Obama: "Not This Time"

Barack Obama could have responded to the controversy that has been ginned up with regard to comments made by his former pastor with a safe and predictable speech. The politically "smart" strategy -- counseled by some Obama allies -- would have been to have the Democratic presidential contender focus on concerns about the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr.'s critique of U.S. foreign policy and then distance himself from any offending sentiments.

But Obama did not do the politically "smart" thing.

He did the right thing. And that is why his campaign will weather this storm.

The Illinois senator recognized that the media-driven dialogue about sermons delivered by Wright had little to do with the content of the pastor's words and everything to do with the color of the pastor's -- and the candidate's -- skin.

So Obama seized the opportunity to open up a dialogue about the role of race in America, turning a political challenge into what the late Paul Wellstone referred to as "a teaching moment."

Watch the video:

At the most basic level, Obama did what the media has failed to do. He presented Wright and Wright's comments on U.S. domestic and foreign policies in context: the context of the African-American religious experience, the context of the candidate's connection to the church and, above all, the context of this country's unresolved experience of what Obama correctly refers to as "the original sin" of the American experiment -- human bondage -- and its legacy.

The speech was masterful in this regard. Obama took the time to explore questions that rarely if ever get a fair hearing in American politics. He avoided cheap theatrics, such as an blunt rejection of Wright as an individual or a spiritual leader. "Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely -- just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed," the senator acknowledged.

"But," Obama added, "the truth is that isn't all that I know of the man. The man I met more than twenty years ago is a man who helped introduce me to my Christian faith, a man who spoke to me about our obligations to love one another; to care for the sick and lift up the poor. He is a man who served his country as a U.S. Marine; who has studied and lectured at some of the finest universities and seminaries in the country, and who for over thirty years led a church that serves the community by doing God's work here on Earth - by housing the homeless, ministering to the needy, providing day care services and scholarships and prison ministries, and reaching out to those suffering from HIV/AIDS."

The was not merely gracious, it was instructive. Indeed, it was an essential component of the "teaching moment" – the part that made the rest of what Obama was saying more real and credible.

The other part of what made this particular "teaching moment" so successful was the candidate's recognition that it was not merely his task to open up a deeper discussion. He also had to challenge his listeners.

Obama issued that challenge in what was the essential section of what may well be the essential speech of the 2008 campaign -- and, if Obama succeeds, of the presidential campaigns of the future.

"Let us find that common stake we all have in one another, and let our politics reflect that spirit as well," the senator told the crowd in Philadelphia and the millions who tuned in via radio, television and the internet.

After too many campaigns diverted into the void of Willie Horton smears and Swift-Boat charges, Barack Obama called American politics to a higher ground:

For we have a choice in this country. We can accept a politics that breeds division, and conflict, and cynicism. We can tackle race only as spectacle--as we did in the OJ trial--or in the wake of tragedy, as we did in the aftermath of Katrina - or as fodder for the nightly news. We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election, and make the only question in this campaign whether or not the American people think that I somehow believe or sympathize with his most offensive words. We can pounce on some gaffe by a Hillary supporter as evidence that she's playing the race card, or we can speculate on whether white men will all flock to John McCain in the general election regardless of his policies.

That is one option. Or, at this moment, in this election, we can come together and say, "Not this time." This time we want to talk about the crumbling schools that are stealing the future of black children and white children and Asian children and Hispanic children and Native American children. This time we want to reject the cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn; that those kids who don't look like us are somebody else's problem. The children of America are not those kids, they are our kids, and we will not let them fall behind in a 21st century economy. Not this time.

Comments (241)

1. Bravo!

   I have to say he did a fine job of it too---and the mere fact of it is going to really piss some people off and make them more shrill and strident than ever.

   Posted by Lil at 03/18/2008 @ 12:18pm

2. If this works he may have taken the wind out of the Republican swiftboating thats likely to come in the fall. Imagine that an election where we actually DISCUSS the issues and how we plan on fixing them. The republicans wont stand a chance.

   carol

   Posted by harriscrl3 at 03/18/2008 @ 12:25pm

3. Nation....do you proof read anything? I mean for crying out use your damn spell checker.

   Posted by jro555 at 03/18/2008 @ 12:27pm

4. FRANKSHITSZ: Case in point. Their panties are all twisted up in a seething knot.

   Posted by Lil at 03/18/2008 @ 12:27pm

5. Superb. And he wrote it himself. Historic, intelligent, honest, often eloquent, personal, elevated, dignified. The postives go on & on.

   He TOWERS above the opposition.

   Billary must be choking on their bile. If they had any class, they'd fold. But they have no class, we've learned that much over the years.

   Now is THE TIME for the SuperDs to get off their duffs & commit. Stop Billary now, before Billary tear the party apart. Above all, that means Carter & Gore & Edwards.

   Posted by sloper at 03/18/2008 @ 12:28pm

6. frankshitz-Reality is that it is you people who are committing treason by selling America to the Chinese.Please,try and love America rather than destroy her.Better yet just move to China.

   Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 12:30pm

7. He didn't waver, didn't spin...Obama tackled this very difficult subject head-on and did an awesome job. No way in heck could Hillary ever be as eloquent or honest if she were to be in the same position. Bravo Barack!!

   Posted by PrairieRobin at 03/18/2008 @ 12:32pm

8. Obama's speech accomplishes two unusual things.

   Firstly, it directs attention away from manufactured questions like "Does Obama hate America?" which are created purely by insinuation, guilt by association, and the removal of context and meaning from the words of an honest and courageous black preacher who was deliberately trying to provoke and to challenge, and to condemn America's status quo, but not her promise.

   Secondly, it directs attention toward the real issues that ought to be the focus of every political campaign. How are we investing our common wealth to the benefit of this generation and generations to come? How might we do better?

   It sure doesn't happen often that a politician calls a time-out in the game of politics to say a few pointed and critical words about how the game is played. Much more could be said: about campaign finance reform, about proportional representation, about systemic disenfranchisement, and about the corporate consolidation of the media. But Obama's time-out at least creates some space for this broader discussion.

   As Wendell Berry once said: "Desire will always outreach the possible. But to accomplish the possible is to enlarge it."

   Thank you, Barack Obama.

   Posted by JakobFabian at 03/18/2008 @ 12:35pm

9. Somehow I think Frankshitsz would say the same thing about King's "I have a dream speech", or Kennedy's inaugural speech.

   I guess I was watching a different speech because I felt this was one of the most profound and honest political speeches ever on the subject of race in America. Obama is absolutely right. The politics of spectacle and cynicism that are perpetuated by the mainstream media continues to keep us divided over worthless differences. Until we unite, we can never hope to move this country forward, or compete in the new global economy. What is not to like about that message? Who can argue with that? It is the message that all progressive leaders should be pushing to move this country forward.

   The honesty of this speech also shows just how much faith Obama really does have in the American people. He didn't dumb down or simplify the issues. He tackled them head on and asked Americans to do the same. This is a preview of how amazing it would be to have him as our President, something that people who have read his book "Deams from my Father" have known for years.

   Posted by kimbiaje at 03/18/2008 @ 12:36pm

10. I didn't catch the speech but Nichols' excerpt is exceptionally well crafted.

    But if you print George W. Bush's speeches, they're pretty idealistic and uplifting too. In fact, that "cynicism that tells us that these kids can't learn" thing is one of W's stock lines.

    I'm tired of looking at this guy's cookbook. I want to see something that came out of the kitchen.

    Posted by MyParadigm at 03/18/2008 @ 12:37pm

11. Good speech....mind you, again, Wright apologists...note this line-

    "with his most offensive words." Not "overly passionate, but correct" words...and certainly not "the truth White America needed to hear".

    I congratulate Senator Obama for confronting the issue of race, but not in the way some radicals (and mostly white liberals) want him to.

    Also, don't look for the Right to drop it...they can't win on the issues.

    Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 12:39pm

12. But if you print George W. Bush's speeches, they're pretty idealistic and uplifting too.----Posted by MYPARADIGM 03/18/2008 @ 12:37pm

    Boy, it sure takes a Hillary'ite to PUT DOWN "idealism" and "uplifting" material by saying "oh, Bush does that stuff too!"

    Guess it's kind of an admission that Her Majesty is FAR from idealistic or uplifting, huh?

    Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 12:41pm

13. Folks....you are kidding yourselves....more tapes are coming out soon....with OSAMA in the pews screaming hell yeah.....This nitwit is done......

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 12:43pm

14. Barack Obama is a leader, masquerading as a politician.

    Posted by nicR at 03/18/2008 @ 12:43pm

15. This was one of the most courageous and eloquent speeches in our political history.

    Posted by nematode at 03/18/2008 @ 12:46pm

16. frankshitz-This will be forgotten about in a month.Americans like to forget and move on to the next thing.Sorry,traitor.Go back to selling America to China.That's all you people know how to do.Well,that and lose wars,ruin the economy,and weaken our military.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 12:53pm

17. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/18/us/politics/18text-obama.html

    Reda it all here.

    Posted by sloper at 03/18/2008 @ 12:55pm

18. It's "proofread," not "proof read."

    If Reverend Wright were Idi Amin, I'd still want Obama to prevail over Clinton and McCain. He's vastly superior to both, though I imagine nothing he said today is going to change the mind of certain voters living in Ohio and Florida, for whom no politician can ever be sufficiently provincial and backward-thinking.

    Posted by Adscititious at 03/18/2008 @ 12:55pm

19. My oh my oh my oh my! I'll have to catch the entire speech later but that sounds pretty impressive. So, let us put our money where our mouths are. We cry about dirty campaigns then can't get enough of them while they run. We beg for candidates to speak about real issues, and for Christ's sake, don't we have some real issues buzzing all round us in regards to the WAR, RECESSION, ENVIRONMENT, GAS PRICES, FOOD PRICES, CRIME, HEALTHCARE COSTS, SOCIAL SECURITY, TAX BREAKS FOR THE RICH, SUBSIDIZED CORPORATE CARE, LACK OF PREVENTION INITIATIVES IN DEALING WITH DRUG AND ALCOHOL ADDICTION, SKY ROCKETING PROPERTY TAXES, PISS POOR INNER CITY EDUCATION, MISSING AND EXPLOITED CHILDREN, DESTRUCTION OF OUR CONSTITUTION, LOSS OF CIVIL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS, LIES ABOUT TERROR THREATS, AND ON AND ON AND ON????????????? OR do we want to talk about one pastor who happens to be Black and cry foul because he told the truth, just like so many others who believe America is somehow responsible for 9/11? White Christian leader Pat Robertson called for the assassination of a democratically elected leader of an independent nation, but how long did you care, especially when he came out for Rudy? Another Dickhead White Christian leader Falwell blamed 9/11 on Liberals, the ACLU, Pro-Choice people and of course, those dreaded GAYYYYYYYS! BUT WHO GAVE A REAL SHIT ABOUT THAT AND FOR HOW LONG? Last time I checked, half of Americans are lumped into his group in some way. In fact, more than half of Americans are pro choice and if you add in the other factors, Rev Jerry was talking about American's as being responsible for 9/11 BUT WHO GAVE A SHIT and how many of you geniuses were even smart enough to figure that out?

    But now we have a Black man who stands a real chance of getting elected by the majority of Americans. A black man facing one of the most incredible times in our history regarding real issues of poverty, health, healthcare, jobs, mortgages, schools, taxes, war and more but all you assholes on the left and the right want to talk about is his fucking pastor and how it somehow relates to him. Put up or shut the fuck up okay.

    Posted by Lucem ferre at 03/18/2008 @ 12:57pm

20. Frankshitsz, you seem like a very, very angry guy. Why not lighten up or, if you can't do that, maybe go to another site where you're more comfortable. Your posts are really nasty.

    Posted by Orkin at 03/18/2008 @ 12:59pm

21. 1.Obama listens to Wright spew racist venom X 20 yrs

    2. Obama has qualms about wearing a US flag lapel

    3.Michelle O says she has never been proud of her country until now (now that Barak is running for president)

    4. Barak doesn't put his hand over his heart when 'Star Spangled Banner' is played on campaign trail.

    I think I can connect those dots.

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 1:01pm

22. Posted by MASK 03/18/2008 @ 12:41pm

    My actual point, which I'm quite wary of making in this forum which has become quite the amen corner, is that Barack Obama is the Democrats' George W. Bush. Seems like a great guy, just the man we need right now, turns out to be a total screwup.

    Posted by MyParadigm at 03/18/2008 @ 1:03pm

23. frankshitz-Then go back to playing with your connect the dots book and let the adults discuss this.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 1:03pm

24. One more word in the defense of the Reverend Wright:

    When we speak of "context" and of the removal of words from their proper context, one of the things we have to consider is how a speaker tailors his speech to his audience.

    Wright's audience was primarily black, and knowing his audience, Wright surely knew the efficacy of the occasional "us-versus-them" rhetoric. Liberals know this and conservatives know this. Let your audience imagine that your social criticism is directed primarily at somebody else, and you will bring them onto your side. THEN, once you have their attention, you can expand their horizons.

    Obama's audience is primarily white. Therefore, Wright's sermon doesn't work for Obama's audience, since it blames primarily this audience -- that is, primarily Whites. No preacher aims most of the blame for the status quo at his or her audience, not even if this is the ultimate purpose of the sermon -- and moving one's congregation to see itself as co-responsible for the evils it deplores IS the ultimate purpose of most sermons, and probably the aim of most of Wright's sermons, too.

    Neither passion nor correctness wins over an audience. Tailoring one's words to suit one's audience does. Such tailoring need not be a distortion of the truth -- and neither Wright's nor Obama's speeches distort the truth. But you have to speak differently toward people who suffer more oppression than they inflict and toward those who -- however unwittingly -- inflict more oppression than they suffer. You have to take seriously the perspective of your listeners, and you need to recognize their parochial truth before you push them to recognize that their truth is part of a broader, more inclusive reality.

