THIS IS ALL THE DEMS. HAVE TO DO TO WIN THE PRESIDENCY...

Just keep asking Obama about his American Flag pin until he goes absolutly balistic on them.; Reply to this comment


by wrightsdeman April 23, 2008 4:23 AM EDT: Yeah, Obama''s a Christian all right. In the church of the "God D&mn America" of Black Klansmen, Farrakhanites, and Islamonazi appeasers.

Black Nazis? Yes, there are, Virginia. Just ask Jere Wright and his stepin'' fetchit apologist.; Reply to this comment


by wrightsdeman April 23, 2008 4:19 AM EDT: whitepicks2,

how''s rev. wright?

Never heard him denounce KKK Byrd in all of his rants and raves. Or bring up the fact that the Democratic Party gave birth to the Confederacy.

Michelle Obama is what she is, just as Jesse Jackson''s cuckolded ''ho who stayed with him while he impregnated others is too. You don''t like it, tough.; Reply to this comment


by whitepicks2 April 23, 2008 4:14 AM EDT: A guy may also be known by what he calls another man''s wife.; Reply to this comment


by wrightsdeman April 23, 2008 3:49 AM EDT: A guy is known by the kind of friends and advisers he keeps:

Let''s see. Hmmmm, Jere Wright, Rashid Khalidi, Tony Rezko, Bill Ayers, Zbig Brezinzski, Robert Malley, Samantha Power, Tony Lake, Merrill McPeak, KKK Byrd, and yes, a Jungle Bunny named Michelle.

This guy blames America, hates Christians, and Baits Jews. He is a coward and racial hypocrite totally unfit to be President.; Reply to this comment


by zerato-2009 April 23, 2008 2:36 AM EDT: Although I am not an obama supporter, I beleive that obama is a patriot, a christian and good candidate. It simply the right wing machine trying to define obama before obama defines himself.; Reply to this comment


by vincan-2009 April 23, 2008 12:40 AM EDT: I wish the current president and his administration were patriotic. We have been abused and cheated by the very people that are supposed to be honest and have integrity. Democrats are the most patriotic. Republicans have thrown themselves onto the side of greed and evil, and choose it every time for the richest Americans.; Reply to this comment


by rowdytexan2 April 22, 2008 11:29 PM EDT: Really Rowdy? Can you provide a legitimate reference for you claim that Obama called Old Glory a symbol of oppression? Of course not. because you are just an ignorant azz spreading sh*t you licked off your boot.

Crawl under your rock before you getr stomped Mofo. No one- no one- believes your cr*p but you and Fake News Network.

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Posted by UnderMyBoot at 08:12 PM : Apr 22, 2008

Yes, I can, go find his mushy mouth answer on YouTube...he said he didn''t wear it after 911 because to SOME people it was a symbol of oppression!; Reply to this comment


by missglo April 22, 2008 11:27 PM EDT: It frustrates a lot of people . Its the same issues over and over again. And it has not affected the votes.People need to move on, or dig for some other petty issues.; Reply to this comment