On the heels of the Politico item detailing the snubbing of two Muslim Obama supporters, the NYT runs a story describing the more systematic snubbing of Muslims by the Obama campaign, including this notable passage:

Mr. Ellison believed that Mr. Obama’s message of unity resonated deeply with American Muslims. He volunteered to speak on Mr. Obama’s behalf at a mosque in Cedar Rapids, one of the nation’s oldest Muslim enclaves. But before the rally could take place, aides to Mr. Obama asked Mr. Ellison to cancel the trip because it might stir controversy. Another aide appeared at Mr. Ellison’s Washington office to explain.

“I will never forget the quote,” Mr. Ellison said, leaning forward in his chair as he recalled the aide’s words. “He said, ‘We have a very tightly wrapped message [bold mine-DL].’ ”

Now if I were Obama, I would steer clear of Keith Ellison, too, and not necessarily because he’s a Muslim, but rather because he is all together too cozy with CAIR, as I detailed in a news piece for Chronicles several months ago.  Not very surprisingly, Obama has not been keen to be seen with Muslims or in mosques:

While the senator has visited churches and synagogues, he has yet to appear at a single mosque. Muslim and Arab-American organizations have tried repeatedly to arrange meetings with Mr. Obama, but officials with those groups say their invitations — unlike those of their Jewish and Christian counterparts — have been ignored.   

It is difficult to say that being described as a Muslim is a smear without annoying Muslim voters, but, of course, it is a smear because it is intended as one and it is repeated for the purpose of undermining and discrediting the candidate.  At the same time, one just feels rather sorry for the people involved when you read this:

The committee’s president, Mukit Hossain, said Muslims in Virginia were drawn to Mr. Obama because of his support for civil liberties and his more diplomatic approach to the Middle East.

His support for civil liberties and more diplomatic approach to the Middle East!  Tell it to the opponents of the FISA bill and the dead civilians in Lebanon.  These people are embracing a fantasy.  While it may be understandable, disillusionment is the only thing that can result.  I do have to wonder whether this will contribute to Nader’s influence on the election in certain swing states.  The disaffection seems real and widespread, and it could end up costing Obama in unexpected ways.