    Both Wright and Obama accomplish this objective in their own way -- but for different audiences.

    Posted by JakobFabian at 03/18/2008 @ 1:05pm

25. An example, just one example of how stupid Americans are. We are "allowed" by law to make movies and take pictures of naked adults doing every imaginable sexual act, for money. After paying them to have sex, we are then "allowed" to sell the movies and photos to other adults in legitimate well respected stores, on line, through and in magazines etc. I am allowed to pay for a copy of people having sex with each other and view it for my pleasure. The money I pay for that movie, video or picture goes in part to the person or persons having sex with each other, therefore, I am legally paying for two people to have sex with each other and for me to have access to using their sexual acts, which I paid for, to pleasure myself or to be used to inspire myself and others to higher states of arousal. All this is legal yet I am not "allowed" to pay a woman or man for straight up sex with me. HMMM! I can pay them to have sex with each other but not with me. WOW! and I'm worried about what Obama's preacher said about 9/11? Okay!

    Posted by Lucem ferre at 03/18/2008 @ 1:06pm

26. "Barack Obama is the Democrats' George W. Bush. Seems like a great guy, just the man we need right now, turns out to be a total screwup. Posted by MYPARADIGM 03/18/2008 @ 1:03pm"

    A dumber analogy would be hard to find, but you'll surely produce one.

    Posted by sloper at 03/18/2008 @ 1:06pm

27. Nobody dont flatter yourself

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 1:07pm

28. Osama has no more right to invoke slavery than a white man. He's first generation African American because his father was an African in Africa and his ancestors never experienced slavery. His white mother may have benefitted through ancestral ownership of slaves, or she may not have. Bottom line, his words ring hollow. Hollow like his so-called experience

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 1:07pm

29. Posted by MYPARADIGM 03/18/2008 @ 1:03pm

    Oh, brother. So now Hillary'ites are CLAIRVOYENTS? You KNOW that Obama will be a "screw up"?

    Gee, maybe she should have used some of that clairvoyance back in 2002 when she voted for the war, huh?

    Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 1:09pm

30. Frankshitz-I wasn't flattering myself.I was just trying to see if you could go play so adults can discuss this.Do your posts mean that you won't be voting for Obama?Are you old enough to vote?

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 1:10pm

31. Thanks once again, John, for your insightful remarks re the Obama speech (and, btw, who cares about spell check - sheesh, you're on deadline)

    I double dare FRANKSHITSZ to actually take the time to read O's speech...slowly and carefully. If you don't "get it" after the first go, read it again.

    Eloquent, thoughtful and presidential - how refreshing after 8 years of horseshit.

    Posted by rebeldeb at 03/18/2008 @ 1:14pm

32. Senator Obama's speech rivals many the great speeches of the last one hundred years. He not only hit every major point of race history and what all people want and need but he threaded together those hopes to all people and races. Unfortunately many in out country think like a bumper sticker with no thought or regard for facts. If he can transcend this storm, we may have a future. If not, be prepared for more of the same.

    Posted by Eliot at 03/18/2008 @ 1:16pm

33. Seriously, ya'll...

    Don't feed the troll.

    You notice when MOUTHSHITZ flings poo at the bars of the cage, he'll just throw more and then sit on his rock and masturbate into the feed trough.

    Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 1:16pm

34. Posted by FRANKSHITSZ

    Anything posted by old frank here is a template for all future trolling on all internet forums. I applaud him in his efforts to make a truly ignorant, unenlightened and bigoted troll, it takes some kind of warped world view to spew this bile.

    In the future, don't feed the trolls. Don't respond to kind of crap and have a nice day!

    Posted by Tzimisce at 03/18/2008 @ 1:17pm

35. And one more thing (primarily for you "Mask"):

    The categories "offensive" and "correct" are not mutually exclusive. It must of course be admitted that a speaker who merely offends must fail miserably, no matter how correct he or she may be.

    Hence the necessity for rhetorical strategy and the tailoring of one's message to suit one's audience.

    Posted by JakobFabian at 03/18/2008 @ 1:17pm

36. Mask-You're supposed to feed the poor.It's humanitarian.Trolls are human,too.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 1:18pm

37. Connect these dots: America is evil. america is responsible for killing hundreds of millions of people over the past 250 to 300 years and wiping out entire civilizations. Euro-Americans murdered, raped, tortured, enslaved and brutalized hundreds of millions of people from Alaska to Argentina. How many wars has America been in since WWII? Once you figure that out, add up all the wars by Russia, China and Cuba during that same period of time and tell me what stands out. Remember Korea, Vietnam, Cambodia, Grenada, Croatia, Iraq 1, Kuwait, Iraq 2, Afghanastan, Nicaragua, and so on. then remember all the covert operations in which we dethroned one dictator and put into place another, while we watched as Aparthied ruled South Africa and did nothing. You stupid shits! Wake up! Obama is talking about changing this appetite for blood we have, Cheney and Bush and co. have, the compassionate republicans have and the stupid fucking democrats are tied to. CHANGE FROM THIS IS A GOOD THING STUPID.

    Posted by Lucem ferre at 03/18/2008 @ 1:18pm

38. This speech which I read and Saw live....was made out of political crisis of his own making....not because We the People needed a lecture from a racist follower like Barrack Milhouse Osama....

    Face it folks this half-breed is toast and will lose your nomination

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 1:19pm

39. This is reason enough to applaud Senator Obama and his approach to-date in his candidacy for president. And this conservative is appreciative and grateful for his eloquence in framing the reality of race in America.

    Posted by LVLIBERTY1 03/18/2008 @ 12:52pm

    Sometimes I ignore your posts, but I think I'll stop doing that from now on. Thank you.

    Posted by Tzimisce at 03/18/2008 @ 1:20pm

40. "America is evil"

    Well there you go.....posting the DNC talking points again

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 1:23pm

41. Posted by ORKIN 03/18/2008 @ 12:59pm

    I usually like to hear what everyone who posts here has to say. But Franky made it to the ignore list. He doens't bring anything to the conversations. The guy does nothing but carry on like an infant first learning to say poop and pee. Ignore the fool.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 03/18/2008 @ 1:26pm

42. "Not this time." Right. Like the mainstream media will stop promoting and flogging every smear, every attempt to call into question Obama's patriotism, his love of country. I did not think it was possible for the Democrats to fail this time around, but with the media and Hillary working for the other side, I'm beginning to have some doubts.

    Posted by robgo2 at 03/18/2008 @ 1:27pm

43. Posted by FRANKSHITSZ 03/18/2008 @ 1:23pm, etc., etc., ad infinitum, ad nauseam

    Poor little Frankie. He's gonna hurt his little head with its little pea brain, spewing his verbal vomit. Poor, poor, pathetic little Frankie. Anyone else here find little tantrum boy absolutely hilarious in his pathetic little rages?

    Posted by jmusolino at 03/18/2008 @ 1:30pm

44. Obama hit the head on the nail by comparing Rev. Wright to his white grandmother. They both love him dearly and are part of his family, but BOTH of them make racially insensitive remarks that make Barack cringe. These older people's views were shaped during a different era in which the country was indeed racially polarized to even a greater extent than what we have now. The remarks of these "family" members do not, however, outweigh the love and the good that they also provide to him and others.

    Since no one will ask him to disown his own grandmother, why does he need to do more than reject the unfortunate comments and use it as an opportunity to engage America in an honest discussion about deep-seated anger and resentment held by both races, some of which is well founded anger and some which is totally irrational and self-defeating.

    Blacks blaming whites for "all" things bad in the lives of black people is just as unenlightened as whites blaming blacks and affirmative action for losing their jobs rather than blaming corporations seeking lower wages by moving jobs overseas.

    As the first bi-racial president, Barack has a unique opportunity to speak honestly about this issue to all races in a way that no other candidate can.

    Posted by Metteyya at 03/18/2008 @ 1:30pm

45. "Osama has no more right to invoke slavery than a white man. He's first generation African American because his father was an African in Africa and his ancestors never experienced slavery. His white mother may have benefitted through ancestral ownership of slaves, or she may not have. Bottom line, his words ring hollow. Hollow like his so-called experience"

    I guess Obama was born with White skin and approached at every turn of his life as a White man, which means that his actually being a recognizable Black man with black firends and a Black wife was not a real experience he dealt with in this really racist country. Sounds really intellectual doesn't it. Next time, think before your show your stupidity, it might even sound smarter. At least intellectual racists can come up with clever arguements to take people off point. You, however, lack even that much ability.

    It's so obvious that an intelligent, clever, bright, witty, sensitive, mature, composed Black man scares the hell out of you.

    "Not only can they play ball, but they can think tooooo. We've gots to stop this one from changing the minds of the children who we want to grow up hating then, not believing they're our equals intellectually."

    Posted by Lucem ferre at 03/18/2008 @ 1:32pm

46. I see Obama grabbed my OJ Simpson jury analogy and brushed it into his speech today.

    The parallels between Obama supporters and the OJ Simpson jury members is amazing. And, after his speech today, those with the rose colored glasses will try their darndest to "make it all okay." But, in their hearts and in their souls, they know it's not. A speech on race does, in no way, diminish the facts, or hide from the truth. Purely a diversion on his part, and comments to try to keep the black vote he so desperately needs from this point on.

    Obama is so guilty of being just another politician. And, a really bad one at that.

    Posted by not buying it at 03/18/2008 @ 1:33pm

47. Great speech. One of the better I have ever heard.

    He sure is proving to be a difficult candidate to knock down with cheap shots.

    I take LIBERTY's invitation to discuss the issues in this election. I think most want that as well. Too bad there is a small minorty that don't. With Obama, their task is going to be a challenge.

    Posted by Hman23 at 03/18/2008 @ 1:36pm

48. I admit, the speech brought tears to the eyes of this HRC supporter...It was a moving speech about race and Americans. However, in the end, is BHO REALLY the best one to fix things? I ask not in an arrogant way -- I am not sure of the answer -- simply to say: is it not possible that he is the best one to articulate the pain of race, but not the best one to lead us to solutions?...America has A LOT of problems to fix this time around...

    Posted by KJW at 03/18/2008 @ 1:36pm

49. This is a great example of what Barack Obama does so well. Others spin, react, and play the political game - then Obama calmly steps in and leads. Hillary Clinton can shout and attack all she wants, but she's fighting yesterday's war, not realizing that the rules of the game have changed. Her claims of experience in playing the old game don't really count for much when Obama continues to show an ability to change the game for the better.

    Posted by Be Good at 03/18/2008 @ 1:37pm

50. Posted by NOT BUYING IT 03/18/2008 @ 1:33pm

    H.T.O.T.D.

    Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 1:37pm

51. Posted by MASK 03/18/2008 @ 1:09pm

    For Christ's sake, dude. You're old enough to know the senator from the just-bombed New York could not possibly have been against kicking somebody's ass, especially when she's still trying to win over the folks upstate. In my book, you have a pretty good sense of political reality. I'm a little surprised, you've haven't had any Kool-aid lately have you?

    I'm not the Hillary-ite I was a few months ago. She's been really disappointing. I just can't join this little love-fest, as if he's everyone's new boyfriend. I want to discuss what will happen when the bloom is off the rose. And there's not much sense posting here if you want to do that.

    Posted by MyParadigm at 03/18/2008 @ 1:37pm

52. I believe if Senator Obama faces John McCain this fall, we have the opportunity to seriously discuss the stark differences between the two candidates on these vital issues without descending into personal attacks.

    ...Posted by LVLIBERTY1 03/18/2008 @ 12:52pm

    I don't think we'll see that happen unfortunately. Both sides, have their attack dogs. The job of the attack dog is to come out with the negative attack where the politican gets to play the good guy while distancing him or herself from the attack. But the damage is done and the goal is to get the negative message out there.

    Keep in mind that we have people in this country who read stories about rabbit faced babies, Elvis is alive in Idaho and raises sheep, and believe them. So, I don't think we'll see an end to negative campaigning for quite some time.

    Posted by Wolfgang1 at 03/18/2008 @ 1:37pm

53. And once I wipe away my tears, I am still left wondering: why THAT church? Why 20 years? If you want us to believe you can change our country, why did you not try to change Wright, or your church?

    Posted by KJW at 03/18/2008 @ 1:38pm

54. Posted by JAKOBFABIAN 03/18/2008 @ 1:17pm

    Sorry, did I miss the part where Senator Obama said Rev. Wright was "offensive, but correct"?

    Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 1:39pm

55. Obama made a great speech. Wheather it will be a transforming speech is up to the American people.

    No group has a right to be smug here. Black, white, left, right have all been too eager to make political hay from the chaff of out of context remarks or the actions of a few within a certain segment of society.

    If we understand that people of good intentions can disagree or that a particular remark does not define a person's character, then that will be truly great.

    Posted by RAGGEDSTEP at 03/18/2008 @ 1:39pm

56. America has A LOT of problems to fix this time around...

    Posted by KJW 03/18/2008 @ 1:36pm

    Yes, and a good many of those problems arose over the last 20 years, when the White House was occupied by either a Bush or Clinton.

    Posted by Adscititious at 03/18/2008 @ 1:40pm

57. I didn't get to see his speech but I read it. Wow. Good stuff. He hit on a "taboo" subject to discuss openly in politics (with real honesty) and did so with class.

    Posted by FritztheCat at 03/18/2008 @ 1:40pm

58. You're old enough to know the senator from the just-bombed New York could not possibly have been against kicking somebody's ass, especially when she's still trying to win over the folks upstate. In my book, you have a pretty good sense of political reality.-----Posted by MYPARADIGM 03/18/2008 @ 1:37pm

    If you're admitting that she voted for war for political expendiancy....we agree.

    Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 1:40pm

59. Posted by MASK 03/18/2008 @ 1:40pm

    Spell Check---"expediency"

    Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 1:41pm

60. The message here is don't go to church.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 1:42pm

61. "It's so obvious that an intelligent, clever, bright, witty, sensitive, mature, composed Black man scares the hell out of you"

    Such racists you LIBZ truly are....Your project your racism on others so easily ...

