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 7 of 58)
91. linda,
i forgive you. i have said we must forgive. and we must i harbor no illusions about the bigotry that exist about race, but its on both sides of the fence and you will not acknowledge that. i forgive you for your crass language
brian at 12:36PM on Apr 30th 2008
92. My God, Dinesh D'Souza. How could you so unashamedly fuel that "he's hiding something" mentality? How could you steep so low as to prey upon the less educated and more fearful of our electorate? Have you no shame, sir?
Nick at 12:37PM on Apr 30th 2008
93. Rev
After what the republican party, religious far right, neo-cons, and Bush has done to our country, brian could win if he run on the democratic ticket. You are locked in a serious delusion to think McCain could win over Obama.
Jerry Brown at 12:37PM on Apr 30th 2008
94. D'souza is here criticizing Obama and claiming that a man that is linked to Rev. Wright should not be president, but what he does not say is that he was a policy adviser for Ronald Reagan between 1987 and 1988. And if anyone is familiar with the presidency of Ronal Reagan, you know that it was very scandalous and who can forget the Iran-Contras Scandal in 1989.
If you dont already know, this scandal involved the illegal selling of weapons to Iran by President Ronald Reagan and VP George H.W. Bush, our current Presidents father.
So if D'souza wants to condemn Obama for having known Pastor Rev. Wright, thats like saying he should be condemened for have known Reagan and H.W. Bush.
This guy is interested in nothing but money and power and he is a shame to the catholic religion.
GET INFORMED at 12:38PM on Apr 30th 2008
95. This election's gonna make a heckuva TV movie someday. Already considering the cast...
Mokele Mbembe at 12:38PM on Apr 30th 2008
96. I was a bit amused by this example of DD's typical self-important over-statements: "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 a laugh. If Obama gets the Democratic nomination, it won't register as a blunder at all, and, if he doesn't, the speech will be nothing more than the tiniest speck of dust on the political picture within 3 days. DD speaks as if people in 2058 will be saying, "Just think of what this country could have been like if Barack Obama had not made that speech during the campaign 50 years ago?" HA!
Bullwinkle57 at 12:39PM on Apr 30th 2008
97. hey 'get informed', you're a bit late to the party, but there's room for everyone here. Yes, we know.
Jerry, are you looking for side bets? Don't count McCain out!
fanmanaf1 at 12:41PM on Apr 30th 2008
98. yes forgiveness is on the plate today because the subject topic is hot. racial tensions seem to be running high. bho will be history and a certain segment of liberal lefters will all blame it on race. funny have we heard from al or jesse about rev. wright or bho? and why not? they are laying low because they do not want to upset billary or obama for future cabinet post!!
by the way linda, have you ever thought about running for mayor of DC?
brian at 12:42PM on Apr 30th 2008
99. get informed,
yes and was clintons presidency any less scandalous or should it have been scanty pantieless
brian at 12:43PM on Apr 30th 2008
100. by the way you ask whats up with the "forgiveness" well i thought botts is full up on the mercy thing and there is no room for any more mercy than he alone can show. i thought i would be the one to offer forgiveness to all,everywhere. even linda
brian at 12:45PM on Apr 30th 2008
101. brian; are you saying she could be the next Marion Barry?
fanmanaf1 at 12:45PM on Apr 30th 2008
102. fanman,
she could be if she can smoke the smoke or was that crack or what was that strange stuff? did he not cry race on tv. or was that the president of the black baptist convention who got caught? i get so confused with all this. but for berry i forgive him too, he is only human
brian at 12:47PM on Apr 30th 2008
103. fanmanaf1
You bet I bet on the race. I took McCain for the nomination at 11.5 to 1 when he was the big dog, and I have Obama at 6.2, and 5.2 to 1 to win the nomination. I would love to get Obama at even money when he goes against McCain. Democrats are turning out at least 2 to 1 o more in the primary's which is a fore runner of what will happen in the main event.
Jerry Brown at 12:48PM on Apr 30th 2008
104.
Moke - bouncing from Mark K....
Four and twenty crowbars, jimmy your desire.
Out of the frying pan into the fire.
The king is in the counting house.
Some folk have all the luck.
And all we get are pictures of Lord and Lady Muck.
They come from lovely people with a hard line in hypocrisy.
There are ashtrays of emotion for the butt ends of the aristocracy.
The sugar coated pill is getting bitterer still.
You think your country needs you but you know it never will.
So pack up your troubles in a stolen handbag,
Don't dilly dally boy, rally round the flag.
Give us your daily bread in individual slices
And something on the Fox news shows to cancel any crisis.
What would you say?
What would you do?
Children and animals two by two.
Give me the needle
Give me the rope.
We're going to melt them down for PILLS AND SOAP.
Give me the needle
Give me the rope.
We're going to melt them down for pills and soap.
Elvis Costello
T.Brough at 12:50PM on Apr 30th 2008
105. "Paul is just as bad as DD. He presumes to know what I would do if such a survey existed." --Linda
_____________________
I don't have to "presume" anything, Linda. You've already illustrated my point perfectly through EVERYTHING you say.
Thanks for playing.
Paul at 12:50PM on Apr 30th 2008