Last Weekend Surprise:Obama's aunt here illegally

Well you knew that the was a last weekend slime that was going to happen.  Our second favorite disreputable news service has slimed Obama with an illegal relative story.

WASHINGTON - Barack Obama's aunt, a Kenyan woman who has been quietly living in public housing in Boston, is in the United States illegally after an immigration judge rejected her request for asylum four years ago, The Associated Press has learned.

Zeituni Onyango, 56, referred to as "Aunti Zeituni" in Obama's memoir, was instructed to leave the United States by a U.S. immigration judge who denied her asylum request, a person familiar with the matter told the AP late Friday. This person spoke on condition of anonymity because no one was authorized to discuss Onyango's case.

Article Link

Personally I don't give a damn about his charge.  Frankly, Obama probably has no control over his half aunt any more then I do.   But in this election, McCain and the looney right brigade have been searching for every reason to smear Obama as foriegn and nothing says foriegn like having a family member here without a visa.  

I suspect they will be in full throated slime mode by Sunday on this BS story.  

MSNBC just picked it up for the front page.
boo msnbc

•  Boo

  by kamosa on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:11:41 PM PST

  •  They really are desperate

    I'm going to be glad when the election is over, because the shit-flinging on behalf of the Republican party will finally end.

    by scimitar on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:35:33 PM PST

    •  Do you really think so?

      They'll be flinging shit for the next four or eight years, guaranteed.

      by Christopher Day on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:02:16 PM PST

      •  The election-related shit-flinging, at least

        I'm sure these assholes will continue their favorite tactice - conveniently denoted by the acronym MSU. When in doubt, make shit up (MSU).

        by scimitar on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:03:41 PM PST

        •  Oh, and btw - STOP REPEATING THE FUCKING SMEARS

          Every time you repeat a smear with the intent to rebut it, you just end up reinforcing the original charge - there's a lot of evidence out there that supports this.

          With bullshit like this, the best way to defeat it is to refuse to comment on ridiculous assertions and attack the credibility of the people who are pushing it. In this case, the AP can't even confirm the fucking facts, so it's complete bullshit that should be ignored. By the way, this is why the AP is worthless, and Al Giordano was right to start a campaign against them.

          by scimitar on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:14:06 PM PST

          •  Pictoral view of the latest AP-McCain hit job:

            

            by scimitar on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:45:09 PM PST

          •  I disagree -- you must respond to smears!!!...

            As Obama has shown this election, you don't just stay quiet about it.  You take it head on.  Like Ayers.  Like Rezko.  Like all the bullshit put out there.

            Kerry proved that being passive is a recipe for failure.

            WELL NO MORE.

            by Captain America on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:40:00 PM PST

    •  They can't help it.

      Just shows that Darwin was right.  We are related to the apes. The shit-flinging Republicans have proved to be the missing link.

      by grada3784 on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 03:23:25 AM PST

  •  Important point in the article

    Ap article

    The disclosure about Onyango came just one day after Obama's presidential campaign confirmed to the Times of London that Onyango, who has lived quietly in public housing in South Boston for five years, was Obama's half aunt on his father's side.

    On cnn Obama said

    "Don't believe for a second this election is over. Don't think for a minute that power concedes anything. It's gonna get nasty, I'm sure, in the next four days," Obama told a crowd in Columbia, Missouri, on Thursday night.

    "They will throw everything at us like they've been doing, and we're gonna have to work like our future depends on it in this last week. You know what? Because it does, and every single young person here tonight -- I've gotta have every single one of you voting, and you've gotta grab five more, all of you, have gotta vote,"

    Maybe he knew somehing was up.....

    by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:43:07 PM PST

    •  Oh, you know there's collusion

      McCain, Bush, the AP, and the right-wing echo chamber are all in on this bullshit, and hacks like Ron Fournier are more than happy to take their marching orders directly from the GOP smear merchants.

      by scimitar on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:45:58 PM PST

      •  Fox News is probably mad

        that McCain didn't give them the scoop..... :)

        by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:58:40 PM PST

        •  No, the AP is much better

          Here's how they've been working their bullshit smears:

          1. McCain camp is desperate, asks Bush administration for any smear material it can use

          2. Bush administration uses tools of government against a political opponent (illegal and unethical, btw)

          3. Bushies send smear to McCain strategists, select right-wingers, and AP hack-in-chief Ron Fournier

          4. AP publishes, because it makes the bullshit seem more credible

          5. Right-wing blogs, Drudge, Fox begin to hammer away

          6. Spineless, cowardly fucks in the M$M repeat the smear ad nauseum

          by scimitar on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:06:41 PM PST

    •  Half-aunt. Give me a fucking break!

      I don't even know who all of my "half-aunts" are. This is pathetic.

      by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:15:18 PM PST

      •  I am!

        K not that funny but heh i tried...

        by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:22:42 PM PST

  •  Change the

    heading to ''denied asylum'' ...that is all that any other news service is willing to say.
    And we do not even know that for a a fact.
    Illegal is not the proper term.

    by Hawkjt on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:29:22 AM PST

  •  Compare that to this Bush Family Business

    Bush's selling the USA job Markets to China

    The selling of America's manufacturing industry to China

       China has a special place in my heart. I have been personally involved in China for over 15 years. My brother, George has been instrumental in the development of U.S. and China relations since 1974. I, like many others, strongly believe that China will be the world's largest economy in the next 50 years, and along with America, will play a significant role in shaping the world's peace and economy.

       Today, thanks to the success of economic reforms and a nation-wide determination to participate in the global  marketplace, China offers American The Bush Family Businessinvestors, manufacturers and service  providers abundant and profitable business opportunities that even five years  ago would have seemed unimaginable.

       Expected further progress in such areas  as privatization, banking reform, and the legal system, plus a rapidly expanding domestic consumer market, will only enhance these opportunities, making  China America's number one trading partner early in the next century.

       And we offer guidance for US and Chinese managers contemplating relocation to either country.

       As Chairman of the U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce, I look forward to welcoming you as a member of our expanding organization.

        Prescott S. Bush, Jr.
       Chairman

    Geeze, who is hurting America?

    by Mulkum on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 02:52:26 AM PST

•  What's your point?

  by jem286 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:11:59 PM PST

  •  It's a pointless story

    But you can bet our lame-ass media will be all over it. It just pisses me off how bullshit smears like this are somehow front page news - and it's no surprise that the thugs over at the AP are "reporting" this story.

    Also not surprising that the Bush administration is involved. They're trying everything in their power to stop Obama, and the amount of stuff they are throwing at our side is just ridiculous.

    by scimitar on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:42:17 PM PST

    •  Bush-McCain nastiness...crazy stuff to...

      invole prephiary family members.

      by Ilikepie on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:54:27 PM PST

•  Yep

  All is lost.  

  Oh brother.  This ain't going to sway anyone who wasn't already a hater.

  by Miss Blue on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:12:12 PM PST

  •  Like it or not

    This story will be all over Fox News this weekend.

    by jeepdad on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:13:55 PM PST

    •  So what?

      You think anyone watching Fox is an Obama supporter?

      Not.  

      by Miss Blue on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:14:51 PM PST

      •  I agree with you. All I

        by jeepdad on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:15:22 PM PST

      •  FUCK FOX NOISE!!!!!!! eom

        by MikePhoenix on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:58:49 PM PST

    •  So what?

      FOX has already tagged Obama as a Marxist Muslim Terrorist-Sympathizing Baby-Killer. Do the immigration problems of a distant relative he barely knows really add much?

      by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:15:22 PM PST

      •  Immigration is not a wedge and Fox only has...

        only so much time to complain and bitch and moan.

        Immigration is not a winner given McCain's stance.

        If anything, this actually reminds immigrants Obama is an American success story.

        by Ilikepie on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:19:43 PM PST

      •  Exactly...

        you left out gay, cocaine snorting fist bumper.

        by mayan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:35:03 PM PST

        •  And . . .

          dark-skinned foreigner.

          by wader on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:39:41 PM PST

          •  whose ears kinda stick out n/t

            by wondering if on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:51:54 AM PST

    •  And? Why do you care about Fox?

      And just exactly what did Obama wrong?

      by elender on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:16:43 PM PST

    •  Who watches the news on the weekends?

      except of course political junkies like the folks here.

      This one is too late. And they can't really work it anyway.

      This is a non-starter. The talk-radio idiots'll talk about it. But I doubt it will cross over in a big way.

      by Christopher Day on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:05:42 PM PST

    •  Like that hurts us? nt

      by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:16:34 PM PST

    •  And just wait...

      Until Lou Dobbs gets his mitts on it.

      But is he going to blame the Bush administration for not having her deported? This one could backfire. It's entirely possible that Obama did not know she was in the US.

      by leckavrea on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 07:33:16 AM PST

•  Please delete this

  I really wish people wouldn't spread the slime here. It only makes it into a bigger story. (Don't think media types don't come here to see "what's being talked about" as guides for what's the next "big story")

  by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:13:29 PM PST

  •  Bullshit

    It will be on the news and hence it is newsworthy.  The mere fact that it doesn't and shouldn't have a huge impact does not make it a diary that should be deleted.

    by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:20:11 PM PST

    •  And I've seen the way media works

      and know that when something becomes "big" on the various blogs, it can push it into a story when it otherwise might not have been. The media are sheep and often take their cues from how much something is "talked about". I hate seeing people here helping that along, especially 3 friggin' days before the election.

      by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:24:04 PM PST

      •  Look it will happen either way

        The AP is reporting this, not some random outlet.  Just lay off.  Police the hidden comments if you must, but this is something to consider for its impact.

        by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:25:28 PM PST

        •  The AP reports many stories every day

          Not every one becomes "big". (The original story about this aunt living in destitution did not become a "big" story, though it was reported on).

          But panicked postings about a late "surprise" on liberal blogs CAN push it into being a big story.

          by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:27:48 PM PST

          •  All right....

            ...so it need not be big.  But now we're discussing the story of the story, from a partisan angle, not dissecting the details, which is most helpful.  Agreed?

            by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:30:47 PM PST

          •  You are dumber then a bag of hammers if

            you think this is just like any other human interest story coming down.  This was designed to slime is in the worst kind of way, it won't go un-noticed.  

            Hiding with our hands over our ears shouting "this isn't happening" is the GOP way of dealing with reality.

            by kamosa on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:31:18 PM PST

            •  Seems to have worked in the last few elections.