    By the way I LOVE Clarence Thomas.....Seems like he scared the hell out of you LIBZ a few years back.....Remember the look on the Cape Cod Orcas face???....aka Ted Kennedy???

    How about Colin Powell?....Love him....He scared you nitwits too....why??? HE IS CONSERVATIVE...OH MY GOD!!!!!!!

    Anything thats not Marxist HATE AMERICA is like a cross in front of a vampire to you Stalinists....thats why you came to the good reverends defense so quickly....congratulations on you high moral standing...I am sure you are all so proud

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 1:45pm

62. Yep, knew he could do it. Couldn't have said it better myself...

    The narrative is great, now our citizenry need to believe that they are as well.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 03/18/2008 @ 1:47pm

63. frankshitz-I'm sure that you guys are proud that you have ruined the economy,selling America to China,losing wars,and weakening our military.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 1:47pm

64. Posted by LUCEM FERRE 03/18/2008 @ 1:06pm

    Er, (way way off topic) But it's easily remedied-- make a movie yourself...

    Posted by hsuBfools at 03/18/2008 @ 1:48pm

65. -Shitzlips

    you've watched the speech, read the speech, read the blog and posted comments for thirty minutes. You seem to devote an awful lot of your time to this "half-breed" as you say. He must really have you scared.

    Posted by phineasgage at 03/18/2008 @ 1:52pm

66. Again folks, there is a button to "ignore this person" Its the best thing to do with troll. People like this, for some reason, get off on being this contrary and like the negative attention, ignore them.

    Posted by Tzimisce at 03/18/2008 @ 1:55pm

67. I am not scared my friends....I am happy and I and LAUGHING at the "Superior Intellect" at work.....

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 1:56pm

68. frankshitz-your fear is quite obvious.Try being honest for a change of pace.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 1:58pm

69. Posted by TZIMISCE 03/18/2008 @ 1:55pm

    It's a way of compensating for severe loneliness. Poor old FS is saying "Please, I know you won't like me...but hate and insult me...atleast you'll be paying attention to me!"

    Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 1:59pm

70. Margaret Ramirez -- Chicago Tribune 11 February, 2008

    '...Wright had served as spiritual mentor to Sen.Barack Obama. In the late 1980s, Obama joined Trinity and would later base his historic speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention on a Wright sermon called "Audacity to Hope."

    Obama was one of the thousands who joined Trinity under Wright's leadership. When Wright became Trinity's pastor in 1972, the church had 85 members. Today, Trinity has a congregation of 8,500, with more than 80 ministries, making it one of the largest and most influential black churches in the nation....'

    -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Dean

    '...Though he was raised an Episcopalian, Dean joined the United Church of Christ in 1982 after a dispute with the local Episcopal diocese over a bike trail....'

    Posted by HonestLiberal at 03/18/2008 @ 2:03pm

71. Posted by KJW 03/18/2008 @ 1:38pm

    If you're asking why THAT church, you may as well be asking why was he a member of ANY black church, because a great many black churches offer sermons at some time or another that may be objectionable to white people. The media, in true "Dean scream" fashion, extracted the most sensational ten minutes' worth of comments from two decades of sermons, and played them endlessly.

    So if you really want your question answered, I recommend attending a black church service and seeing how it operates and where the members of the congregation are "coming from," or reading about liberation theology.

    Posted by habiba at 03/18/2008 @ 2:07pm

72. Aw jeez, I just give up. I'm out of here, I'm going to post to that new online encyclopedia everyone's talking about. My first attempt:

    Our Friend Obama [dickipedia.org]

    Posted by MyParadigm at 03/18/2008 @ 2:12pm

73. KJW

    I think that "lead" is the key word here. Leaders need to get people to believe in their vision for our future. Has HRC brought tears to your eyes? Please link us to her speech that moved you that much. I need to see the case for HRC as a leader.

    Thanks

    Posted by nematode at 03/18/2008 @ 2:16pm

74. Very nice speach - well said and presented - he gets an "A" in public speaking and content, BUT this speach is a case of reaction to events. This is not Presidential , but the actions of a person running for office trying to put out a fire storm. Did he do it. I do not think so. Will he win – I think he might due to his positioning of his race. He turns out to be a bigger cry baby than HRC..Wah – vote for me because of ( fill in the blanks) – for such a bright fellow and speaker I think he failed to address the Wright issue on a timely basis ( like 6 months ago). I ask you this. What else it out there that is going to require another speech of this sort..

    Posted by jimr at 03/18/2008 @ 2:27pm

75. JimR-The Clintons and the GOP have been looking hard for something to use against Obama,but all they could come up with is something that someone else said.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 2:30pm

76. "Wright is one of the few authentic African-American voices in the Obama crowd"

    Authentic???? Are we back to where we were asking if he is black enough????

    My God can't you see how racist you LIBZ truly are???

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 2:33pm

77. frankshitz-You have no idea what a liberal is.On another board you claimed that liberals had their own primaries.Liberals,of course,do not have their own primaries. Your boy McCain said that a market in Baghdad is as safe as a market in Indiana and I'm wondering if you could test that theory for us by going to a market in both places and get back to us on the results of this experiment.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 2:38pm

78. I can't believe how many times I have read the phrase "Clinton and the Republicans" or "The Clintons and the GOP". Has it really come to that? United in an unholy quest to suppress hope? Good luck with all that! Obama is effectively fighting a two front war, but I am anxious for the time (late April, please) when we can direct our full attention to John McCain.

    Posted by Be Good at 03/18/2008 @ 2:42pm

79. Posted by JIMR 03/18/2008 @ 2:27pm

    Crybaby? That's ridiculous. Obama isn't the one who brought this up.

    Posted by Hman23 at 03/18/2008 @ 2:43pm

80. Oh my ...... what a great speech. The best ever. Better than the best ever. The Everest of mountains. The Jordan of basketball. The Harvard of universities. Oh my my my... The greatest orator ever. Superb, stupendous, (your adjective here)!

    Did he really mean it though?

    Posted by bleedingheart at 03/18/2008 @ 2:45pm

81. "I am anxious for the time (late April, please) when we can direct our full attention to John McCain."

    Not gonna happen till September.......

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 2:46pm

82. There are a few items that I hope will come from this speech:

    1) Let's actually focus on issues, really focus. Race is an issue, it has been and will be, we hit around the edges, going after people like Don Imus for stupid remarks, but never address any underlying issues. Though the media never misses an opportunity to miss an opportunity about race.

    But race isn't the only issue here, it's poverty, it's the use of a race as a wedge between peoples in like situations that could find some common ground.

    2) The media "gotcha" cycle. The media was quick to react when SNL lampooned the media on giving Obama softballs, too bad their reaction was not to look over his record, or examine his positions, or do anything substantive, no they went the route of gotcha.

    I read on one blog, "I should kidnap a blond cheerleader and end this newscycle." I think that about sums it up right there, sensationalism, journalism as entertainment. We have been trending in that direction for sometime, but I think this is a call to reject this type of media.

    3)Unity. I was talking to my grandmother the other day about this race. I told I am voting for Obama, and one of my reasons is, I just want something done, I just want to move America forward again.

    Republicans do have some good ideas, and sometimes they can balance the excesses of the Democrats. Ditto for the Democrats. It's about time that we stop playing this back and forth and work on issues that we can solve. We have punted Education, Social Security, Healthcare, the environment, and Iraq, for too long now. Are we going to get perfect solutions? No. But we need to start working on these issues, yesterday.

    Posted by Tzimisce at 03/18/2008 @ 2:46pm

83. This has to be the worst choices for president we have ever had. McCain, Obama or Hillary. How does this keep happening? It seems like every single election we're asking ourselves, "Why can't we get a decent president?"

    Am I the only one that is scared shitless that Hillary might be president? The Clintons belong in jail for a long time for the things they've done. Instead, almost half the population wants her as president? Have we all gone nuts? Can't anyone remember the things these people have done?

    She won't reveal her income tax records. Why is that? She wants to run our country but doesn't want us to know how much money she made and where she got it.

    They won't release documents from the 8 years Billshit was presdient. Especially those documents about Shillary's health fiasco.

    And still a whole lot of people want to see her as president. I must be going insane.

    Posted by bayridge at 03/18/2008 @ 2:49pm

84. "frankshitz-You have no idea what a liberal is"

    A LIB out of power is a good source of entertainment.....

    A LIB in power is a dangerous thing....A rocketship back to us ALL working in the rice patties

    Posted by Frankshitsz at 03/18/2008 @ 2:49pm

85. I don't know... the speech of Obama and many of the reactions after that seems to me like Charlie Van Doren accepting that he had the answers of "21" and the people congratulating him for his honesty. I don't doubt that Barack gave a great speech, but, after that, it's one of his major attributes. Instead, I'm very dissapointed with the fact that he isn't now the candid man that has a new way in politics. He is another of the group, just like Hillary or McCain. And if he's really good on that, perhaps he deserves to be elected. But he wasn't honest from the beggining. It's like a fake. I'm feeling very dissapointed with his message of "change" after that.

    Posted by Arkaik at 03/18/2008 @ 2:51pm

86. This is precisely why I decided to support Barack Obama back in '04. We, as a nation, can do better when the better nature of our angels are invited to the table. Senator Obama is extending that invitation to every American. Isn't a successful politician who consistently chooses the high ground just the person we need to address the neocon mess left by the past 7 years? Absolutely!

    Posted by GoCards1978 at 03/18/2008 @ 2:51pm

87. "And once I wipe away my tears, I am still left wondering: why THAT church? Why 20 years? If you want us to believe you can change our country, why did you not try to change Wright, or your church?"

    Ah, but you may have missed the point...he couldn't change Wright anymore than he could change his white granmother's unconcscious racism...There is no sense in denying the racial tensions that surround us - the point is to be smart enough not to get caught up in those negative feelings yourself.

    I could never change the Catholic church, into which I was born and raised...I've sat through homilies that, in my opinion, bordered on hate speech...I vehemently disagree with my church's stance on birth control, homosexuality, and abortion...if I were running for office, I'd find it ridiculously unfair if people started attributing other peoples' words/actions to me...

    Posted by nicR at 03/18/2008 @ 2:54pm

88. frankshitz-You wouldn't know if a liberal was in power or not.You would have to, first, find out what a liberal is which you obviously don't since you think that liberals have their own primaries.

    Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 2:55pm

89. "We can play Reverend Wright's sermons on every channel, every day and talk about them from now until the election."

    Bingo, Sentator. That indeed is the opposition's program. And it is already in re-runs, re-re-reruns, and re-runs of re-runs. Funny thing about what passes for he "mind" of the American public. Say something often enough and it becomes true. Like "Welfare Queens."

    "We can do that.

    But if we do, I can tell you that in the next election, we'll be talking about some other distraction. And then another one. And then another one. And nothing will change.""

    Exactly. But then, that's the opposition's point, isn't. "Progressivism" isn't a platform that suit Pharoah's prerogatives, is it? Especially not Pharoah in a pantsuit.

    Mark my words: Clinton on the first ballot in Denver. Signed, sealed, delivered.

    Posted by goyadad at 03/18/2008 @ 2:55pm

90. Although Obama's speech is not without its evasions, I consider it a courageous one by usual political standards. He has refused to walk away from Wright's black liberation theology when it might well have been expedient to do so. The rest of us now should have the courage to take Obama at his word and decide whether it is acceptable to elect as president of the United States someone who carries Rev. Wright around as part of him, and who takes his ranting seriously. ------------------ Problem is... so far, this is a one way conversation. It's ... well, the tiny media scrum debating Rev. Wright... and Obama preaching to the country. There's no give. There's go back and forth. A one way conversation is a lecture. CW tells us that white voters tend to become nervous when Democrats and liberals lecture to them -- even when they lecture eloquently and respectfully -- about race. Will they, this time? What do you think?

    As Kathryn Lopez views the speech in a similar light. Her summation: "Damn straight, Rev. Wright is angry. That's how I wound up at his church. That's why I stay there. I'm mad too, I just control it better. Now let's get [on with] electing me president so we can all feel good."

    Posted by henryca at 03/18/2008 @ 3:00pm

91. The speech was excellent. I hesitate to use the phrase 'home run', because it was more than just a campaign speech. He faced head on the issue of race, which I and millions of other have faced, and so many others still need to come to grips with. Maybe this will help; maybe it won't.

    Also, he didn't panic and reject all association with Rev Wright. He painted a larger picture of the man than the recent video snippets show. If it costs him the election - so be it. He stuck by his friend.

    Finally, I am proud to have voted for Barack Obama in the Tennessee primary, even though he didn't win. I will proudly vote for him in November, if he is the Democratic nominee,

    Peace, EV

    Posted by EnviroVarmint at 03/18/2008 @ 3:00pm

92. I'm going with the wingers. Every third letter of every third word divided by the hypotenuse of the free mason keystone prove Obama's one-world-no-whitie plan to be headed up by Secretary of State Wright.

    Posted by winyahn at 03/18/2008 @ 3:00pm

93. Cowardly speech and a cowardly excuse by John Nichols. What's "divisive" -- racism and imperialism, or noticing that those things exist and wanting to debate them?

    Disgusting joke, by Obama and the Nation.

    Posted by mdawson65 at 03/18/2008 @ 3:00pm

94. "Exactly. But then, that's the opposition's point, isn't. "Progressivism" isn't a platform that suit Pharoah's prerogatives, is it? Especially not Pharoah in a pantsuit."

    Mark your words? I can't understand them.

    Posted by phineasgage at 03/18/2008 @ 3:01pm

95. To be the leader of the most powerful nation in the world, the candidate must display leadership, character and judgement. While I have to agree that Senator Obama is an excellent speaker who can inspire the masses, so was Adolph Hitler! No, I am not comparing him to Hitler, but there is no more to being President than being inspirational. I cannot make a decision on his leadership abilities. I am sure he is of good character, but his judgement can and should be questioned. His relationships with Tony Resko, William Ayers, and Jeremiah Wright shows poor judgement in my opinion. This opinion is shared with many Americans. Time will tell if he will be nominated, but I doubt very seriously if he will be elected.

