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 6 of 58)
76. speaking of love language:
fuck you brian little b.
Your true colors come out when we talk about race.
I have news for you...............
Your "god" hates racists.
Linda at 12:10PM on Apr 30th 2008
77. I'm voting Obama.. I don't really see any way statistically that Hillary will get the nomination.
danny at 12:10PM on Apr 30th 2008
78. Without evidence?
You call the satire of The Daily Show a reliable source for polling information? You regard that as "credible evidence?" You saw maybe five EDITED clips of Larry Wilmore interviewing black people who invoked the name Hillary Clinton and you think those EDITED clips somehow refute the EVIDENCE of nationwide polling returns that have 90% of African Americans supporting Barack Obama?
You're an idiot, too, Linda...but I've known this for months now. Seems pointless to even say it to you.
The funny thing is, Linda, if 9 out of 10 white people said they won't vote for Barack Obama, you'd scream just as loudly that they're racists.
This is your typical double standard: don't criticize Barack Obama or black people. If you do, you're a racist.
A vote for Barack Obama is a vote for black American racism.
Paul at 12:10PM on Apr 30th 2008
79. 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.
-------------------------------
I'm voting Obama.. I don't really see any way statistically that Hillary will get the nomination.
danny at 12:11PM on Apr 30th 2008
80. jeff2012,
how much condemning have you heard here against wright. most of the liberals and the blacks have been quiet.certainly not condemning. at least when falwell made his ignorant remarks concerning 9/11. the critism came from leaders and people in the christian communtiy. you sure do not see that here. thats what i am forgiving, the hypocritical nature of the beast
brian at 12:11PM on Apr 30th 2008
81. Here's another news flash:
I have worked in every part of DC, in just about every neighborhood. I am a third generation Washingtonian.
I love this city and the people who live here.
Linda at 12:12PM on Apr 30th 2008
82. paul,
thats strong language brother. linda apparently is sampling life in dc and is finding there is no racial bigotry. no racial strife. why alot of blacks are voting for hillary,really? only if she is the nominee. but you are right linda is not using facts. just like ryan says,oh you know any... and it goes on. clever games. but forgive because its right
brian at 12:15PM on Apr 30th 2008
83. TB,
They're pointing out the enemy to keep you deaf and blind
They want to sap your energy, incarcerate your mind
Somebody's gonna take the fall is your quid-pro-quo
Punish the monkey, and let the organ grinder go
The big enchilada, stealing elections
Had to go down there, trash collection
Got his cojones on my desk in there
Made into a souvenir, set of cufflinks, nice pair
The rest of him's Someplace up here
We talk soft but carry a big stick, and pack the biggest gun
...can't stop
Mokele Mbembe at 12:15PM on Apr 30th 2008
84. "The funny thing is, Linda, if 9 out of 10 white people said they won't vote for Barack Obama, you'd scream just as loudly that they're racists."
======================================================
Paul is just as bad as DD. He presumes to know what I would do if such a survey existed.
Just shows how full of shit he is, how he has no understanding of racial tolerance in all spectrums of color.
You are the idiot. Your position is clear. You are colored by your bigotry. Pun intended.
You are relegated to the skim but not read category. You are not worth the time.
Linda at 12:17PM on Apr 30th 2008
85. linda,
meaning that you know how the blacks vote? would you go in certain parts of DC? when you go there as a tourist they tell you to stay within certain areas up there for safety,why? peace loving city? i do not know enough of dc to make that call. but!!
brian at 12:17PM on Apr 30th 2008
86. What is brians deal with forgiving everyone today? If anything it would be the other way around and we would be forgiving brian for being so rude and close minded.
danny at 12:19PM on Apr 30th 2008
87. If a white man kills a black man, that's not necessarily racism.
Mokele Mbembe at 12:19PM on Apr 30th 2008
88. Once again, Dinesh is right as rain!
I think of Barack Hussein Obama as a trojan horse, stealth candidate for all of Rev. Wright's crazy views, and more. Is this the same Reverand who taught Obama to ignore "obscure" references in the book of Romans which condemn homosexuality, and instead focus on global warming and health insurance, which are even less Biblical with NO direct references in the Bible?!
The funny thing is that there are a lot of liberals who agree with Wright as much as they understand that Obama cannot say these things openly, though it goes without saying that these are the views of his true platform and ideology. That's why Obama is so popular with the crowd who think the the US government created AIDS, etc.
Rev. Wright, as crazy as he sounds to me, seems to be more honest and transparent about what he believes than Barack Hussein Obama. Hillary tells lies about sniper fire to impress you, while Obama does not seem to be telling the truth about his true background and thoughts -- until it is too late and he sits in the White House. A wolf in sheep's clothing!
Obama is unelectable.
Why do the liberals want Obama so badly to be their nominee when he does not have a prayer of winning in November?
Rev 3:16 at 12:24PM on Apr 30th 2008
89. Rev. Wright got his 15 minutes of fame at the expense of Obama. He accomplshed his purpose. Hea got the fame he could not have paid for.
Stan Linzey
stan Linzey at 12:34PM on Apr 30th 2008
90. Rev.; I think that's why the strain is so evident on bho's face all the time now. It's hard to keep up a lie so long. Imagine the gyrations he has to go through everytime the mic is on. What did I say last time? How will I cover that up? What have they learned about me in the 24 hours that I have to cover up? At least the crazy old Rev. Wright just blurts what ever's on his mind at the time. It's great tv.
fanmanaf1 at 12:35PM on Apr 30th 2008