Spring Break
Obama should not have apologized for Wright's comments
Sean Reed
Issue date: 5/5/08 Section: Opinion
Barack Obama is mad at his former pastor. And he wants to make sure everybody knows it.
Last Monday, Rev. Jeremiah Wright held a press conference to respond to criticism of his sermons in the media and called said criticism an "attack on the Black church."
But he didn't stop there.
Wright also took the opportunity to revisit some of his more controversial gems, including his belief that the U.S. government purposely introduced the AIDS virus to the Black community as a means of genocide.
"Based on the Tuskegee experiment … I believe the U.S. government is capable of anything," he said.
Naturally, the press jumped on these comments and speculation ran wild as to what effects these comments would have on the Obama campaign.
Responding to the criticism, Obama unequivocally denounced Wright's comments, and, even more, the man himself.
It's a sad end to a 20-plus year relationship, to be sure. And it didn't even need to end this way.
Just six weeks ago, when Obama responded to similar statements by his pastor, the issue should have died.
Amidst a similar media circus, Obama denounced the comments, but not the man, and called for understanding, rather than outright condemnation. And, surprisingly, it worked.
The media calmed down, his opponents' cries of the danger of Obama's association with such dangerous opinions fell on deaf ears and the campaign continued, relatively untainted.
This time, however, by denouncing his preacher and admitting his critics have been right about Wright all along, he has given his opponents the ammunition he had so cleverly denied them just a few short weeks ago.
What's more disappointing than Obama's tactical error, however, is the fact that this has even become an issue.
Obama's pastor's views, while most certainly influential on his former congregants, have nothing to do with this campaign, and, in the realm of boneheaded comments made by religious leaders, aren't even close to being some of the worst that have been made.
Last Monday, Rev. Jeremiah Wright held a press conference to respond to criticism of his sermons in the media and called said criticism an "attack on the Black church."
But he didn't stop there.
Wright also took the opportunity to revisit some of his more controversial gems, including his belief that the U.S. government purposely introduced the AIDS virus to the Black community as a means of genocide.
"Based on the Tuskegee experiment … I believe the U.S. government is capable of anything," he said.
Naturally, the press jumped on these comments and speculation ran wild as to what effects these comments would have on the Obama campaign.
Responding to the criticism, Obama unequivocally denounced Wright's comments, and, even more, the man himself.
It's a sad end to a 20-plus year relationship, to be sure. And it didn't even need to end this way.
Just six weeks ago, when Obama responded to similar statements by his pastor, the issue should have died.
Amidst a similar media circus, Obama denounced the comments, but not the man, and called for understanding, rather than outright condemnation. And, surprisingly, it worked.
The media calmed down, his opponents' cries of the danger of Obama's association with such dangerous opinions fell on deaf ears and the campaign continued, relatively untainted.
This time, however, by denouncing his preacher and admitting his critics have been right about Wright all along, he has given his opponents the ammunition he had so cleverly denied them just a few short weeks ago.
What's more disappointing than Obama's tactical error, however, is the fact that this has even become an issue.
Obama's pastor's views, while most certainly influential on his former congregants, have nothing to do with this campaign, and, in the realm of boneheaded comments made by religious leaders, aren't even close to being some of the worst that have been made.
Viewing Comments 1 - 8 of 10
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 5/05/08 @ 3:17 AM MST
Big difference Sean. On one hand you have some bigots that supported someones campaign. You can raise the question of why or did they seek the support from these pastors. (Continued…)
Wright's Roosting Chickens
posted 5/05/08 @ 7:44 AM MST
Nice stab at rewriting history but six weeks isn't enough time for attentive folks to forget what actually happened in Philly.
Obama's speech in Philly (framed by all those magnificent patriotic flags!) took real balls. (Continued…)
Who is this Man with Obama?
posted 5/05/08 @ 8:02 AM MST
Instead publishing these refried Obama campaign talking points on Rev. Wright, it'd be nice if some aspiring editorial journalist explained something truly hard for average Americans to understand. (Continued…)
Andy I
posted 5/05/08 @ 10:48 AM MST
What more can I say, Sean? The previous commenters blew you out of the water.
Maybe it is time for you to stop drinking Obama Koolaid?
Or just simply stop being a political hack posing as a "jornalist" and get a honest job in trash collection?
Evelyn
Registered Independent
posted 5/05/08 @ 1:00 PM MST
RESPONSE TO WRIGHT'S ROOSTING CHICKENS:
That was a first-rate analysis you wrote, whomever you are.
Wright is a despicable person, and Obama just isn't going to be able to shake off the taint of having attended his church for 20 years. (Continued…)
Evelyn
Registered Independent
posted 5/05/08 @ 2:05 PM MST
Response to Mr. Hawley,
Yes, I read all the arguments this morning!
I didn't intentionally abandon the discussion last week. (Never!) I was hospitalized for 4 days with pneumonia, and resting up at home yesterday. (Continued…)
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 5/05/08 @ 3:12 PM MST
Hey Evelyn I will keep you in my prayers and hope that you are back in the swing of things soon.
I would never think you would abandon anything. You are much to tenacious. (Continued…)
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 5/06/08 @ 12:07 PM MST
Obama is going nuts as OPERATION CHAOS is working and prolonging the campaign he is trying to bring to a close.
Man this is to funny. The Dems who screamed one man one vote in the last election , are the party with the most convoluted primary process of all. (Continued…)
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