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<< Previous   of   Next >> (click to enlarge) Carol Ronken, a Snohomish County Democratic Party volunteer, purchased this fake bill with an image of Sen. Barack Obama on Tuesday at the Snohomish County Republicans' booth at the Evergreen State Fair. (click to enlarge) Carol Ronken, a Snohomish County Democratic Party volunteer, purchased this fake bill at the Snohomish County Republican booth at the Evergreen State Fair on Tuesday.   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Obama Waffles pulled from sale at forum 9/14/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Sale of bills mocking Obama cut off at GOP fair booth The county GOP chairwoman said party leaders did not approve sales of the notes at the GOP's fair booth. By Bill Sheets and Jerry Cornfield, Herald Writers MONROE -- Snohomish County Republicans on Tuesday stopped selling phony $3 bills at their Evergreen State Fair booth bearing a picture of Barack Obama wearing an Arab headdress. In addition to the image of Sen. Obama, the likely Democratic nominee for president, the "Obamanation Note" design includes a silhouette figure of a camel, identifies Obama as "Da Man" and is signed by "Teddy Kennedy, Chief Socialism Advisor," and "Al Sharpton, New Spiritual Advisor." The serial number, "IBD14UOK" when read aloud, is fractured English: "I be de one for you, OK." Snohomish County Republican Party chairwoman Geri Modrell said when she first learned of the item's existence Tuesday afternoon, she called volunteers in the booth to have it removed but someone already had done so. "It wasn't approved by the board and it wasn't approved by me and it shouldn't have been there," Modrell said. "I want to apologize to anyone upset or offended by seeing it." At the fair, volunteers at the booth said they did not know how many of the bills may have been sold or where the proceeds went. The bills caught the eye of more than one fairgoer on Monday and Tuesday. "I thought it had racist overtones," said Ronnie Thibault, 44, of Monroe. She described herself as a Democrat and a "left-wing liberal" but said she's not currently active in the party. While the bill perpetuates the myth that Obama is a Muslim, Thibault said, "the most offensive part of it is they were selling it." Thibault said she called in to complain to as many branches of both the Democratic and Republican parties as she could, all the way up to the national level. Iris Lilly, executive secretary of the county GOP who was working the booth on Tuesday afternoon, took the display down after receiving a call on her cell phone. She said the call was from party activist Bob Clark, who she said set up the display. Clark, of Monroe, said Tuesday he had no knowledge of the bills and no involvement in their display or sale. "I don't have any idea what you're talking about," he said. "I think you've got the wrong guy." Lilly said she didn't hawk the bills and sold none of them in her stints working the booth. She said some in the party, herself included, did not agree with the method of political statement the bills represent. "I was told somebody thought it was funny and made it available," Modrell said. "I do not believe it is humorous. I certainly don't see maligning a national public figure in that manner to be productive." When asked about some who were offended, Lilly said volunteers at the GOP booth also have been subject to unprovoked harassment, unrelated to the Obama bills, from passersby during the fair. "We are trying to be as calm and nonconfrontational as possible," she said. It appears the bills were produced by a Southern California company called Slick Times. The company Web site appears to lean to the political right, and describes the company as "America's Premiere Political Lampoon." The Obama bills are available in pads of 25 for $5.75, or 23 cents per bill, with discounts available by ordering larger quantities. State Republican Party Chairman Luke Esser knew nothing of the bills until called by a reporter. The state party does not provide or sell such an item to the county organizations, he said, and he does not endorse the party selling those types of items. He did not criticize Snoho­mish County Republicans for doing so. "I don't want to micromanage," he said. "My recommendation is that it is better to focus on the shortcomings of Barack Obama's record and his lack of experience in this campaign." At the fair, Tesmer Atsbeha of Seattle, wearing an Obama shirt, said she was glad the Republicans took the bills away. "We didn't really pay attention to the Republican booth," said Atsbeha, 30. "We were trying to ignore it." Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Log in or register to post new comment | Log out Don't try to paint us with YOUR brush When you have a candidate who calls himself a *maverick* yet has voted 95% of the time with george dubya bush and someone comes up with the saying mccain = bush, that is not a smear, that is a fact. The GOP has been using lies, distortions, and words out of context since this campaign began. We know you - we know what you've done to this country. We are through with it - this little exhibit at the fair exemplifies your desperation to continue old policies and old destructive habits. This is exactly why your party will now be out of power for a long, long time. Americans are taking back the country. Watch the speech tonight and do not doubt it. Cheryl Fontaine | Aug 28, 2008 7:12 am | 1 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal This is no time to play nice Paul, I'm sorry, but Karl Rove and GW started this when they "bushwhacked" John McCain in the 2000 primaries by spreading lies that he'd fathered an illegitimate child and that he was mentally insane because of his treatment while he was a POW. It continued in 2004 with the "Swift-boating" of John Kerry. Now McCain himself has totally turned to the