Obama's speech: The analysis

Posted: Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:17 AM by Mark Murray

The Washington Post: "The speech drew praise for its forthright expression of black-white divisions and for its call to all Americans to begin to reconcile those differences. Whether it will solve the potentially serious political problems that Wright's long-standing relationship with Obama has created is a far different question, and one upon which political strategists disagreed on Tuesday after the address."

The New York Times: “In a speech whose frankness about race many historians said could be likened only to speeches by Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson, John F. Kennedy and Abraham Lincoln, Senator Barack Obama, speaking across the street from where the Constitution was written, traced the country’s race problem back to not simply the country’s ‘original sin of slavery’ but the protections for it embedded in the Constitution. Yet the speech was also hopeful, patriotic, quintessentially American — delivered against a blue backdrop and a phalanx of stars and stripes.”

The Los Angeles Times adds, “It was a speech that seemed unlikely to come from a politician viewed as simply white or black. Obama rejected the most controversial of Wright's comments, while saying he could never renounce the man who had helped introduce the senator to Christianity, officiated at his wedding and baptized his children.”

Politico’s Martin writes that “GOP strategists believe they’ve finally found an antidote to Obamamania. In their view, the inflammatory sermons by Obama’s pastor offer the party a pathway to victory if Obama emerges as the Democratic nominee. Not only will the video clips enable some elements of the party to define him as unpatriotic, they will also serve as a powerful motivating force for the conservative base.”

How many newspapers carried the speech in full in their print editions? It appears the Los Angeles Times did. So did the New York Times. Who else?

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Comments

Back in December of 2007, Bob Novak reported that there were talks within the Clinton campaign that she had dirt on Obama but she had decided not to use it. Well, rumours have it that the Rev Wright story is the said rumours.

The strategy to give the story a life began when Geraldine Ferraro made the remarks that most people saw as racist and then with the help of the conservative media, they put the Rev Wright story into public domain.

They strategy has worked perfectly well because it put Obama in the place where he does not want to be, talking about race and defending his relationship with Rev Wright. They have also successfully made Obama look more of a black candidate running for president rather that a candidate running for president who happens to be black.

The speech delivered by Obama is probably his best option to reassure the middle class white voters he is trying to reach out to that he does not hold any of the views expressed in the video by Rev Wright. The speech may well turn out to be the single defining moment that makes or mars his presidential ambition.

The impact on Obama's presidential campaign remains to be seen.

TheDonald

TheDonald (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:22 AM)

It is infuriating to me how the republican pundints have spent a day trying to tear Sen. Obama's speech apart by trying to point out trivial things that they believe wrong with his speech. I bet there were many who had a restless night. Instead of just acknowledging what is absolutely right and what was necessary about the speech to aid in reconciliation, they want to spin it into something negative. Very pathetic. The American people do not need them to dissect and explain their OPINIONS to us. We are more than capable of thinking for ourselves.

Independent thinker, IL (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:27 AM)

OR I KNOW THE CHURCH IS UNDER INVESTIGATION
SO IF OBAMA HAD DENOUNCED WRIGHT THEN MAYBE THE SECRETS WOULD NOT STAY SO SECRET..
OBAMA IS HIDING SOMETHING..

SHARON.LARGO,FL (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:28 AM)

Some in the media are trying to tear apart something that was both inspirational and healing for their own political agendas. It is very unfair of you all to attempt to get into the heads of Americans and influence us to think as you do for your own selfish reasons!

Tired (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:29 AM)

The speech was successful because Senator Obama answered the questions that many people had about his church and Pastor Wright. It is up to each person to decide whether they accept his answer. But in the final analysis, all Senator Obama can do is be true to himself and his message.

I respect him for his vision, candor and honesty. Whether he is elected President or not, he has shown himself to be an honorable man, and in the end that my prove to be more important than any political outcome.

