Suddenly, now that it’s politically opportune, Barack Obama is no longer shy about admitting he has Muslim roots.

We had several posts about this at LGF during the campaign, of course. And no, this doesn’t mean he’s a “sekrit Muslim Manchurian candidate,” but it is a revealing look at the political maneuvering Obama did to get elected.

During a conference call in preparation for President Obama’s trip to Cairo, Egypt, where he will address the Muslim world, deputy National Security Adviser for Strategic Communications Denis McDonough said “the President himself experienced Islam on three continents before he was able to — or before he’s been able to visit, really, the heart of the Islamic world — you know, growing up in Indonesia, having a Muslim father — obviously Muslim Americans (are) a key part of Illinois and Chicago.”

Given widespread unease and prejudice against Muslims among Americans, especially in the wake of 9/11, the Obama campaign was perhaps understandably very sensitive during the primaries and general election to downplay the candidate’s Muslim roots.

The candidate was even offended when referred to by his initials “BHO,” because he considered the use of his middle name, “Hussein,” an attempt to frighten voters.

With insane rumors suggesting he was some sort of Muslim Manchurian candidate, then-Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and his campaign did everything they could to emphasize his Christianity and de-emphasize the fact that his father, Barack Obama Sr., was born Muslim.

The candidate’s comment at a Boca Raton, Florida, town hall meeting on May 22, 2008, was typical: “My father was basically agnostic, as far as I can tell, and I didn’t know him,” he said.

The comments for this article at ABC’s Political Punch blog are predictably wacko:

Haven’t you heard about the sunni prophecy? A “tall black man” commanding “the strongest army on earth” will take power “in the west.” He will carry “a clear sign” from the third imam, Hussein. Ali says of the tall black man: “Shiites should have no doubt that he is with us.”

Barack Hussein in Arabic means “the blessing of Hussein.” In Persian, Obama translates as “He [is] with us.” Thus does the name of the presumptive American president-elect, when combined with his physical attributes and geography, suggest that the End of Times is nigh – precisely what Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has been predicting. Hold onto your tin foil hats, this could make for an interesting visit.

Posted by: km | Jun 2, 2009 8:32:27 PM

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The American Liberal Media would put HITLER into office today if he were running for President.
Obama’s Socialism is as close to Hitler, as Hitler was close to Joseph Goebbels

Posted by: Airborne869 | Jun 2, 2009 8:31:46 PM

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I hope he is Muslim and ends the American support of the state of Israel. I am Sick of paying for that state in a sea of Arabs. Let them fight it out and the winner prevails. Nukes or not!

Posted by: jonny | Jun 2, 2009 8:31:44 PM

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Of course he`s a muslim.He is trying to give Jerusalem to to the Palestinians.That`s why he`s hiding his birth certificate

Posted by: RedDog | Jun 2, 2009 8:31:27 PM

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HE IS AN IMPOSTOR — IMPEACH HIM NOW!

Posted by: Dave | Jun 2, 2009 8:31:05 PM

Good grief.