    Posted by LonghornMike at 03/18/2008 @ 3:14pm

96. My actual point, which I'm quite wary of making in this forum which has become quite the amen corner, is that Barack Obama is the Democrats' George W. Bush.

    Posted by MYPARADIGM 03/18/2008 @ 1:03pm

    Gee, I don't know . . . I guess you're right . . . they're both "empty vessels."

    But then, didn't Obama pull straight "A"s in Harvard Law, edit the Harvard Law Review, and serve as a professor of constitutional law before moving on to a career as an Illinois & US legislator? Whereas W. drank and doped his way to "C"s at Yale and in Harvard B-school, after which he failed at several business ventures set up for him by family cronies & insiders before being set up as the Gov. of Texas and the Ultimate set up of all, POTUS--which we all lament and wail as the economy lurches into a $13 trillion hole, the Surge winds down starving for troops & supplies, and we lack any credibility to work with international partners to stabilize the world situation as we enter an unprecedented global economic, social, political, and ecological crisis. All this while W. read "The Hungry Goat" for the umpteenth time and twiddled his thumbs--like Mel Brooks' "The Gov" in Blazing Saddles.

    Other than that, yeah, they're like, you know, just the same.

    Posted by goyadad at 03/18/2008 @ 3:22pm

97. Perhaps racism can be define as that which ignores the reality of race and thus to not bring race to a productive seat at the table discussing solutions of healthcare, education, war, etc., would be in itself-- institutional racism.

    To rely simply on stereotypes as 'racial' knowledge, again ignores the reality of race and relies on that ignorance to manipulate and misdirect.

    Billary continually pointing a finger at Barack's race without substantial context as to its relationship to any particular issue, can only be seen as manipulative; expecting ones ignorance to lead the way.

    Posted by hsuBfools at 03/18/2008 @ 3:26pm

98. He's half white; you can tell that when he speaks. He has a white brain trapped inside a negro body. All of those negroes he hopes to help will be just like those potatoes in the Huckleberry Hound episode wherein the Potato Grew a Brain, but couldn't get the other potatoes to do the same. He's a marxist, his church supports the Kwame Nkruma academy. If Obama is elected, he'll lead this country down the same, failed, marxist path of his hero.

    Posted by choptop at 03/18/2008 @ 3:33pm

99. Mark your words? I can't understand them.

    Posted by PHINEASGAGE 03/18/2008 @ 3:01pm

    Sorry for the typos. Let me slow down and carefully spell it out letter by letter.

    A. Obama has made an attempt to divert the usual political cycle of gotcha, counter-gotcha. It is remarkable that his campaign has stayed as clear of this as it has so far--only the Ferraro business & pointing out that Clinton did in fact vote for war in Iraq (though she now demurs). ["demurs" . . . that's an ok word, isn't it?]

    B. Political discourse in America belongs to the people who create, mold, and manage it. This includes the professional class of campaign operatives (I am hoping I need not list names here--we know who they are if we are paying attention) and the so-called "opinion makers" who manage the infrastructure of public information-- the 'news media' so-called. These people will decide what gets aired, how it will be pitched, edited, framed, and presented. They are not likely to allow Obama's address to be presented on its own terms because . . . past examples show that this is not ordinarily done without extraordinary extenuating circumstances.

    C. The American public is subsumed in the culture inculcated by the managers of public discourse (see Item C above). As a consequence, they lack the information, the patience, the critical intellect, the attention span, and the historical memory to adequately assess the tendency, truth value, or coherence of statements longer than 8 seconds in length. If it doesn't fit on a bumpersticker, formulations as to the error or inadequacy, the adviseability or practicability of the conduct of public affairs are exceedingly unlikely to have a perceptible or durable impact on processes of public decision making, i.e. elections.

    So there it is-- A, B, C, just like the Jackson 5 song.

    Posted by goyadad at 03/18/2008 @ 3:38pm

100. David Corn is impressed w/THE RACE SPEECH.......

     Obama's Race Speech: Wow

     By David Corn | March 18, 2008 2:49 PM

     Posted by Happy at 03/18/2008 @ 3:39pm

101. Some people are missing the bigger issue of this. What a pastor or preacher says in a church that is attended to by people of african-american origin is their own business. And I would say that if it was any other church or denomination that I might not agree with. It's called Freedom of Religion. Funny how the neo-cons want to be free to express their beliefs in the churches of their persuasion but think they can control debate or speech in churches who have other points of view. It's NOT going to happen. It's this slowly seeping totalitarianism that's masquerading itself as some kind of neo-con hyperbole. Beware.

     Posted by jimijazz at 03/18/2008 @ 3:42pm

102. I'm certainly no fan of the Christian Coalition, but I find in very ironic that, after many years of denouncing the religious right and its involvement in politics, liberals are willing to turn a blind eye, or deaf ear, to the rantings of the religious left, in the form of Jeremiah Wright and his acolyte, Barack Obama.

     Posted by Spengler47 at 03/18/2008 @ 3:46pm

103. well said

     Posted by libzsuk at 03/18/2008 @ 3:47pm

104. The speech, like most of Barack's speeches, was soaring and delivered smoothly. But while he acknowledges black rage and white resentment he did not...in this speech nor as of yet on the campaign trail...address those things that cause it. Everyone's raving because he had the "courage" to talk about something we all know has been around for a long time. We need a leader who can specifically address these problems with effective policy not just talk about them at a rally. I believe that if he sincerely wanted to be a president that would and could unite black and white Americans he would have chosen to sit in a pew in a more racially and ethnically diverse church. He would have wanted his girls to listen to someone other than the racist Rev. Wright. We don't know much about Barack Obama, he is too new on the political scene, but other than showing an extraordinary gift for articulation he has proved, so far, to be much more of a divisive presence that his rhetoric suggests. Let me quote my grandmother: It's not what one says, it's what one does that is a true measure of a man's sincerity and soul.

     Posted by m.nolan at 03/18/2008 @ 3:50pm

105. I think Obama's speech was quite absorbing - beautiful.

     But here is the ugly part:

     Cut to November TV ad for John McCain

     Clip of Wright screaming "God damn America" Juxtapose clip of Obama saying "I cannot disown him. He is a part of me (paraphrase, of course)."

     Rebuttal from Obama....He took this out of context...

     Media Report....Obama claims blah, blah, blah...

     Personally, I see a general election disaster.

     Posted by BNS at 03/18/2008 @ 3:52pm

106. I urge everyone who has not heard the entire speech in context to do so before reaching a conclusion about a speech based on brief snippets taken out of context. This was a moving and profound statement that I believe will change the tone and content of this campaign year - hopefully for the better unless we are still unable to leave the past hatreds and prejudices behind. I saw a comparison of Barack Obama to Nelson Mandela several weeks ago and thought, "yes, he could fill that role for this country". Today he proved he could.

     Posted by Tim Lynch at 03/18/2008 @ 3:55pm

107. Barack "Not that Hussein" Obama is TOAST

     Posted by libzsuk at 03/18/2008 @ 3:58pm

108. In an Op-Ed in the WSJ, available thru realclearpolitics.com, Shelby Steele penned perhaps the best overview of Magic (before THE RACE SPEECH in Philly). Hard-core Obama believers (those who thought Ferraro was racist) are warned NOT to read it, but anyone who believe themselves objective, should read this excellent piece......

     A short exercept:

     And yet, in the end, Barack Obama's candidacy is not qualitatively different from Al Sharpton's or Jesse Jackson's. Like these more irascible of his forbearers, Mr. Obama's run at the presidency is based more on the manipulation of white guilt than on substance. Messrs. Sharpton and Jackson were "challengers," not bargainers. They intimidated whites and demanded, in the name of historical justice, that they be brought forward. Mr. Obama flatters whites, grants them racial innocence, and hopes to ascend on the back of their gratitude. Two sides of the same coin.

     Posted by Happy at 03/18/2008 @ 3:59pm

109. So..... Was someone from Obama's campaign behind the scenes assuring Rev.Wright this was simply Obama's public stance, that his true ideals hadn't changed?

     Like the NAFTA/Canadians situation...

     Posted by bleedingheart at 03/18/2008 @ 4:00pm

110. Damn good point

     Posted by libzsuk at 03/18/2008 @ 4:02pm

111. LIBZSUK - you are grasping at straws as usual and are going to be dissapointed when it doesn't pan out. The neo-cons and yourself are not going to accomplish much with this guilt by association thing and you certainly don't need an apology. The neo-cons have once again underestimated Obama thinking they can use this juxaposition act like it was 1988, 1992, or 2000. Obama has proven to be a man of superior intellect and even temperament which drive the neo-cons into fits. Because he is NOT Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. His charming personality is real but it masks genuine ability for reasoning and problem solving. That is exactly what this country needs in this time and place. So you can continue to chew on the bitter side of your mouth. But that's your call. Hopefully the rest of America will have the ability to be inspired and act accordingly.

     Posted by jimijazz at 03/18/2008 @ 4:13pm

112. Posted by HAPPY 03/18/2008 @ 3:59pm

     Happy. There will never be a person that is not white that runs for President that isn't said to be running on their race. Ever. Everyone will try to say they are playing on racial guilt. This op-ed will apply to anyone running on race or sex. I can apply much of it to Hillary running on the fact that she is female. So what should we do? Never have a candidate who is a minority? When Obama wasn't talking about race other candidates brought it up, now that he is talking about race there are op-eds like this one. A good leader speaks from personal experience Happy. Barack grew up as a black person. Therefore he will speak from his experience as a black person, that doesn't mean he is trying to appeal to white guilt. You say you are objective but you are only ever looking for ways to put him down. You never agree with anything written thats positive about him so how are you objective? So then how can we take your opinion on this op-ed seriously if you are ALWAYS looking for negatives.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 4:15pm

113. "The neo-cons and yourself are not going to accomplish much with this guilt by association thing"

     The "Neo-Cons" did not bring out this story....This is the work of the Clinton Crime Family....

     By the way, would you take your children to this church....expose them to this bile???

     Would you really???

     Posted by libzsuk at 03/18/2008 @ 4:17pm

114. For Christ's sake, dude. You're old enough to know the senator from the just-bombed New York could not possibly have been against kicking somebody's ass, especially when she's still trying to win over the folks upstate. In my book, you have a pretty good sense of political reality. I'm a little surprised, you've haven't had any Kool-aid lately have you?

     Oh, Lord, why is it necessary, at this late date, to have to point out that Iraq had nothing to do with the 9/11 attacks, and therefore, its ass was not the right one to kick? Just look at the damage to the nation and the world that has been done in the name of ass-kicking. Perhaps you think we should compound the damage by kicking Iran's ass, too, as Hillary does not seem to be opposed to that proposition, either. She and McCain are both militarists who should not be handed the reins of power.

     Posted by robgo2 at 03/18/2008 @ 4:21pm

115. There will never be a person that is not white that runs for President that isn't said to be running on their race. Ever.......A good leader speaks from personal experience......that doesn't mean he is trying to appeal to white guilt......

     Posted by CCCOMFO1 03/18/2008 @ 4:15pm

     I've said this long ago, but maybe before your joining the blog. IF a Demo is preordained to win in Nov., I'd rather take my chances w/Magic than Clinton even though Clinton will be easier on my finances. It's the reason I voted BO in the TX Primary....counter to what Rush urged the Repubs to do. Still, I'm a Repub and will vote McCain. But, I truly don't know who will be easier for McCain to beat. That said, I consider my views on both BO & Clinton to be, frankly, the most objective on these boards.

     I don't believe "Ever" is true, but at least, you are honest to accept that in the case of BHO, it's true. There can only be one `First' and future colored candidates will be treated with far less Magic!! I give credit for Obama's Smoothness to keep race out of his campaign and, IM(Strong)O, it was his supporters, YES, his supporters, who brought race into the race by overreacting to just about all pol. attacks....Ferraro's statement (in now way an attack), which you a black man, know is true, is the irrefutable evidence of this.

     I beg to differ on "A good leader speaks from personal experience"! No POTUS-to-be can possibly have enough "personal experience" really qualify--however, if this IS your main criteria, then McCain wins hands down. I don't have to suffer from AIDS or attempted murder to take strong/weak positions on them, for eg!

     Posted by Happy at 03/18/2008 @ 4:39pm

116. As a black woman living in the US for over 40 years, I have to say with all sincerity that Barack Obama will never become president of this great nation. I don't dislike the senator and I'm not being cynical, I'm simply looking at reality.

     Many of you think you like the idea of this man becoming POTUS, but spritually, emotionally, psychologically and financially you're not ready. The civil right movement may have changed a few minds, but it hasn't touched a lot of souls.

     Posted by ACook at 03/18/2008 @ 4:43pm

117. Obama gave a great and important speech. It would have been politically smarter for Obama to leave this church years ago, and probably also the right thing to do. Rev. Wright in Obama's past would still have been controversial, but less so. I would rather have Obama be the next president than have this "teaching moment". I hope we have both.

     Posted by chrisg at 03/18/2008 @ 4:53pm

118. Hey Guys,

     I tend to agree with that "Frank" guy. I watched the speech and all i heard was Blah, Blah, Blah... He still didn't answer the question as to WHY he didnt get up and leave when the Black preacher said those MOST HATEFUL SPEECHES..!!! You know that i know think that Obama really does agree with that guy.. What a shame. You people are loseing the election and don't even know it yet.. HOW SAD..:-(

     Bill...

