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 3 of 58)
31. As for 9/11, nothing happens in a vacuum. Maybe it was our liberalism that was to blame, like DD likes to think. Perhaps it was our foriegn policy that was to blame, which I think is think.
But Al Qaeda wasn't throwing darts at a map and they happened to hit NY and DC.
So again, Wright's not 100% wrong. The planes weren't remote control drones, but our government was to blame on some level.
Ryan Anderson at 10:55AM on Apr 30th 2008
32. Wright's biggest mistake was saying god damn America, which resulted in most people going against him. If he had said god damn our government, most people would have applauded him.
Jerry Brown at 10:56AM on Apr 30th 2008
33. I'm happy this stuff is coming out, because it's proving me right in many ways.
I remember, that when Obama was in complete control of this race, I told my Wife, that you will start to see fear and smear tactics used to change this race. They will not let a man of color get the Presidency easily.
You start hearing the Muslim crap. You start talking about the pin. Then, ooohh look, we've got some stuff on his pastor.
The bottom line, is that there were people that aren't comfortable still to this day with people of another Color. Those people liked Obama, but were skeptical. This is exactly what they needed to justify their fear.
It's amazing that we are not focusing on their views and what their plans are. We're focusing on his Pastor.
Is there anyone in your families that have done or said some things that you would never do or say?
If your answer is no, you are a liar.
This is about race, and the sad thing, is that Obama isn't the one that did it.
You guys did.
It will be a shame, if Hillary or McCain get to be President. Are any or you paying attention to the Country we live in right now? How is Hillary or John different from this current administration?
The Citizens are foolish and ignorant. And you let guys like Dinesh sidetrack you from what you're supposed to really be focusing on. If you haven't learned anything from the last two elections then shame on you.
Botts at 10:56AM on Apr 30th 2008
34. fanboy; of course it's your version of christianity is the non-cult version. I didn't realize. Sorry.
Ryan Anderson at 10:57AM on Apr 30th 2008
35. I was really excited about 6 months ago about this election but this democratic cat fight has left me apathetic and uncaring. I will vote for whatever Democrat gets nominated because I have this feeling that McCain is too much like Bush in the sense that we bomb first ask questions later and I'm so tired of that being our policy for the last 8 years.
danny at 11:00AM on Apr 30th 2008
36. Jay...
The State's Attorney General's office in Texas screwed up big time! They'll be fielding lawsuits for at least two generations after all the dust settles out in San Angelo!
Child Protective Services had absolutely no right to abduct an entire community of children--no matter how reliable their information regarding abuse was. (And, by the way, that anonymous phone call they received from "Sarah" the pregnant teenager [wife #7] is well on its way to being a complete hoax.)
The Greg Abbott (Texas Attorney General) should be fired for his incompetence and arrested for violating that LDS community's Constitutional protection against illegal search and seizure.
Paul at 11:03AM on Apr 30th 2008
37. fanman @ 30
thanks for the info but the verses u gave me say we should pray for everyone, not just the politicians. also about the lds situation in texas im not confusing a cult with christianity. id like to know dds thoughts about this since he loves "ripping" thru athiests. such a "righteous" man would surely love to set the record straight-right? he loves challenges and, personally, i see this one as a great opportunity.
Jay at 11:04AM on Apr 30th 2008
38. *strike "the" from in front of Greg Abbott in my above remark.
Paul at 11:05AM on Apr 30th 2008
39. you're right Jay; probably food for another blog.
fanmanaf1 at 11:06AM on Apr 30th 2008
40. botts,
you must not have read what dd wrote. because you are soo racially sensitive. show mercy,show love,show compassion man. this is not about color. this is about rev. wright hating white people. the only color issue is his anger towards whites. your placin the blame in the wrong place. but then again you would never think of blacks doing wrong. make it to be a race issue,well it is!! only its just opposite of what you are saying.
i say we forgive wright for his hatred of us and america. i say forgive obama for listening for 20 years to this hate. i say forgive blacks for their racial bigotry towards whites. yes i say forgive!! but botts lets speak the truth brother. and the truth is you yourself hold malice and contempt in your heart for racial issues because your married to a black woman and you think this is about race??? if the shoe were on mccains foot you would not be crying race,you would be smiling inside! good night botts come clean, you harbor malice man,and contempt. i forgive you!! but i do see right through it, try forgiverness to obama for being hypoctitical and wearing a mask
brian at 11:06AM on Apr 30th 2008
41. WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"i say forgive blacks for their racial bigotry towards whites"
Idiot.
Ryan Anderson at 11:08AM on Apr 30th 2008
42. danny,,
yes danny we need o get back to the clinton years of it depends upon what "it" is and what "it" means.
yes we sure need to get back to the clinton days as a country wow can't wait
brian at 11:10AM on Apr 30th 2008
43. have at it boys; the fire's been lit!
fanmanaf1 at 11:10AM on Apr 30th 2008
44. Botts
We do not have to worry about McCain getting in, almost impossible. However, Hillary if nominated would be the nest president. Hard to imagine a person that lies so much being able to even be in the running at this point.
Jerry Brown at 11:11AM on Apr 30th 2008
45. ryan,
good morning, i suppose you do think blacks can't be racial. is business still slow ryan?
brian at 11:11AM on Apr 30th 2008