Aug. 14, 2008

Conservative Authors Take Aim At Obama

Washington Post: New Books Seek To Unweave The Obama Narrative

  • Photo

    In this photo released by Threshold Editions shows the cover of "The Obama Nation-Leftist Politics and the Cult of Personality," by Jerome R. Corsi, Ph.D.  (AP/CBS/Threshold Books)

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(Washingtonpost.com)  This story was written by Eli Saslow.


In two autobiographies and dozens of speeches, Barack Obama has weaved the narrative that defines his campaign: An introspective boy gradually comes to terms with his mixed-race heritage and emerges with an "unprejudiced" worldview. He enters politics because of his "love of country" and succeeds by staying faithful to his morals and "transcending the partisan divide."

Two weeks before Obama accepts the Democratic nomination for president, conservative author Jerome R. Corsi has attacked his story with a narrative of his own: The son of an "alcoholic polygamist," Obama deals with his abandonment issues and "black rage" by experimenting with drugs and radical thought. He makes a calculated entrance into politics despite having accomplished little and having developed some "anti-American" sentiments. Once in office, he regularly manipulates the political machine and becomes a liberal who will "divide America."

Corsi's "The Obama Nation" lacks major revelations and has been dismissed by Obama's campaign as a series of lies from a serial liar. Parts of the book have also been disproved by the mainstream media. In 2004, Corsi co-wrote "Unfit for Command," in which Swift boat veterans criticized Sen. John F. Kerry's Vietnam War record. That book was also widely disproved.

Kerry, the 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, has started a Web site to help discredit these tactics on Obama's behalf.

Nevertheless, Corsi's book about Obama will debut as a No. 1 New York Times bestseller and threatens the candidate where he could be vulnerable. Ever since Obama introduced himself at the 2004 Democratic convention as the "unlikely" son of a Kenyan goat herder and a white woman from Kansas, he forever married his background to his political future. Corsi and other conservative authors hope that by diminishing one, they can destroy the other.

"The problem with running a campaign that's based on cult of personality is that cracks in the grandiose facade of Obama's life become very damaging," Corsi said in an interview. "That's where you can get a reader's attention and have substantial impact."

Tommy Vietor, a spokesman for Obama, said Corsi's book "is nothing but a series of lies that were long ago discredited." Vietor added: "The reality is, there are many lie-filled books like this in the works cobbled together from the Internet to make money off a presidential campaign."

Both Democrats and Republicans think the election could hinge on whether Obama's narrative loses its luster. Until recently, he had the luxury of presenting his story alone. "Dreams From My Father" and "The Audacity of Hope," his autobiographies, were the first two books written about him, and they remain bestsellers. Obama also relied on his background during his career's most public moments -- the keynote address at the 2004 convention, a speech in March about race in America -- to inspire a diverse following.

In the past few months, other storytellers have proved that a market for skepticism remains. In addition to Corsi's book, two other anti-Obama books rank in the top 35 on Amazon.com's bestseller list. Their titles reveal their intent: "Fleeced," by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann, and "The Case Against Barack Obama," by David Freddoso. In all three books, the authors state that they share the mission of destroying the idealized image of Obama that is popular among Democrats.

Corsi is most damning in his portrait of the candidate. He implies that Obama misrepresents his religion, for instance, saying that Muslim faith plays a significant role in his ideology, even though he is a practicing Christian. He portrays the senator from Illinois as a savvy opportunist who manipulated Chicago politics and then consistently voted like an "extreme" liberal. "The book is going to change a lot of opinions," Corsi said. "It's a different version of the man than he's been presenting."

Obama supporters, though, have largely dismissed Corsi's book and the other attacks as products of bitterness, partisanship and dishonesty. Corsi has a track record of making extreme comments -- he once called Pope John Paul II "senile" and Islam a "virus" -- and "The Obama Nation" includes potentially offensive passages. Corsi writes that Obama's mother chose "men of color" from the "third world" to be her "mates," and that Obama identifies more with his "African blood" than his American roots.

Corsi's book and the others like it have found their largest audience inside a conservative echo chamber, reinforcing the divide between supporters of Obama and those of his challenger, Republican Sen. John McCain. The anti-Obama narratives are the creation of conservative authors, pushed by conservative book clubs that buy in bulk to drive up sales and publicized by right-wing bloggers. Corsi said he attempts to expand beyond that audience by aggressively marketing to independent voters and those who supported the presidential bid of Democratic Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The book is published by Simon & Schuster's Threshold Editions, whose main editor is former GOP strategist Mary Matalin.

