22 July 08 - 16:31Just a litle BS ?
State senator's blog gigs Obama
By Dan Hoover • Staff Writer • July 22, 2008
A Republican state senator’s Web site portrayal of likely Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama and terrorist mastermind Osama bin Laden as separated by “just a little B.S.” has riled Democrats.
Sen. Kevin Bryant of Anderson said the intention of his “funny picture” was to trigger a discussion of what he considers Obama’s lack of foreign policy experience and soft position on defending Israel against Islamic states and their terrorist clients.
“And it worked,” he said.
“Classless,” the Democratic Senate Caucus responded collectively. “Tasteless, inappropriate,” said his Democratic opponent, Marshall Meadors.
Here’s what Bryant posted:
— A headline, “The difference between” over photos of a finger-pointing bin Laden and an Obama in what appears to be Muslim attire. Between the photos, it says, “Obama and Osama.” Appearing underneath is another line, “Is just a little B.S.”
Meadors said Bryant’s blog “is offensive to all Americans and shows extreme insensitivity regarding the old racial and cultural stereotypes we have been struggling to change, but it also brings ridicule to South Carolina and the people of Anderson County.”
He said it represents “the same kind of poor judgment we have seen over the last four years and shows Mr. Bryant’s complete lack of understanding of the issues that are of real importance to the people of Anderson County and South Carolina: education, health care, economic development and the environment.”
Democratic state senators, through their spokesman, Phil Bailey, said the posting is offensive and has no place in politics.
“Bryant should be more concerned about serving his constituents, who pay his salary, than posting garbage like this on his Web site. The voters of Anderson County deserve a state Senator with better judgment,” they said.
Bryant said he doesn’t agree, “but if you’ve looked at the blog, some of the posters seem to think so.” Many of the 40 comments on the blog early this afternoon were sharply critical.
He plans to take the item down, but will leave a link for those who want to view it, Bryant said.
“Then let’s look at the real issues of Sen. Obama and some of the things he’s said that cause me to question his commitment to Israel and winning the war on terror,” he said. “I want folks to focus on the war on terror and foreign policy more than I do the picture. It was a provocative way to get the discussion going.”
Bryant’s posting on his “Blog from the Backbench” comes while raw feelings still linger from The New Yorker magazine’s cover portraying Obama in Muslim garb and his wife, Michelle, in military fatigues with an AK-47 strapped on her back.
The freshman state senator said it was a coincidence because he prepared the posting last week while on vacation and unaware of the furor over the magazine cover.
“It got a lot more attention that I expected, but it’s out there now,” Bryant said.
Dan Hoover covers politics and can be reached at 298-4883. No comments No trackbacks
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