Letters to the Editor
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I certainly hope my friends aren't painted with the things I say.
If they are, they would all be labeled assholes.
This is such a non-issue, I can't believe it still has legs. Ferraro ain't Clinton and Wright ain't Obama.
We really should be concerning ourselves with real issues like flag pins.
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They aren't talking now?
But what about the 20 year relationship?
Is Obama ready to disown the man? He said before that he couldn't do that.
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Obama stands up to Wright
And it's good that he has, because he's his own man.
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Hardball Politics
I have a theory about the Pastor Wright speaking tour presently underway, which all the pundits are saying is Obama's worst nightmare, and which Obama appears to be validating by seemingly distancing himself from Wright. This seems to be the same political "trick" as McCain's "protestations" about the North Carolina Republican Party's ads linking the local Dems to Wright/Obama. McCain can appear to take the high road but actually making the NC ad effectively run nationally.
In Obama's case, I cant believe Wright would be doing this only in the interest of "clearing his name and defending the black church" without some coordination with the Obama campaign. I believe the calculation is that by Wright speaking out now, Democrats will get the issue out on their time table. The Republicans werent going to let the issue die, but probably would have preferred to resurrect it closer to November, which they still can do, but now Obama has the issue out and in a format which they can control.
I suspect part of the calculation is a determination of which voters will be influenced to change their vote on this issue. The hard right white workers will never change so it makes no difference. The African American vote cannot be taken for granted, thus the need to keep them energized which Wright is doing well. The key sector is the middle independent white group who I suspect might be influenced to resolve any guilt they may feel, and Wright, frankly, seems a much milder and intelligent black spokeman, not in the Jackson/Sharpton mold.
Of course, its all a calculation and if I'm right, it's truly hardball.
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Wright
He is more concerned about the people than Obama.
I have great respect for him as a White Atheist.
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On the other hand...
What has Wright said that is so Wrong? Of course, no politician can be as bold, edgy or even funny as Wright can be. But I hope Obama doesn't have to put the guy down in order to distance himself.
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20 year relationship with what?
myiq2xu:
Obama went to a church and Wright was its pastor. I don't know about you, but a church is a community that goes way beyond its leader. There are several issues with which the Priest at my church and I disagree. Some of the things he has said have been inspiring and others a simply discard. But we have never thought of that as a reason for leaving. and still volunteer for things because we have become part of that church's community.
Think of it. If this Wright issue is the worse thing you have on Obama, he is in pretty good shape.
For me, the worse things are his votes on Bankruptcy, Blackwater, the Bush energy policy, continuing to fund the war and his tendency to praise incredibly flawed former Republican President policies, among other things. (And he's my candidate. Well at least among who is left)
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Let;s be honest here
does anyone really pay attention when their in church? I haven't been in years, but all I remember is daydreaming and being bored out of my mind.
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saintzak, that's a GREAT plan for Obama
He can just say he was bored and daydreaming all the time in church. I hope he says that!
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Gee, Thanks, Alex!
I just wanted to personally thank you for this stunning story about HRC and the Family. I mean, willing participation in a very cult-like far-right-wing religious fundamentalist group? What could be more shocking than that?
Oh, sorry, you're talking about some guy's former pastor. My bad!
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Give it up
For all of you vainly trying to minimize Obama's relationship with Wright: the latter was not simply the candidate's pastor, far from it, and this according to Obama himself. Wright was his spiritual mentor, remember? The one he picked. The one he has written about. The one he dedicated a book to. The Wright horse is out of the barn and there's no use trying to transmogrify him into a mere dust mote.
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@ Typesbad
Sincere Congratulations.
Although we disagree on our candidate, "at least among who is [are] left," I want to congratulate you on your ability to see Obama's flaws and still be a supporter. That open and reflective approach from an Obama supporter is rare on these pages.
As a Hillary Clinton supporter, I am not fond of piling on Obama for his choice of a flawed spiritual adviser. I am more concerned with his tendency to capitulate to Republican policies, ideas and talking points, and the character assassination of the Clintons that he allows through his surrogates.
Regardless, fairly or unfairly, Obama is getting neatly tied to this rather bombastic and irreverent reverend by the radio talk show media, as well as the MSM. The problem for Obama is that it fits with a narrative of anti-Americanism and hatred that angers, fightens and offends people. It is highly likely that Obama's 20 years of worship with Reverend Wright will seem inexcusable when repeatedly tied to the worst negativity and paranoia of Reverend Wright's sermons. The Republicans and their media friends are already doing it, and the drumbeat will only grow.
The repetition of this theme through replay of oral sermons along with a visual linkage of Obama and Wright will eventually take its toll, even if you (and I) think that Obama's relationship with Wright is a tertiary issue.
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I love Rev. Wright
Just when I thought all was lost, a racist anti-American preacher from hell and heaven arrives riding high on his own hot air racing across the sky grabbing Barrack Hussein Obama down from his altar much like Hades wrenching Persephone back from her mother. GOD BLESS Rev. Wright and his ego because what common sense and good people could not seem to do your ego did.
Clinton is LEADING Obama and McCain by 8 points in the national polls. Go Wright go, go Wright go.....