MarkC's Blogtag:www.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk/blogs/markc//6812008-03-03T10:45:33ZMovable Type Pro 4.21-enEquivocating on Islamtag:tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com,2008:/talk//17.1810442008-03-03T10:45:33Z2008-03-03T10:45:33ZThe one aspect of the Clinton response on Obama's religion that seems indisputable to me is that it says something about how many Americans view Islam. Imagine Kroft's questions and Clinton's answer if they were talking about being a "Presbyterian"....MarkC
The one aspect of the Clinton response on Obama's religion that seems indisputable to me is that it says something about how many Americans view Islam. Imagine Kroft's questions and Clinton's answer if they were talking about being a "Presbyterian". With other traditions, people profess their faith, and you take that at faith value, even if you might occasionally question the sincerity of their commitments. In the imaginary conversation, I can't see any politician responding with a scrambled egg answer like Clinton did, because if someone asserts a self-described Catholic is really a Presbyterian, you just say "What business do you have saying that?"Because Islam and terrorism have been so closely associated in American popular culture, however, the "60 Minutes" conversation did take place. Islam is not in the category "religion" in many people's minds, it is more like a secret, reprehensible habit. Now imagine the conversation with Kroft asking if Obama was an alcoholic or into bondage. Then Clinton's answer actually sort of sounds more like it.I don't think Clinton is especially culpable here -- Kroft accepts the same frame, and he's asking because it is widespread in the media, too. But it is a sad reflection on the status of Islam in the American popular imagination that even a liberal Senator shares this attitude.