Race heating, Obama rushes to clear Muslim image

At a rally to kick off a week-long campaign for the South Carolina primary for Democrats which was held on Saturday, Obama tried to set the record straight from an attack circulating widely on the Internet that is designed to play into prejudices against Muslims and fears of terrorism.

“I’ve been to the same church, the same Christian church, for almost 20 years,” Obama said, stressing the word Christian and drawing cheers from the faithful in reply. “I was sworn in with my hand on the family Bible. Whenever I’m in the United States Senate, I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. So if you get some silly e-mail... send it back to whoever sent it and tell them this is all crazy. Educate.”

Obama is referring to a debunked chain e-mail circulating widely on the Internet that suggests he is hiding his Islamic roots and may be a terrorist in disguise. It says he was sworn into the Senate on the Quran and turns his back on the flag during the pledge.

His campaign has been pushing back against the false rumours all year. His aides decried an incorrect news report that Obama was educated in a radical Muslim madrasa and a section of his website is devoted to correct that and other false rumours circulating on the Internet.

But they are stepping up the effort now that the campaign has hit South Carolina and soon turns to other southern states where religion is so important to voters. The campaign distributed an open letter from seven Jewish senators this weekend, condemning the attacks. Aides are planning an event this week to respond directly to the e-mails, and campaign representatives blanketed South Carolina churches on Sunday with literature that touted Obama’s Christian faith.

One piece features photos of Obama praying with the words “Committed Christian” in large letters across the middle. It says Obama will be a President “guided by his Christian faith” and includes a quote from him saying: “I believe in the power of prayer.”

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