From the fall 2008 issue of the IBEW Journal

The Truth About Obama: Confronting the Rumors

“George Bush’s campaign got away with spreading slanders about Sen. John Kerry’s military service in 2004, sticking us with another four years of trickle-up economics, political corruption and anti-labor policies,” said International President Edwin D. Hill. “Now those same forces are trying to impugn Sen. Obama’s faith and patriotism. The stakes are too high for working people to have this election decided by misinformation and slander.”

Right-wing political operatives have been working to cloud the major issues of this election by spreading false rumors about Barack Obama.

For those with questions about Obama, the IBEW Journal presents members with some straight answers. 

Photo used under a Creative Commons license
from Flickr user Joe Crimmings Photography.

Rumor 1: Is Obama a Muslim?

No.He is a committed Christian. In 1985, he began working as a community organizer with a Christian church-based group seeking to improve the living conditions in poor Chicago neighborhoods. (Pulliam, Sarah and Olsen, Ted. “Q&A: Barack Obama,” Christianity Today, 1/23/08)

Rumor 2: Does Obama wear a flag pin on his lapel?

Yes,but not always. Like many presidential candidates, sometimes he wears a flag pin, sometimes he wears a breast cancer awareness pin, sometimes he wears his U.S. Senate membership pin and other times he wears no pin at all. (Rutenberg, Jim and Zeleny, Jeff. “The Politics of the Lapel, When It Comes to Obama,” The New York Times, 5/15/08)

Rumor 3: Was Obama sworn in on a Bible?

Yes. Barack Obama took the oath of office on his personal family Bible. (LA Times, 1/5/05)

Rumor 4: Was Obama born in America?

Yes.Barack Obama’s birth certificate shows he was born in Honolulu on Aug. 4, 1961. (Malcolm, Andrew. “Barack Obama’s Birth Certificate Revealed Here,” LAtimes.com, 6/16/08)

Rumor 5: Does Obama place his hand over his heart when he says the pledge of allegiance?

Yes.Barack Obama always places his hand over his heart during the pledge of allegiance. (Dobbs, Michael. “Obama Nabbed by the Patriot Police,” WashingtonPost.com, 11/2/07)

Rumor 6: Does Obama want to tax my home, my IRA, even my water?

No. Obama wants to change the tax code so it rewards middle-class Americans and has proposed a $1,000 tax-credit for working families. (Jackson, Brooks. “Would Obama tax my profits if I sell my home? Would he tax my IRA? Would he tax my water?” Factcheck.org)

Rumor 7: Was Michelle Obama caught on tape using the word “whitey” during a speech at the Obamas’ church?

No. No such tape exists. Michelle Obama has not spoken from the pulpit of her church and has not used that word.