The Obama Hate Machine: The Lies, Distortions and Personal Attacks On the President%E2%80%94And Who is Behind Them

Radio talk show host and political commentator Press explores the money-and media-fueled propaganda machine currently being used to weaken President Obama. In the introduction, Press discusses the origins of some of the most prevalent charges against Obama, namely that he is a Muslim, a Socialist, and not an American born citizen. An interesting outline of the history of presidential criticism%E2%80%94Thomas Paine famously accused Washington of being either "an apostate or an imposter"%E2%80%94provides an appropriate context for the current discussion. Press goes on to summarize more than sixty of the anti-Obama books published since his election, noting how frequently critics choose "not to challenge his policies but to undermine his personal credibility." And, of course, Press dedicates ample space to the Koch brothers, the notoriously anti-left billionaires that the author believes are the masterminds behind the "Hate Machine." Press also lambasts the mainstream media for their complicity in fueling anti-Obama rhetoric and laments that journalists are content simply to repeat claims (sans commentary) made by fringe Republicans as if they were facts. This book provides an unsettling glimpse into the unsavory side of corporate interests and an irresponsible media. (Jan.)