A Rasmussen poll of likely voters suggests most of us (6-in-10) believe that Obama's "denouncement" of Rev. Wright this week was a move of "political convenience." Most (5-in-10) believe Obama was not surprised "by the views of his former Pastor." (Wright has recently retired.)
Color me among those who believes all of the events of the past week were orchestrated for political convenience. Let's flashback, shall we, to April 2007, and the closing two paragraphs of this New York Times article (empahsis addd):
Mr. Wright, who has long prided himself on criticizing the establishment, said he knew that he may not play well in Mr. Obama’s audition for the ultimate establishment job.
“If Barack gets past the primary, he might have to publicly distance himself from me,” Mr. Wright said with a shrug. “I said it to Barack personally, and he said yeah, that might have to happen.”
And now it has. A reversal of Philadelphia.
The NYT reporter, Jodi Kantor, noted in 2007 how inextricably linked Obama's campaign was to religion from the get-go.
For example, Obama "began his presidential announcement with the phrase 'Giving all praise and honor to God, a salutation common in the black church." It's been widely reported that Obama's book, The Audacity of Hope (which helped launch his presidency and make him a millionaire), owes its title to a 1988 Rev. Wright sermon. Obama's conversion is tied to that sermon as well. Twenty years ago.
The controversy isn't new either. Rev. Wright was slated to give the invocation when Obama announced his candidacy, but his appearance was canceled.
The Obama website has a page devoted to religious testimonials. Rev. Wright has been removed; however, his words were reportedly on the page when it launched. (The Internet Archive website is down, so I cannot confirm right now.)
The Clinton campaign has a faith page, but no testimonials. A Google search yields no such results for McCain's campaign.
About's guide to liberal politics, Deborah White, writes:
Try as I might, I don't understand what the nutty, narcissistic antics of Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Barack Obama's former pastor, have to do with determining Sen. Obama's fitness to be president.
Politics of convenience is politics as usual.
Thus, what is important is not the Reverend's "antics" but the candidate's reaction, given that his campaign rests almost 100% on the idea of inclusiveness; his political (and literary) career is grounded in this church; and his rhetoric is the politics of change.
Comments
MY FELLOW “BITTER”, STUPID, WORKING CLASS PEOPLE
If you think like Barack Obama, that WORKING CLASS PEOPLE are just a bunch of “BITTER”!, STUPID, PEASANTS, Cash COWS!, and CANNON FODDER.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think Barack Obama with little or no experience would be better than Hillary Clinton with 35 years experience.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can fix an economy on the verge of collapse better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) led the greatest economic expansion, and prosperity in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience fighting for universal health care can get it for you better than Hillary Clinton. Who anticipated this current health care crisis back in 1993, and fought a pitched battle against overwhelming odds to get universal health care for all the American people.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience can manage, and get us out of two wars better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) went to war only when he was convinced that he absolutely had to. Then completed the mission in record time against a nuclear power. AND DID NOT LOSE THE LIFE OF A SINGLE AMERICAN SOLDIER. NOT ONE!
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience saving the environment is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) left office with the greatest amount of environmental cleanup, and protections in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with little or no education experience is better than Hillary Clinton. Whose
husband (Bill Clinton) made higher education affordable for every American. And created higher job demand and starting salary’s than they had ever been before or since.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that Obama with no experience will be better than Hillary Clinton who spent 8 years at the right hand of President Bill Clinton. Who is already on record as one of the greatest Presidents in American history.
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think that you can change the way Washington works with pretty speeches from Obama, rather than with the experience, and political expertise of two master politicians ON YOUR SIDE like Hillary and Bill Clinton..
You Might Be An Idiot!
If you think all those Republicans voting for Obama in the Democratic primaries, and caucuses are doing so because they think he is a stronger Democratic candidate than Hillary Clinton.
Best regards
jacksmith… Working Class
p.s. You Might Be An Idiot!
If you don’t know that the huge amounts of money funding the Obama campaign to try and defeat Hillary Clinton is coming in from the insurance, and medical industry, that has been ripping you off, and killing you and your children. And denying you, and your loved ones the life saving medical care you needed. All just so they can make more huge immoral profits for them-selves off of your suffering…
You see, back in 1993 Hillary Clinton had the audacity, and nerve to try and get quality, affordable universal health care for everyone to prevent the suffering and needless deaths of hundreds of thousands of you each year.