side of racism and intolerance to bring himself in-line with his Republican base. Now is not the time to play nice. This country can't afford another four years just like the last eight years. Bob Winchell | Aug 27, 2008 2:52 pm | 1 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal To Don't try to paint us with YOUR brush So tell me what has Nan P, Chrissy G Gov of Washington State Queen of taxes. And Uncle Teddy (Mr Immoral himself) done for us as a Nation? More taxes? I cannot wait to help drug addicts, prostitutes and illegals get free medical care. Thanks Democrats! Kay | Aug 28, 2008 9:28 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal $3 Bills How many of you people who are so outraged about the $3 bills of Barry have said the most hateful things about the President over the last 8 or 9 years? Take a look in the mirror!! Nolan Foss | Aug 28, 2008 8:00 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Manners II No Bob, I personally feel that BOTH the anti-GOP candidate or officeholder bumperstickers AND the anti-Democrat stickers and the like are abhorrent. I dont condone EITHER. That said...I've observed much more anti-GOP trumpeting in all venues. I've observed that many democrats wholely endorse free speech as long as it agrees with THEIR viewpoint..and SCREAM like scalded monkeys if anyone DARES to disagree with them. The Democratic attitude I SEE is "OK for ME, but not for thee" and THAT is by FAR the worst affront in my book. Yes there are some GOP folks like that too...but FAR fewer. I personally wouldnt vote for either candidate to walk my neighbor's dog, and I dont LIKE my neighbor's dog. Aaron Everett | Aug 28, 2008 7:00 am | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Democratic booth on Sunday at the Monroe Fair When I walked by the Democratic booth on Sunday at the Monroe Fair. I over heard a gentleman at the booth tell someone that Barack fully supports drilling in ANWAR and off our coast lines. Am I missing something here? I thought he did not support drilling there? They are just telling people what they want to hear to get their votes anyway. See how he voted at: http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2005/11/3/124846/602 Kay | Aug 27, 2008 11:24 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Republican Methods Typical republication method. Childish, but effective. This type of underhanded campaigning will probably be repeated many times before election day. Cynthia Johnson | Aug 27, 2008 11:03 am | 1 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal What *my* mama taught me Aaron, Are you implying that you condone what these Republicans have done? Obama’s face on the bill, wearing an Arab headdress, is an attempt to foster a smear campaign that has been going on since the primaries. Obama is NOT a Muslim. This is a bald face lie. He affirms that he’s a Christian everyday. The reference to "Da Man" and the clumsy "IBD14UOK" is clearly a low-brow racist slur directed at blacks. Are you saying that good people who believe in honesty and real American values should look the other way when lies and hatred like this are presented in their community? I’m sorry if I offend your sensibilities, but my mother taught me to stand up to bullies, bigots and liars. Bob Winchell | Aug 27, 2008 8:54 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal manners...what your mama taught you. As pointed out by a previous poster....its NOT restricted to one party. You get what you give...if its OK to poke at the GOP..then its OK to poke at the Democrats. If you condone the poking by YOUR side but whine when you get poked, cant stand the heat...get out of the kitchen. Aaron Everett | Aug 27, 2008 5:04 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal GOP Booth Staff Threatened to Call Security I was at the fair on Tuesday afternoon and walked by the Republican booth. I noticed the mock Obama bill on display and stopped to look at it. While I was examining the bill, one of the booth staff asked me "Those are pretty good bills, aren't they?" I replied "I don't think so. I think they're insulting." Immediately, one of the other Repbulican booth staff stepped forward and said "If you don't move along, I'm going to call security." I said "She just asked me a question and I answered it." He said again "If you don't move along, I'm going to call security." I said "What? She asked me a question and I answered it. Don't I have a right to express my opinion?" He said, "If you don't move along, I'm going to call security." He repeated this several more times, and I just walked away, disgusted with the whole episode. What happened to freedom of speech and thoughtful dialogue? Is this how Republicans hope to win the November election - by threatening to "call security" if someone expresses an opinion that's different from theirs?" Andrew Taylor | Aug 27, 2008 3:42 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Unfortunate, but not limited to one party These bills are a demonstration of the unfortunate incivility too common these days. They are not limited to one party. They are in the same category as bumper stickers declaring "Bush lied" or "Regime change starts at home." If you want your political opponents to be civil, then you must also. Paul Goddard | Aug 27, 2008 12:52 pm | 1 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal Outrageous and Clueless!!! The woman staffing the booth said they have been subject to "unprovoked" harassment from passersby during the fair. Well, if you’re selling this kind of HATE, I consider it a shameless provocation and I'd be justified to reply with any harassment I (legally) can. She is obviously as clueless and out of touch with the values of decent Americans as are John McCain and the rest of the Repugnicans! Bob Winchell | Aug 27, 2008 12:53 pm | 0 replies | View all | Post reply | Request removal

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