              I'm just sayin' :)

              by jem286 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:43:12 PM PST

            •  You're right

              Running around in a panic shouting, in essence, "this is the mother of all smears!" with no evidence it will go anywhere is much better.

              by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:02:20 PM PST

          •  On the other hand, if Obama supporters

            know about it, they can deflect some of the flak they might come across, in their GOTV work.

            by Amber6541 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:45:45 PM PST

        •  It all depends on what newspapers pick up

          Let's NOT help them.

          by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:18:24 PM PST

        •  Times UK

          I think they reported it originally and the AP probably took it from there. But the Times didn't say anything about her illegal status.

          by leckavrea on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 07:36:11 AM PST

    •  Wasn't the Al Qaeda blurb from 2 days ago

      supposed to be big news that tipped the election to McCain? How about the strike in Syria? Wasn't that supposed to be big news? How about Obama's alleged membership in some sort of New Party political organization. Wasn't that supposed to blow up his campaign? Wasn't Corsi's book supposed to end Obama once and for all? Didn't Corsi get booted out of Kenya while coming across some explosive new info about Obama?

      Do you see where I'm going with this?

      by jamtown on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:30:29 PM PST

      •  No I don't see it

        The mere fact that something should be discussed and perhaps dismissed does not mean anything.  Why fear a story? It is being reported now.  Dissect it and determine its value.  Don't put your head in the sand.

        by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:33:20 PM PST

        •  Look Alec. Can I call you Alec?

          No one's putting their head in the sand. You really gotta stop saying that. It makes you look silly.

          What I'm saying is that this is a stupid, boring story that got reported on. There have been dozens of dumber and more entertaining stories that were also published that didn't amount to a hill of beans.

          I guarantee you the 527's aren't gonna start running ads about the big bad scary auntie. McCain's not gonna replace Joe the Plumber, with auntie the illegal.

          Get a grip.

          by jamtown on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:36:03 PM PST

          •  And what I am saying....

            ...(and yes, it is customary to address people by their first names if they so provide) is that I don't care if 527s will run the ads.  I see no reason to be discussing the idea of running the story as opposed to its merits, or lack thereof.  I don't worry about this one bit.  So let us just be cool and deal with it accordingly, right?

            Honestly, I don't expect this to amount to much.  If anything overreaction would feed it more.

            by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:40:05 PM PST

          •  in defense of alec82

            no story about obama is boring.  people go crazy over the fact that he hasn't bought new shoes in a year.  it's part and parcel to being a popular public figure.  

            that said, this story is important if true, which it seems to be.  obviously it's a smear, but what it does do is to put questions of immigration and "otherness" front and center.  smart and serious-minded folk will see the story for what it is, and maybe consider that the case should be dealt with compassion for the parties involved.  but this country isn't really composed of that many smart and serious-minded folk - it did elect bush twice.  

            if this does become an issue, then it's a great opportunity for obama (and us) to say two things: 1) highlight the need for immigration reform (she asked for amnesty from a country with violent politics) 2) point to how mccain and he have both asked for a more humane immigration system.  

            by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:47:35 PM PST

      •  Sorry to interrupt

        but I believe I read somewhere that Joe the Plumber was once a member of some kind of New Party.
        And then there's his alleged connection to the Keating family.
        Carry on.

        by forever blue on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 01:53:37 AM PST

•  So what????

  This has nothing to do with him. I mean really...Obama has zero responsibility for what his distant relatives do or don't do.

  Seriously, there are lots of things to be worried about. I am worried about complacency, the low youth vote, Pennsylvania, etc, etc.

  But this is not something to be worried about.

  by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:13:43 PM PST

  •  listen

    Nobody is getting complacent (in fact, read on 538 on McCain's ground game); the youth are voting (I'm a college student, and most are voting via absentee); Pennsylvania is not racist enough to reject Obama (Pennsyltucky is shrinking).

    by thematt523 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:43:20 PM PST

    •  haha

      Thanks!

      by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:44:14 PM PST

•  My Aunt -

  Is in New Rochelle.

  by johnnygunn on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:14:01 PM PST

  •  Mine's in Florida

    by Urizen on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:17:54 PM PST

    •  mine are all dead, except for one who

      starts hitting the martinis at around noon and isn't any trouble to anyone.  

      by RadicalGardener on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:21:07 PM PST

      •  Mine are all in denial...nt

        by Clive all hat no horse Rodeo on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:26:35 PM PST

        •  that works too! eom

          by RadicalGardener on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:36:56 PM PST

        •  My father's aunt...

          used to have the world's largest collection of empty Chlorox bottles.

          by mayan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:38:07 PM PST

          •  Empties

            Now that is what I call a drinking problem.

            by Ray Radlein on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:41:33 PM PST

          •  in the 60s and 70s people used chlorox

            bottles to create all sorts of craft projects like toilet paper roll covers and these odd hair curler containers with fabric tops with drawstrings.

            another mystery solved, huh?

            by RadicalGardener on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:44:35 PM PST

•  Did Obama know of

  this or not?

  by oceanstar17 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:14:14 PM PST

  •  good question n/t

    by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:15:14 PM PST

    •  What makes this a good question?

      nt

      by maven98 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:17:10 PM PST

      •  Exactly.

        I have no idea why people here can't see that publicizing this story and asking things like "Did Obama know of this or not" do NOT help our candidate.

        by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:18:44 PM PST

        •  at the same time

          Whether Obama knew about this or not is going to be on the minds on plenty of folks who are natural GOP voters but were going to pull the lever for Obama on Tuesday.

          Talking about it here does not help our candidate, granted, but just ignoring it and hoping it goes away isn't exactly ideal, either.

          Right wing sources are going to go ballistic over it, bringing up immigration issues, etc, and all the people who are persuadable (1 in 7, according to a recent AP poll) will have one more thing to mull over before voting. This is an issue that WILL sway a few votes. That number is blunted by the fact of early voting, but it will still have an impact.

          And I've seen people discount this story based on the source (AP), the apparently thin gruel behind the story, etc....well, put it this way, did anyone think that George W Bush, having gone through the grind of a Presidential campaign, would have an undiscovered drunk driving incident in his record?

          This isn't the same, it's tangential to the candidate himself, and add all the caveats we all know....but people will wonder, and for some of them, it will tip the scale over to the side of not being able to vote for Barack Obama, past the point where doubt outweighs sense.

          Me, I'm tending to believe the illegal resident story (without saying anything as to whether Obama knows about his aunt). Couldn't tell you why, exactly....but that doesn't really matter, does it? Me and you, we're committed in our vote, it's the squishy middle that needs a spine stiffening in order to do what's needed, stop the GooPers from continuing to run the country into the ground.

          What we think of this story is largely irrelevant, weighed against a need to be able to reassure those who might waver in their plan to vote for Obama. From that vantage point, it's almost better to talk about it, so as to know what we're talking about when we explain to wavering voters why it should not impact their vote.

          by pmukh on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:34:37 PM PST

      •  if this doesn't interest you

        then go read something that does.

        by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:19:22 PM PST

        •  hateful girl

          by maven98 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:31:31 PM PST

      •  She is mentioned in his biography

        So...I mean, it is kind of interesting, yes?

        by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:20:55 PM PST

    •  I think a better question would be "Is it true?"

      This is crap.  And I think that if it were a legit issue, it would have come up already.  

      by Red Reign on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:18:36 PM PST

  •  exactly!

    what did he know? when did he know it? is she stealing a job from a hard working white voter? who is barack obama?

    impeach! impeach! impeach!

    by amnesiaproletariat on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:15:37 PM PST

    •  They're taking our jerrbbbs! N/T

      by Bruce HB Lee on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:38:08 PM PST

  •  Who gives a crap?

    I probably have relatives that are guilty of assorted things. Doesn't mean I approve, condone, or have any connection with any of 'em.

    by Brainwrap on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:17:44 PM PST

    •  my cousin let his dog lick his penis

      by Urizen on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:19:33 PM PST

      •  Oh dear God, I did NOT need to know that

        TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!

        by Brainwrap on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:20:17 PM PST

      •  LOL, all dogs can do that to themselves nt.

        by Ilikepie on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:21:21 PM PST

        •  I think Urizen meant the cousin's penis....

          ...otherwise it wouldn't have quite the shock value.

          by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:23:06 PM PST

        •  Two guys were riding in a truck

          and they passed a dog lying by the side of the road licking his genetalia.

          "Wish I could do that," said the passenger.

          "I'll bet if you petted him, he'd let you," the driver replied.

          by Urizen on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:25:02 PM PST

          •  Bwahaha!!!

            by mayan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:39:23 PM PST

          •  Why do dogs lick their own penises?

            Because they can.

            by Richard Cranium on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:41:35 PM PST

      •  Holy hell

        Well, that made the diary worthwhile.

        by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:24:26 PM PST

        •  I thought it needed something.

          by Urizen on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:26:14 PM PST

          •  Well, and for the record...

            ...you can forget about that presidential bid, now.  When this comes out three days before the election, you'll be sunk.

            by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:05:09 PM PST

            •  I'm not running for president this cycle

              much to the chagrin of my legions of fans.

              by Urizen on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:08:23 PM PST

    •  No

      But that is what the media will ask. It is probably coming very late to affect Obama. As many voters have already gone to the polls, with only three days left, the worst that I could see this doing is lowering his popular vote totals. Still, though, I wonder why she has been allowed to stay here if she is here in an illegal status.

      by oceanstar17 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:24:38 PM PST

      •  Well, there are at least 11 million

        people in the country illegally (I'd bet on twice that) doing a lot of work.

        by Urizen on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:29:08 PM PST

      •  Huh?

        There are about 12 million illegal immigrants in the U.S. They aren't allowed to stay here; hence their illegal status. Typically, they evade the authorities.

        I used to know a person from Thailand who overstayed her student visa and didn't leave the country by the time the immigration authorities told her to leave; hence she's now here illegally (unless she's worked something out since I last saw her).

        This is a nothing story. Obama apparently hasn't communicated with this woman in many years. Plus, I don't remember investigations into the distant relatives of other politicians; but hey, the media has to amuse itself somehow.

        by ChiTownBlue2000 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:34:32 PM PST

  •  what did he know?

    and when did he know it?