Vietor characterized Corsi's new release as similar to his Kerry book in that it is a thinly veiled effort to keep Republicans in power. "This is an attempt to perpetuate those politics for four more years," he said.

Corsi acknowledged as much, saying: "One of the reasons I wrote this book is to keep Obama from getting elected."

Authors of the other anti-Obama books were similarly forthcoming about their motives. They wanted not just to analyze Obama but to debunk him, they wrote. In the introduction to "The Case Against Barack Obama," Freddoso says he felt compelled by duty: "As it became clear that he was going to win the Democratic nomination for president, it seemed irresponsible to stand by as so many were offering admiration, piety, even worship to -- of all things -- a politician. Because the idea of Barack Obama as a reformer is a great lie."

Readers of the new books are forced to differentiate on their own between bias and biography, between facts and fictionalizations, literary experts said. It is a task most readers have learned to manage. "Readers aren't as gullible as they used to be," said Tom Smith, a biography scholar at Pennsylvania State University at Abington. "One thing we've learned so far with biographies in the 21st century is that every book is going to be one person's take."

Pad a biography with enough slant and opinion, experts said, and a good author can make the same facts reveal two different stories. Take two McCain books that explore the same subject: There's Paul Alexander's glowing portrait in "Man of the People: The Maverick Life and Career of John McCain." Or there's Matt Welch's eviscerating take in "McCain: The Myth of a Maverick."

"Especially in politics, you have a crowded book market and there's probably room for five or six takes that can be totally different," Smith said. "It's ultimately up to the reader to decide which one he likes."

By Eli Saslow
© 2008 The Washington Post Company

Add a Comment See all 999 Comments
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 9:44 AM PDT
A propagandist for hire, a conman who feeds of the money of conservatives every 4 years, and/or a republican trickster posing as an author. Why is CNS giving this conman any airtime?
Reply to this comment
by tonyd_31 August 14, 2008 9:47 AM PDT
fenner, are you retarded or what? You neocons are so delusional that you can''t discern reality from fantasy. Obama was born in America in the great state of Hawaii while old John McSame was born in the Panama Canal. Be careful what you ask for you foggy-brained zombie as you might not like the answer. You are really delusional and confused when you accept a pack of lies as the truth. You people are funny, fenner.
Reply to this comment
by jongood53 August 14, 2008 9:48 AM PDT
I just bought Dr. Corsi''s book and can''t wait to get knee deep in it.

Without a doubt it will serve as one more reference to reveal why there isn''t two cents worth of difference between Bill Clinton, John Edwards, Barak NObama, or any other of these low life, imoral, un-American Demotard PO excrement.

If you love America, you simply can''t vote for any DemoTard.
Reply to this comment
by jongood53 August 14, 2008 9:50 AM PDT
fenner, are you retarded or what? You neocons are so delusional that you can''''t discern reality from fantasy. Obama was born in America in the great state of Hawaii while old John McSame was born in the Panama Canal. Be careful what you ask for you foggy-brained zombie as you might not like the answer. You are really delusional and confused when you accept a pack of lies as the truth. You people are funny, fenner.
Posted by Tonyd_31 at 09:47 AM : Aug 14, 2008
=================

Such a standard bearer for the DemoTard Party we see above.

Offer nothing of substance, simply expell a bunch of stench from between their butt cheeks.
Reply to this comment
by neoconrcrazy August 14, 2008 9:53 AM PDT
right-wingers bought the first (and hopefully last) printing to get it on the "best sellers list" -

then saying "americans" are "asking questions"

this guy is a hack, and john McSame approves his message....

Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 9:55 AM PDT
"Corsi''s book and the others like it have found their largest audience inside a conservative echo chamber, reinforcing the divide between supporters of Obama and those of his challenger, Republican Sen. John McCain. The anti-Obama narratives are the creation of conservative authors, pushed by conservative book clubs that buy in bulk to drive up sales and publicized by right-wing bloggers."

Corsi acknowledged as much, saying: "One of the reasons I wrote this book is to keep Obama from getting elected."
Reply to this comment
by jongood53 August 14, 2008 9:55 AM PDT
A propagandist for hire, a conman who feeds of the money of conservatives every 4 years, and/or a republican trickster posing as an author. Why is CNS giving this conman any airtime?
Posted by zerato at 09:44 AM : Aug 14, 2008
================

Anyone ever note how Zero''s responses always cause them to resemble a wind up toy??