     Posted by tidbit100 at 03/18/2008 @ 4:54pm

119. Posted by HAPPY 03/18/2008 @ 4:39pm

     I am not saying a leader leads from personal experience. I am saying they SPEAK from personal experience. You can gave positions on any issue. But your position comes from your personal life. How you have learned and grown. I ask you about an economic issue you take it from your moral background which is guided by your personal experiences in life. I ask you about your views on gay marriage, war or whatever you will gather your answer from your personal experience. Your personal experience is very different from mine so our answers will contrast. Jom, you and LV have very different ways of answering issues you may all agree on. Frankshitz would probably agree with you on some issues but he answers in an inflammatory and immature way. It doesn't matter how old you are you can still have personal experiences that are contrary to the reality of a situation. Neo-nazis through some personal experience hate everyone who doesn't fit a certain criteria. There are Neo-Nazis who are 80. Does that mean because they have MORE experience it makes their views right?

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 4:58pm

120. Posted by TIDBIT100 03/18/2008 @ 4:54pm

     He actually did answer the question. He said that like everyone does with people who are figures in their life, he disagreed with what the man said, however he knew the man at a deeper level ad appreciated many other things about him that the media AREN'T showing you. Do you hate Washington because of the fact that he owned slaves? Are there no people in your life who have said things that you disagree entirely but you are still friends with. Why don't you try understanding his speech and not just listening to it with your preconceived notions.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:02pm

121. Posted by TIDBIT100 03/18/2008 @ 4:54p

     And you can't argue that you did listen to it because you managed to miss the point of the speech entirely.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:02pm

122. Posted by ORKIN 03/18/2008 @ 12:59pm | ignore this person

     who is this Frankshitz guy I keep reading about? he does not appear on my Nation blog.

     Posted by emile duBois at 03/18/2008 @ 5:04pm

123. Margaret Ramirez -- Chicago Tribune 11 February, 2008

     '...Wright had served as spiritual mentor to Sen. Barack Obama. In the late 1980s, Obama joined Trinity and would later base his historic speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention on a Wright sermon called "Audacity to Hope." Obama was one of the thousands who joined Trinity under Wright's leadership. When Wright became Trinity's pastor in 1972, the church had 85 members. Today, Trinity has a congregation of 8,500, with more than 80 ministries, making it one of the largest and most influential black churches in the nation....'

     - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

     cnn.com 18 March 2008

     '..."As imperfect as he may be, he has been like family to me," Obama said after describing his experience at Trinity United... it has been difficult for the senator to distance himself completely from the retired minister of the church where he has worshipped for two decades....'

     - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Howard_Dean

     '...Though he was raised an Episcopalian, [Howard] Dean joined the United Church of Christ in 1982 after a dispute with the local Episcopal diocese over a bike trail....'

     - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

     http://www.cbsnews.com /stories/2008/03/17/opinion/main3944215.shtml? source=RSSattr=Opinion_3944215

     '...In the 2000 campaign George W. Bush spoke once at Bob Jones University; it was an event used to bludgeon Bush with for the rest of the campaign and into his presidency. And, of course, Bush did not attend Bob Jones University, financially support it, or consider Bob Jones to be his spiritual mentor or close friend for 25 years. Yet these things mattered not at all. Bush spoke at Bob Jones University -- and so to many in the press, he was joined at the hip with it. The association between Reverend Wright and Senator Obama is far deeper in every respect....'

     Posted by HonestLiberal at 03/18/2008 @ 5:06pm

124. Obama is so guilty of being just another politician. And, a really bad one at that.

     Posted by NOT BUYING IT 03/18/2008 @ 1:33pm | ignore this person

     that must be why he's leading in votes, in delegates and in the polls.

     you nailed that one, brother.

     Posted by emile duBois at 03/18/2008 @ 5:08pm

125. Hey CCCOMF01,

     ALl i know is that if David Duke and the KKK (Wright is the Black KKK) were to be at John Mc Cain's chuch, and he didn't get up and leave, YOU PEOPLE would be calling for his head..!!! Now you are making excuses for Obama and trying to rationalize his EXCUSE making for that Black Racist..!!! HE hates Whitey..!! and by the way, NO one hates George Wachington because he had slaves, EVERYONE did back then. IT was the way business was done, Dont EVER think that excuses need to be made for our founding fathers, they were Heros, not like that TRASH black Racists WRIGHT..!!! He will be the FALL of Obama since we now KNOW that OBAMA believe what Wright says, and now WHITE america knows the TRUTH..

     How Sad..:-(

     BIll..

     Posted by tidbit100 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:11pm

126. Posted by LUCEM FERRE 03/18/2008 @ 1:06pm | ignore this person

     you are free to campaign for the legalization of prostitution.

     Posted by emile duBois at 03/18/2008 @ 5:11pm

127. This is what is unique about Obama. Every time a serious issue is raised Obama steps up to the plate. And more often than not he hits the ball out of the park. You have to admire a person who can do that.

     Posted by jimijazz at 03/18/2008 @ 5:19pm

128. Posted by TIDBIT100 03/18/2008 @ 5:11pm

     Did you know McCain gave money to a speaker of the C of CC? Also his adviser in SC PRAISED giving a political position to David Duke. So you may want to be careful. Your politician associates with people like this too.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:20pm

129. Tidbit-Actually,not everyone back in our founding fathers days owned slaves.That is not how business was done in those days.It was a divisive issue from day one.Do we dismiss Jefferson because he owned slaves?That's what you people are saying that we should do.You guys that are doing all this ranting weren't going to vote democrat anyway so I'm wondering what your point even is?

     Posted by i'm nobody at 03/18/2008 @ 5:20pm

130. Posted by TIDBIT100 03/18/2008 @ 5:11pm | ignore this person

     NOT everyone did, that is a lie.

     Posted by emile duBois at 03/18/2008 @ 5:22pm

131. Posted by TIDBIT100 03/18/2008 @ 5:11pm

     You need to get your head out of your ass TIDBIT. You are nothing but a sheep. To be led by MSM and the bullshit messages you receive from only the most fringe groups. You are willing to believe anything now matter how out there and ridiculous it is. The fact that with only the slightest nudge you are willing to say that a man is racist, who works with, associates with and befriends white people, you are willing to then say he hates white people is ridiculous. It shows your lack of intelligence.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:23pm

132. The double standard of conservatives is appalling to me. They get all upset over Rev. Wright's comments, a man loosely affiliated with a Democratic candidate, but at their so-called "Values Debate" last year, opened the evening with a choir singing "Why Should God Bless America?" The song talked about how America has forgotten who she is, and about gays, abortion, all the major Evangelical issues. The basic idea was that Americans have turned their backs on God and He therefore no longer blesses our country. Doesn't sound terribly different from what Rev. Wright had to say, and this was at their own debate! No one had a word to say about that, and the hubbub over Rev. Hagee's comments about the Catholic Church and the other truly vile and revolting positions he holds was very fleeting. McCain solicited and welcomes his endorsement! I guess when it's a Democratic supporter who has a religion problem, then it's a real problem, but Republicans are allowed to be nuts.

     Posted by lehkb8 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:24pm

133. quite a lot of what I've read Wright said, makes perfectly good sense.

     Posted by emile duBois at 03/18/2008 @ 5:26pm

134. So, per Senator Obama, words do mean something, unless of course they are spoken by the esteemed Rev Wright.

     Posted by dscott at 03/18/2008 @ 5:28pm

135. I have never been more proud of my country than when reading Obama's words. He will be our Great American Melting Pot President! God Bless America!!!

     Posted by tfseem at 03/18/2008 @ 5:28pm

136. Posted by EMILE DUBOIS 03/18/2008 @ 5:26pm

     Yeah but you have to know that people only care to read what they think is the worst portion. They don't bother to look at any other speech from his 3 decades of preaching or even the 2 decades Obama was at the church. They focus only on 10 minutes of 30 years.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:31pm

137. Posted by EMILE DUBOIS 03/18/2008 @ 5:26pm

     Yeah but you have to know that people only care to read what they think is the worst portion. They don't bother to look at any other speech from his 3 decades of preaching or even the 2 decades Obama was at the church. They focus only on 10 minutes of 30 years.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:31pm

138. Sorry for double post.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:31pm

139. Did I Hear Comments That Might Be Considered Controversial? Yes.

     I wrote that Obama called Wright's statements "controversial," which rather understates the matter. They were not "controversial." They were vicious and vile.

     Madonna is "controversial," champ. Changing the opening theme to Monk was "controversial." The Patriots' SpyGate was "controversial."

     This was vicious and vile anti-Americanism and racism and anti-semitism. If those things are, to you, merely "controversial," it seems you need a teachable moment or two, rather than presuming to fill us with "understanding."

     But the fact is, he didn't even call Wright's remarks controversial. Slublog:

     I think Obama is playing it even more cute than that. He said he heard things that "could be considered" controversial. He then spent the rest of his speech telling us that what we thought was controversial is explainable due to the history of racial tension in the United States.

     Indeed.

     I'm reposting this because I seem to be the only person pointing this out. And I'm not going to stop until it gets traction.

     This is, as I understand it, the sermon delivered on Sunday, September 16, 2001. Firemen were still digging through skin-blistering ash in a futile effort to find more survivors of the 9/11 attacks. And putting their health at risk breathing heavily in air heavily tainted with asbestos and toxins.

     Even if I'm wrong on the date (which I might be; I have been unable to confirm that this is in fact that sermon), is there any date upon which this would be acceptable?

     Now, once again: Watch Wright's relish -- his nearly orgasmic delight -- in saying "America's chickens... have come home... to roost." Watch this blackhearted monster dance and flutter his hands in a happy flourish as he celebrates and exults in the deaths of 3000 Americans and foreign nationals, all civilians and all innocents, as it represents a vindication of his sickening worldview and a well-deserved comeupppance for the nation he so deeply hates.

     Now, Mr. Barack Hussein Obama: As your disgusting spiritual mentor and political guide is publicly celebrating the terrorism of 9/11 as blatantly as the Palestinian terrorists did that very day, and as excitedly as Al Qaeda does:

     Would you say these comments are merely "controversial" or potentially "controversial"?

     Would you like a second try at that, you rotten bastard?

     How many prisoners did he minister to to cancel out this disgusting celebration of mass murder on a mega scale?

     How much Hope and Change have you actually delivered to cancel out your own voluntary, bear-hug embrace of this repellent seditionist?

     Posted by libzsuk at 03/18/2008 @ 5:32pm

140. Posted by EMILE DUBOIS 03/18/2008 @ 5:26pm

     Yeah but you have to know that people only care to read what they think is the worst portion. They don't bother to look at any other speech from his 3 decades of preaching or even the 2 decades Obama was at the church. They focus only on 10 minutes of 30 years.

     Posted by Cccomfo1 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:32pm

141. Oh yeah, Obama turned the racist media attacks on Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Jr. into a teachable moment did he? From paragraph two of his address:"But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country -- a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel, instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam." So, he's teaching the same things the corporate consensus (Bush, Clinton, etc.) has ALWAYS taught. Racism is at best a misunderstanding and at worst an individual pathology (if not endemic, what then?). And then proceeds to demolish THAT tall tale with his blame-the-victim attack on Muslims (oh, pardon me, RADICAL Muslims... kind of like the RADICAL words of Rev. Wright, which he dismissed as "divisive". "Telling truth to power is always "distorted", "divisive" and -- this I'll accept -- "radical." Of course, we have to put this address in the context of his persistent attacks on Palestinians and support for Israel, in the face of all manner of atrocities; his attacks on Hugo Chavez in the wake of the recent slaughter carried out in Ecuador by Colombian President Uribe; his expressed committment to maintaining troops in Iraq; his "enforcement-priority" approach to immigration; his unwillingness to tackle the housing crisis, etc., etc. This will NOT be a president who will come to grips with racism, neither at home, nor in his approach to the countries his administration will continue to oppress and repress.

     Posted by mikedf at 03/18/2008 @ 5:43pm

142. Tidbit, this is classic:

     NO one hates George Wachington because he had slaves, EVERYONE did back then. IT was the way business was done, Dont EVER think that excuses need to be made for our founding fathers, they were Heros, not like that TRASH black Racists WRIGHT..!!!

     Your first sentence is incorrect. Some of us do feel an incredible resentment, maybe even a hatred, for history's slaveowners. By the way, not everyone who had a hand in the American revolution was a slaveowner (or a hero, but of the heros that come to mind, Crispus Attucs is first and foremost. You know who he was?)

     Your post simply indicates that you don't and won't sympathize with anything that a black man has to say about the issue of race in America. Thats' fine, but why try to qualify it by making up "facts"?

     Posted by nicR at 03/18/2008 @ 5:50pm

143. The speech by Obama was very interesting and articulated as a lawyer would when giving a closing argument. But the jury still has questions that are unresolved. If Sen. Obama heard Pastor Wright for 20 years and heard all the statements he disagreed with, did he ever tell his mentor that he strongly disagreed with what the Pastor was saying? Don't the statements made for over 20 years show a dislike for white people? Don't those statements register with children who may also grow up to dislike white people? The Kerner Commission in 1968 said that there were 2 societies in America: one Black and one white. It appears that not much has changes in 40 years. Sen. Obama said he could not disown Rev. Wright. He does not own Rev. Wright he associates with him; Rev. Wright is not a relative like the Senator's grandmother. For 20 years Sen. Obama and Rev. Wright were very close in spite of the incendiary remarks of the Rev. It appears that this association served the political aspirations of Sen. Obama in a very helpful way. Now the comments are hurting that same political career. Politicians either have a backbone or go with the wind. Who is the real Obama? It would be good to know a person before voting for that person.

     Posted by brad29 at 03/18/2008 @ 5:52pm

144. This speech was a challenge to all of us. I feel that this is an historic day, and his words actually had me in tears. Time will tell if we are up to the challenge. I'd like to say I know we are, but I've been disappointed too many times. I can hope though.