    OOOO this is big, big, BIG!

    by Urizen on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:18:41 PM PST

    •  What...

      the aforesaid dog's penis?

      by mayan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:39:49 PM PST

      •  Must be

        It sure ain't Barack's auntie.

        by Urizen on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:02:10 PM PST

•  Eh, Has nothing to do with Obama. nt.

  by Ilikepie on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:15:24 PM PST

•  So what's Obama supposed to do about it?

  At the moment, he's a U.S. Senator from Illinois. Not exactly in a position to do anything about immigration except to push for bills about policy changes.

  Considering that both he and McCain have pretty sympathetic views of illegal immigrants, this is pretty much a non-story.

  Now, if Tom Tancredo turned out to have an illegal immigrant relative, THAT would be a huge story!

  by Brainwrap on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:15:44 PM PST

  •  He should have...

    gone on Lou Dobb's and publicly denounced her after making a citizen's arrest.

    by mayan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:40:50 PM PST

  •  I've read that Congressmen often introduce

    immigration and tax bills that pertain to only one person or one family.  The congress routinely passes them (quickie voice vote?)and the President routinely signs them just out of courtesy to keep things moving.

    by robcat2075 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:14:50 PM PST

•  Half-aunt not aunt, to be precise.

  And what does this have to do with the election?

  by elender on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:15:54 PM PST

  •  if you read the article

    apparently the Bush administration thought it had enough to do with the election to issue a directive that deportations of the type the aunt might be subject to needed higher level approval before the election.

    by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:17:40 PM PST

    •  And if the Bush administation thinks something

      that must be so or what?

      by elender on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:18:28 PM PST

    •  Why read the article?

      It just gets in the way of snap, knee-jerk reactions.  

      by 2lucky on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:31:16 PM PST

    •  Still trying to figure that out

      Does that mean an effort will be made to deport the woman by Monday for maximum impact ... but if that happened what effect would it have?

      What happens if the woman does return home (not advisable) between now and Tuesday. Will the immigration authorities be obliged to pick her up now that they can no longer say they don't know her whereabouts. And if they don't, she will be at the mercy of the media who are likely now staking out her building and would make her life unbearable.

      Judging by the account in Times UK, she's a decent woman who gives back to her community by volunteering.

      by leckavrea on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 07:44:28 AM PST

•  McCain is spiking the press, fcuk!!!!

  Dammit THEY ALWAYS DO THIS.

  "AP has learned?"....info came from McCain campaign.

  WTF, Obama, cmon man.

  DOOOOO SOOOMEETHINGGGGGGGGGG
  about this.

  by mrConcern on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:16:26 PM PST

  •  FIX IT!!!!!!!!!

    by maven98 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:19:17 PM PST

    •  Fixxxxx...It!

      by astral66 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:49:00 PM PST

  •  What do you propose he do?

    by jem286 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:24:38 PM PST

  •  asdf...

    

    by Clive all hat no horse Rodeo on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:31:07 PM PST

  •  asdf

    Srsly. 538 gets PeteKent while we get ironic hipster concern trolls.

    by Amayi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:47:51 PM PST

•  FYI EVERYONE...THAT ZOGBY POLL?

  Obama +5

  http://www.zogby.com/...

  So everyone CHILLLLLLL

  by Democratic Tribune on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:17:13 PM PST

  •  Zogby is hilariously erratic

    Hmmm...reminds me of a certain candidate.

    by begone on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:18:03 PM PST

    •  They were the most accurate in 2004

      Go figure...

      by i8pikachu on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:29:45 PM PST

      •  Well, they're still erratic

        these last few days, for whatever reason.

        by begone on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:30:58 PM PST

      •  Really?

        so John Kerry has been the real President all these years?

        wow.  Who knew?

        by Miss Blue on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:31:03 PM PST

        •  Right...

          Zogby called it for Kerry in '04.

          by itskevin on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:31:58 PM PST

          •  Everyone did...

            They were still more accurate.

            by i8pikachu on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:33:07 PM PST

            •  No, Dear....

              Everyone called it for Bush. Zogby was the ONLY major poll to call it for Kerry.

              GALLUP was actually the closest - calling both final PV and EV totals almost precisely.

              If you don't know what you are talking about, best not to post.

              by GayIthacan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:35:40 PM PST

  •  So Obama must have been plus 8 and 7 the prior

    two days, in order to average to +5 overall.  How the hell do you move from +7 to -1 in one freakin day?  That just does not make sense.  Again Zogby is proving my repeated point that he is a charaltan, the snake oil salesman of pollsters.  He desparately craves attention so he cooks his books to get it, but then tries to keep his pollster creds in tact by uncooking his books the last two days before an election.  Dont be surprised to hear Zogby issue some "momentus" pronouncement on Sunday night showing a "sudden shift" back to Obama.  Zogby is crappy.

    by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:21:21 PM PST

•  Desperation...

  won't change a damn thing.

  by First Amendment on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:17:36 PM PST

•  Well I guess INS will deport her now

  This story has been all over Freeperland as proof that Obama is too ungenerous to aid his hungry relatives in the US. Whether he knew she was here is never covered, but they all assume he must have.

  So this may make some difference to them, but they weren't going to vote for him anyway.

  And nobody else will care. Don't we all have relatives we haven't seen in 20 years and have no idea where they are right now?

  by Louise on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:18:25 PM PST

  •  I don't remember ever sending a penny to

    my aunt.

    by elender on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:20:06 PM PST

    •  me neither

      but i would if she asked me to (she loves Rush Limbog, but waddayagunnado?).

      by Urizen on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:21:44 PM PST

      •  I have aunts I would help

        and aunts I would not help. I guess it depends a lot on the circumstances. You never know what is going on in someone else's family.

        by Progressive East Texas on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:30:57 PM PST

  •  Jesus H Christ. His father abandoned him.

    It was the subject of one of his books.

    Is he really reponsible for every relative he has now? Thank God, I will never run for president. My wayward brother alone would give the press fodder for months.

    by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:01:56 PM PST

•  The question is

  is she pro-Israel?  

  by Korry on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:18:56 PM PST

•  Surprise. Ass Press come up with something

  that is public record, means nothing, and gives the wingnuts quotable howling points. How special.

  by Karl Rover on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:19:18 PM PST

  •  Rec'ed for "Ass Press" n/t

    by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:07:49 PM PST

    •  Short for Associated Press.

      I wouldn't imply anything else.

      by Karl Rover on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:11:41 PM PST

      •  Oh, yeah

        I understand ;)

        In Fournier's case, though, I hope you'll agree such an implication is more than deserved.

        by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:21:21 PM PST

•  Is she appealing the ruling?

  What is the basis of the asylum request?
  Why the hell is unauthorized information being shared with the AP?
  Who pulled the file to give the info to the AP?

  by bornadem on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:19:58 PM PST

  •  Very good questions n/t

    by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:27:04 PM PST

    •  And questions the Fournier AP hacks never

      bother to explore in their hit piece.  Really nice work AP.  If she is appealing the deportation order to the immigration agency appeal board then no she is not "illegally" in the country even under the colloquial use of that word.

      by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:23:18 PM PST

•  I don't see the big deal

  She is a distance half-aunt, who has had little to nothing to do with Obamas life. Many people in America have immigration issues, from what I hear. Let the process unfold, as it should, under the law.

  Move on, I say...

  by Paladine on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:20:14 PM PST

•  Good...make immigration an issue...

  ...I dare you...

  BTW, how are McCain's African American relativee doing these days?

  by Aqualad08 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:21:09 PM PST

  •  Turn the 65 percent Hispanic/ Latino advantage

    into a landslide.

    There are just not enough dumbfuck white people to overcome the numbers. And I say this as a lily white person.

    by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:25:27 PM PST

•  Good to know....

  Now let's move on and win on Nov 4!

  by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:21:46 PM PST

•  Delete this piece of crap diary. I am sorry I am

  usually respectful, but this is really pissing me off. This is just providing fodder for the Redstaters. And what is with the title - do YOU want an October surprise? This is not a story and is not important

  by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:23:25 PM PST

  •  Um it is a story....

    ...as the links illustrate.  We shouldn't run from something that is being reported.  

    by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:24:11 PM PST

    •  Lots of bullshit things are reported,

      doesn't mean we have to highlight them. And something being written by AP does not a story make.

      by jem286 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:26:47 PM PST

      •  Ok...then the best way to discourage discussion..

        ...and a high profile is to skip over it, not recommend it and hope it suffocates.  

        by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:28:25 PM PST

      •  And especially because it is AP. nt

        by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:28:56 PM PST

      •  Watergate was a bs story...

        Until it gathered steam and people connected the dots.

        by i8pikachu on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:31:51 PM PST

        •  What are you saying? That this story compares to

          Watergate? Give me a break.

          by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:33:36 PM PST

          •  obviously

            not what the commenter is saying.

            by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:35:13 PM PST

            •  OK, then what is the commenter saying? Seems to

              me she/he is saying that Watergate was not big story until the "dots were connected" - implication being that this "non-story" could be a BIG horrible story for Obama because it too is like Watergate - once the dots are connected are of course.

              This is a non-story. The AP is biased. The woman in question is the half-aunt of Obama on his father's side. Let's move on to winning this election please.

              by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:40:22 PM PST

        •  Fine.

          Turn this sucker into something huge then. I swear, reading some of these posts it's as if you guys WANT this to go somewhere.

          by jem286 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:33:57 PM PST

          •  Oh please spare me

            I don't think this should or will be meaningful.  That doesn't mean I should ignore it.  Jesus.  

            by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:36:16 PM PST

            •  I'm not saying ignore it,

              but I think sitting here wringing hands, freaking out about the implications, panicking about what, OMG, FOX NEWS might think about it is unbelievable. Let's get him elected before trying to bring about his demise.

              by jem286 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:40:09 PM PST

              •  Oh

                I'm not suggesting we engage in hand wringing.  I'm just suggesting we take a look at it on its merits and not attack diarists for writing about it.  I think it will fall on its own (lack of) merits.

                by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:41:32 PM PST

                •  I agree.

                  It will fall flat. I'm mainly frustrated with regard to many of the comments I have read (and even diaries posted) talking about how this story could be the end all. The LAST thing we need to do right now is start worrying about a minor story. 3 days, folks. 3 days! Don't get sidetracked.

                  by jem286 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:46:45 PM PST

              •  Hear hear jem286. A voice of reason. NT

                by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:41:55 PM PST

            •  You don't have to ignore it

              But it also doesn't have to be a diary on Kos labeled "Last Weekend Surprise". We really shouldn't be HELPING the other side 3 days before an election, should we?

              by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:41:09 PM PST

              •  Thank you for taking the words out of my mouth.