P.S. I was more struck by the fact that so much of the "analysis" of the speech ignored large swaths of the speech. Obama denounced his Pastor's comments and the mindset behind them, then the "analysts" say that he "justified" his Pastor's comments. I could list many examples of this, but I won't waste my time, seeing as some people only "hear" what they want to hear.

Nashville_fan (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:32 AM)

To the self-righteous:

Sen. Obama absolutely addressed his long-standing relationship with Rev. Wright. If you did not hear that, then there is something wrong with you. I heard several of you say that you know people or have relatives who have said very controversial, racist, or inflammatory statements, but they are good people. Why can't the same rule apply to the relationship that Sen. Obama has with his minister? Stop moving the bar. It is you who has a problem with Sen. Obama becoming the next president of this great country, not the American people. Stop trying to spoonfeed us your BS!

Fed Up! (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:33 AM)

Since the beginning of his presidential campaign, Barack Obama has tried to keep race from defining his candidacy. Now his experience with race is exhibiting his strength.

We will hear more about the inflammatory remarks of Rev. Wright, especially during the general election. They will not depict a hidden, alternative side of Obama, as some would claim. Instead, much may be revealed about those who make such claims.

Irony is often the signature of God.

Gregory Peek, Birmingham, Alabama (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:34 AM)

I am a white Republican woman, in my 50s, who was thinking about voting for Obama. I am following this election process very closely and after this speech, I am a white Republican woman in my 50s who WILL vote for Obama. It's about time someone led this country in an intelligent, serious, calm, instructive manner. He truly embodies all people and I am proud to be an American, one who lives in the best country in the world, a country that is not perfect, but a country who desires to change the status quo, to live up to the dreams and ideals born in many of our early leaders and demonstrated today by Mr. Obama. I don't want to pay higher taxes and I don't want liberal supreme court judges, but I believe we need a president who elevates the tone of speech in our political arenas and is willing to try to clean up WaDC. It's time. Count me in.

Kate Olson, Lacey WA (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:35 AM)

I admire the man even more after his speech. One of the biggest problems we have in this country, and certainly in Congress, is that we tend to reject people who don't agree with us. And what has that gotten us? Nothing but more division. The more useful and enlightened way is to reject the words but not the person. Like Rev. Wright, who among us hasn't uttered damaging words that have come back to haunt us?

Bravo, Obama, for your honesty and courage in confronting us with Truth. How refreshing and timely, especially as we approach Easter.

Gail, TN (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:36 AM)

Morning Joe was quick to embrace the fact that, in his speech, Sen. Obama was correct when he said that white americans held resentment over affirmative action and illegal immigration, but dismissed african american concerns over slavery, jim crow, discrimination, lynchings, and overall oppression by those in power as anger and racism. Morning Joe your slip is showing.

Paying Attention (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:37 AM)

What's going on with Rezko-Gate, I hear their may be some middle eastern money involved in this scandal?
Did Obama really make phone calls and write letters on behalf of Rezko, in order to help get him $855,000.00 in taxpayer dollars to build low income and senior housing projects 4 blocks outside the State Senate district that Obama was representing at the time?

J. Merle Stanley, Westchester, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:38 AM)

In my opinion, Pat Buchannon is stuck in the same era as Rev. Wright!

Catch Up! (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:39 AM)

I wish that people would actually pay attention to what Obama has actually said within in his speech and his previous interviews about his Mr. Wright's statements. The pundits are saying that Obama contradicted himself, but he did not. In the interview Obama said that he had not heard those statements broadcast on tv. In his speech, he admitted that he did hear some statements made, not those that have been broadcast over and over and over again. Comprehension must be a fleeting thing.