As much so as I am put in mind of Howdy Doodie the clow in black face every time I see Sen. NObama.
Reply to this comment
by sleepyric August 14, 2008 9:56 AM PDT
Conservative has become a bad word. Only hawks and butt-puckered religious nuts read this trash...Mainstream America is not only bible thumping religous nuts - it''s working people who are struggling under the thumb of the current administration and it''s crimes...people want someone new and fresh to try to change things...not some old utterly stupid 20 year senator who can''t even deliver a speech without a prompter..can''t speak off the cuff, or even offer his own perspective on anything unless it has been reviewed by staff...he''s old, confused and a fraud.
Reply to this comment
by liberalme August 14, 2008 9:59 AM PDT
I just bought Dr. Corsi''''s book and can''''t wait to get knee deep in it.

Posted by JonGood53

Well heck, being a neocon, you''re knee deep in something already!

HeII wiht people like Larry Craig, Strom Thurmond, Craig Spence, Mark Grethen look it up stone thrower--

http://www.flyingsnail.com/Dahbud/rpubsbad.html


Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 10:01 AM PDT
Posted by JonGood53 at 09:55 AM : Aug 14, 2008

Ever notice that JG mouth is permanently stuck on stupid. YOU bought the book LMAO. JG has been conned by Corsi. She got all the information of the net and called it a book, but JG didn''t have the sense to find it herself
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 14, 2008 10:03 AM PDT
Seems like I''d like to see Obscamma prove up his birth certificate. The forged one on his website just doesn''t quite cut it.

Strange isn''t it, a man would refuse to prove up his eligibility.

Especially when he travelled to Pakistan on an Indonesian passport as an adult. And especially since he was adopted by an Indonesian Muslim, became an Indonesian citizen and his real legal name is Barry Soetero.

But according to you people the citizens of this country don''t have the right to ask these questions.
Reply to this comment
by emelder August 14, 2008 10:05 AM PDT
Masterlink said, "At every crossroads to the future, tradition has placed 10,000 men to guard the past". This certainly applies to all the fear and irrationality in response to the rise of a Barack Obama, an outstanding leader and visionary.
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 10:05 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:03 AM : Aug 14, 2008

Her daily discourse of he fictionalized story of Obama. No sources needed, it slows her insults down
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 14, 2008 10:08 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:03 AM : Aug 14, 2008

Her daily discourse of he fictionalized story of Obama. No sources needed, it slows her insults down


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Posted by zerato at 10:05 AM : Aug 14, 2008

Someday, maybe you''ll learn to go out check out facts for yourself. Won''t that be a hoot?
Reply to this comment
by l8c6 August 14, 2008 10:09 AM PDT
Once in office, he regularly manipulates the political machine and becomes a liberal who will "divide America."-------------

Ah, Bush beat him to it.
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 August 14, 2008 10:11 AM PDT
I don''t need to buy the book, I''ll just wait until JG & Rowdy spout it out verbatim and then source the material to show what unsubstantiated lies it is like all of the rest of their fear and smear.

Wellheel3,

Ask all the questions you want. You might even want to ask some about McCain, you certainly never wanted to ask any about Hillary. Asking questions is good, but checking a variety of sources to get the answers is even better.

Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 10:12 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:08 AM : Aug 14, 2008

All the research I do shows your sory to be innuedo, lies and facts taken out of context and you will never produce your "sources". I suppose you will give corsi stash of lies from now on.
Reply to this comment
by jmurrieta1 August 14, 2008 10:14 AM PDT
The Slime Boat Scum is revving up their engines.

The Republicans have nothing else to run on but lies and smears. Their eight-year domination of the US government has been marked by economic catastrophe, degradation of the US Constitution, and the worst corruption since Ulysses S. Grant.

Republicans are headed for a major crash. Byeee!
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 14, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:08 AM : Aug 14, 2008

All the research I do shows your sory to be innuedo, lies and facts taken out of context and you will never produce your "sources". I suppose you will give corsi stash of lies from now on.


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Posted by zerato at 10:12 AM : Aug 14, 2008

Strange isn''t it. You can''t find a site anywhere that proves up his citizenship, except a copy of a forged birth certificate on his website!

But honk on...
Reply to this comment
by wardoglrs August 14, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
Here''s your choice take Obama and get a WelFare state or take McCain and get a Warfare state. Time to end the two party system and replace it with nothing. Should of listen Dr Paul and Bob Barr
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
Posted by JonGood53 at 10:15 AM : Aug 14, 2008

JG is what the story calls the republican echo chamber. Whatever he hears there comes out here. He was stupid enough to buy the book when he can find all hte lies online
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 August 14, 2008 10:18 AM PDT
The anti-Obama narratives are the creation of conservative authors, pushed by conservative book clubs that buy in bulk to drive up sales and publicized by right-wing bloggers.
***************

And then we wonder why a crazy neocon decides to go out and shoot somebody "liberal." These hate speech mongers (authors) are liars without conscience. They subtley promote the days of lynching.
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 August 14, 2008 10:20 AM PDT
You can''''t find a site anywhere that proves up his citizenship, except a copy of a forged birth certificate on his website!