                My biggest problem with this diary was the fucking title.

                by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:42:44 PM PST

                •  Well the title can be altered

                  As long as the idea of a story being reported on isn't being criticized.  I think we're talking over each other on this point.  

                  by Alec82 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:46:54 PM PST

                  •  I hope the title is changed. NT

                    by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:47:58 PM PST

        •  Yeah...

          ...and that took longer than three days.

          There's not enough "there" there to make this into an issue by Tuesday.

          by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:42:12 PM PST

        •  Oh shut up. nt

          by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:26:28 PM PST

        •  HR'd for hysteria.

          by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:29:59 PM PST

    •  Then it should be reported

      and provide an analysis for why it doesn't matter. The title is unnecessarily provocative - giving it weight and importance to the story that it does not have.

      by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:28:06 PM PST

  •  any new

    information about our candidate that emerges on the front page of msnbc the weekend before the election is something to be informed about.

    by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:26:36 PM PST

    •  This is not "information about our candidate."

      Respectfully.

      by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:43:24 PM PST

  •  I understand you may not like the news but

    if it's true, it's important for us to know what the repubs are doing or lying about.

    by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:29:14 PM PST

    •  It is not relevant and has nothing whatsoever to

      do with Obama.

      by butchergirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:43:52 PM PST

      •  I get your point, but

        Rashid Khalidi sat in a diner and Obama was in the same room. The man is a respected scholar and still they accused Obama to be anti-israel. How does been in a diner with a scholar make you anti-israel? Who knows...

        Their argument is stupid, baseless and idiotic. Still we need to be informed of what the other side is coming up with.
        This is the kind of info that indicates to me that they have nothing on him (obama) and are therefor desperate.
        It makes me become more and more confident about the fact that we are going to win this :)

        by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:56:32 PM PST

  •  If this is the October surprise...

    Let them have it.  This is nothing unless he lied about her in the past, but that revelation will only gather steam after he's elected, and therefore it will be too late.

    by i8pikachu on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:31:03 PM PST

•  Well

  This is a potential pitfall for Obama. I mean, this type of situation is something that could anger lots of voters. Here you have a woman in the US illegally living in public housing. This is something that many hard-working voters, especially blue collar workers, would resent. And that doesn't necessarily make them "racist" either. It just seems to violate principles of fairness.

  If the judge ordered her deported then why is she still here? I mean, they should have deported her without question.

  by oceanstar17 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:23:34 PM PST

  •  Not this late, it's not

    If they had a week to turn it into something, they might be able to get the pundits asking questions like "did Obama use his influence to let her stay here?"  "Did Obama know about this, and fail to report it?" etc.

    There just isn't time to do anything about this now.

    by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:26:27 PM PST

    •  Yes

      But I could see how it might affect some voters.

      by oceanstar17 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:27:08 PM PST

      •  I simply don't think there's time...

        ...to turn this into a controversy that many voters know about.

        by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:28:46 PM PST

        •  Are you kidding?

          Sadly, I suspect CNN will be nonstop on this by tomorrow night. And unfortunately it fits right into a lot of themes that will resonate with white, undecided, working class voters.

          Note in the AP story that someone fairly high level, possibly in the Bush administration seems to have leaked this. They know how to play this kind of dirty game...

          by Beekeeper on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:33:20 PM PST

          •  Nope

            It took three weeks for the swift boat smear to significantly move Kerry's numbers in 2004, running unopposed on the cable news 24/7.  By contrast, they have three days to do something with this.

            Believe me, they'll try.  But I don't think there's enough time to succeed.

            by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:36:08 PM PST

            •  Hope and pray you're right...

              ...but I'm not so sure.

              by Beekeeper on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:37:39 PM PST

              •  As noted below...

                This was on Drudge and Fox days ago.  If it's taken that long to make it into an AP story, then it's probably not seen by the pundits as being as hot as we think.

                And that goes double considering how easy it is for Obama to counter this: this is a relative with whom Obama has very little contact (hell, the wingers have been complaining about that very fact, and whining about how "callous" Obama is toward some of his many relatives).

                by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:41:07 PM PST

            •  the internet has become more widespread

              and central for this election cycle.  i do think this will gather steam quickly.  but i don't think it will necessarily change people's minds so much.  some of the reactions will depend on how the campaign decides to respond.  

              by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:58:20 PM PST

          •  Why oh why are people here PROMOTING this BS?

            Jumping Jesus on a pogo stick, get a grip.

            by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:33:48 PM PST

        •  Although

          The entire planet knew all about Joe the Plumber's life within 24 hours.

          by tnproud2b on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:36:52 PM PST

          •  Different angle

            Joe himself was the story.

            In this case, the story is any connections to Obama.  And just about everyone seems to agree there aren't any, beyond a rather tenuous link by genes.

            by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:44:13 PM PST

          •  That came during a highly watched debate

            This is hitting past midnight on a holiday weekend when few undecideds are watching the tube or reading online smear stories.

            Honestly, if they're paying any attention, they're not undecided.

            by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:32:27 PM PST

  •  But this has nothing to do with Obama

    How does it reflect on him in any way?? She is just a distant relative and her actions have nothing to do with him.

    by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:26:58 PM PST

    •  Is she on his father's side?

      Did he not really know her?

      by oceanstar17 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:27:34 PM PST

      •  Yes, she's his father's half-sister

        Whom he met in 1985 when he visited Kenya. She and his father have the same father.

        by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:29:54 PM PST

        •  It sure seems like the African branch of Barack's

          family are pretty active in procreating, eh?

          That's got to be good for the Kenyan economy, right? Adding all those smart people into the population can't hurt ... I wish I had an Obama gene or two! Maybe then I could do long division without crying.

          by Eileen B on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:50:05 PM PST

    •  It doesn't.

      And it never ceases to amaze me here at DKos with regard to the levels of freaking out we reach. I know we're antsy and paranoid, but I'm sorry, this just is not a story that is going anywhere. The election ITSELF will be the story through the weekend, but ESPECIALLY Monday.

      by jem286 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:29:32 PM PST

    •  Of course not

      If they had a week or two to work with this, the wingnuts could get all the pundits asking negative-sounding questions such as "did Obama know she was here illegally, and fail to report her?" "did Obama pull strings to keep her here"? etc.

      They probably will still try to do something with that.  But in my humble opinion, there just isn't enough time to make much of this now.

      by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:30:24 PM PST

      •  But people here

        are certainly doing all they can to push this story into the bigtime, with their panicked "BREAKING" and "Last Weekend Surprise" diaries, aren't they?

        This is why Democrats lose elections.

        by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:35:28 PM PST

        •  Uh...

          ...once it's on the AP wire I don't think our discussing it here is going to make or break the story.

          by Beekeeper on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:40:02 PM PST

          •  Really?

            You don't think media types read the blogs and put their ear to the ground to see which of many AP stories is gaining traction? Because I think they do.

            by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:42:35 PM PST

            •  they also read

              the front page of msnbc, where the story is currently the main headline

              by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:44:07 PM PST

              •  Actually...

                ...the main headline on the front page of MSNBC is "High-stakes battle over same-sex marriage in Calif."

                This is listed as the newest story in the "other top stories" section - the first among many listed because it's the most recent.

                by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:46:34 PM PST

                •  Yes my mistake n/t

                  by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:51:47 PM PST

        •  Exactly. Dems have a death wish.

          This is as weak as it comes and people are rec'ing up the panic like there's no tomorrow.

          by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:36:01 PM PST

    •  Oh, it matters. What? You can't see that it does?

      Just ask Sean Hannity and Rush. This lady is the root cause of everything that is wrong with America. EVERYTHING! DIDN"T YOU HEAR ME? EVERYTHING! AM I TALKING LOUD ENOUGH TO MAKE MY POINT? HERE, LET ME TALK LOUDER AND LET ME MAKE MY FACE GET SCARLET RED. THERE, NOW DO YOU UNDERSTAND? SEE, IT MAKES PERFECT SENSE.

      by We Shall Overcome on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:35:51 PM PST

  •  Yes, Lou Dobbs will be all over it

    he hates Obama and definitely will bring this up for about 1/2 hour on his show Monday.

    by steelman on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:31:53 PM PST

    •  Dobbs is a racist fuck.

      by The Creator on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:36:38 PM PST

  •  Just the fucking opposite...

    ...if Obama and she were close, one would think having a FUCKING US SENATOR as a nephew would FUCKING HELP YOU OBTAIN SOME MEASURE OF LEGAL STATUS...

    That she doesn't currently have that means he did no special favors...

    BIG EPIC FUCKFACED FAIL...

    by Aqualad08 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:43:20 PM PST

    •  Wow.

      I just don't see the need for this kind of nastiness.

      by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:47:48 PM PST

      •  Welcome to America 2008...

        ...sucks, don't it?

        by Aqualad08 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:53:21 PM PST

        •  no

          In the 42 years I've been alive, America has never sucked. And it isn't starting to in 2008. get a grip.

          by tnproud2b on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:00:39 PM PST

          •  Remember "Cop Rock?"

            Debate over...

            by Aqualad08 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:08:09 PM PST

    •  that's actually a good point although i do think

      that the fact that she lives in public housing could come up.  people might wonder how she got access to that when she's supposedly illegal.  if obama helped her out there, then that could be construed as a favor.  

      but before any of this gathers steam, i'd still like to know how true this story is and what details have been left out.  i dont' think this stuff could have been hidden during our long primary process, which makes me feel that the case has probably a benign or mundane aspect to it and the leakers are leaving those details out in order to force voters to imagine "bad" things.

      by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:03:35 PM PST

      •  also

        The Bush administration has stipulates that all depotiations of the type that could affect her prior to the election have to be approved.

        They certainly don't want a "Bush Administration deports Obama Aunt" story to hit in the next 48 hours

        by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:06:16 PM PST

      •  She got the housing five years ago, before he was

        a Senator...no way he had that kinda pull as a state guy...

        by Aqualad08 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:20:10 PM PST

      •  also plays into the

        "mean obama didnt help his starving brother living on 12 dollars a month" meme that has been pushed for ages.  Alone it didn't take traction but together? just might push some undecideds or soft obama supporters away.

        no i dont agree it should.  but it will be played that way. Not discussing it is playing ostrich. AP, MSNBC and fox are covering the story.  They idea that we are making it larger is not flying imo.  

