(Newser) – Author Jerome Corsi, he of the Kerry Swift Boat book and the new attack tome on Barack Obama, has a long history of, um, provocative theories. For instance: The world’s oil supplies are nearly infinite because oil constantly replenishes itself. Politico takes a look at some of his more outlandish claims over the years and how they’ve undermined his credibility on both the left and right. Among them:
* Muslims worship Satan.
* President Bush secretly plotted to merge the US with Canada and Mexico.
* John Kerry is a communist.
* Hillary Clinton is a lesbian.
* The pope is OK with pedophilia as long as the “liberal press” keeps quiet about it.
Ahum. That didn’t take long. I asked for it and it appears Team Obama is gonna give it to me (and many others all thinking and screaming the same thing: FIGHT!). This is really great to see and it’s only a warning shot straight across the bows of those who think it will work this time:
It’s called “Unfit for Publication,” but the subtitle could be: “We Are Not John Kerry’s Campaign.”
In an move that is one part genuine pushback and one part message-sending, Obama’s campaign has released a 41-page pdf file designed to rebut accusations made in Jerome Corsi’s book, “The Obama Nation.”
The idea is to aggressively fact-check a book that is now number one on the NYT’s best-seller list. But, as made plain by the title and faux book jacket, the goal is also to demonstrate to fretting Democrats, Republicans plotting attacks and reporters watching it all that they won’t be “swift-boated” in the way John Kerry was in 2004 starting with Corsi’s book, “Unfit for Command.”
To prove this point, they don’t stop at merely fact-checking each questionable claim in the book — they also set out to attack Corsi for his fringe views, discrediting the messenger.
Of course, the lies in “The Obama Nation†almost pale in comparison to the bizarre, conspiratorial views that Jerome Corsi has advocated in his broader work,” writes the Obama campaign in what amounts to an introduction, noting the author’s fear of a purported North American Union, belief that there was a government coverup of 9/11 and past anti-Catholic comments.
They should expand on this and print it in book format and offer it as an incentive to donate. I’d donate enough to get 10 copies and pass out. Maybe more.
I have to agree with Steve Elmendorf, Kerry’s 2004 deputy campaign manager:
Referring to Corsi’s most recent book, Elmendorf said, “It’s on the front page of The New York Times. It’s number one on The New York Times best-seller list. Right now, I would be very aggressive with reporters and factually going through the book and responding and making it clear that this is a bunch of bullsh-t.â€
Don’t NOT, under any circumstances, repeat the mistakes the Kerry camp made in not going after these lies head on. Media Matters has already done a goodjob of debunking many falsehoods and outright smears in the book. The thing is like a compilation of email smears – a greatest hits.
Speaking of Media Matters, their Paul Waldman absolutely destroyed Jerome Corsi on Larry King Live. It was fun to watch someone go after this guy so aggressively. Dude gets destroyed and red in the face when confronted with his complete bullshit:
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You’ll also note that the only reason the book is on any “best seller list” is due to bulk sales to wingnut groups. There is no overwhelming grassroots movement that is causing this thing to be popular. That is all a smokescreen. A publishing trick as old as time. Kind of like McCain’s own bundling of large contributions. All a bunch of astroturf.
Note to Obama campaign: Please take not of Elmendorf’s lessons and hit back hard and often on this BS.