Cathy (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:44 AM)

My dear dear fellow Americans, you have a brilliant, honest, moral, courageous man asking you to please let him help you. I'm a 56 year old white guy who's job has dried up due to corporate outsourcing. I face uncertainty. And I trust this man. 100%. It has greatly encouraged me to see a candidate like Barack Obama willing to take on tough issues. Able to run a brilliant campaign financed by little guys like me and so well managed. Finally a leader who will be a voice for me and for ALL Americans, not just a puppet for the well connected or just on an ego trip for his own gratification. We're drowning in debt, debt increasing every day in this dumb war. We have a window of opportunity, a chance to say "Not This Time"

JohnnyU, WA State (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:45 AM)

It is amazing how some of the media is trying to put a negative spin on a brilliant speech. They are trying to turn a very positive and uplifting speech against the speech writer by trying to trick us into believing that Obama is not an honest person.

Unbelievable (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:46 AM)

The GOP forgets that the American people are inured to the rants of any kind of wingers after ten years of listening to Rush Limbaugh and the FOX News twits. I don't think the Rev. Wright's florid preachings will even cause a ripple in the the general election.
We're kind of use to ranting preachers.

Amy B Portland, ME (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:50 AM)

Sen. Obama has done all he can do to distance himself from Rev. Wright's inflammatory rants. Sen. Obama's life history in and of itself is a testament of how he genuinely feels about the American citizens and our country. He loves this country and the American citizens, and for anyone to still have serious doubts about him then I guess there's no way of changing your mind. Also, if Sen. Obama does win the nomination, yes these clips of Wright will still be played over and over again by the Republicans. But think about it, this will be all the ammunition they have against him. We can't say this about the other candidate who has a never-ending amount of scandal and corruption under her belt. This is the time.

KJ, Dallas, TX (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:51 AM)

Hillary still making cricket sounds about the speech? Figures she would be because it is the religion of the left not just blacks in America. The left has encouraged and financed this "take over" of the black churches because it fits their purpose. What a joke it is to have someone like Sharpton challenging the character of someone like Judge Thomas.

Dave, Tn (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:55 AM)

The Obama folks remind me of Scientolgists, who we have here in Clearwater. Mindless, drooling, eyes glazed, chanting, fools. Obama is GOD to them. VERY dangerous situation we have in this country with this election. We know very little about this man and his wife. However, the more we get to know, the uglier it gets. He and his wife are white hating racists. The republicans will bring this up and as a democrat,and for the first time in my life, I believe them.

j fl (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:55 AM)

If I ever need to answer the question "Why I support Sen. Obama?" I will point to this speach.

Here is a candidate who does not back away from tough issues. We, as a nation, have needed to talk about race in America for years, at least since the O J trial. Sen. Obama has laid it all out on the table.

Health care, the war, the economy and all of the other issues impact all of us. They are not caused by other races or sexes or nationalities. But, they are made worse by Americans separating ourselves into such groups and building walls.

Differences add to the tapestry of this great country. America seems to want to pull that tapestry apart, thread by thread, and say "here is a black thread," "here is a white thread." Soon we lose the broader picture of the tapestry for the pile of separate colored threads.

Sen. Obama is the future. I am proud to be a Obama supporter.

Bill Johnson, Anaconda, Montana (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:58 AM)

I just wish I knew how many people who make up their minds based on the speech will make up their minds watching, hearing, reading the original or who will make up their minds after hearing or reading a review or analysis by someone else.

Its frustrating you know. Most people's opinion on the speech are very framed by their politics.

Yes, I know, nothing new. But can we leave it that I'm very frustrated...(long campaign season!)

Woman for Obama 08

Lisa, New Britain, CT (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 9:59 AM)

I am having a problem this morning with all of these great reviews that have been put out by the media. Although it was an excellent speech on race, well written and well delivered, it did little to address Mr. Obama's tolerance of Jeremiah Wright and basically made excuses for this very bad behavior. Over the weekend, Barack said he was never present when such comments were made, now he is saying he was. This was him and his family's pastor - Barack Obama financially supported this man's ministry and teachings for over 20 years. It is no surprise now what Michelle Obama meant with her comment about this being the first time that she is proud of her country. This hatred has been beat into their brains - you plant cotton, you don't get corn. And now he is not even distancing himself from this beast that has taught his people to damn America! Where is the outrage? Are we supposed to just forget about all of this and make this man our leader and see this Jeremiah Wright welcomed in the White House? Sorry, but I can't.

