Obama's connection to Hanuman has its roots some three weeks ago with this Time's White House Photo Blog.
This may not be scary like the "He is a covert Muslim" smear, though. But there's an anti-Obama smear-master dream of "monkey worshiping"-racist-"Curious George" element here.
For now, there is only the positive infleunce of this story. Indian Americans although they are less than 1% of total US population (and don't make a difference in terms of votes in winning any states), they have been big backers of the Clintons and bring in a lot of funds to the Democratic party.
Pics and news after the jump.
Ben Smith of the Politico reiterates a point noted by many during the long primary season, of how difficult it has become for the Right Wing to define a cohesive narrative about Obama, and why throwing the kitchen sink could be inefficient:
A reader pointed out: While the attacks on Obama from the right have intensified, conservatives are still very much split on what the attack should be, which has the effect of muddying the waters, and the memes are often totally incompatible.
As the reader puts it:
Is he a Muslim, a Christian with a crazy pastor or a Communist atheist with a hippie mom?
Is he ruthless and overly ambitious or naive and weak?
Is an outsider who is "foreign" to our values or the country club goer?
Is he too South Side, too "black" or too Hyde Park and elitist ? Does he resent white people or is he part of the elite that sneers at blue-collars?
Does he not care about "little people" or is a socialist who will redistribute hard-earned money to everyone?
Can we add a new religious beleif: is he a Hindu, is he a pagan worshiper?
Apparently, the Time's blog has got wide coverage in the Indian media -- with headlines such as "Obama seeks Hanuman's blessings for victory in the primary race" -- and among Indian Americans.
The international Hindu organization ISKCON has also weighed in -- somewhat skeptically -- about Obama's faith in Hanuman:
Obama and Arjuna: the Hanuman Connection
By Vyenkata Bhatta Dasa on 9 Jun 2008
Barack Obama, Democratic candidate for President of the United States of America, has been compared to a number of great men before him. The charismatic young politician has been likened to president John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln, as well as to civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. But here's one that the mainstream media is not likely to catch: it seems Barack Obama has something in common with Lord Krishna's dear friend and devotee Arjuna.
[...]
To be fair, the Time caption did not elaborate, it is hard to make out much detail in the photo, and there is a divine being in some Chinese Buddhist sects also known as a "monkey god."
In any event, one can't help but think of the famous description of Arjuna given in Bhagavad-gita...
The emblem of Hanuman on the flag of Arjuna is another sign of victory...
In carrying his little Hanuman deity with him wherever he goes, could Obama be following in Arjuna's mighty footsteps?
Of course, as interesting as the connection may be to Hindus, the devoutly Christian Obama would probably not view the little statue as anything more than a lucky trinket. Still, in an increasingly pluralistic America, it might not hurt Obama to keep his mind -- and pocket -- open to the possibilities.
The Press Trust of India Reports that some Indians have gone a step further in conclsuinguding that the monkey king/god lucky charm reported by the Time is infact the famous Hindu Deity Hanuman:
New Delhi, June 24, (PTI) With Democrat senator Barack Obama busy in the run-up to the US presidential polls, a group of well-wishers here have decided to send him a symbol of his lucky charm, Lord Hanuman, to help him emerge victorious.
The idol is being presented to Obama as he is reported to be a Lord Hanuman devotee and carries with him a locket of the monkey god along with other good luck charms.
Accepting the souvenir, Sauvage-Mar, who is chairperson of Democrats Abroad-India, said, "Obama has extended his thanks for the support." However, questions on Obama's religious beliefs elicited just a smile from Sauvage-Mar, apparently to avoid controversy back home where the Democrat senator is pitted against the Republican Party's John McCain in the Presidential polls.
Monsters and Critics reports more love for Obama from India:
Obama to get monkey god idol from India for luck
Jun 24, 2008, 10:52 GMT
New Delhi - A prominent Hindu temple in New Delhi Tuesday began elaborate prayers of an idol of monkey God Hanuman that is to be presented to US presidential candidate Barack Obama for his success in the November elections, news reports said.
[...]
'Senator Obama showed his good luck charms like a tiny Madonna in the photograph. We don't know whether the monkey king charm is of Hanuman. But the people here think it is Hanuman,' he said.
But people in Delhi are impressed and rooting for Obama.
BBC has an interesting story about Bhama for Obama:
The two-foot tall, 15kg gold-polished, brass idol has been made as a present for Mr Obama because "he will be good for India if he becomes the next president," according to Brij Mohan Bhama, leader of the group.
Mr Bhama belongs to the ruling Congress party and also runs a textile mill in the western city of Mumbai.
Mr Bhama and his friends have also invited Carolyn Sauvage-Mar, chairwoman of the group, Democrats Abroad-India, to a meeting they are holding on Tuesday to pray for Mr Obama's success.
The Delhi-based group registers voters, sponsors events and occasionally hosts Democratic Party leaders visiting India.
Mr Bhama says he is an ardent supporter of Mr Obama - even his email identification is bhamaforobama.
"Obama stands for change. We are hoping that he will bring about change so that oil and food prices come down," he said.
Here's the AP artcile, which is good material, but the source is not worthy of quoting.
Indian group asks Hindu monkey god to lead Barack Obama to election triumph
The Associated Press
Published: June 24, 2008