        Once again the issue is how to deal with this smear, not to pretend it doesn't exist.  As the boyscouts say "be prepared". more prepared you are the better chance of dealing with it and turning it into lemonade.

        by vc2 on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 04:07:20 AM PST

•  If this is the best surprise they have,

  it won't matter, however much it's on Faux News.

  I actually, really, I'm not kidding, thought they'd try
  inventing an "Obama fathered some baby somewhere"
  story these last few days. (NOT Malia and Sasha.)

  Maybe that will be on Monday.

  by begone on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:23:35 PM PST

•  This may generate...

  ...some coverage this weekend, but there simply isn't time to 1) move it into the general media for saturation coverage or 2) affect Obama's numbers.

  A week ago, it might have done something simply by virtue of both changing the subject from the economy and implying "something" negative about Obama.  By now, it's simply too late.

  by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:23:40 PM PST

  •  Its already on front page at msnbc.com

    by jeepdad on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:29:36 PM PST

    •  Even so...

      ...it takes some time to move public opinion.  They have three days before November 4, and a lot of the votes have been cast already.

      Interesting that this is coming to light now, huh?

      by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:33:59 PM PST

      •  So the right-wing logic of this - is that Obama

        should have deported her? Under the twisted logic of this story - there's the implication that Obama isn't defending the US from immigrants? This is so messed up and it's a clear smear campaign. What did the AP want? Did they want Obama to capture her and send her packing? The thing is - she's trying to get asylum - which is what so many immigrants have done already in this country. Obama can't live the lives of every single one of his distant relatives. This is another sorry attempt to "foreignize" Obama by his family's ancestry.  

        by Blue Liberty on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 04:24:49 AM PST

    •  Was on frontpage of Drudge and Fox days ago...

      by diana325 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:35:23 PM PST

      •  Really?

        And it's just being picked up now?

        That's actually pretty good news.  Sounds like the pundits and the cable news may be using some discretion.

        by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:37:13 PM PST

        •  MSNBC also discussed The New Party live on TV

          over a week ago, but got bored with it after a few minutes. Fox News went to town on it as well. Haven't heard much about that dumb story since, have ya? Freeperville was in a tizzy about it and Daily Kos concern diaries sprouted like weeds. End result: No one gave a shit.

          by jamtown on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:47:30 PM PST

      •  Yep, an Obama guy was asked about it

        and he said "I'm not going to discuss that."

        That's the best answer, because this is utter bullsh!t.

        by We Shall Overcome on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:38:27 PM PST

      •  no it wasn't

        It was mentioned he had an aunt living in public housing.  The news that she is living here illegally just hit the AP wire this evening. From what I can tell.  No similar stories are dated before Nov 1.

        by tnproud2b on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:08:34 PM PST

        •  OK, so...

          ...she was here illegally, that fact was known to INS, and they knew where she was.

          Everyone agrees Obama had basically no contact with her.  

          So the real question is, Why didn't the Bush INS deport her?

          by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:13:28 PM PST

•  Did she donate

  to his campaign?  One of the stories a couple days ago was that she lived in a community housing project (i.e. "How could Obama let his aunt live in poverty while he's living high"), but that she had scraped together $250 for a donation to his campaign.  But it's illegal for noncitizens to donate, isn't it?

  by MNGumboGirl on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:25:43 PM PST

•  Valerie Plame redux

  when it comes to illegally leaking personal data, you can always count on George Bush's boys to come through for the mouthbreathing base.

  Unfortunately for McCain, nobody but the Fox-brand neanderthals are gonna hate an asylum seeking grandma.

  by dworth on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:29:15 PM PST

•  If it's leaked from Bush's boys...

  I wouldn't count on it being true. I bet there's some qualification like she's awaiting some update on her status and they can't legally make her leave until then... or whatever. Probly some thing that goes on all the time...

  Unnamed source.

  Total bullshit until someone proves anything.

  by dworth on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:31:58 PM PST

•  No impact.

  She went through a legal process and a judgment was rendered.  No indication that Obama tried to intervene or that he is even close to this woman.  

  by khyber900 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:34:20 PM PST

  •  And that's the key

    We all have distant relatives.  Obama evidently met this person more than 20 years ago.  Hell, up until now the wingnuts have been complaining about how little he's had to do with her.

    That's good to know.

    by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:38:32 PM PST

•  Maybe he kinda knew?

  "Don't believe for a second this election is over. Don't think for a minute that power concedes anything. It's gonna get nasty, I'm sure, in the next four days," Obama told a crowd in Columbia, Missouri, on Thursday night.

  "They will throw everything at us like they've been doing, and we're gonna have to work like our future depends on it in this last week. You know what? Because it does, and every single young person here tonight -- I've gotta have every single one of you voting, and you've gotta grab five more, all of you, have gotta vote"

  http://www.cnn.com/...

  by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:38:04 PM PST

  •  that's a weak connection

    everyone knows the GOP playbook, and that's to smear until the sun goes down.  we never know what exactly the GOP will throw except that it will be dirty, false, misleading, and ugly.  obama stating the obvious doesn't mean he knew anything about this supposed half-aunt story.

    by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:08:03 PM PST

•  How do we know that Obama even knew she was in

  the US? This is really reaching.

  by wahine on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:38:19 PM PST

•  It's a trick.

  INS cannot comment publically on the case, therefore they cannot disprove it (e.g. explain that her asylum request is on appeal, if that is the situation). The lie can basically go unchallenged.

  It could be a complete fiction by McCain's ops (Backwards B stuff), who knows?

  And y'know, even if it were true, why should it matter one whit? McCain's WIFE admitted to being a drug addict who stole drugs from her charity's doctors. His brother calls 911 to complain about traffic and tells them to Fuck Off. Do they really want to bring family into this?

  Anyone racist enough to hear this obvious dog whistle probably wasn't going to vote for Obama anyway...

  by gater2112 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:39:02 PM PST

  •  That's a very good point

    There's no way of proving the report is false (if it is).

    by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:40:45 PM PST

•  Fucking AP.

  Obama should gut these fuckers when he's got the power.

  by The Creator on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:39:21 PM PST

•  Click on this link and then choose BURY

  http://digg.com/...

  (Select Bury as Duplicate on all Obama aunt stories listed there.)

  by barath on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:39:48 PM PST

  •  it's already

    the front page story on msnbc

    by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:40:51 PM PST

    •  You're exagerating

      They have a link on their news ticker. It's hardly "on the front page".

      by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:43:43 PM PST

      •  You're right.

        It's at the top of the list of headlines, with a little red flag next to it that says "New."

        My mistake.

        by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:46:46 PM PST

        •  I'm giving you a donut for all that defense

          of the validity of this story.

          by slinkerwink on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:48:35 PM PST

          •  slink, i respectully disagree with the donut.

            Andrew didn't make this a story. The Associated Press did.

            by jeepdad on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:05:08 PM PST

            •  thank you and

              I  honestly don't think this is much of a story.  But I don't think it should be out of bounds to talk about it.

              by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:07:23 PM PST

              •  Again, uprated for the ratings abuse.

                I have a lot more recommends than the abuser has donuts.

                by 2lucky on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:16:57 PM PST

              •  I think slink donuted you for the smart assness

                of your comment, which is definitely not something worthy of a donut.  

                by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:26:39 PM PST

          •  Ridiculous n/t

            by Grendel on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:36:15 PM PST

      •  Its front and center

        In the list of news articles...its the first one, with a New image next to it...to highlight it.

        by kamosa on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:49:24 PM PST

        •  Because it's the newest...

          ...at 1:50am eastern.

          It's NOT the main headline, and only time will tell if it becomes a Really Big Deal over the next three days.

          There isn't a whole lot of time for this to go anywhere, and there are a lot of reasons for it not to.

          by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:51:20 PM PST

    •  Uprated to counter the blatant ratings abuse. nt

      by 2lucky on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:16:20 PM PST

      •  thanks n/t

        by andrewj54 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:18:25 PM PST

      •  Ditto n/t

        by Grendel on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:38:01 PM PST

•  The issue here will be the contribution

  She's apparently not a U.S. citizen, but gave $260 to his campaign. Will anyone care? I'm guessing no.

  As for the rest of it, families are off-limits.

  by cadejo4 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:40:14 PM PST

  •  Sadly nothing is off limits..

    ..for the a-holes we are dealing with.

    by Beekeeper on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:56:33 PM PST

  •  Any proof or link?

    by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:04:21 PM PST

    •  Yes it's in the Times article

      http://www.timesonline.co.uk/...

      Aunt Zeituni is now also living in Boston, and recently made a $260 campaign contribution to her nephew's presidential bid from a work address in the city.

      Speaking outside her home in Flaherty Way, South Boston, on Tuesday, Ms Onyango, 56, confirmed she was the "Auntie Zeituni" in Mr Obama’s memoir.

      by cadejo4 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:07:56 PM PST

      •  Let's hope this story dies quickly...

        by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:20:07 PM PST

  •  ok so the campaign returns the contribution

    that's not really the big deal of the story, if it's even true in its (lack of) details.  the story brings up illegal immigration - a hot button issue that hasn't gotten that much play in the election because of mccain's own moderate stance on it.  

    but it would be just like mccain to throw out a smear like a guy throwing rocks from a glass house.  

    by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:11:20 PM PST

    •  Exactly

      It plays somewhat into the McCain camp's talking point about not knowing who all Obama's donors are, but there's no time to develop that and most people would think, "How sweet that she wanted to help." I honestly don't see where McCain could go with this. In many ways, the story humanizes Obama and reminds people of his roots, which is all to the good.

      by cadejo4 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:15:59 PM PST

      •  yeah i was thinking it would just endear

        obama more to latino populations that have to deal with illegal immigration all day long.  and if played right, it could get cuban-americans in FL to empathize with their time as asylum-seekers before they became full-fledged citizens.

        by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:33:39 PM PST

    •  Why wasn't she deported?

      Everyone agrees that Obama basically had no contact with her (McCain's supporters have been complaining about that very fact).  According to the story, INS knew she was here illegally and knew where she was.