Jo Lynn Boggan, Houston Texas (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:02 AM)

It is how a leader responds in crisis that defines his qualifications to be President. Yesterday we saw how OBAMA responded to a crisis in his campaign. It was magnificent. He showed true leadership and that will just make all those who continue to play those video clips look small. He is right...we have a choice and I believe decent people will choose to say no to divisive politics. Not this time!

KLangg, NWSuburgs, IL (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:02 AM)

Obama is a great orator, he gives wonderful speeches, but he did not address the the discrepancies in his statements (I've never heard these speeches, and then he has heard some) probably parsing like most politicians proving Obama is no different. I'm very disappointed, b/c I REALLY did think he was different. Now I think he is a masterful orator and not much else. I am disturbed by his CLOSE relationship to Rev. Wright. He does not simply go this church, it is much much more than that and he did not reconcile that fact for me.

Sally, Ventura (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:03 AM)

Ok I hope Obama's doesn't stop quick because we
will have to dail 911 just pull you all out
it appears fox news is the only one not putting
sugar on this story .

wally brown erie pa (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:03 AM)

IF THE REPUBLICANS USE THE REV. WRIGHT TAPES THERE WILL BE A BACK LASH LIKE THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE. THE REPUBLICANS WHICH I AM ONE WILL FIND THEM SELFS LOOKING LIKE THE RICH WHITE GUY REV WRIGHT WAS SPEAKING ABOUT. PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY ARE FINDING THE PARTY ON THE LOOSEING END OF THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

I WATCHED BILL ORIELY LAST NIGHT AND YOU TALK ABOUTBOUT A RACIST BOY IT SURE SHOWED HIS TRUE COLORS. HE CALLS HIMSELF AN INDEPENDENT WHICH I DOUBT HE IS OR EVER WAS, I REMEMBER FROM MY TIME LIVING IN BOSTON WHERE HE WAS WORKING AT THE TIME.

HE,DICK MORRIS, CARL ROVE, THE BUSHS, MC CAIN KNOW BETTER THAN STAND BEHIND THE PERSONAL RACIST REMARKS BY MR SCHEAFER WHO WAS A POWER FRIEND OF MOST REPUBLICANS IN THE 70S AND 80S WHO DIED IN 1984. THE MAN WAS SO FAR TO THE RIGHT AND A TOTAL JERK WHEN IT CAME TIME TO TALK ABOUT ALL SORTS OF DAMNING SPEACHES AND BOOKS THAT THE REPUBLICAS LIKE REAGANS, FORDS, BUSH 1 HUNG AROUND WITH.

AND THEN THEY HAVE THE GAUL TO TALK ABOUT REV WRIGHT. YOU CANT BE MORE AGAINST A PEOPLE THAT MR. SCHEAFER.
HE INFACT WAS ONE OF THE MOST RIGHT WING LOUD MOUTHS AGAINST MOST EVERY ONE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY. EVEN HIS OWN SON WAS AGAINST THE TYPE OF INFLAMEING REMARKS BY HIS FATHER WHO LIKE MOST FAR RIGHT WING ZELLITS IN THE COUNTRY.

JOE GA (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:03 AM)

Obama knew the puplic knows how close he is and was to his Paster Rev. Wright. Paster Wright officiated at his wedding, and baptized his children, and sat in his pew in church and listened to his radical sermons. THAT IS THE ONLY REASON OBAMA DID NOT DENOUNCE HIM. HE KNOWS HE IS STUCK AND CORNERED! OTHERWISE HE WOULD HAVE DROPPED HIM LIKE A HOT POTATO! OBOMA IS A LYING POLITITION, ONLY CARES ABOUT HIMSELF, AND TRIED TO MAKE US BELIEVE HE DIDN'T KNOW HOW HIS PASTOR FEELS ABOUT AMERICANS. "HE CALLS THEM GOD DAMN AMERICANS, AND BLAMES AMERICANS FOR 9/11. IF OBAMA GETS THE NOMINATION THE REPUBS WILL EAT HIM ALIVE. THE DEMS WILL LOSE THE GENERAL ELECTION. WE MUST ELECT HILLARY FOR PRESIDENT, OR WE WILL HAVE 4 MOR YEARS OF REPUBLICAN, "BUSH STYLE RULE."

