Throughout his campaign Barack Obama has mocked his critics, noting that they just don't get what a novel figure and consistent unifier he has been for his whole life. "They say: We don't know enough about him. His pastor once said something. He's got a funny name, sounds Muslim."
But of late Obama's pastor has been saying a lot, and finally Obama has been forced to denounce him. For the first time Obama has called the Reverend Jeremiah Wright's views "ridiculous" and even accused him of being a purveyor of "hate."
To which one might say: better late than never. Maybe Obama never really knew how radical this guy is. But how likely is this? Let's remember that Reverend Wright is the one who has been consistent over the years. He used to believe that the U.S. government manufactured the AIDS virus and deliberately spread it in the black community, and he still believes it. He thinks America may have conspired to bomb itself on 9/11, and he's never wavered in that conviction. Now, and before, he thinks that "God Bless America" is better expressed as "God Damn America!"
Obama has been hearing such messages for more than two decades, packaged in an incendiary racial ideology which surpasses anything that Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton have ever said. And yet Obama selected this man for his mentor and even called him "family." By contrast with this white grandmother, Obama actually chose to make Wright part of his intimate circle.
Even six weeks ago, having heard all the controversial comments by Wright, Obama was standing by his man. He distanced himself from some of Wright's views while refusing to repudiate Wright. He said he could no more repudiate Wright than he could repudiate his own family. This by the way is the speech that many pundits hailed for its originality and brilliance. I think it will go down as one of the biggest blunders in American political history.
What Obama should have said in that speech: "Once upon a time this man rescued my spiritual life. A long time ago when I was spiritually and emotionally at a low point, he was there for me and he helped me get over the hill. So I owe him big time. I know that he's said some crazy things, but I've overlooked them, because of what he did for me." Instead Obama tried to sound like W.E.B. Du Bois. He impressed the liberal intelligentsia, while shooting himself politically in the foot.
Now Obama would have us believe that, as far as Wright is concerned, he's had just about enough. But why? What has Wright said that has finally caused his disciple to end their relationship? While Wright has been pontificating a lot lately, he has not given us any new bombshells. But he did suggest that, in his beliefs like the one about the U.S. government and AIDS, Obama agrees with him.
Wright noted that of course Obama is now saying something different; that's because Obama is now running for president. So he has to say something different! Translation: what we see with Obama is not what we get. And Wright is in a position to know. He's nursed Obama intellectually and spiritually over the years. It is Obama himself who has given us this man, and assured us of his integrity and reliability.
The more I examine the two, the more I think that it is Wright who is being consistent and calling it the way he sees it, and Obama who is hiding the part of himself that once embraced this man and maybe still agrees with many of his beliefs but now finds him a political liability. While Obama continues to portray himself as Mr. Straight Talk, at this point he is a candidate enveloped in shadows.
Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 58)
1. So in fact, BHO may not be just an empty suit after all. He may be the same suit full of deception that the first "black" president, William Jefferson Clinton was. DD, your blog today is bang on.
fanmanaf1 at 9:11AM on Apr 30th 2008
2. Although I admire Obama for publicly breaking with his pastor, I have to agree with DD that his execution has been poor and it seems to be in conflict with his previous speech (which was brilliant).
Ryan Anderson at 9:31AM on Apr 30th 2008
3. This makes sense to me. I've been wondering exactly what changed Obama's opinion of Wright, and frankly the only thing I can come up with is that denouncing Wright is now the lesser of two unsavory options. Wright does seem to be consistent, for what it's worth. The problem is that making this move after his much-lauded race speech of a few weeks back demonstrates that Obama is not consistent. Further, Wright verbalizing that Obama needs to publicly denounce him seems entirely accurate, and thus undermines Obama's denunciation. Thus Obama is now in a place where he can either accept an endorsement from someone many people find troubling, or he can demonstrate that he's not above conventional politics as much as he has claimed. Neither of those options seem particularly convenient.
If I were Obama, I'd be pretty angry at my pastor right now.
Dave at 9:40AM on Apr 30th 2008
4. Ryan, IMO Rev. Wright has recently been really stinking up the air waves with his sarcasm and disrespect of Obama, especially after Obama refused to bad mouth him in the beginning of this mess.
The truth about their relationship is that Obama removed Wright from any position of influence in his campaign more than a year ago. More than likely because Wright is a gadfly and had nothing positive to contribute.
Wright's current diatribes may have more to do with that "slight" than anything.
Obama tried to take the high road, as he has in almost everything related to his campaign, but Wright made that impossible by his recent actions.
DD has given us his usual lies and errata in his blog, as well as writing what his suggestions for Obama (AS IF!!).
Linda at 9:52AM on Apr 30th 2008
5. Ryan; wouldn't his "break with his Pastor" have been a bit more admirable if he hadn't waited to be painted so far into the corner before the "break"? What's so admirable when it's the only option left?
fanmanaf1 at 9:57AM on Apr 30th 2008
6. Linda; that's a good way to look at it. Wright should have been content with the "I can no more disown..." speech. I can see why Obama lashed out based on Wright's latests comments.
I just wish Obama had maybe done it a little differently because it seems like everyone is looking for the smallest scraps of dirt on him.
Ryan Anderson at 9:59AM on Apr 30th 2008
7. That's because politics is a contact sport.
fanmanaf1 at 10:01AM on Apr 30th 2008
8. fanmanaf1; I would love to see an openly agnostic or atheist candidate (who has a legitimate chance of winning). That's not going to happen any time soon.
I believe that Obama didn't openly break with his pastor previously because, well 80% of the country identifies themselves as christian.
I'm not implying Obama's not christian, but to criticize your pastor in this country is not exactly politically expedient
Ryan Anderson at 10:02AM on Apr 30th 2008
9. I agree, Ryan. AND, Wright had been silent for the many months since the beginning of Obama's campaign.
So, taking the high road is considered wrong?
Not in my book.
Do you think this makes a tinker's dam in any Obama policies? Hell no.
Linda at 10:12AM on Apr 30th 2008
10. Linda; I hope you are right about it not making a difference.
I wished there had not been such a contrast between when he took the high road and when he denounced him.
Just seems like more fuel for the fire for those that fear him.
Ryan Anderson at 10:19AM on Apr 30th 2008
11. I hear white baptist televangelists all the time talk about how america is going to get its just reward for abortion by the way of plague or economic failure while slamming our past few governments that have pushed our country too far from Gods law. I dont really see the difference to be honest.
danny at 10:22AM on Apr 30th 2008
12. ..Anyone who would keep someone as their mentor after making comments like "the government created AIDs to kill off black people," or anything remotely close to that effect, is insane in my book.
hereinmyheart4 at 10:37AM on Apr 30th 2008
13. Obama was willing to let sleeping dogs lie regarding his former pastor. Kind of like how the presidents Carter and Clinton viewed brothers Billy and Roger.
Wright is an embarrassment for Obama. Nothing more. Anyone who thinks that Obama thinks like Wright is just plain wrong.
Naysayers like DD are implying that Wright talked his "hate" talk every week he was pastor. People who attend that church assure us that that is not the case.
It seems like Wright is enjoying the attention his remarks are getting, and is thirsting for more with more of the same tripe, like at the Press Club meeting.
Linda at 10:28AM on Apr 30th 2008
14. This should be a lesson to all Christians; beware of politics from the pulpit. God said to pray for your political leaders, period.
fanmanaf1 at 10:30AM on Apr 30th 2008
15. danny,
Agreed, the distinction is that white baptists are the "patriotic heart of America". If you're a darkie, you're a "candidate of shadows".
Mokele Mbembe at 10:31AM on Apr 30th 2008