Approx. 100,000 of you die each year from medical accidents from a rush to profit by the insurance, and medical industry. Another 120,000 of you die each year from treatable illness that people in other developed countries don’t die from. And I could go on, and on…
OBAMA AIDE: “WORKING-CLASS VOTERS NOT KEY FOR DEMOCRATS”
DEBATE! DEBATE!! DEBATE!!!…
DEBATE! DEBATE!! DEBATE!!!
It’s time for everyone to face the truth. Barack Obama has no real chance of winning the national election in November at this time. His crushing defeat in Pennsylvania makes that fact crystal clear. His best, and only real chance of winning in November is on a ticket with Hillary Clinton as her VP.
Hillary Clinton seemed almost somber at her Pennsylvania victory speech. As if part of her was hoping Obama could have proved he had some chance of winning against the republican attack machine, and their unlimited money, and resources.
But it is absolutely essential that the democrats take back the Whitehouse in November. America, and the American people are in a very desperate condition now. And the whole World has been doing all that they can to help keep us propped up.
Hillary Clinton say’s that the heat, and decisions in the Whitehouse are much tougher than the ones on the campaign trail. But I think Mr. Obama faces a test of whether he has what it takes to be a commander and chief by facing the difficult facts, and the truth before him. And by doing what is best for the American people by dropping out of the race, and offering his whole hearted assistance to Hillary Clinton to help her take back the Whitehouse for the American people, and the World.
Mr. Obama is a great speaker. And I am confident he can explain to the American people the need, and wisdom of such a personal sacrifice for them. It should be clear to everyone by now that Hillary Clinton is fighting her heart out for the American people. She has known for a long time that Mr. Obama can not win this November. You have to remember that the Clinton’s have won the Whitehouse twice before. They know what it takes.
If Mr. Obama fails his test of commander and chief we can only hope that Hillary Clinton can continue her heroic fight for the American people. And that she prevails. She will need all the continual support and help we can give her. She may fight like a superhuman. But she is only human.
Sen. Hillary Clinton: “You know, more people have now voted for me than have voted for my opponent. In fact, I now have more votes than anybody has ever had in a primary contest for a nomination. And it’s also clear that we’ve got nine more important contests to go.”
Sincerely
Jacksmith… Working Class
People…If you believe anything JackSmith says about Clinton…You R an idiot.
C
This is one situation that has me “smh”. I havent had too much faith in Barack Obama. I just dont see the big “Change” dream picture that he’s painting. He has always seemed phony to me and untrustworthy. When I heard him mention that he has always knew of Rev. Wrights thoughts and opinions, it bothered me because he felt it ok to continue to go to his church. To be an active member and to have this man apart of his life. He said that he couldnt denounce him. My question is why not? You claim not to have the same beliefs as this man, yet you couldnt cut him loose UNTIL what he said began to affect your campaign? Its bogus to me. His ability to get rid of ppl that affects his chances of winning the election in a negative way makes me weary of him. In the real world he would be considered a “Fair Weather Friend”. As long as things are good, we cool. But as soon as a situation comes up that I’m not cool with or it might affect me in a bad way…I dont know you. It makes him look unreliable.
I don’t really see what the problem is. Wright is a pastor, Obama a politician. Obama wants some change and based his publicity on it. That’s what makes him popular, right? What Wright says is not that extreme (except the part about 9/11 which is a bit far fetched) and after all, it is an opinion which is shared by many. Obama can perfectly go to the services of Mister Wright and enjoy his religious teachings and not agree on all his political statements. I don’t really see where the problem is…
Now, as I said, Obama is a politician (just like Clinton and McCain) and that means he has to have some flaw. His seems to be a bit too revolutionary and at the same time not assume it too well. McCain’s one is to be a soldier instead of a statesman (I have nothing against soldiers, I was one myself, but I am afraid it is not a good enough qualification for a President). Clinton’s obvious flaw is that she lacks in political courage, she is a (brilliant) follower not a leader.
Hi, Alphast:
The “problem” – in my opinion – is summed up in the last graph: the politics-as-usual _action_ versus the rhetoric … and its the rhetoric that got early supporters and early caucus support.
Z’s comments go to trust.
The only reason that juvenile, “you must be an idiot” post wasn’t deleted is becaue it was pro-Hillary. This site has become an arm of the Hillary election campaign, offering little more than a series of attacks on Obama.
Not that the attacks have anything to do with Obama’s skin tone…heavens no!
Miles
Hello, Miles… see post #3 in rebuttal.
I don’t actively moderate comments, except for profanity and personal (ie, directed at a poster in the comment thread) attacks.
I love it when people think they can read my mind, though! It gives me a giggle.