      Why didn't the Bush INS deport her?

      by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:15:59 PM PST

      •  That is because the AP did not do its journalist

        job and explore this very important point, especially if they are going to use the word "illegal" with the story.  If, for instance, the half-aunt is appealing the deportation order, then NO she is NOT HERE ILLEGALLY.  But the Fournier AP hacks did not bother to explore the full story probably because if they did so they would not have much of a story to tell.

        by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:29:13 PM PST

•  boring. I was so ready for the last week to get

  here because I thought ALL the best news and commentary would come out, but, actually, it's been exactly the opposite!

  I don't care where Obama's relatives are living.  You could tell me they all live in an igloo next to Sarah Palin's mansion and I would Not be interested!  This is not interesting.

  by erin r on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:42:02 PM PST

•  I agree with the poster above

  This is a legitimate story/diary because it will get traction for a couple of reasons:

  * it's family * "public housing" * immigration issues * if he can't care for her, follow the laws, how can he do that for America? * ties into the "Spread the Wealth" / Welfare meme.

  We know it's all BS, but this will leave a mark.

  Since it is so close to the Election, that's going to be even worse for our guy, because he won't have time to deal with it.

  I'll ask it this way:

  Would you rather have this come up, now, or not at all?

  by trhunnicutt on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:45:23 PM PST

  •  Whose side are you on?

    I'm beginning to wonder...

    by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:49:17 PM PST

    •  If you want to stick you're head in the sand

      go be a Republican, they love that self delusion stuff.

      by kamosa on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:50:58 PM PST

      •  I prefer not to undermine my own candidate

        by labeling a non-story as a late "suprise" (to fit right into the media's hunger for "October Surprises").

        I'm kooky that way.

        by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:53:50 PM PST

        •  kamosa really has it in for you rennert.

          You kick his cat or something?

          by jamtown on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:56:59 PM PST

    •  what part of "our guy" don't you understand

      all I'm doing is stating how they will try to play it out.

      "We all know it's BS".

      do you have a hard time reading?

      by trhunnicutt on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:53:31 PM PST

      •  I've looked through your previous comments

        and detect a LOT of concern trollery. I'm just wondering, that's all.

        by rennert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:54:34 PM PST

        •  Analysis and discussion is not "Concern Trollery"

          It's amazing that no one can try to discuss how something can be used against our candidate without getting Troll Rated.

          by trhunnicutt on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:57:34 PM PST

  •  I'd rather have it come up now...

    ...than last week.

    Even so, I think you may be overestimating the play it will get.  Evidently, it's been on Drudge/Fox news for days.

    by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:49:39 PM PST

  •  You don't deserve a troll

    rating for this comment.

    by oceanstar17 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:50:33 PM PST

  •  I disagree

    And I am the biggest "concern troll" in the world. This is about 1% as relevant as the William Ayers attacks...and look how effective THAT was.

    by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:50:44 PM PST

    •  It's really easy to counter...

      ...should they feel the need.

      "Up until now, the big concern in the McCain campaign and their supporters was that Obama didn't maintain contact with and support all his distant relatives.  Now they want to say this has something to do with him?  Which is it, guys?"

      Of course, it's kind of tough to move a big smear in three days, anyway.

      by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:56:32 PM PST

    •  talk me down please...

      by scjmcy2k on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:04:50 PM PST

      •  Just leave this thread!!

        People are making themselves crazy for no reason.

        by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:09:00 PM PST

  •  I really doubt that

    There have been a lot of stories about his extended family living in poor conditions already.

    Second, I doubt it gets much traction simply because of time. Slow weekend news and Monday's coverage should be mostly about anticipation for the election.

    by spyguy999 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:51:35 PM PST

  •  It is not

    going to be openly used by McCain..too mean.
    Now, FoxNews will use it,sure, but that audience is gone to obama anyway.
    The rest of the media will mention it but no details are available so they cannot go far.

    Really, if no one official can comment...how can AP even go with it?

    It is not great but I expected worse.
    You think anyone that is voting for Obama will switch? I dont..it is undecideds we have to fight for.

    by Hawkjt on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:52:21 PM PST

    •  Completely agree on all counts

      by trhunnicutt on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:54:58 PM PST

    •  McCain might try out of desperation

      And in so doing, he'll short-circuit any impact it might otherwise have had.

      by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:57:35 PM PST

      •  If he bangs the drum on this, he'll only look

        like a bigger ass than he already does. I really think this is weak.

        by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:13:40 PM PST

•  Also

  It has the who, what, where, when, why, how quotient that will make it like catnip for the MSM.

  by trhunnicutt on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:46:49 PM PST

•  If Joe the tax-dodging plumber can be a hero...

  ...then surely this story is worthless...

  by Aqualad08 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:46:59 PM PST

•  well

  For some reason , i knew there were going to be one lastsurprise from the GOP.

  The Khalidi stuff seems to have little impact so far , so you know there were going to be something else.

  This probably hurts a bit in N.C...Just enough for McCain to slip in a win.

  Obama wants to win more then 300 E.V so he could say he won a clear mandate , but i truly feel he's playing with fire by getting too greedy here

  If i'm Obama , i just stick to campaigning in those firewall states...States that could lock up 270 E.V.

  He should stay in PA and campaign in as many areas there...The polls in PA has tightened a bit + with this new development , he should cant take the chances of over reaching for red states.

  The Illegal immigration issue could pretty much take away all the red states away from Obama because those states are probably where the immigration is dead red...Think about N.C , WESTERN pa , GA  and even southwest VA.

  I want Obama in PA,VA,CO,NH...Those are the 4 states that Obama should stick to defending and halt any campaigning in other states.

  by BlueStateLiberal on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:49:29 PM PST

  •  Well, thank God you're here at 2 am...

    ...and not running Obama's campaign...

    If he took your "defend" advice he would have been out of this in April...

    by Aqualad08 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:52:28 PM PST

    •  what do you mean?

      He's already done his job by putting those red states in play and got McCain campaigning there.

      He's already won....Now , he has to be smart and double-down on states that guarantees him 270....Why gamble when you can play it safe and hit as many location in PA,CO,VA as possible?

      At this point , for every trips he makes in NC,FL,MO...He should make 2 stops in PA,VA,NH.

      You see , i dont trust those red states , and my biggest fear is that those states will follow their DNA at the last second...We're already seeing some polls in FL and MO returning the McCain lead.

      This is why during the final 2-3 days , you want to hit the states with the biggest democratic advantage in them.

      Those states are PA,VA,CO,NH...Those states needs to be hammered from now on because there are states McCain just needs.

      by BlueStateLiberal on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:02:10 PM PST

  •  Somehow

    I don't think that McCain wants to talk about Immigration, it's kind of a black mark against him in regards the right wing.  My question is, why are authorities, with no authority, discussing current immigration cases with the press?  Why wait until now?  If she was turned down 4 years ago, why wait until now to bring this up?  This smells of opportunism at it's best.

    by rainyskip on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:53:57 PM PST

  •  Dear God

    The Illegal immigration issue could pretty much take away all the red states away from Obama because those states are probably where the immigration is dead red.

    You really need to get a grip!!!!!!!!!!!

    by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:54:29 PM PST

    •  He has a point. Obama's gonna probably lose

      Illinois and California now. I think he should suspend his campaign.

      by jamtown on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:00:54 PM PST

      •  Totally! This is very wise.

        I believe we also need to watch out for New York. After this nonsense it might turn red. We are dominating the polls....gosh this IS bad.

        by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:09:53 PM PST

    •  Yep. Plus it's a "weekend story." Only us junkies

      care what happens on Saturday and Sunday. There are very few undecided voters left and they are undecided for a reason: they don't pay attention.

      This is a silly story and a total non-starter.

      by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:07:58 PM PST

  •  Well

    The one good thing that also could mitigate this story is that a significant part of the population has already voted. But this will hurt Obama. I would hate to see him get under 300 EVs.

    by oceanstar17 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:01:55 PM PST

    •  "this will hurt Obama"

      I wish I had a nickel every time I heard that.

      by jamtown on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:07:42 PM PST

      •  Agreed. Obama's campaign

        has shown a remarkable ability to respond successfully to crap thrown at them. I trust them to continue to do so.

        by 4fx on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:26:22 PM PST

      •  I love Kos but

        the constant concern trolling is really depressing. Every negative poll (or potentially, possibly in the future negative poll) is blown out of proportion. Every right-wing attack is magnified to immense proportions. This story has absolutely nothing to do with Obama; yet concern trolls have already concluded that he's bound to lose all red states, must submit to a 20 question interview, and will lose votes because working class people will turn away from him because of the possible actions of his aunt.

        All this after Obama has survived Wright, 3AM, Bittergate, Ayers, Sarah Palin, Joe the Plumber, spread the wealth, Biden's test, Khalidi. None of that has worked; yet a story about how his destitute Aunt, who he hasn't seen in possibly over 20 years will significantly hurt him. It's ridiculous beyond belief.

        I'm outta here. I think some other people here need to get some sleep too.

        by ChiTownBlue2000 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:32:53 PM PST

    •  WTF@300

      Why are kossack so fucking arrogant and cocky...

      All Obama needs is fucking 270 , not 300...Reading this blog , you'd think that somehow , if Obama doesnt win in a landslide , he'd be a failure.

      This is the problem...Many of you are way too greedy and even wants him to go campaign in Georgia + Arizona...That'd be plain greedy...Obama doesnt need those states.

      The PA polls have closed from double digits to mid single digits , and i just dont see why not hammer those firewall states to make sure there's no surprise there , instead of going to GA.AZ.NC , states that arent needed.

      Again , let's not get too greedy here...We have 3 full days left...Obama already accomplished his goal , which was to get McCain to spend money in time in those red states...Now , he  should retreat to the firewall states and hammer them.