g.eglesias`nepa`` (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:04 AM)

I don't know that Michigan is so dire for Obama. I don't see him as opposed to a revote...he has said he will abide by the DNC. From what I've seen from Michigan voters, many of them seem to understand the complexities of this issue. And I think they're capable of making Democratic v. Republican decisions in Nov. just as people are in every other state and will vote for the candidate that gives them the best hopes for their future.

This die was cast much earlier (and partly by a Clinton campaign staffer). I think the people of Michigan understand that.

Woman for Obama 08

Lisa, New Britain, CT (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:04 AM)

I heard this morning that one of the purposes of Obama's speech was to shore-up his base of supporters and I would be awfully surprised if it didn't do just that. I thought his speech was excellent and couldn't help but compare him not only to the current bumbling orator holding the office today, but also to both Clinton and McCain. Out of all these candidates (minus the current one) who do I want representing our country for the next four years and the answer was Obama is the ONLY one. This man is so dignified, reserved, calm, and moving that neither of the other candidates can hold a candle to him. He would be respected throughout the world and is the only one that can lead this country out of the mess it's in today. The other two are definitely OLD politics and Obama is the light at the end of a very dark tunnel. That speech yesterday took courage and he hit the issue of race head-on and could inspire this nation to look within themselves to make it even better for EVERYONE. Isn't THAT what a President SHOULD be doing? I will proudly give Obama my vote come Nov.

Diane from Illinois (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:07 AM)

When the goin' gets tough the tough get goin'...If Obama thinks this is a tough time, how in the heck will he ever handle the president's work.
I SAY BRING IT ON!!!!! BARACK ...You can handle it...we will help you..
The divide is great and the pains run deep and you are the only one that truely understands poverty of the mind, poverty of the spirit an poverty that poisons and that still seperates us in America ...
.....HOPE...LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL is OUR BATTLE CRY and NO ONE MAN SHALL SET ABOVE ANOTHER>>>>YES WE CAN>>>YES WE CAN
YES WE CAN>>>GOD BLESS BARACK OBAMA OUR ONLY SAVING GRACE.........

Bill Jones (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:07 AM)

Obama's speech was both excellent and historic. Where MANY have chosen and will continue to choose the Cowardly Way: Maintaining the Status Quo with regard to racial issues or ignoring the issue altogether.

Moreover, Obama more clearly exposed two existing mindset sectors:

1. The Majority - Whether White, Black, Latino, Asian, or any other group, MOST desire harmony and are willing to work towards the "More Perfect Union" in which we believe.

2. A MUCH smaller Minority - A group determined to cast Obama - and those who believe similarly - as "Dreamers", cling to the cynical view that little has changed and little will. Likewise, these same people are afraid to their cores; hoping to diminish the Illinois Senator by marginalizing him as a Black Candidate only and attempting to make clearly peripheral issues a central focus.

What level of negative coverage would Obama have received if he had made a gaffe like McCains?

Only a "Lucky Man" is treated so fairly...

Gerald, Texas (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:10 AM)

So if it is ok dokey for black churches to espouse this kind of racial hatred why cant the rest of us not be politically correct?

what do you call a black senator from Illinois?