     Posted by mij at 03/18/2008 @ 6:33pm

145. I still say that the MSM as well as the right wing new con repubs have a major double standard as it's given a pass to JFK being Catholic with an infallible Pope, yet JFK took the pledge to our US Constitution. All the while there are no facts, written or spoken, indicating that Wright is considered infallible by anyone (totally unlike the millions of the Pope's Catholics)-- yet it appears that Obama must be influenced to a greater extent by Wright than JFK was to an infallible church! What's the only difference in those two situations? 'Race.' Ethically, the reaction 'should' be the same. Asked, answered and dropped. Thus, the MSM as well as the right wing new con repubs are acting and/or reacting, UNethically by not dropping the Wright religious influence issue.

     Posted by hsuBfools at 03/18/2008 @ 6:35pm

146. Hey People,

     It is funny, now the Obaba web site and even the churhc of the Racists Wright are trying to delete referances.. hahahaha.. problem is that so many of the pages have been archived that they are popping back up.. HAHAHA... I thought only Rep were trying to delete the truth..HAHAHAHA

     BIll...

     Posted by tidbit100 at 03/18/2008 @ 6:36pm

147. I just watched the speech a second time, and I just have to say what an historic day I feel this is! Yesterday I was proud of my ancestry, (my parents were born in County Mayo), but today I was proud of my country and of this man like I've never felt proud of anyone before.

     Posted by mij at 03/18/2008 @ 6:54pm

148. Of course this is going to bring racists out in the open, as it's doing here. But ultimately, when this settles in, I know it is going to finally help our country start to heal some very old wounds. People who insist on holding on to their racist thinking will be left behind. What a great day!

     Posted by mij at 03/18/2008 @ 7:00pm

149. Obama only distanced himself from Rev. Wright when he became a political liability, not because he ever disagreed with the message. Obama, like all politicians, will say whatever they have to to get elected so thet can do whatever they want to later.

     Shakespeare wrote, "The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers". I say add politicians to the list

     Posted by Next Door at 03/18/2008 @ 7:01pm

150. I think Obama's ?heartfelt? part of saying he can't disown Rev. Wright anymore than his grandmother ("It's a part of me") is genuinely far-reaching and show great understanding.

     Since choosing a church and Pastor, are voluntary acts, while assuredly one's grandmother is not, Obama is telling all folks that it's OK to attend Racist churches that spew forth God Damn Blacks.........what's the big deal, they're just 12~13% of GD America.....He's tell us it's ok that's a "part of you"......he understands and accepts.......How could I have been so dense, ahhhhhhhhh, I'm beginning to see what he means about transcending race......

     Posted by Happy at 03/18/2008 @ 7:11pm

151. AS one who has never before exercised my franchise for a Democrat, preferring to vote for parties of the left, for the first time I am excited to support the candidacy of Barack Obama. Not that I am comfortable with all of his policies (single payer insurance is the only way to go) I am excited by the movement of the campaign from the ground up and its essential honesty. Case in point; the presentation today. I have never heard a candidate speak with such candor about race. No pandering, no disownership, maybe not even politically correct, but challenging, stirring, and compelling. It is no more politics as usual; it is an invitation to confront reality and move on. It makes me proud, for the first time ever, to support a Democrat.

     Posted by dblake at 03/18/2008 @ 7:26pm

152. I'm reposting this because . . .

     Posted by LIBZSUK 03/18/2008 @ 5:32pm

     FYI, "SUKSLIBS" . . .

     "I'm reposting" + S/N like LIBZSUK = "ignore this person" on The Nation's blog.

     We don't need your intolerant, racist screeds here. We can get those every night on The O'Reilly Factor.

     There are 2 kinds of people: those who gladden a society upon their arrival, and those who do so on their departure. You are Group #2.

     Posted by goyadad at 03/18/2008 @ 7:40pm

153. You can hear and read Barack's speech here! [my.barackobama.com]

     Posted by Metteyya at 03/18/2008 @ 7:44pm

154. As a long time Nation subscriber I have to say we have here the very worst comments page of all the sites I regularly visit. Who are you people and haven't you anything better to do? I'm not looking for consensus; but I imagine that practically no one who posts here actually reads the Nation or any journal for that matter, except for the Weekly World News. Oh, I forgot; they no longer publish. Maybe, that explains this...

     Posted by dyeager at 03/18/2008 @ 7:52pm

155. Obama self-serving tripe is ridiculous. He CANT disown REV WRIGHT????????? "He Baptized my children....He married my wife and I"

     Are kidding me??????? OBAMA is a FOOOL. Yes he is going to TRNSCEND everything...by backing His RACIST, conspiracy loving REVEREND??!?!?

     Dont you love how the enlightened are in love with their "high" ideals

     Posted by CPT at 03/18/2008 @ 7:55pm

156. Posted by NEXT DOOR 03/18/2008 @ 7:01pm | ignore this person

     but first we kill braindead posters such as this one.

     Posted by emile duBois at 03/18/2008 @ 7:57pm

157. The equation seems to be the more there's evidence of decency and logic, the more the thirst for blood.

     Posted by winyahn at 03/18/2008 @ 7:59pm

158. Well, as it point out in "McCain Adviser: Christian Right a "Serious Problem""....

     apparently even Republicans are distancing themselves from their religious ideologues!

     Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 7:59pm

159. The idea purported by the mainstream media is directly aimed at making Mr. Obama as a Black Canidate. Here he demonstrates that he is one of the finest statesmen to come along in American Poltics period, it just so happens that he is Black too.

     Posted by Celes King IV at 03/18/2008 @ 8:01pm

160. Barack Milhouse Osama is TOAST....

     Bring on the Queen.....Her Thighness....Hillary Rotten Clinton

     Posted by libzsuk at 03/18/2008 @ 8:39pm

161. Once in a while, the MSM gets it right: Obama's Race Speech Heralded as Historic U.S. News & World Report

     The bottom-feeders never-change, but the leading edge does. And this pulls all us average folks up. We need heart/hope and mind/expert solutions and this guy's got IT.

     Posted by winyahn at 03/18/2008 @ 8:44pm

162. Posted by WINYAHN 03/18/2008 @ 7:59pm | ignore this person

     huh?

     Posted by CPT at 03/18/2008 @ 8:47pm

163. Posted by WINYAHN 03/18/2008 @ 8:44pm | ignore this person

     The guy has IT alright.....it is the same mindless rhetoric, and cheap political expediancy measures that make all charletons shine.

     Posted by CPT at 03/18/2008 @ 8:49pm

164. 1.Obama listens to Wright spew racist venom X 20 yrs...

     2. Obama has qualms about wearing a US flag lapel

     3.Michelle O says she has never been proud of her country until now (now that Barak is running for president)

     4. Barak doesn't put his hand over his heart when 'Star Spangled Banner' is played on campaign trail.

     I think I can connect those dots.

     Posted by FRANKSHITSZ 03/18/2008 @ 1:01pm

     1.And???...so should Catholics been attacked for having the Vatican attack the use of condoms to stop AIDS???

     2.Are you wearing one right now??? and do you always???

     3. Read Klein or Tim Weiner's last book...Our country has a lot to anwser for, and it is not easy to be proud all the time...

     4...So???A lot of people don't...Some people don't even get up at games when it comes on...

     Anwser me this:Are you Paul Krugman or Rush Limbaugh???or just nutty as heck???

     Posted by idealvoice at 03/18/2008 @ 8:51pm

165. Posted by IDEALVOICE 03/18/2008 @ 8:51pm | ignore this person

     Not exactly the same thing...but then again i dont expect you to see the difference

     Posted by CPT at 03/18/2008 @ 9:09pm

166. Obama is eloquent -but I just feel there's not enough sincerity. You can really tell when a politician speaks to you. Like Bill Clinton did, or Reagan. What they said made sense.

     Obama needs to think about speaking TO us - rather speaking AT us - basically being preachy. Preachy is not good - but sincerity is special.

     Posted by reality4all at 03/18/2008 @ 9:27pm

167. When you're right, you're right:

     Bush doesn't read newspapers

     McCain wouldn't talk to other narrow-minded militant leaders

     AND Hillary didn't listen to the speech

     Posted by winyahn at 03/18/2008 @ 9:30pm

168. While my wife and I lived in NYC in the eighties, remember vividly how the same racialist bias was directed at Jesse Jackson during the NY primary over the the "Hymie Town" comment and supposed antisemitism, doubt anything Obama says or does will mean much. Now that the likes of Tim Russert have given it legitimacy with using Farrakhan and Wright this time, it is likely too late, and threatened, fearful, guilty or whatever whites will act out their prejudices. Hope not, but for all the reasons Obama mentioned race will matter and will divide. We will hear a lot of approvingly solemn and righteous for what was said, but it doesn't matter and serves the intended purpose. Obama is now the black candidate.

     Charlie M.

     Posted by cmsandia at 03/18/2008 @ 9:45pm

169. Posted by NOT BUYING IT 03/18/2008 @ 1:33pm

     Oh my, you are a silly goose!

     Posted by gloryoski at 03/18/2008 @ 9:46pm

170. RE: Teaching ...

     Well, I see absolutely nothing teaching in there. What the guy's about? Wants to get a free ride on this, like affirmative actions again and again. It's the economy, stupid, not race.

     Posted by HelenDAO at 03/18/2008 @ 9:51pm

171. Look at what he does, not at what he says. How right. Talk is cheap. And what's Mr. Obama been doing, which is to try to use his race card and disenfranchize millions of Dem votes for Hillary, is a blatant contradiction. read this.

     ---------

     Plan for new Michigan Democratic primary falters By Kevin Krolicki Tue Mar 18, 5:44 PM ET

     DETROIT (Reuters) - Michigan Democratic Party leaders on Tuesday said a proposal to re-run the state's contested presidential primary in June, which could potentially benefit the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, was stalled and unlikely to be approved before a deadline this week.

     Posted by HelenDAO at 03/18/2008 @ 10:03pm

172. Like the NAFTA/Canadians situation...

     Posted by BLEEDINGHEART 03/18/2008 @ 4:00pm

     To be like that situation it would have to be a Clintonista telling Wright not to worry. (Well, that still wouldn't make any sense, but you get the point, or should.)

     Posted by gloryoski at 03/18/2008 @ 10:09pm

173. Especially not Pharoah in a pantsuit.

     Posted by GOYADAD 03/18/2008 @ 2:55pm

     Why "especially"? For that matter, why "pantsuit?" Is there some male politician somewhere wearing a suit with no pants (in public I mean)?

     Posted by gloryoski at 03/18/2008 @ 10:14pm

174. Look at what he does, not at what he says. How right. Talk is cheap. And what's Mr. Obama been doing, which is to try to use his race card and disenfranchise millions of Dem votes for Hillary, is a blatant contradiction. read this.

     ---------

     Plan for new Michigan Democratic primary falters By Kevin Krolicki Tue Mar 18, 5:44 PM ET

     DETROIT (Reuters) - Michigan Democratic Party leaders on Tuesday said a proposal to re-run the state's contested presidential primary in June, which could potentially benefit the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, was stalled and unlikely to be approved before a deadline this week.

     Posted by HelenDAO at 03/18/2008 @ 10:15pm

175. Posted by CMSANDIA

     Charlie, Very well stated. I agree, the Hillary/ McCain status quo is most likely to remain so. This sort of transformation is anything but linear. The moral bell curve of 1930's Germany, 1960's South Africa, and the USA today remains ethnocentric, bigoted and unimaginative in at the center, for example:

     HELENDAO Appreciate the honesty. As they say, the teacher will appear when the student is ready"

     Posted by winyahn at 03/18/2008 @ 10:22pm

176. it is the same mindless rhetoric, and cheap political expediancy measures that make all charletons shine.----Posted by CPT 03/18/2008 @ 8:49pm

     And CPT would know...he voted for Bush twice!

     Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 10:23pm

177. Posted by HELENDAO 03/18/2008 @ 10:15pm

     No, no...I insist. That Soviet-style "only Her name on the ballot" "vote" must stand!

     It's the democracy, stupid!

     Posted by Mask at 03/18/2008 @ 10:24pm

178. RE: Teaching ...

     Now Mr. Obama is just clinching himself to one. Which is to deny everything that is politically inconvenient for him, from his pastor to his Muslim root. That's no courage.

     Posted by HelenDAO at 03/18/2008 @ 10:30pm

179. Posted by MASK 03/18/2008

     Man don't you understand anything in American politics? Wake up man. Mr. Obama is unelectable. The American did a mistake in chosing Dubya over the experienced Al Gore. They won't, and should not, mistake again. Too costly.

     Posted by HelenDAO at 03/18/2008 @ 10:35pm

180. Well then, it's clear. It's time to vote for experience.

     write-in-vote-for-cheney-2008.com

     Posted by winyahn at 03/18/2008 @ 10:37pm

181. ENOUGH!!!!!

     Wright said something very hateful;

     Barack seemingly approved most (but not all) of what Wright had to say);

     so therefore...

     don't vote for Rev. Wright (no electability at all)!

     Can we move on to an actual discussion about something other than this mindless drivel that passes for political discussion these days?

     The lemmings will never vote for a Democrat, McCain wants to be in Iraq until his grandchildren are great grandparents, Hillary has sunk to Rove-like levels (think McCain in South Carolina in 2000), and Barack is apparently unfit for the Presidency due to 10 minutes of over-the-top rhetoric out of 30+ years. Man, is this country f'ed up or what?

     Posted by Turk33 at 03/18/2008 @ 10:40pm

182. due to 10 minutes of over-the-top rhetoric from his pastor out of 30+ years.

     Left that out - kind of changes the meaning.

     Posted by Turk33 at 03/18/2008 @ 10:42pm

183. Uh oh!! The polls are starting to come in. Seems the general public wasn't as impressed with Obama's speech as the media.

     Don't fret you Obamaniacs, a smooth sea doesn't make a swift sailor.

     Batten down the hatches!!

     Posted by bleedingheart at 03/18/2008 @ 10:50pm

184. How sad with Florida and Michigan. Unlike place like Mississipi and Wyoming, the US cannot exist without Florida and Michigan. Well by deleting those states I think Mr. Obama's done a coup d'etat. This guy must leave the Democratic party for good. Frankly, no one likes the tyranny of the majority. But if Mr. Obama imposes the tyranny of the minority? That's Bush-like. Read this.