      Sent Biden , Michelle and the Clintons in those red states , but he has to make sure there's no leak in anyone of his firewall states.

      by BlueStateLiberal on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:12:23 PM PST

      •  he's all over that already

        he's not taking anything away from his operations in the swing states.  

        going into arizona is a good move for several reasons:

        1. it's a legitimate possibility (although i don't think he'll win in the end)

        2. he might be able to help some down-ticket races with his coattails

        3. he puts mccain even more on defense (mccain is already wasting his last day before the election in AZ)

        4. the media market there is cheap from what i hear, so it doesn't hurt him to throw some money at it

        5. it demoralizes the GOP

        by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:20:07 PM PST

  •  actually i was thinking that obama solidifies

    his support in minority communities that deal with immigration all the time.  they might be able to bond with him on that front.  and i'm thinking illegal immigration in general is more an issue with states on borders, in the west and in the south.  

    by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:15:19 PM PST

•  Well that's it then

  I won't bother to go vote Tuesday. In fact, I'll tell the thousand or so, hey, people... forget it. The guy has an aunt from Kenya living here illegally. He's scum.
  Thanks friend... if it wasn't for you, why, Missouri mighta gone... oh, towards Obama. Thank goodness you nipped that in the bud!
  /endsnarkasm here

  by RElland on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:52:29 PM PST

  •  Half-aunt, actually...

    and he's met her within the last three decades.  Obviously, much, much worse.

    by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:59:10 PM PST

•  Ha!!!

  Oh man, they will say and do anything to win!!

  Like he can do anything about an independent woman who is here by her own free will.  Her legal issues and immigration status have nothing to do with him..

  Desperate times..

  by Darkeus on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:53:59 PM PST

•  You guys overestimate

  the power of the press.  It is 1:54 AM on Saturday.  People are getting ready for football, taking their kids to various activities, and church on Sunday.  Most people don't watch cable news 24/7.  Most people don't watch cable news at all.  This story will be gone by Monday.    

  by mark louis on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:54:55 PM PST

  •  Glancing at Google News

    my eye went right to the return of the Chinese melamine egg story in a couple of featured places. I dunno, I think that's what would grab traction easily. People are scared by now of Chinese products, they could easily latch onto "this food killed pets!" "their toys are apparently covered in POISON! or some such!" "and now they're doing it again!!!!"

    Nothing makes a story resonate with people like making them look at their fridge and wonder if the eggs inside will kill their families.

    by Boise Grad on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:03:36 PM PST

  •  Texas vs. Texas Tech. That's where

    my mind will be ...

    by jeepdad on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:06:57 PM PST

  •  Thank you. Exactly.

    Far, far too late for a "surprise" and this is extremely weak stew.

    by kat68 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:09:47 PM PST

  •  Don't forget SNL

    McCain is going to be on and he's usually pretty good at comedy so I'm sure they'll fawn over that some what.

    by spyguy999 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:15:14 PM PST

•  Breaking: John McCain's brother called 911!!!!

  Because he lost his temper!

  This is pretty weak and should be deleted.

  by Bruce HB Lee on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 10:58:16 PM PST

  •  Best comment! n\t

    by Kanashi on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:11:34 PM PST

•  But how did she get over that....

  ...billion dollar wall?

  by Bensdad on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:02:16 PM PST

•  somebody needs

  needs to find the parents of that girl McShame and Cindy adopted.  They probably are McShame and Cindy housekeepers. And since they have so many houses, we probably couldn't search all of them.  In other words, who cares?  Obama can't be held responsible for everyone when something happens to a relative or every Tom, Dick, and Joe.

  by freereader on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:05:04 PM PST

•  One thing to

  remember, everyone has distant relatives that they take no responsibility for...and Bush's brother Neil was an embarrassment wasnt he?
  Americans will relate to this..as they have their own similar issues with family.

  She is from Barack's grandpa's wife #3 while Baracks dad was from baracks wife #2...so she is only his dad's half sister.

  by Hawkjt on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:06:20 PM PST

•  He probably

  didn't even know she was here. I'm sure he's never met everybody on his father's side.

  by Highwind on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:07:45 PM PST

  •  He did meet her actually

    In 1985 when he visited Kenya.

    Not that that makes the story any more trivial.

    by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:09:57 PM PST

    •  Is that the only contact, Jen? n/t

      by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:18:37 PM PST

      •  Well, he's only been to Kenya three times

        In 1985, 1992, and in 2006.

        And he mentioned meeting her in 1985. I don't know if she was still living in Kenya in 1992 or his other visits.

        by jenontheshore on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:37:13 PM PST

•  Oh yeah, this is the issue that will hand McCain

  every voter that hasn't voted yet.  This is the one.

  All she needs to do next is call 911 and say "Fuck You" to the operator.

  by serecovery on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:08:18 PM PST

•  Unless there is more to this story

  There is no story.  BO would have had to actually do something, a sin of commission.  Sin of omission and an half-aunt he only met in Kenya just won't do it.

  But I, too, have to struggle against my chicken little tendencies.  

  by John R on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:10:58 PM PST

•  half-aunt? thats pretty damn weak...

  by mrConcern on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:13:53 PM PST

•  MAKE THIS ITEM HAPPEN! She was seeking asylum.

  Help me remember... Do Cubans living in the US like it when a political party demonizes people here trying to seek asylum?

  by vcalzone on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:13:57 PM PST

  •  exactly - that's actually a winning point

    in some ways.  that was my first thought at least:  asylum?  why was she rejected in the first place?  kenya's got some crazy shit going on over there and the US rejects an asylum seeker?  what is her status?  is she appealing the rejection of asylum-status?  

    and then i thought: this is a way to win over FL and lock in latino votes more.  here's a guy who calls for immigration reform. and now we know that he has a personal connection to the need for immigration reform.  that would make him a more stalwart ally for that cause i would think.  

    by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:25:44 PM PST

    •  Any deep analsys makes this a non story

      poor black women seeks asylum from a war torn region.  Everything else is speculation and can and will not be collaborated!  

      If McCain runs with this then we come back in force with class warfare, sexism, US Patriotic duty to stand up to "evil" and protect the innocent of war torn areas.

      The story is full of bright shiny objects with Obama, Immigrant, Illegal, Relative but once you examine it you see it's all judgmental hoopla.

      by FTCVoter on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:39:58 AM PST

•  Obama is teflon

  people who care about this already think he is a secret muslim terrorist.

  It seems like this should effect him but it probably wont, just like nothing else seems to.  Like Ayers etc.

  by Garbear on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:14:59 PM PST

•  Technically she is not here illegally

  Once a deportation order is issued by the immigration judge then it is THE FEDERAL AGENCY who is responsible for deporting the person.  The person is not compelled to get on a freakin plane.  Whoever fed this story to Fournier (and it looks like some immigration custom agent) does NOT know how deportation works.  Long story short, the only reason the half-sister of Obama's dad is still in this country is because the federal government has let her stay here.  

  by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:15:47 PM PST

  •  A Ha!

    Thank you for this.

    So the question, then, is why the Bush INS didn't deport her.

    It doesn't sound like she tried to hide.

    by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:19:54 PM PST

    •  I seriously suspect that the INS (now ICE)

      has not deported her for one of two reasons:  (1) she is appealing the deportation order and therefore unless and until the appeal of that order is finalized INS cannot do squat (meaning the aunt is here LEGALLY until the appeal is finished and the deportation order is upheld, which is a big assumption) or (2) the INS is having trouble getting the half-aunt's country of origin to take her back.  Again it is the federal agency's job to formally remove the person from the country; the half-aunt is under no obligation to just get up and go, especially since she is not hiding from authorities.  Of the two possibilities I strongly suspect it is the first not the second.

      by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:34:42 PM PST

  •  I ran through three red lights tonight...

    The Sheriff let me do it.  Technically, it's not illegal if I'm not caught, right?

    by i8pikachu on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:26:05 PM PST

    •  Different law n/t

      by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:28:44 PM PST

    •  NO. It is the federal agency's responsibility to

      formally deport the person (you know put her on a freakin plane).  This is important because the feds have to make sure wherever they are deporting her too will take her.  Given that it was the feds who initiated the deportation proceedings against her, they are responsible for IMPLEMENTING that order.  But apparently you do not get that!

      by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:36:59 PM PST

  •  Maybe not

    If she was given "voluntary deportation order" , then she has to leave on her own.

    Or maybe they probably ordered her to show up at the ICE office for deportation , but never showed up.

    Anyway , this was probably leaked by some GOP operative inside the immigration agency.

    She also could take some blame for openly dispalying her relationship with Obama eventhough she knew about her status.

    by BlueStateLiberal on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:26:18 PM PST

    •  Seriously, this is all speculation because the AP

      people NEVER DID their job of finding out the half-aunt's status vis a vis deportation.  Like I said, she could well be appealing the deportation order making her continued prescence in the country perfectly legal unless and until the appeal is completed.

      by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:39:42 PM PST

    •  If she never showed up, why is she hiding in

      PLAIN SIGHT.  This is the problem with the story.  It gives a sexy headline joining the words Obama, relative and illegal, but never bothers to do the leg work on the details behind the story and put that in the news article.

      by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:44:44 PM PST

  •  exactly right

    the feds could deport her if they wanted to.  that they didn't makes me think her case is still being dealt with in some way and that maybe she's appealing it.  

    sure she could have snuck back into the country but all signs in the report indicate that she didn't and that the feds have known all about her case.  which means there must be a legal reason why she's still here.

    by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:28:05 PM PST

    •  immigration agent

      Immigrationn agents are overwhelmed so it could just be that they just didnt have the time to chase her or were chasing more dangerous immigrants.

      The story stated she applied for asylum and was rejected...But doesnt state whether she appealed it.

      If she appealed it and is currently waiting for their response , then she's on good ground , but if she did not appeal , then she's not on legal status.

      by BlueStateLiberal on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:37:19 PM PST

      •  Again we do not know because AP was too busy

        to do a hit job rather than report the FACTS.  If she is appealing the order, then AP's use of "illegal" is highly inflammatory and should be called out.  But again we dont know because the AP never bothered to report ALL the story.

        by True Independent on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:41:56 PM PST

        •  AP

          Wasnt this 4 years ago?...Maybe the appeal was rejected.

          Also , why would the aunt publicly let people know she's Obama aunt...you'd think she'd want to keep this under wrap for now so she wont hurt Obama.

          There are many immigrants who were ordered deported , but just ignore the order and stayed in the country....This is probably more likely in the situation she's in because once those immigrants gets rejetcted , they get very afraid to appeal out of fear that agents would get them.

          by BlueStateLiberal on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:53:51 PM PST

      •  yes agents can be overwhelmed but

        how could this case have come to anyone's attention, and so soon to an election?  i doubt if it's coincidence.  more likely, the feds have known about her - at least enough to have a case about her that can be leaked - and have left her alone since she was rejected.  which once again begs the question why she wasn't deported if they knew where she's been living all these years.  

        by siberia9 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:53:29 PM PST

        •  no doubt

          This was definatly leaked on behalf of the GOP.