But honk on...


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Posted by WellHell3 at 10:18 AM

Yeah, honk on - liar. (aka: so-called Hillary supporter)
Reply to this comment
by MIpapaof4 August 14, 2008 10:21 AM PDT
Obama is just pricy words with no substance. I still wish Hillary would go Independent and get elected. Now that would be nice!!!
Reply to this comment
by unmunificent August 14, 2008 10:21 AM PDT
I find it funny how the lib''s get their feathers in a tizzy when someone writes a book that will expose their candidate as the lier he is. What''s funnier is none of people here trashing the book has even read it. All they''ll do is trash it and pull out the same Kool-Aid talking points..... and calling the "Repug", McSame. Pathetic idiots. Read the book and comment...
Reply to this comment
by jongood53 August 14, 2008 10:21 AM PDT
Well, gotta run....But, given the dust up already been demonstrated by all these left wing pinko DemoTards on this board alone, I''m comfortable this will be a big topic of discussion over the next couple of weeks as the wheels finally fall completely off the DuckBoat this 50%-American, Sen. NObama quacks around in.

Did ya like the pun? ROTFLMGTBO!!!
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 14, 2008 10:22 AM PDT
Here''''s your choice take Obama and get a WelFare state or take McCain and get a Warfare state. Time to end the two party system and replace it with nothing. Should of listen Dr Paul and Bob Barr


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Posted by WarDogLRS at 10:18 AM : Aug 14, 2008

Well, you left out Obscamma''s Marxist pinko commie state, and his fomenting European style state whose Constitution gets buried on global authority so that we all have to appease radical Muslims by re-writing our history and paying welfare to their 21 wives they bring over here with them...

But honk on...
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 August 14, 2008 10:23 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:22 AM

More fairytales from Rowdy.
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 10:23 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:18 AM : Aug 14, 2008

YOu are good, you are able to tell a forgery by looking at a picture online. Expert witnesses at trial have to look at the actual document. So tell me why you think the document is fake?
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 14, 2008 10:24 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:22 AM

More fairytales from Rowdy.


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Posted by rudy654 at 10:23 AM : Aug 14, 2008

Actually the fairy tale promises and Tinkerbelle plans are fomenting from Obscamma''s mouth...

But honk on...
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 August 14, 2008 10:25 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:24 AM

Honk on? Is that what you do?
Reply to this comment
by usais11 August 14, 2008 10:25 AM PDT
"The Cult of a Personality" : That does say it all.
Reply to this comment
by clovisbuford August 14, 2008 10:26 AM PDT
Strange isn''''t it. You can''''t find a site anywhere that proves up his citizenship, except a copy of a forged birth certificate on his website!

But honk on...
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:18 AM : Aug 14, 2008
err go to www.snopes .com for the veracity of your statements or any reputable news ,including (cough ) Faux news , really honey is there no canard you wont repeat , no drivel too meaningless for you to repeat from your online anonymity?argue the issues if you have a point . Oh right. its depressing to think people like you actually vote based on slander like you have no trouble parroting ad nauseum ,but even more disturbing they probably reproduce.
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 14, 2008 10:26 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:18 AM : Aug 14, 2008

YOu are good, you are able to tell a forgery by looking at a picture online. Expert witnesses at trial have to look at the actual document. So tell me why you think the document is fake?


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Posted by zerato at 10:23 AM

Actually NOBODY has looked at the actual document because he REFUSES to produce it.
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 August 14, 2008 10:26 AM PDT
fenner,

What were holding is the tacit endorsements of the Iraqi and Afghan governments for our mideast policies.

Were holding a comprehensive energy policy that will get oil to market more quickly(tapping the strategic reserves and drilling where the oil companies already have the rights) and invest in long-term renewable, cheap, and clean energy.

Were holding a fiscal policy that pays for itself while reducing taxes on middle class Americans.

Were holding a return to the policies that brought us peace and prosperity before the GOP replaced them with war and recession.
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 10:27 AM PDT
Posted by JonGood53 at 10:21 AM : Aug 14, 2008

Jonny girl sent money on corsi book and she could have got all the lies online. Jonny girl you have been duped, conned, flimmflammed
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 August 14, 2008 10:27 AM PDT
Actually NOBODY has looked at the actual document because he REFUSES to produce it.