     ------------

     Florida to Democrats: Count Us or Lose Us

     Tuesday, March 18, 2008 7:17 PM One in four Florida Democrats said they would be less likely to support the party's nominee in the November presidential election if the state's primary election results are ignored, according to a poll released on Tuesday.

     In the poll of 600 registered and frequent Democratic voters, 89 percent said it was important Florida's delegates count in the party's presidential nominating convention. Twenty-four percent said they would be less likely to vote for the Democratic nominee if Florida delegates are not seated.

     Posted by HelenDAO at 03/18/2008 @ 10:53pm

185. A really good job on this. Interesting commentary from the mainstream cable media. I think some of them are missing the point. This isn't just a new news story or whatever. This is an opportunity to get beyond the divisions that have impeded all the things we want to get done. It's a great opportunity. I'm taking it. I hope others do as well.

     Posted by jamesg at 03/18/2008 @ 11:06pm

186. With today's speech, Magic made it very clear that he does NOT share his `uncle's long-held, well-known dire views. Also, any illusions by Obamanics that BO may not have known just how racist the Rev. is, have been shattered.

     What bewilders and puzzles me is: Is todays' Obama the same one that sat in THAT church for 20 years, surrounded by members who, as he seemed to claim he did, quietly put up with this Racist uncle? or is it more likely that he, with wife and daughters, absorbed said uncle's demonizing sermons with just a tad less enthusiasm more fitting to a hign-income power family?

     Anyway, cut to the chase.....IMO, Magic really HOPEs to CHANGE America for the better but I do NOT believe he loves our country, just as it is, warts and all, as most of us do. It is not credible to me that Obama could have stayed in THAT church for THAT long without being a agreeable `nephew' to his Uncle Wright.

     Frankly, the more I hear/read this Rev.'s "God Damn America", the more trouble I have. 20 years with one church and the Founding Pastor no less. IF he becomes the Demo Nominee, look for this huge INCONSISTENCY AND HYPOCRACY to come up over and over and over.....

     Posted by Happy at 03/18/2008 @ 11:21pm

187. Posted by ZERO 03/18/2008

     Oh you greenish. Don't let procedures triumph over purpose. Discount no vote even if it is not good for you. Who sys Mr. Obama is in-experienced? Nope, the guy is just too experienced -in the wrong province.

     Posted by HelenDAO at 03/18/2008 @ 11:31pm

188. Posted by ZERO 03/18/2008

     Well, you just wondering how much GOP loves Obama over HRC? Why? The Rovians see a 50-state sweep if Mr. Obama takes the Dem ticket. In that case I would recommend Hillary run as independent.

     Posted by HelenDAO at 03/18/2008 @ 11:36pm

189. Katha Pollitt wrote about the Godless nature of our constitution. In a break with British Constitutionalism, our Founding Fathers explicitly forbade the use of religious tests to screen people for public office. This means to me that we should not be vetting candidates for their private religious beliefs and probing into what they said and hear inside the Church on Sunday. They should be judged in terms of their legislative history, their policy proposals and their experience. Politicians should also shy away from the use of religion-based reasons for proposing, accepting or rejecting legislation. The public realm should remain secular-- a space for open, democratic debate. Without compelling reason we should not be discussing what Obama heard or said within the confines of his Church on Sundays. To open the private world of religious belief to religious scrutiny contravenes the spirt of our Godless constitution.

     Posted by A.L. Hartal at 03/18/2008 @ 11:46pm

190. Following her comments of the last two weeks, Senator Hillary Clinton should abandon her Presidential Campaign. In fact she should probably resign her Senate seat. Endorsing the Republican candidate over Senator Obama and casting aspersions on Senator Obama's patriotism and religion are tactics we expect from certain Republican political advisers. We do not expect them someone who would ask us to vote for her for President.

     A petition made by Obama supporters to be sent to the DNC stating that if Senator Clinton becomes the Democratic Nominee for the presidential election, you will either: a) abstain from voting in the general election or b) a third-party-candidate during the general election. Here's the link: http://www.petitiononline.com/obama725/petition.html

     Memo to my fellow Democrats:

     Dump the Clinton's-- NOW!

     Every Democratic Party platform embraces tolerance and diversity and eschews racism and bigotry. Senator Barack Obama has been the victim of vicious, hateful, racist, religiously bigoted email and whisper campaigns. Senator Clinton's campaign has on multiple occasions aided and abetted this attack. Several Clinton campaign officials, including Bill Clinton, have attempted to malign Obama's reputation. When given a chance to ‘denounce and reject' the hateful email campaign, Senator Clinton qualified her response ("not that I know of") just enough to stoke the suspicions of those who stand gullibly ready to believe the email slander. Senator Clinton compounded the insult and injury by effectively endorsing John McCain over Barack Obama. Beyond making a great attack ad for the GOP, she has eliminated her own ability to campaign for Senator Obama when he becomes the Democratic nominee. So, is there any principle the Democratic Party loves more than it loves the Clintons? What does the Democratic Party stand for?

     Decision time Democrats: Hope for Change with Obama or keep rolling in the mud with the Clintons.

     Posted by nevadakid48 at 03/18/2008 @ 11:58pm

191. So humiliated by all the philandering and so traumatized, calcified and embittered by years and years of beatings by Rove and Rush, HILLARY's become a hyper-nasty masculinized alpha female. A whole lot like like the neocons posting here in fact. Ah ha! No wonder they're freaking so bad over Obama. Such rage and humiliation! Oh well, let the victims vent. Alright, sure, Obama is really all the bad that's ever happened to you, sure he is, bad, dangerous, evil, yes, yes, we understand.

     Posted by winyahn at 03/19/2008 @ 12:54am

192. Obama is such an intelligent and classy gent, it's hard to imagine that he, especially in light of his predecessors, Republican and Democrat alike, will ever become President of the United States. After surviving (barely) the abomination of the Bush regime, only Obama gives us a fighting chance to turn around what life for American workingmen and workingwomen has become. Insincere Clinton, indeed a "monster" as Samantha Power claimed, or bellicose McCain, and his 1000 year war, will probably ascend to power, which will be less a farce than a tragedy of grotesque proportions, because Obama is one in 300 million, and his time, whether the electorate (and superdelegates) realizes it or not, is now.

     Posted by John D at 03/19/2008 @ 12:55am

193. I haven't gotten involved in the Wright stuff because, well, I don't think it is important. Most of the stuff he said wasn't that bad, and the stuff that was (like suggesting that 9/11 was deserved. It is true that the behavior of our government prompted the 9/11 attacks. It is true that we have done worse. But none of that has one damned thing to do with the firemen, cops, janitors, middle managers, secretaries, clerks, temps, etc. who actually died that day. If you aren't willing to sacrifice the flow of your speech to make the proper distinctions about who deserved what, then keep your mouth shut.) clearly didn't have anything to do with Obama's candidacy.

     I am only commenting because I read the speech over at TPMcafe, and I have to admit I am impressed. Rather slyly Obama worked in the claim that racial animus is a tool used by the corporate elite to keep the working class divided. Most importantly this speech had content (the downside is the same one we all experienced as kids when we did something good and found that our parents created a new standard for us to live up to. If Obama can give a contentful speech without sacrificing his rhetorical abilities, then why is his stump speech so empty?). Lots of content. It didn't pull punches, it said things hard for the intended audience to hear. I didn't like the crap about Israel at the beginning, but until the Palestinians have a group in the US like Likud does in AIPAC (Likud and that shell of a unity party Olmert is watching sink), no American politician is going to tell the truth about the occupation of the West Bank.

     Posted by dentedpat at 03/19/2008 @ 12:59am

194. John D,

     Put the pipe down dude. Turn off your tele. Obama is one in 300 million just like you and I. He is a great speaker, so was the last car dealer I dealt with. This media infatuation with Obama is ridiculous. What in the f$%^ has he EVER done other than make a great speech. Geraldine Ferraro's caught up in the concept statement is making more and more sense everytime I read a post like yours. Seriously, what in the f*&$ has he accomplished in his two years in the senate? Step away from the pipe....

     Posted by bleedingheart at 03/19/2008 @ 01:11am

195. JOHN D Well said. I really agree. There an all kinds of bright, articulate people. AND now forty years later we can have enough data to know that the likes of Robert Kennedy and MLK are indeed very rare. Hopefully he won't actually get assassinated, in addition to the character assassinations. What a dream it would be to simply have so articulate, civil and INTELLIGENT a leader. I am just enjoying what may be a brief break before the two robotic phonies show, not to mention further destruction of our democracy.

     Posted by winyahn at 03/19/2008 @ 01:16am

196. If it can be noted above the bilious grumbling & teeth gnashing from the rightwings of both parties ... but Obama's FULL speech, in about a half day on YouTube, has already received over 875,000 views, quite a record.

     Posted by sloper at 03/19/2008 @ 02:28am

197. by Roger L. Simon

     Barack, I didn't do it for this.

     Barack, I was a civil rights worker… South Carolina, 1966… 22 yrs old … helping old folks register to vote, teaching kids to read and write, directing Raisin in the Sun…

     Barack, I didn't do it for this.

     Barack, I dream of my kindergarten best friend Andy from Walden School, Manhattan, born one day after me, shot dead in Mississippi 1964.

     Barack, I idolized Stokley Carmichael and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee.

     Barack, I lost the full use of my left hand for life in South Carolina.

     Barack, I didn't do it for this.

     Barack, I gave hundreds to the Black Panthers for their children's breakfast program when I was 25 and a young screenwriter in Echo Park, Los Angeles, even though I knew Huey was crazy and was worried my money might have been going for guns, even though I had my own children in the house when the Panthers came over, their jackets bulging.

     Barack, I made excuses for the Black Power Movement even though I knew it was turning racist.

     Barack, I didn't do it for this.

     Barack, your speech was bullshit.

     Barack, this isn't about generations.

     Barack, this isn't about the black church.

     Barack, this is about a pathological minister whose uncontrolled anger wounds his own people and keeps them down.

     Barack, this is about a man who ignored that rage for his own political gain and even now won't admit a huge mistake and looks for nuance and excuses.

     Barack, this about a woman who went on scholarship to Princeton and Harvard and still hates America.

     Barack, you say you want Black-Jewish reconciliation but you hung with an anti-Semite.

     Barack, I didn't do it for this.

     Roger L. Simon is an Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, novelist and blogger, and the CEO of Pajamas Media. ------

     Posted by harvey 79 at 03/19/2008 @ 02:52am

198. Two outs... bottom of the seventh... it's all tied up at 3 each as Obama slowly and confidently walks to the plate. The crowd is on it's feet and two or three chants can barely be made out over the deafening din of of the baseball fans gathered here today... most of whom are stunned by the 'audacity' of this remarkable player's history. As Obama steps into the batters box, The chant "yes we can" is is clearly heard over the others, as Obama nods his characteristic 'I owe it all to you' affirming smile while digging in and beginning to size up the relief pitcher... affectionately known as "Media Scam Jones"... who as we all know, has never lost a game. As Obama settles in, and Jones checks for signals, a second chant is faintly heard over the others... "whatever it takes, strike him out"... and it's predominantly female chanters are really bringing it on here tonight! Jones nods... sets... glances up into the stands for a moment... and steps off the mound. Now, the third chant has become VERY audible as Obama steps back and knocks the dirt out of his cleats and takes a few more warm up swings... "Barrak is black and a radical hack" is booming out louder and louder in the deep angry tone reminiscent of a boot camp marching drill, as Jones once again looks for signals, and Obama eyes him carefully in a rapt and concentrating calm. The wind up... and the pitch... THWACK!!! Obama has connected solidly... but none of the players are moving except Obama, who is casually tossing his bat and trotting towards first... all eyes are on the fielders... and they are... I know this sounds amazing... unable to find the ball! As Obama rounds second, none of the fielders has a clue where the ball has gone, and the umpire is looking strangely up into the sky... The formerly riotous crowd stands shocked and murmuring... as Obama glides over home plate and into the arms of his waiting team... as three quarters of the stadium begins to almost reluctantly applaud.

     God Bless America!

     Posted by ttr at 03/19/2008 @ 02:53am

199. United Church of Christ Statement of Faith in the form of a doxology

     We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ and our God, and to your deeds we testify: You call the worlds into being, create persons in your own image,and set before each one the ways of life and death. You seek in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin. You judge people and nations by your righteous will declared through prophets and apostles. In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Savior, you have come to us and shared our common lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling the world to yourself. You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit, creating and renewing the church of Jesus Christ, binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races. You call us into your church to accept the cost and joy of discipleship, to be your servants in the service of others, to proclaim the gospel to all the world and resist the powers of evil,to share in Christ's baptism and eat at his table, to join him in his passion and victory. You promise to all who trust you forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace, courage in the struggle for justice and peace, your presence in trial and rejoicing, and eternal life in your realm which has no end. Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you. Amen.

     We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black and Unapologetically Christian... Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization. God has superintended our pilgrimage through the days of slavery, the days of segregation, and the long night of racism. It is God who gives us the strength and courage to continuously address injustice as a people, and as a congregation. We constantly affirm our trust in God through cultural expression of a Black worship service and ministries which address the Black Community.

