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 5 of 58)
61. Man I love this blog. Today Paul is defending brian. Who woulda thought? But guys, please, let's drop the name calling. Bash away, but drop the names.
fanmanaf1 at 11:44AM on Apr 30th 2008
62. Ryan Anderson
I take offense at your calling yourself an idiot, although you might have made some idiot type mistakes in your life. Paul is just on his usual racist rant, my advise is do not engage. I am curious if you have read paper one -o- one yet, that is my favorite, let me know after you do.
Jerry Brown at 11:48AM on Apr 30th 2008
63. What's wrong with this picture:
"I'm not racist, I'm just saying that blacks are racist."
Mokele Mbembe at 11:50AM on Apr 30th 2008
64.
Somehow, D'Stupid thinks people might actually be interested in his strategies (ha hah hah hah bwaaaa!), so he posts his Hot Steaming Cup of Stupid.
all I can say is:
John Hagge John Hagge John Hagge. Where is THAT column?
Rev Wright is an Old School Egomaniac Blowhard who uses his pulpit to siphon money and attention from his followers. He has suddenly discovered his meal ticket is his old congregant, Barack Obama, and he's now exploiting that for all it's worth. Sadly, people who do know better but don't care are willing to say moronarama like "Are you as Patiotic as Rev Wright?" in efforts to try and trip Obabama up (yes, I am talking about George Stoopinopolis) while ducking the real issues.
Rev Wright is the old friend who emabarases you at the party as you sigh and keep wondering how much longer you'll hang out with him, Obama finally reached the limit and enough. After his Phildaelphai speech, Wright should have gotten the hint that Obama was willing to let him down gently if he just didn't do any more damage, but Wright couldn't resist going back for seconds. Obama responded appropriately.
But since new disgraceful blowhards like D'Stupid are going to keep trying to make this into Obama's Swift Boat, then those of us looking for something more substantial in our politics than Flag Pin questions are going to have to sift the the horse poop of D'stupid, D'ildo Rieilly and the Coultergiest in our search for real answers.
T.Brough at 11:51AM on Apr 30th 2008
65. "I'm not racist, I'm just saying that blacks are racist." --Moke
__________________
There's nothing wrong with that picture. It's just the mirror image of a black American saying, "I'm not a racist, I'm just saying that whites are racist."
Paul at 11:55AM on Apr 30th 2008
66. BIGOTRY, my friends, would be if African Americans would refuse to vote for a white person, regardless of credentials.
After all, we've been voting for nothing but white anglo saxon men since our beginning, and African Americans have been a force of reckoning in many elections.
However, if you like what the candidate says and agree with his vision, then you support him. That is not bigotry.
You are assuming the reasoning behind Obama's support. YOU DO NOT KNOW.
I work in DC. We have a majority black population here. I speak to many people as I go about my day and night.
Many black people are supporting Hillary, based on her credentials as well as fondness for her husband. Daily show did a bit in Pennsylvania showing folks supporting the "opposite color" candidate. It was funny because the "reporters" kept arguing with them because they were not voting for "their own".
Many white people are supporting Barack, like myself. He had the leadership qualities that this country needs. It took exploration and research for me to come to my conclusion.
You, Paul and brian little b, are the racists. You are assuming behavior for almost all members of a group without any evidence. That is racism.
Linda at 11:56AM on Apr 30th 2008
67. hey Brough; if BHO's smart enough to think he can run the country, shouldn't he have been smart enough to foresee the damage an "Old school egomaniac blowhard" could cause in his campaign? Instead of steering his swift boat through turbulent waters, he was back there surfing on the wake and now he's marooned on the island of political hopefuls. Just think what he could have done.
fanmanaf1 at 11:57AM on Apr 30th 2008
68. no mo,
this is not a race war,you and people like botts would looooooooooove it to be a race war because then as usual you can try and sway the whole argument. in this specific case it is wright who is a racial bigot and yet neither one of you have had the decency to call a spade a spade(no pun intended). no and you won't but were that mccain or a white man who made those remarks you both would have been there waiving the banners. crying for hate speech laws. but since you two have a vested interest your strangely quiet. go figure!! but as i said we in white america have to figure wright,we have to forgive obama and his wife is "finally proud". we have to raise the banner higher than our black brethren and proclaim justice for all. i forgive completely. i would even listen to one of his hate-filled sermons for sure
brian at 11:58AM on Apr 30th 2008
69. "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."
It's different in this sense: televangelists complain that the government is getting further away from the word of the bible, Wright is making wild claims about what the government is doing to its citizens.
I must say, as a Christian I see the consequences of the actions people take in their lives to end up with the results that they get. But Wright takes it to an all new level.
jeff2012 at 11:58AM on Apr 30th 2008
70. yes we must forgive. where is botts to lead through these turbulent waters with his usual rendition of mercy and "big mind" and i can see clearly now the pain has gone!! seriously lets all forgive for past crimes and get on with living for today. you know your old song"imagine" well imagine blacks don't harbor angst towards whites or whites towards blacks. though i think there is less of it with whites. racisim does not serve whites,it serves blacks,ie. the jesse and al show
brian at 12:02PM on Apr 30th 2008
71. 58. danny,
i forgive you for your angst. but we need a president with character.clinton had none.
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who said I was angry. I was just stating the obvious. I'm in a great mood!! = )
danny at 12:04PM on Apr 30th 2008
72. linda,
I work in DC. We have a majority black population here. I speak to many people as I go about my day and night.
yes do you walk the streets of dc asking people and taking surveys about how they feel concerning obama? i doubt you venture into certain parts of dc for fear of your life. i would not. or are your in touch with the vibe of dc and just know the streets and the language and are picking up on the feel of it all. you might call it the love language
brian at 12:07PM on Apr 30th 2008
73. danny,
if you like clinton you will have a chance to vote for him again. cause thats what your going to get. more power to you.
brian at 12:08PM on Apr 30th 2008
74. brian:
yes do you walk the streets of dc asking people and taking surveys about how they feel concerning obama? i doubt you venture into certain parts of dc for fear of your life. i would not. or are your in touch with the vibe of dc and just know the streets and the language and are picking up on the feel of it all. you might call it the love language
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This made me laugh the hardest I have ever laughed on this blog. Brian you are so far removed from common sense and logic its freaking hilarious man.
danny at 12:09PM on Apr 30th 2008
75. brian, you're using the formal version "botts" today? Not the informal boots?
fanmanaf1 at 12:10PM on Apr 30th 2008