The announcement by Louis Farrakhan giving his support to US Democratic hopeful Barack Obama had sparked controversy. As a result, a picture of Barack Obama in a Somali garb was published in a press release by the Tennessee Republican Party. They also used Obama’s full name which included his middle name of “Hussein.”
Republicans were quick to question Obama’s commitment to Israel.
It had prompted Obama to denounce Farrakhan during the Tuesday night Democratic Debate on MSNBC. This was the final debate between Barack Obama and rival Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton before the March 4 contests. The debate took place in Ohio, one of the two “must win” states for Hillary Clinton. Texas is the other state that is a must win for Clinton.
Currently, Obama is campaigning in Texas.
In regards to Farrakhan, he had urged his supporters not to be dissuaded and to not back away from Obama for what happened on Tuesday night.
Farrakhan said an in unsolicited statement to The Associated Press: “Those who have been supporting Sen. Barack Obama should not allow what was said during the Feb. 26 presidential debate to lessen their support for his campaign. This is simply mischief making intended to hurt Mr. Obama politically.”
He had also given clarification that he meant mischief in regards to questions asked by Tim Russert of NBC’s “Meet the Press.” Russert was the moderator of the debate on Tuesday night.
The controversy and issue rose on Sunday. Farrakhan while at a large Nation of Islam gathering praised Obama while comparing him to Fard Muhammad. Muhammad was the founder of the Nation of Islam. Like Obama, Muhammad had both a white mother and a black father.
“A black man with a white mother became a savior to us,” he said to the crowd. He added: “A black man with a white mother could turn out to be one who can lift America from her fall.”
Obama’s campaign was fact to create distance from Farrakhan.
In the past, Farrakhan has been known for making anti-Semetic remarks and making derogatory remarks towards Judaism and Israel. He had called Judaism a religion that belongs in the gutters.
Obama was pressed by Russert on the question if he accepted Farrakhan’s support.
“I have been very clear in my denunciation of Minister Farrakhan’s anti-Semitic comments. I think that they are unacceptable and reprehensible,” Obama answered. He added: “I did not solicit this support.”
Regardless, Farrakhan continues to give Obama his support.