18 Percent Of U.S. Think Obama Is Muslim, Says Pew Poll

Since last year, the number of Americans who believe President Barack Obama is a practicing Muslim has doubled. 

According to a new poll from Pew, 18% of Americans are convinced that Obama, a practicing Christian, is a Muslim. This is a seven point spike compared to data gathered in March 2009 that revealed only 11% of Americans believed the president was a practicing Muslim.

Statistics show a similar increasing trend among Republicans, Independents and Democrats who question where Obama’s religious committment stands, nearly doubling since last year.

Obama Says Troop Drawdown Fulfills Campaign Pledge

President Barack Obama said Thursday that he has kept the pledge he made during the 2008 Presidential campaign to withdraw U.S. troops from Iraq.

“We’re keeping the promise I made when I began campaigning for the presidency,” Obama said during a reception in Florida for the state’s Democratic party. “By the end of this month, we’ll have removed 100,000 troops from Iraq and our combat mission will be over.”

Obama’s remarks came amid the announcement that the last full combat bridge had exited Iraq.

Former Presidential Candidate Bashes Palin's Brains

Sarah Palin will run for President in 2012, but her lack of intellect will prevent her from winning the Republican nomination, said former Alaska Senator Mike Gravel (D).

“Oh, there’s no question about that,” Gravel told ABC News’ Rick Klein today in response to his question of whether or not Palin will run.

Gravel, a longshot presidential candidate in 2008 who served in the U.S. Senate from 1969 through 1981, elaborated on his initial statement.

“I don’t think she’ll get the nomination, but she’ll be a meaningful candidate in 2012. She’s a very talented political person. Intellectually, I think that leaves to be desired. But from a political, outright, gifted person — I don’t know of anybody better on the scene other than Obama.”

White House Responding To All Requests From Pakistan

White House Deputy Press Secretary Bill Burton talked about the U.S. response to Pakistan’s humanitarian crisis Thursday.

“This catastrophe is one that’s on a human scale and widespread, and the United States is doing everything that it can to help the country of Pakistan.  We’ve given them tens of millions of dollars in aid.  U.S. helicopters and C130s are there delivering hundreds of thousands of pounds of food and medical supplies,” Burton told reporters aboard Air Force One.

The White House says that they are responding to all the requests that come in from the Pakistani government. 

“Our relationship with Pakistan is one that’s more than just about fighting armed extremists and we’re hoping to help them where we can.”

Obama Fully Behind Meek In Florida Senate Primary

White House deputy press secretary Bill Burton told reporters today that President Barack Obama fully supports Rep. Kendrick Meek, the frontrunner in Florida’s Democratic primary race.

“[President Obama] said that he [Meek] is his candidate. Florida Democrats know that he is his candidate,” said Burton during a flight from Ohio to Miami aboard Air Force One. “He’s introduced Meek at events as the next United States senator from the state.”

A Quinnipiac poll released today shows Meek leading his main opponent in the primary, billionaire investor Jeff Greene, by a 35% to 28% margin. In the general race, however, Meek’s odds don’t appear to be that great. A Mason-Dixon poll put out earlier this week shows Meek trailing Republican nominee Marco Rubio by 20 points.

President Obama is in Miami this evening to raise money for Meek and other Democratic candidates in the state…