Does anyone know how the "Obama is a Muslim" rumour started?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071210/ap_on_el_pr/clinton_obama_religion;_ylt=Agy_2dw_n7OWxpQEuCjlCtOs0NUE "DES MOINES, Iowa - Hillary Rodham Clinton's campaign on Sunday requested the resignation of a second Iowa volunteer coordinator who forwarded a hoax e-mail saying Barack Obama is a Muslim possibly intent on destroying the United States. Obama is a member of the United Church of Christ and says he has never been a Muslim, but false rumors attempting to tie him to Islamic jihadists are circulating on the Internet. "Let us all remain alert concerning Obama's expected presidential Candidacy," read the e-mail. "Please forward to everyone you know. The Muslims have said they Plan on destroying the US from the inside out, what better way to start than at The highest level."" I've heard people say that this accusation was probably started by Republicans, but here's the truth in black and white. Ironic that the attack was done by members of his own liberal party! Donna K: 1. My entire family is catholic. 2. I went to a catholic private school for four years. 3. My first and last names are both traditionally catholic names. Yet the last thing anyone could call me is a Catholic. How does it feel getting pwn3d up in your own house? Lettie D: I suggest you quit while you are ahead. That is now twice that you've made an idiot out of yourself with your post. 1). Don't use the word "neo-con" if you want me to take you seriously. It is a political buzzword that only uneducated, yet opinionated people (and white supremacists) use to sound smarter than they are. It doesn't work. 2). Muslim is not an ethnicity - it is what a follower of Islam is called, regardless of race. If Romney converted to Islam tomorrow, he would be a Muslim tomorrow.

Public Comments

1. This nonsense has been around for some time - I do not know how we could expect to trace it to its roots - but I think you will find this Hillary staffer just continued something already out there. More interesting to note that when Hillary found out she took quick, decisive action. Pity the same cannot be said for Bush regarding Rove's low life push polling in 2000.
2. I don't know....maybe it's his middle name "Hussein" that makes some people uneasy....you know there were Muslims in our country just 6 short years ago dancing and praising Allah when the WTC came down. Remember that? I do.
3. Interesting! I find it even more interesting that she took "decisive action" as soon as it was able to be traced back to her and it was leaked to the press. That first guy's answer: PAHLEEZE!
4. Barack was born in Hawaii. when he was a kid he moved to Jakarta, the capitol of Indonesia. He spent his teen years there in schools that were muslim, similar to catholic schools in america. he moved back to america for college and went to law school. he has never been muslim and even if he were a muslim it is racially and culturally insensitive to assume someone is bad based on their religion.
5. His father and his step-father are muslim.
6. who the hell cares if he is a muslim. fucki ng stereotypical american trash thinks that every muslim hates christians. theres always the fuck ed up ones in a people. i mean take a look at bush and the rednecks "fight for our country" fags. they are so fucke d up and make people hate americans i am ashamed to live here
7. Doesn't just the thought of it scare you to death? He may not be Muslim but he was raised in a Muslim upbringing is my understanding. Go ahead and elect him and I guess that we will find out. It will be a little late by then, don't you think?
8. On the Democrat side I probably lean towards Clinton. But I think this is complete nonsense. It is unfortunate for Obama that racism and hate will affect the vote. Even if he was Muslim (and he's not) it is irrelevant.
9. Let's see. 1. His father and stepfather were muslim. 2. He went to a muslim school for two years. 3. His middle name is Hussein. That'd be enough for me. Now flame me for being a racist, don't care. Obama is the antithesis of what a proper president shoul be.
10. you are right. it was that sneaky clinton witch! im going to have nightmares about her tonight!
11. The origin of the rumors is from the neo-cons and some from bigots. And I do see how people in the Democrat party might be so strong and personally involved for a particular candidate other than Obama they might be tempted to continue this rumor in the hopes that it would help their candidate. Fortunately, Hillary caught that and she has more dignity than to allow that sort of garbage come from her campaign. I have spent many hours on here explaining that Obama is not Islamic to the point that I have decided that these people can't be too intelligent or informed and so I just ignore most of them now. And probably the more momentum he gathers, the more they're gonna' be on here spewing the same old untruthful crap. They might ought to turn their TVs on and notice the crowds he's gathering. But then again that might send them over the edge. Edit: Donna K-Muslim is an ethnicity. Islam is a religion. Let me make it as simple as I can for you: An analogy would be: Romney is Caucasian and his religion is Mormonism. See what I mean, His Divine Shadow. They would turn Jesus away this day and time because he was from the Middle East. Ignorance is bliss the say. Edit: Dino-He was raised by his Caucasian grandparents in Hawaii. He was only is a Muslim school for approximately a year and a half and did not study Islam. Edit: cincywah-The middle name Walker scares me a h*** of a lot more than Hussein.
12. For peoples information: Muslims are humans, just like everyone else. Why not talk to a few of them living in your area and found that out for yourselves?? I don't know why some people think that Muslims are lower than anything else, including dogs. But, It was the same thing in the 1930's, Jews were considered low-life in some countries.... And the same thing with black people, especially in the 50's and 60's.
13. Political dirty tricks.... it's not hard to discern whom it might have originated from...
14. Once a Muslim, always a Muslim, closet or open, and the truth is Baracka Hussein Obama,Jr., is a Muslim apostate, having abondoned the Muslim faith, which is a violation of the Sharia (Muslim religious law), and the penalty is death.. He became a member of a Chicago, Black church, for political expediency, and now claims to be a Christian. Hussein Obama being a Muslim, is not rumor, because he was resistered as a Muslim in the public schools in Indonesia, and all public schools in Indonesia are Muslim. He was registered by his mother and Muslim stepfather as Muslim. He did attend a Catholic school also in Indonesia. His biological father was a radical Muslim, and also, his stepfather was a radical Muslim, both indoctrinating Hussein in the Muslim beliefs. Baracka Hussein Obama,Jr., is a disgrace, twice dishonoring our American flag on two public occasions. Also, Hussein has lied about his real estate deal with the wife of Chicago real estate developer Tony Rezko. The MSM has refused to report all of the unethical acts committed by Hussein because of their strict adherence to the de facto political correctness doctrine.
15. Muslim or not, he is slim