Within the past few weeks, Rev. Jeremiah Wright has become a frenzy in the media. Formerly, he has claimed that the U.S created the HIV virus to exterminate minority races. This obviously has caused some outrage. But at the time Obama only denounced what the Reverend said, not the man himself. Now, however, when the Indiana and North Carolina primaries are nearing does he show complete outrage by the Reverends actions. Obama is now saying that, "His comments were not only divisive and destructive, I believe they end up giving comfort to those who pray on hate," Rev Wright also claims that "If Senator Obama did not say what he said, he would never get elected," and, "Politicians say what they say and do what they do based on electability, based on sound bites, based on polls."
Is the pastor hinting that Obama secretly complies with his own beliefs, or is he just denouncing politics in general? Obama has stated that "He is not the same man I met 20 years ago" and claims to hardly relate to his beliefs. Is Obama just making up for lost votes by suddenly becoming outraged? It seems to me that he should have dealt with it more harsh when he actually made the comment. Doesn't it seem strange that now, when its time for the primaries, that he is so outraged? Is his sudden change of heart going to win him any votes? What do you guys think?
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I think that it just shows that Obama is a politician, just like everyone else running for president. He's just doing what he can to get votes, and while it seems kinda bad, everyone has to play the game, otherwise they'll be at a disadvantage. For this though... I'm not sure if it would really give Obama any extra votes or not.
When I was listening to a story about this on the radio, they replayed some of his earlier comments on this issue. One of the most damaging right now: "I can no more disown him than I can the black community". Well, Mr. Obama, what are you doing to the black community now? This is all coming back to bite him in an unbelievably huge way. I'm surprised he hasn't just paid Rev. Wright off or something, because again from KCBS: "If Rev. Wright had set off to do as much damage to Obama as possible, he would have succeeded".
The effect of this may be too early to tell even by the "insta-polls", but there are some ominous signs... http://www.realclearpolitics.com/epolls/2008/president/in/indiana_democratic_primary-639.html
Obama gave a qualified defense of Wright a few weeks ago. He tried to put Wright's inflammatory remarks into a broader historical context of racial resentments, black and white, and in the context of a good person who did a lot of good for the community at large.
Now, Wright pops up, makes several staged public appearances, and chooses to repeat some of his more asinine and paranoid views (the government created HIV?? Say what?) He also suggested that Obama wasn't sincere in his speech on race.
Usually politicians get burned when they try to wade into complex realities, but Obama pulled it off the first time. But that wasn't good enough, apparently, for Wright, and Obama has every reason to be ticked off that Wright didn't show the same kind of grace and loyalty towards Obama that Obama offered to him.
Wright is stuck in the 1960s. Obama moved on, but respects his history. There is nothing inconsistent in showing respect to Wright without signing on to his platform, and then getting annoyed when respect for Obama's ideas weren't offered in return.
The unfortunate reality is that Wright actually believes some pretty ridiculous things and that he played up racial resentments over the course of his career -- and more than a few people in the black community agree with Wright.
If Wright were to acknowledge that there was a grain of truth to Obama's criticism of mutual racial resentments, then he'd have to admit that he was part of the problem and not part of the solution. So I understand why Wright defended himself this past week. (His timing was pretty crappy, politically speaking, however, and that makes this extra personal.)
But that doesn't mean there is anything inconsistent in Obama's responses. First, he told the country that there was more to Wright than the most far-out comments -- and there is (most of the Wright interview with Bill Moyers is pretty interesting and reasonable). But if Wright insists on defending those far-out comments, why should Obama continue to defend him? And when push comes to shove, will the black community turn to the past, or to the future?
This whole episode is going to do a lot of good, if it doesn't sink Obama's chances.
Well, I think there are a couple reasons why Obama denounced Reverend Wright and distanced himself from him too. One reason is electibility, so in a way I agree with the Reverend. There are countless times when politicians have said things just to please the public. I think many Americans were unsure about Obama's character because of his past relations with the Reverend, and Obama knew it. So, I think he is finally separting himself completely from the Reverend so that he can finally convince people that he is not like the Reverend. Another reason, the more honorable reason, is that Obama finally had it with the Reverend. Wright has made terrible accusations and comments to the public, so maybe Obama is just sick and tired of being indifferent to the Reverend. He finally decided to be done with him. I think Obama did the right thing because it will help his electibility; Wright was hurting Obama's chances. And Obama seems like the kind of person who would never agree with Wright on his wild opinions, so separting himself from Wright is good.
I think it is pretty ridiculous that there are people who think things like that in general, sir pastor for example. But I guess it just shows even more how our system for electing politicians is flawed. Usually it only takes 25% of Americans to chose the president, give or take some percents. What I have problems with is that are system is almost down the line winner take all when it comes to race and religion. This contest has become Hillary won 80% of the white working class vote whereas Obama won 95% of the Black vote. Why is it so split. It is a joke that it is not 50-50. Every four years half the religions/races lose and half win. Sorry, but yes I do think it is ridiculous that Obama is doing this because he is only trying to become more electable to those who are not currently 100% voting for him. And to his comment he has changed since he first met him, of course he has. Probably has less hair and is a little bit more aged but peoples ideas and beliefs do not usually change significantly because if they did our justice system would be wrong and there would be no reason to lock someone up if they can change within a day. I just can't wait to hear Obama's next lie cause he is able to either avoid or barely confront a lot of his problems that will make him a bad president.
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