WI: Obama Really Was A Muslim?

No. Not at all.
It's true. Even if an American presidential candidate's political views satisfied everyone, Republicans and Democrats alike, said candidate would probably lose if they were an atheist.

There was a survey about presidents of various religions, and more people would want a Muslim or gay president than an atheist president.
 
If Obama still lives in Chicago in the same relative neighborhood as per OTL might he be falsely accused of being an outright member of the Nation of Islam by the fringe right? That is, if his admitted adherence to the Islamic faith ITTL itself isn't enough to send them frothing at the mouth. As I recall he used to live rather close to where Farakhan does, which would probably lead to a lot of the same guilt by association inuendo we see with those who argue that he's actually a Muslim historically.
 
There was a survey about presidents of various religions, and more people would want a Muslim or gay president than an atheist president.

Being gay is a religion in America?? I have heard the expression "devout homosexual" occasionally but I didn't realise it was meant to be taken literally:)

Speaking personally (and not wishing to start another conspiracy theory) but it's always struck me that Obama is far more likely to be an atheist (or at least an agnostic, in that the only belief system he's truly dedicated to is the greater glory of Barack Obama) than a Muslim anyway. his level of public religiosity seems to be precisely calibrated to defer to the point made above. Of course as an enlightened, secular European I don't particularly care either way. It's just interesting for what it says about faith and politics...
 
Being gay is a religion in America?? I have heard the expression "devout homosexual" occasionally but I didn't realise it was meant to be taken literally:)

Speaking personally (and not wishing to start another conspiracy theory) but it's always struck me that Obama is far more likely to be an atheist (or at least an agnostic, in that the only belief system he's truly dedicated to is the greater glory of Barack Obama) than a Muslim anyway. his level of public religiosity seems to be precisely calibrated to defer to the point made above. Of course as an enlightened, secular European I don't particularly care either way. It's just interesting for what it says about faith and politics...

I've actually seen a survey quite recently that asked the question if the person asked would be willing to vote for an atheist for president and the result was only about 35% said they might vote for one. Now they've been doing this survey every few years for something like 50 years and I remember that at that time about 75% of the US populace asnwered yes and it's been on a decline since then.

Unfortunatly I can't seem to remember where I've seen this survey, I'll try to find it.
 
I doubt the democrats would take a risk on him. Even getting to be a congressman or senator would be hard.
 
No, he would't get elected if he was a Muslim. People that say it would make no difference obviously have little to no understanding of mainstream America.
 

Orry

Donor
Monthly Donor
Not sure about american politics.

In 2001 would this, as a state senator, make him one of the most 'senior' muslim politicians?

If so a lot of press will want to interview him - his answers then would be key to any future plans.

If he gets it 'right' he could be set up for an earlier run. If he gets it wrong any political career could die right there. If he comes across as the 'voice' of moderate Islam all sorts of butterflies could be launched.
 

boredatwork

Banned
Well,

If he was a Sunni or Shi'a muslim (as opposed to a Nation of Islam muslim, which I don't think would fit the OP), he would not have been associated with that nutball pastor in Chicago - so he would have avoided some political difficulties at that point. However, it seems from some reports that his participation in the congregation was instrumental in his earlier (local/state) political career - so we must find something else to serve as his connection to his voting base.

Assuming that can be butterflied away somehow, I think he might actually do better during the 2008 campaign - and might have come to prominence earlier. Presuming he handles the earlier prominence adroitly...

1. Folks who would vote against him for being muslim, were (and did in OTL) going to vote against him for other reasons anyway - so nothing lost there.

2. He might actually pick up some muslim/immigrant votes in places like Virginia, California, and the Great Lakes - (I think he won those anyway - so no EV impact) - which wouldn't change the tally, but by making those EV more secure, would free the campaign to spend more time/money elsewhere.

About the only negative might be issues with the jewish portion of his donor base. The question would be - what is more important to said donors - their political beliefs, or their ethnic-religious ties to Israel (and the level of 'threat' they perceive from a muslim Obama)? I think it would cut in favor of politics over the other ties, so I think the impact to his funding would be minimal, or perhaps even a net plus based on more donations from muslims.

I can't see anything in his policies that would appreciably change.

Lastly, being muslim and publicly so (I don't see Obama as the type to dodge on questions of his religious beliefs), it would defang that portion of vitriol against him.

"He's a closet Muslim!"

"Bwuh? He's been perfectly open about that since day one. Be nice to have someone in the White House who wasn't drunk or chasing skirts half the time."

Of course, he would probably have to take an even tougher line on man-caused-emergencies and contingency operations, at least rhetorically.
 
Do you recall the poll that showed a majority of Americans wouldn't vote for a Mormon for President? If that's true, I can't imagine electing a Muslim would be any easier.
 
No, he would't get elected if he was a Muslim. People that say it would make no difference obviously have little to no understanding of mainstream America.
I have to agree with this.

(I did say that he could get elected as a Muslim, but actually, I just said that so I had an excuse to bring up the atheist comment.)
 
No, he would't get elected if he was a Muslim. People that say it would make no difference obviously have little to no understanding of mainstream America.

A slight sidetrack, how do you think Romney would do should he get the GOP nomination?

I think if people would have trouble voting for a Mormon (which most people see as 'sort of' Christian), they wouldn't vote for a Muslim or atheist.
 
That's a tough one. I think we would be able to get to Senate and he would win the Democratic nomination... he would probably still become President. After all the only people who are going to be really opposed to his faith are far-right wingers who would vote against him anyway. There would be even more far-right-wing hate and conspiracy theorizing about various topics.

Are you kidding me? It's still somewhat difficult for Catholics in many areas of the country, and a Jew being elected to the Presidency seems extremely unlikely.

Yes, Obama won in part because of major minority voter turnout, but he also won the female vote, as well as the Independent vote. Neither of those are going to go his way, and in fact will swing heavily towards McCain, given that the vast majority of those voters were, and are, Christians. For that matter, many of the blacks in North Carolina and Virginia, for example, are not voting a Muslim under any circumstances.
 
I'm astonished that so many people believe he could have been elected if he were a muslim, let alone get nominated, let alone get backing from any power players in the democratic party, let alone get elected Senator, let alone make it into the state senate.

He might have a shot to get into the senate, but I think it's doubtful. Illinois isn't just Chicago. State senate is possible, if he can get the backing to run in the first place.
 
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