Barack Obama and Race

Barack Obama's address on Race today in Philadelphia was a desperate bid to save his presidential prospects in the light of release of videotapes of his pastor, Jeremiah Wright's sermons. While much of the mainstream media has tried to downplay the story, Obama had obviously come to the conclusion that it was major news-and it was threatening to kill his campaign. While reactions to the speech are still playing out, I would like to comment on my reaction at this time.

Without repeating the various lines in his speech, suffice to say that, like most of his speeches, Obama's prepared remarks today were typically eloquent-especially in contrast to when he is answering questions on uncomfortable topics-as he was this week on the TV news circuit. The problem with the speech was, as I see it, that he tried to appeal to everyone, and, in the process, may have alienated everyone with the obvious exception of those who choose to believe and accept whatever he says because he is their guy......(cont)

gary fouse
Irvine, ca
fousesquawk
http://garyfouse.blogspot.com

Obama's statement today did not satisfactorily address his relationship to Wright. Whatever his grandmother might have said, I doubt it could rise to the level of "God damn America" or "We asked for 9/11" as shouted from the pulpit by Rev. Wright. Nor can Grand-Ma's racist statements to a few people compare to the hundreds, possibly thousands of people over the years in Wright's congregation who were subjected to his racist/hateful sermons. In the background of those recordings were the loud "amens" of his congregation; apparently in support of Wright's ideology. While a member of that congregation Obama must have stood-up and cheered "Amen!" along with the rest of the congregation every week. It is a statistical marvel that over 20 years Obama has managed to never be present when any hateful/racist statements were made by Wright. Would Wright, with his strong unabashed "public" statements, not mention nor discuss any of them with Obama at the "personal" level, one-on-one? Obama likened Wright to be as close as a "family member." He can't have it both ways: Either he was "close" and so, had to have known of Wright's ideology, or their friendship was so "distant" that he could not have recognized Wright's ideology? It's difficult to fathom how he could have made Wright the "religious compass" of his campaign without knowing of Wright's statements. Most people change churches when the Pastor preaches the opposite of what they believe. Obama had to at some level agreed with the Pastor's vile ideology, AND accepted it--otherwise, such a hateful/racist person as Wright would have repulsed any true "non-racist" person. We need to a more complete understanding of Obama's "real" core beliefs before we make him our President.