          Again , the aunt should had conceled her ties to Obama and this could had been easy since her last name isnt "Obama".

          The immigration issue is red meat in red states and even some blue states.

          This is why this could hurt him a bit in North Carolina , where this issue is very devisive.

          The fact that the illegal immigration could re ignite in the final days , could coast Kay Hagan the senate seat.

          by BlueStateLiberal on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:08:51 AM PST

          •  it is divisive but it's no surprise that obama

            is for immigration reform.  as is mccain.  best way to deal with it if anyone asks: 1) unsubstantiated details/story, especially since the woman can't be reached and no one will go on record about it 2) a good case for immigration reform - she was seeking amnesty after all.  

            plus, the way it sounds like right-wingers are playing it is by making obama look like 1) he knew about it (no proof of this) and 2) he wasn't being compassionate towards her (hard to do if she's in hiding and/or if he didn't know about her case).  

            anyway, the story is full of holes and doesn't look like any details will be forthcoming in the next few days.  my feeling is, the story comes a little late, although if it keeps playing out, then obama should come out with some sort of statement to dampen confusion.

            by siberia9 on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:31:17 AM PST

            •  You're right

              It's hard for McCain to attack Obama on this issue since he supported granting illegal immigrants citizenship.

              FoxNews will definatly run with it and try to get other media outlet to run it on a loop just like they will be doing starting early this morning.

              by BlueStateLiberal on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 01:54:52 AM PST

•  Who gives sh@t?

  Honestly? I can't bring myself to care about this.

  John McCain's brother called up 911 in order to complain about traffic.  Then he cussed out the operator. And?

  by mirandasright on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:20:23 PM PST

  •  The "look over here" media

    I don't doubt this will be a distraction regardless of its insignificance.

    by Morgaow on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:07:52 AM PST

•  There is no legitimate source to confirm this.

  According to the AP reports "This person spoke on condition of anonymity because no one was authorized to discuss Onyango's case."

  If no one will go on the record, no legitimate news source will (or should) touch this.

  by astral66 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:24:51 PM PST

  •  Which explains perfectly...

    ...why Ron "Please, John McCain, hire me!" Fournier ran with it.

    by Jonathan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:45:48 PM PST

•  Well this may energize families who have

  relatives or friends facing the issue of illegal immigration to vote for Obama.  Aside from McSurge and PalinMouth, only Lou Dobbs, "Mr. Independent Demagogue" is going to use this as fodder against Obama. Dobbs wants to deport every illegal immigrant in the US because he thinks illegal immigrants are endangering the welfare of middle-class Americans -- as in "stealing" jobs from middle-class Americans, "robbing" them of opportunities to start and build small businesses. Yeah, right. Additionally, does McCain want the Obama campaign to go digging through the history of his or Palin's family members? I'm sure there are many skeletons in both of their closets.

  But McCain will have to be careful with this. He hasn't been an illegal immigrant hawk and if he and Palin play that card now it is sure to inflame the Hispanic electorate who seek a more thoughtful solution to the issue other than mass deportations. Asylum is a sensitive issue as well. America has taken in so many people from around the world based on political conditions or other threats plus no one knows the details of her case. So spewing dirt without the facts is a dangerous way to use this story to their advantage.

  Besides, Obama is not responsible for whether or not his aunt leaves the country. I have relatives I haven't seen in years. If one of them gets pulled over on a DUI, am I responsible for the crime? This guilt by association thing is getting old.

  by Freedom234 on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:28:07 PM PST

•  Don't click these stories on MSM sites

  I saw this on MSNBC and Yahoo's page but didn't click them until I knew more about what the smear is. Similar to the "ATM Attack" in Pittsburg.

  I believe it's important for us to discuss the shit that's thrown against the wall without inflating hits on MSM websites.

  Lots of people will click that and it's important to understand what they might be seeing to respond appropriately if it's brought up to a GOTV vol or a family member brings it up.

  by Morgaow on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:46:17 PM PST

•  Opportunity to secure the Latino/minority Vote?

  I think this might be a great way to seal the deal with the Lation/minority voters that care about immigration.

  by rebagnow on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:53:12 PM PST

•  After the election, one of our primary

  goals should be to put pressure on newspapers and Internet outlets to get rid of the AP.

  by Zoltan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:55:06 PM PST

•  This might help McCain win a news cycle

  He is good at winning news cycles. Better than Obama, because the media shills for the GOP. But winning news cycles is not enough. Obama is good at winning elections.

  by Zoltan on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:58:07 PM PST

•  Time to go with McCain's mistress!

  The Obama operatives should do tit for tat.  IF they have any damning information on McCain's lobbyist friend who months ago the NY Times reported had a possible romantic connection to him, they should get the press to report it.

  All along, I've thought that story was swept under the rug.  We need it out in the open if true, and let the media have a field day on this new revelatoin of McCain's romance with this lobbyist.  That would take any heat and focus off of Obama's half-aunt.

  Nasty?  Yes,  Necessary to deflect McCain smears?  I'm thinking so.

  by Roxpert on Fri Oct 31, 2008 at 11:58:42 PM PST

•  Just last week

  my home town newspaper The (Everett, WA) Herald published a photo of a gravestone in Everett's Evergreen Cemetery bearing the name of a woman who was Obama's great-great-great grandmother. All I'm saying is, if there was any veracity to the story about his aunt, it would have seen the light of day long, long before this.

  by og1kenobi on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:13:34 AM PST

•  This is the best they can do?

  FINALLY! An "October Surprise!" This should be good, right? I can see this spreading over the media like wildfire. Oh ho ho, Obama better watch his ass now.

  How can he possibly survive a story like "AP REVEALS: OBAMA AUNT LIVING IN U.S. ILLEGALLY..."

  Wait, half-aunt? Okay, so not a big deal but still! SHE'S LIVING IN AMERICA ILLEGALLY! That's GOTTA be fatal!

  Who knows what types of dirty evil illegal immigrant things she's getting away with on the taxpayer's dime while refusing to go back to her war-torn violent country and being killed!

  I bet she's selling crack to kids. Or beating kids. Or baking kids into gingerbread and selling them for crack! I bet she- Sorry? The Boston Public Housing director calls her an exemplary resident?!

  EXEMPLARY?

  You're kidding me, right?! They had to use the word "exemplary?" Oh fuck, next they'll say she was a volunteer health-care worker or some bull-

  Oh fuck. So she was...

  Well as a filthy illegal immigrant AND she donated to Obama's campaign! How much dirty illegal money did Obama benefit fro- oh, fuck

  THIS IS WHAT PASSES FOR AN OCTOBER SURPRISE?!

  You damn kids and your music. Consarnit! Back in my day an October surprise was so earth-shattering it capped you in the knees! Why, I remember back as far as.... 2000, they had this fellow candidate who was revealed to have been involved in DRUNK DRIVING ACCIDENT. Hell, there where rumours way back in 2008 of a candidate having killed someone way back in a drunk driving accident, or a candidate's running-mate's husband also driving on the sauce - and being a seccessionist. Now THOSE are October surprises that'd make someone wet their pants. What's this weak-kneed shit?

  Damn kids....

  by Rockpopple on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:14:36 AM PST

  •  Sweet post :)

    Kos just gets better!

    by gerbilmark on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 01:28:05 AM PST

•  CHANGE DIARY TITLE TO "DENIED ASSYLUM"

  rather than "here illegally".  As is evident from the discussion in your diary no one knows what exactly is the status of the half-aunt's assylum request (has she appealed the denial of assylum, if not, what is her present immigration status).  By using the word "illegally" you conjure up charged rhetoric (no doubt intended by AP when it used the phrase) from the immigration reform legislation debate.  Heck even other news outlets have changed the AP's framing from "here illegally" to "denied assylum."  So I ask you to edit this diary and change the title.  

  by True Independent on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:26:15 AM PST

•  AGREED CHANGE TITLE THIS IS A LIE

  by FTCVoter on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:49:11 AM PST

•  bottom line

  the press, both print and tv, are going to be all over this story this weekend. we found out about palin on a friday, too, remember? and by the following monday we knew more about her than we ever wanted to.

  so get used to the idea. that said, here's (hoping) why the story won't matter so much:

  1. obama is both smart and honest. he will call out what's false in the story, and respond effectively to what's true.

  2. the press is going to be asking the meta-questions 'why now?' and 'who's behind this revelation?' with at least as much attention as they give the issue itself. it's our job to make sure they emphasize those questions.

  if by monday night and tuesday day the takeaway meme from this story is 'smells like a rat' rather than 'weird, tell me more', then we win. if it's the latter, we won't lose the election but are likely to lose too many undecided and late swingers for comfort.

  got it?

  recap:

  1. trust obama. he's smart and honest and when need be, proactive.

  2. ask 'why now?'. then ask it again.

  you may now return to your regularly scheduled tit-for-tat concern war.

  by numbernumb on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 12:54:41 AM PST

  •  true. Obama needs to address it today and move on

    by Tarheelhombre on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 01:02:47 AM PST

    •  ita

      i mentioned elsewhere i think the "human interest" is going to get a little grip in the media..the ones including anchors who ask "why is she living in public housing"?  the doesnt he care about his family blah blah. He will share the countries wealth but nothing for his family in need.  ALL CRAP but all going to be talked about this weekend

      Obama needs to respond in some way to the facts that are true and slam the mccain camp for the ones that are not.

      he can do it, make it a non issue.

      by vc2 on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 04:22:27 AM PST

•  Most folks will sympathize,

  especialy anyone with relatives who immigrated within the last few generations.

  Obama won't lose any votes over this - it's just another "angry white" talking point. But it might gain him a few.

  by Bob Love on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 01:04:01 AM PST

•  I doubt it. The story is not good news

  by ozzie635 on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 02:36:34 AM PST

•  I don't see how this will have any bearing

  We're 2-3 days away from the election, and the relationship seems so tenuous, and the charge so...undramatic.  If such spurious accusations as Ayers, Wright, and Khalidi, didn't stick (which they clearly didn't), then this is a nonexistent blip on the radar.  They might as well argue that, because Sasha may've gotten a B on a spelling test, her father is unfit to lead. Ridiculous.

  Moving on.....

  by glitterlust on Sat Nov 01, 2008 at 03:32:01 AM PST