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Posted by WellHell3 at 10:26 AM

Oh really? Then how did he get a passport? Go ahead and explain it oh mighty stupid one.
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 10:28 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:26 AM : Aug 14, 2008

You said it was fake, so tell me what is fake about it.
Reply to this comment
by realpatriot1 August 14, 2008 10:28 AM PDT
John McCain...the cult of senility.
Reply to this comment
by yeswecan09 August 14, 2008 10:28 AM PDT
*like, JUST WHEN IS OBAMA GOING TO PRODCE HIS BIRTH CERTIFICATE OR EXPLAIN WHY HE NEVER LEGALLY CHANGED HIS NAME BACK TO BARACK HUSSEING OBAMA?*

A fake birth certificate? That seems strange considering Obama is a sitting Senator, if his birth certificate was "fake" you would think that the FBI would have told everyone before Obama got to the Senate.

You would think that if his birth certificate was fake it would be headline news, especially Foxnews.

There is a picture of Obama and his family getting sworn in (Obama''s hand is on a bible) standing next to Richard Cheney, yes the current VP of the US. You would think that if Obama''s birth certificate was fake at least Richard Cheney would have said something.

Your Swiftboat has been sunk!
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 14, 2008 10:31 AM PDT
fenner,

What were holding is the tacit endorsements of the Iraqi and Afghan governments for our mideast policies.

Were holding a comprehensive energy policy that will get oil to market more quickly(tapping the strategic reserves and drilling where the oil companies already have the rights) and invest in long-term renewable, cheap, and clean energy.

Were holding a fiscal policy that pays for itself while reducing taxes on middle class Americans.

Were holding a return to the policies that brought us peace and prosperity before the GOP replaced them with war and recession.


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Posted by realpatriot1 at 10:26 AM : Aug 14, 2008

Just cast your vote for Tinkerbelle, and let her wave her magic wand. When you wake up and realize you candidate''s votes on major legislation have also been lock step with Bush...you might have a perspective in reality.
Reply to this comment
by tawpdawg111 August 14, 2008 10:31 AM PDT
Conservative Authors Take Aim At Obama
*************

Who cares
Reply to this comment
by zerato-2009 August 14, 2008 10:32 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:26 AM : Aug 14, 2008

You said it was fake, so tell me what is fake about it.
Reply to this comment
by broadwayphi August 14, 2008 10:32 AM PDT
The slime machine churns on.

However:

RCP Average

Obama 46.1

McCain 41.6

Obama +4.5

Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 14, 2008 10:33 AM PDT
Oh really? Then how did he get a passport? Go ahead and explain it oh mighty stupid one.


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Posted by rudy654 at 10:27 AM : Aug 14, 2008

His mother produced the wrong documents when she applied for it. She just kinda ooopsed and didn''t produce the ones showing his Indonesian citizenship, adoption, and his legal adoptive name of Soetero...
Reply to this comment
by usais11 August 14, 2008 10:33 AM PDT
RASMUSSEN :
McCain is now viewed favorably by 55% of the nation%u2019s voters, Obama by 54%
Reply to this comment
by aldon61 August 14, 2008 10:34 AM PDT
There are a certain amount of the electorate that will never vote for Obama....period! Most of these are strong right wing conservative white people. The estimated base of this wing is between 25% and 30%. These are the people that will buy these types of books and perpetuate the rumors and dis-information that has been on these web-sites for over a year now. The majority of the electorate will see through the efforts of these people and will cast their ballots for the person they feel is right for america. The swift boaters of "04" did us all a favor by showing us how modern campaigns are to be run. Swift boating will not work this time around; McCain will have a back-lash through his mis-guided supporters. These types of books will not have the desired effects; McCain will lose and it will be his supporters that buried his candidacy.
Reply to this comment
by rudy654-2009 August 14, 2008 10:34 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:33 AM

Uh huh. Riiiiight. Don''t assume we are all as stupid as you so as to believe your stories.
Reply to this comment
by wellhell3 August 14, 2008 10:34 AM PDT
Posted by WellHell3 at 10:26 AM : Aug 14, 2008

You said it was fake, so tell me what is fake about it.


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Posted by zerato at 10:32 AM : Aug 14, 2008

The online one has been proven a fake. And nobody''s seen the original document because he refuses to produce it!
Reply to this comment
by tawpdawg111 August 14, 2008 10:34 AM PDT
Corsi had nice piece about Directive 51.

Then flushed his credibility down the toilet. Greedy hack. DISSSSS-MISSSSSED!

www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55824
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