Jerry/Corpus Christi Texas (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:11 AM)

OBAMA STANDS BEHIND SPIRITAL ADVISOR WRIGHT!
“Wright is like an uncle you love and respect”
Rather than break ties with his demagogic, anti-American pastor, Barack Obama used a speech on race to excuse his behavior and sweep the controversy under the rug. Passing the buck is not very presidential. IT’S WAY TOO LATE OBAMA, NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR YOUR LIES AND EXCUSES OR A SPEECH SOMEONE WROTE OR STOLE FOR YOU! YOU HAVE CLAIMED TO BE A MEMBER FOR 20 YEARS, YOU KNOW FULL WELL WHAT THIS RACIST ANTI-AMERICAN PREACHES EACH WEEK, YOU CAN BUY THE DVDS ON THE WEBSITE, and THIS IS A PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HOW YOU’RE RASING YOUR YOUNG DAUGHTERS? YOU ARE MOST CERTINALLY NOT THE LEADER FOR THIS GREAT COUNTRY!

Jack Phil Pa (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:12 AM)

I just thought the speech was dull. Obama didn't say a single thing that was new. Nothing interesting was said nor were any new thoughts or opinions said.

Rico (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:13 AM)

cults of personality lead to tyrrany.

thursday (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:20 AM)

Words are just words! I am not so much focused on his poor choice of friends as I am his liberal views on taxes (raising them and taking more money from my pockets for the government to waste). Speech writers are great and anyone can put words together to try and cover a wound. He is a great speaker but that does not mean he will be a great president. My 24 year old son is one of the best speakers I have ever heard but I guarantee you that he does not need to be president of anything!

Rhonda OKC, Oklahoma (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:20 AM)

*** IT WAS A GOOD SPEECH --- BUT IS AMERICA READY TO HAVE AN INTELLIGENT & CIVIL DISCUSSION ABOUT THE ISSUE OF RACE IN AMERICA?

GO OBAMA ---- NO TO HILLARY (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:21 AM)

Amazing he lets his daughters listen to Wright's wrong stuff and then has the audacity to throw his Granny under the bus defending Rev J.

Sandman70 (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:22 AM)

While Sen Obama may be an excellent orator and speaker, he's still a politician. Placing trust in a politician to do the right thing, ah no. Placing trust in ourselves to do the right thing without government intervention, priceless...

Phred, NH (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:22 AM)

Do you think the Grand Dragon of the KKK is a devil?

Do you think he beats his kids? Do you think he says he is a Christian? Do you think he talks about the Bible as he speaks to his clan? Do you think he has been inspirational to some? Do you think he gives firey speaches about how a race has been wronged by the government (bussing, affirmative action etc.)? Do you think he is a lot like Rev. Wright?

Do you think if a white guy had been a member of the clan for 20 years he could explain his participation to the black community with a speech?

Do you think?

campdog (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:22 AM)

We have a choice. I believe Obama has opened wounds thats didnt need opening. His purpose is to divide th ecountry and I want to know what he envisions this country to look like and be like a year after he is in office. I have heard him and other black orators telling me "Our time has come" What is that a threat?Bring a black america so his wife can be proud again and not have to deal with those whites??Tell us Obama what is the change you have in mind??Thats the speech i want to hear.
We have worked togeather to bring about:United Negro College Fund,Martin Luther King Day, Black History Month,NAACP,Bet,Black Chamber of Commerce.
Yet we have people like Obama's wife, Pastor and now I must think Obama that if White was entered instead of Black each time we would be racist.Wright is wrong and if Obama wants to cling to him cannt leave or seperate from him like even Opera did I dont believe Obama is right for Pres.I dont think we need a racist Pres. Wouldnt be allowed other way around and not only by blacks by whites too.to bad he needs to stay that course.

Mox (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:24 AM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Bill may not have inhaled but it is obvious that Hillary has. What other explanation is there for her constant stumbling? She has demonstrated the reasoning capacity of an eight year old in this primary. Obama has to wake up everyday and laugh about how easy she is making this for him.

twocanpete (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:25 AM)

All of these liberal news outlets are trying to sugar coat this. One I just read, NYT I believe, started with something like..."All of his life Obama has been a racial divide healer." OMG, I almost threw up!

