Should the media even be showing that picture of Barack Obama that is intended to portray him negatively?

A picture of Barack Obama was released showing him dressed in a manner that is, in my view, intended for people to be reminded of terrorists, Taliban, or whatever. Here's an article on the photo: http://www.usnews.com/blogs/washington-whispers/2008/2/25/obama-photo-whodunit.html Why would this photo be released for any other purpose other than to create a negative, stereotyped image in people's minds? Who released the photo? My guess is that this will only backfire on whoever did it. Should the photo even be in the media, when obviously its an attempt at smearing, racism, etc?

Public Comments

1. Why is it negative?
2. All politicians who travel to different countries engage in dressing in local costumes. Check these other pics with Bush, Hillary and Bill. http://www.drudgereport.com/flashoa.htm
3. shrillary released it and it has backfired.
4. It's news. For better or worse, it's in the news and should be reported.
5. does it really matter, its too late now. The media is just doing their "job"...... causing controversy
6. Someone who wants Obama to win released the photo, it doesn't take a genius to see that.
7. Yes, it should be in the Media , to show people who he really is , and what he stands for.
8. Should the New York Times have run the story about John McCain? Was that not an attempt at smearing? Why weren't you asking this question then or is it okay only when done to the candidate you are against?
9. Don't you know that he is "patriotic"? http://www.newswithviews.com/Ryter/jon212.htm http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hU9iCANi02o&feature=related http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080225/ap_on_re_us/farrakhan_saviours__day_1;_ylt=ArZjNajnyuK7kIrvL3N_AEth24cA
10. you aint seen nothing yet. obama will get swift boated back to Indonesia
11. Who wants there next president to be a terrorist? Not me!!!!!!
12. Sure it should be in the media. It is his heritage. And if this bothers you, then so be it, but all is fair in Love, War and politics. He has proven that. Wow, who is this guy and what has he done? Does anybody know? The inevitable, answer to a question with a question...
13. The reason it is news is because it was released by the Clinton campaign. O_o The end of the source article says it all ... ~~~~~~~~~~~ During a Monday conference call with reporters, Clinton communications director Howard Wolfson said that the former first lady's campaign "did not sanction" the leaking of the photo. But he stopped short of denying whether a Clinton aide may have passed it to the DrudgeReport. "I'm not in a position to ask 700 people to come in," said Wolfson. Back in October, The New York Times identified Tracy Sefl as the Clinton campaign's conduit to the DrudgeReport. Asked by ABC News on Monday if she gave the photo to the DrudgeReport, Sefl, who is vice president at the Glover Park Group, said, "no." Like Wolfson, she could not speak for all Clinton campaign associates. Asked if she has contacted the DrudgeReport to seek a correction to its claim that the Clinton campaign is the source of the photo, she said, "No comment."
14. Well considering they released photos of hillary's boobs, yes I think its fine that they show a picture of him in a turban.
15. This is just another example of the Wicked Witch Clinton and her tactics taken "right from the Carl Rove Playbook" She really is the democratic equivalent of Bush and his idiot clones. Fear Obama People. He visited his fathers home land and dressed in traditional outfit. Fear him, he must be a terrorist, or a terrorist supporter. Give me a freakin' break. This is just more of the same BS campaign tactics. This is the very reason to elect Obama...for CHANGE. Get a Life Hillary. She just keeps making herself look worse. There is no longer room for racism and fear mongering in our country. If she is going to smear someone, try using something that has some basis in fact. It is all to clear that she is doing this on purpose and the purpose is to smear Obama. It is going to blow up in her face. She is bitter, corrupt, vindictive and a sore loser
16. It's stupid and juvenile and the media is resorting to desperate measures to dramatize the election news. Who knows who released the photos? Obviously, though, whoever did wanted to create the impression that Barack Obama has intentions "other that those which he has portrayed". What, do they think he's going to convert everyone to Islam? If he becomes President, America is going to become Taliban? I completely agree with you. The photo shouldn't be in the media; however, as it is, we can only hope people have enough sense to realize what an inappropriate attempt at smearing Obama's reputation it is.
17. Retired Air Force Gen. Scott Gration, who accompanied Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) on his trip to Kenya in 2006, on Monday defended Obama’s trying on local garb over his clothes during a visit to the rural Wajir region in the country, a picture of which is at the top right now of the Drudge Report. Obama was merely being a “great guest,” Gration said. The main story on the Drudge Report on Monday shows Obama fitted as a "Somali Elder” and Drudge’s story said “Clinton staffers” –who were not named--were circulating the picture. The Obama campaign said release of this photo was “fear mongering” and “ divisive.” Does this photo prove that Bush is a Russian? http://www.huffingtonpost.com/theblog/archive/2007/07/02/bushputin191106_228x334-thumb.jpg
18. i dont understand why it is 'negative.' i wear a scarf around my head, am i protraying myself negatively by doing so?