I read the thesis Michelle Obama put forth to get her BA/BS from Princeton well before this Rev. Wright story came out. I really got a sense of underlying racism coming out of that paper. It kind of set off a soft alarm in my brain. Something wasn't right here. Here we have this guy who is trying to make himself into some sort of saviour for this nation. He is going to heal the racial and economic divide in this country, something I'm for, but he does so by throwing out words like "Hope" and "We can" without much explanation. Words matter he says...something he seems to conveniently forget as of late.

Then I hear his wife say "for the FIRST time, I am proud of my country." ...More soft alarms.

I read stories about Obama not liking our Anthem and not showing respect early on in his political career. He has stated that he won't wear the flag lapel pin because it has become divisive. He would also like to change our anthem to some peace song, I don't recall the song. More alarms went off.

Then we come to Rev. Wright. It tied things together nicely. First, his views on this nation. Secondly, Michelle Obama's comments about pride in this nation. A full tornado siren is going off in my mind now.

This guy will say anything to get elected. I really thought that was special to throw his grandmother under the bus during his speech yesterday, just to top it off.

Jason, Minneapolis, MN. (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:26 AM)

http://twocanpete.blogspot.com/
Once again whites are cursed for the sins of their fathers. But hey, what about the 30 million illegal aliens in this country whose fathers had nothing to do with slavary or discrimination? Is there enough residual blame to go around for them?

twocanpete (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:28 AM)

My biggest concern is the inconsistencies in his statements. Sure the speech was good - as usual. We know he is a good orator.

BUT why would he say he was unaware of the pastor's views and stance, that he wasn't in the pews when he vented those views then say something else the following day? That's way too contradictory to me. It's flip flopping at it's best. It's lying basically.

I would have respected him more had admitted yes, he was there along with his wife and kids. Address the issue head on. Not take a day or two to come up with some speech that hopefully will be believable enough.

He is truly looking more and more like just another politician - which at the end of the day he is. Back against the wall, he would say anything, deny anything. The problem with that is he along with his supporters presented him as holier than thou. What else is in closet?

Look past speeches. I'd like to see plans and substance.

Dan, PA (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:29 AM)

Wright's most disturbing sermon proclaimed, G-D America. There is no way for an American president to remain friends with a person who makes such a statement, no matter the context. There are boundaries that may never be crossed and damning America must surely be one. Obama, undoubtedly afraid of losing his 90%+ portion of the African-American democrats that has brought him so close to the nomination, refused to renounce his friendship for Wright and thereby rendered himself unfit to be the chief protector of the USA. As great a salesman as he may be, Obama fell far short of the title patriot.

Richard, Westhampton Beach, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:30 AM)

This man has some deep dark secrets,any man who's mentor is a man like Wright has some very serious concerns!My family and I have been Demorats all of our lives,if Obama is nominated John McCain will get our votes.

Chris (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:31 AM)

Chris (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:32 AM)

Truly history-worthy speech by a great man and a great orator from a fast-sinking ship. America will choose the fool who doesn't know Iran doesn't train or even like Sunnis over a man like Obama. So it'll once again get the bad governmant it deserves.

Class Warrior, D.C. (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:34 AM)

It was interesting to read these comments today. Most were quite insightful, intelligent and respectful . . . and then there was J. Merle Stanley from Westchester, NY bringing up something that has been totally explained and was not even part of this article. We get it J., you don't like Obama. Now either make comments pertaining to the article or just shut up.

For those of you still confused about his not being in church and being in church statements, he has indicated he was not in church when the clips being shown happened (some from before he was even a member of that church) but has been there when things that he disagreed with were said. Those times he was there when things he disagreed with were said, I believe he has indicated that he did confront Rev. Wright. Basically, the is no contradiction.

Matthew, Houston, TX (Sent Wednesday, March 19, 2008 10:34 AM)

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