     The Pastor as well as the membership of Trinity United Church of Christ is committed to a 10-point Vision:

     1. A congregation committed to ADORATION.

     2. A congregation preaching SALVATION.

     3. A congregation actively seeking RECONCILIATION.

     4. A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.

     5. A congregation committed to BIBLICAL EDUCATION.

     6. A congregation committed to CULTURAL EDUCATION.

     7. A congregation committed to the HISTORICAL EDUCATION OF AFRICAN PEOPLE IN DIASPORA.

     8. A congregation committed to LIBERATION.

     9. A congregation committed to RESTORATION.

     10. A congregation working towards ECONOMIC PARITY.

     Posted by harvey 79 at 03/19/2008 @ 03:23am

200. If a White senator sat in his church for twenty years listening to his minister make vile anti-black racist remarks and described the minister as his friend and mentor and inspiration for a book he wrote how do you think the Black community would respond? With justifiable outrage! And the White community would join them in being angry! It is disgusting that Blacks find nothing wrong with vile anti-American and anti-semitic rantings from their churches but scream racism every time they feel they are denied something they did not earn and do not deserve. Bigotry and hatred towards another people, or religion is wrong no matter what shade your skin is and I cannot vote for anyone who sat by silently for twenty years and did nothing to voice any opposition to the hate filled sermons they heard. It's very nice that Obama made such an eloquent speech but where was he BEFORE he ran for president? Why was it okay for him to keep totally silent all that time??? That is not leadership or having the courage of your convictions.

     Posted by mjkoch at 03/19/2008 @ 07:51am

201. Here's a a real simple test - if you care more about 10 minutes out of 30+ years of preaching of a candidate's pastor more than you care about the candidates record and vision, than please feel free to not vote for him. Because, let's face it, if you're that ignorant and simple-minded, you probably weren't going to vote for him anyway.

     Question: is there any proof beyond the 10 minutes that have circulated that Rev. Wright made this kind of sermon regularly?

     Question: is there any proof in any of Obama's actions that he espouses any of Rev. Wright's ideolgy (and I mean his work in his communities, his voting record, etc.)?

     Question: Is there any doubt that the Cliniton campaign brought this to light so that Obama would have to make a statement, which in turn would allow them to claim that he was playing the race card? Or that McCain would have done the same thing after Obama gets the nomination? Or that it's an action that, while standard operating procedure for Republican-led campaigns, is despicable coming from a former victim of the same tactics and who was supposed to be smarter and more ethical than the Republicans?

     Posted by Turk33 at 03/19/2008 @ 08:15am

202. He could have said: White America has taken a resolute step away from its past, so must black America. It is up to black leaders to finally defeat and end inflammatory anti whitey language, paranoid suspicions and imputations that simmer in black America. Nothing can be gained by sustaining that old bitterness, that festering hate, those endless recriminations. I will do my best to end all that.

     Posted by MARKCANYON 03/19/2008 @ 07:31am

     I can only assume that you have not heard/read the whole speech, since that is almost exactly what he said. Apparently FOX News/Rush/Hannity/O'Reilly have been reporting it incorrectly (as hard as that is to believe)- check out the speech and actually listen to it. Even though this a damned-if-you-do/damned-if-you-don't moment for him, Obama made a tremendous speech, attempting to elevate himself above the slime that has become American politics.

     Posted by Turk33 at 03/19/2008 @ 08:24am

203. If the same standard of bigoted fear had been applied to JFK's Catholicism, as is being placed on Wright's non-infallible religious influence, JFK would've never been elected.

     Face it; this is all about fear, white fear of their black boogieman. A lot of whites just fear a lot (genetically created a big fear muscle in their heads) and would rather kill that which they fear than understand anything different than themselves. Natural born bigots. For the far right new con repubs, fear is their bread and butter strategy and they're using the ignorance of their constituency to easily manipulate them.

     Face it, the 'fear' that pops up here from the far right new con repubs is so thick one can easily imagine them creating a brick wall 100's of feet tall all around their America to keep everything out, just to 'feel' safe. NOT. The new con repubs are fearful bigots that need an ignorant fearful constituency to feed off of, thus their constituency will never 'be' safe... All I see here pushing this issue are a bunch of tiny minded soulless dumb-ass lemmings.

     Posted by hsuBfools at 03/19/2008 @ 08:47am

204. Obama's speech was a disaster. More than a disappointment, this individual is not fit to be President.

     Thank goodness the Dem Superdelegates still have a chance to stop his coronation.

     The leftist media have once again failed to do their job -- it took Sean Hannity and his friends a year to force us into looking at these ranting racists in dresses mocking Christianity and fomenting race hatred and anti-Americanism. This will truly galvanize all Americans to disregard party affiliation and repudiate an ignorant, anti-Christian racist from becoming President.

     God help the Democrats! Oh, I forgot. Many of them don't believe in Him. God is just another "fairy tale" in their dismissive, ignorant belief system. So if they reject the premises of Christianity, how can we believe the hollow words of reconciliation they sanctimoniously preach to us?

     Obama has succeeded in devaluing the genuine faith experience of millions of us, regardless of color, ethnicity or spiritual tradition.

     Posted by virgopure at 03/19/2008 @ 08:55am

205. Obama is too good for America.

     Posted by mikhailovich at 03/19/2008 @ 09:12am

206. osted by VIRGOPURE 03/19/2008 @ 08:55bm

     Another fearful new con repub to the rescue of other fearful new con repubs...

     BWAHahahahahahah

     Posted by hsuBfools at 03/19/2008 @ 09:14am

207. With any luck, Obama's speech may just turn this seemingly messy situation to his advantage.

     Posted by CHIP THORNTON at 03/19/2008 @ 09:19am

208. Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia:

     '...In response Nixon made an impassioned reply on national television in a speech known as the "Checkers" speech because it contained a sentimental reference to Nixon's dog, Checkers. The speech included a full disclosure of his personal finances, and Eisenhower then kept him as his running mate....'

     Posted by HonestLiberal at 03/19/2008 @ 09:26am

209. Hope, change, and all that...yeah, right:

     Obama sez: "The remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's effort to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country, a view that sees white racism as endemic and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America; a view that sees the conflicts in the Middle East as rooted primarily in the actions of stalwart allies like Israel instead of emanating from the perverse and hateful ideologies of radical Islam."

     vote for me? [mickeyz.net]

     Posted by coolobserver at 03/19/2008 @ 09:46am

210. Anyone know the source of the cherry-picked videos? Has anyone asked?

     Posted by Lil at 03/19/2008 @ 10:21am

211. "Why Should God bless America"

     http://www.rightwingwatch.org/2007/09/why_should_god_bless_america.html

     So let's hear the stink about it. You won't hear it because it is implicit that criticizing America from the far Right is the norm--but criticizing America for it's blundering, murderous crimes tarnishes our fine opinion of ourselves as beloved liberators--when the truth is the world increasingly hates us.

     Posted by Lil at 03/19/2008 @ 10:34am

212. Seems to me Barack has shown how he reacts under extreme pressure and will respond to the "3a.m." call to the White House, with thoughtful, measured brilliance. In his speech yesterday Obama showed courage, honesty and insight. He can as a bi-racial person and culturally global informed person, see an issue from many perspectives. As the man he is showing himself to be he can address issues with a tone that even if some will disagree with him must in the end respect him and agree he takes a well thought out approach to difficult issues. Obama said what I have said and believed for years about both the black and white community. Question is, in this cynical country of exploitive politics who really heard his message?

     Posted by deborahdi at 03/19/2008 @ 10:38am

213. We want the person we select to be our president to have the courage of their convictions. Barack Obama does not. For twenty years he sat silently in his church while his pastor made dozens of hate filled sermons about America and Jews. When you sit silently as your pastor accuses your government of creating the HIV virus to kill your people and makes repeated and vile anti-semitic remarks then you are just as guilty for sitting there and doing nothing to voice your opposition. It took Obama twenty years to come forth and try and distance himself from the hate filled remarks and the ONLY reason he did so was because he is running for President. I am Jewish and I was an Obama supporter but I will vote for McCain if Obama is the Democratic nominee in November. I want to vote for someone who, whenever they hear hate filled rhetoric directed towards Blacks, Whites, Jews, Hispanics, Gays, Asians, or any other group speaks up then and there and does not wait for a time when they are forced to do the right thing for their political career.

     Posted by mjkoch at 03/19/2008 @ 10:41am

214. Posted by FRANKSHITSZ 03/18/2008 @ 1:01pm

     A lapel pin, like a magnetic ribbon, is a cheap and superficial way to display one's alleged patriotism. They mean no more than your infantile posts.

     Those of us who were awake in school know that etiquette requires the right hand over the heart for the Pledge of Allegiance, not the National Anthem. If your assertion were valid, then almost every NASCAR driver would be a traitor.

     Crawl back under the bridge.

     Posted by bwindrip at 03/19/2008 @ 10:56am

215. again, Has there been any discussion or speculation about the source of these cherry-picked video blips that had to be gleened from reams of footage and deliberately planted and Dean-screamed endlessly for the intended response? This reeks of Clintonista opposition research with the familiar taint of race-baiting--depicting the angry Black exploiting white fear. I did see one thread on Democratic Underground where owner Skinner suggested the possibility of the Clinton campaign behind this, countering others who suggested the timing was questionable--wouldn't the Clintons leak it closer to the PA primary? But it could also be viewed as Ferraro damage control to throw it out now. Plus, just because they didn't hold it until later doesn't mean they don't have a slew of sleaze and mud to throw from now until then.

     Posted by Lil at 03/19/2008 @ 10:59am

216. Yeah yeah 20 years and all the media in the world - scores of reporters, hundreds of efforts to get the goods, year after year - sat on 20 years worth of sermons, 20 years worth of huge, exciting corporate media Gotcha! Through state senate campaign, through US senate campaign. 20 years, every Sunday... Congratulations Neocons in March, not of 2000, 2002, 2005 but 2008 you've found a reason to perpetuate your mediocrity.

     Posted by winyahn at 03/19/2008 @ 11:03am

217. With this speech...

     ...Clinton becomes Nader.

     Posted by drhammer at 03/19/2008 @ 11:08am

218. I see the speech hit a nerve and brought the flustered fascists in full force out of the woodwork. I knew it would. Their panties are all twisted in a damp, tight, little, snarled, smelly shrill knot. Since I am not a politician and do not have to play nice and sugar-coat everything for the pale white hate-filled jingoistic, xenophobic goosestepping stupid white men bowing before the throne of Zionism while it slaughters Palestinians like they were vermin... Yeah, pal, tell me about your holy god. You know the one that we were told that brought 911 because of homosexuality-or was it AIDS or was it, I don't know, welfare mothers? Or Katrina--as God's vegence for homosexuality or abortion.. Or how about the McCain preacher claiming Catholism as the "great whore". Yeah and how about those holy men buggering boys. Yeah, hold your candle up high so we can all see you shine... You know what poor white trash white men hate and fear the most? An angry black man--or is it an intelligent sophisticated black man? And whoever leaked this knew exactly who and what they were pandering to: ignorance and fear. God damn America.

     Posted by Lil at 03/19/2008 @ 11:13am

219. I have been and continue to be an Obama suporter, but I think that his run may be over. Billary finally succeeded in characterizing him as the "black" candidate and he went along with it by giving a tremendous, but ill-timed speech. He did the morally right thing, but the politically wrong and unfortunately he will get punished for it, not rewarded. His speech will not change the minds of white Americans who are threatened by his connection to Rev. Wright which is the exact group that he needed to appease. He has dropped in the polls over the last week and I fear will continue to do so. He will probably still hold out and get the nomination, but he will be the "black" candidate in the general election, and as such it will be very difficult to win. Then again it's a long time until then...he has the time to make this election about the issues that Americans care about such as the war and the economy. As hard as it may be for him, he needs to never bring this up again and hope that everyone forgets by the time of the general election.

     Posted by danconstan at 03/19/2008 @ 11:27am

220. My fellow Americans on the right, Obama is NOT some mealymouthed Pelosi or Kerry. Shoot him down and you really won't be proud of yourselves down the road. Try and breathe and cool down a bit. Here's your fundamental challenge: decide whether he's a closet racist / Jesse type, OR he's really about inclusiveness, including the Wright's of the old Black territory. He won't hang them, sorry. But he won't be their puppet. He's about transcending by INCLUDING. Hard to fathom, but try.

     Posted by winyahn at 03/19/2008 @ 11:34am

221. "1.Obama listens to Wright spew racist venom X 20 yrs

     2. Obama has qualms about wearing a US flag lapel

     3.Michelle O says she has never been proud of her country until now (now that Barak is running for president)

     4. Barak doesn't put his hand over his heart when 'Star Spangled Banner' is played on campaign trail.

     I think I can connect those dots."

     Yes, you figured it out, Obama isn't a mindless follower like most Americans these days, but a real patriot who criticizes and questions his government...imagine that...wait, how was this country founded again?

     Posted by danconstan at 03/19/2008 @ 11:35am

222. The same goes for WWII vets hatred toward commies, etc. We make room for them but meanwhile we do business with China, Russia, push for reform.

     Obama said, and you can call him a liar, that at no time did Wright say anything disparing about Whites or any race to him. Take this in the context of my post on how this has only just come to light. Be a little more curious and a little less persecutory.

     Posted by winyahn at 03/19/2008 @ 11:38am

223. For twenty years he sat silently in his church while his pastor made dozens of hate filled sermons about America and Jews.

     Posted by MJKOCH 03/19/2008 @ 10:41am

     So, exactly how close has your pew been to Obama's for the past twenty years?

     How many fallacies/lies can one 22-word sentence contain? Let's find out!

     1. ...he sat silently... - Do you know for a fact that Obama never spoke to his pastor about his concerns regarding his ideology? No, you don't.

     2. ...in his church while... - I am not aware of any proof that Obama was present for any of the three times (that there is proof of) his pastor made those remarks. If he was there, refer back to #1.

     3. ...made dozens... - Dozens? Do you have proof that these types of sermons numbered in double digits? No, but hyperbole is a great to make this sound worse than it is.

     4. ...hate filled sermons... - Bitter? Absolutely! Biased? No question! Hate-filled? I guess that depends on your perspective; I think it is reasonable to think that somebody who has lived through segregation and Jim Crow might hate those who subjected him/her to that. Doesn't make it right, and Obama clearly denounced such language in his speech.

     5. ...about America and Jews... - So it is automatically wrong to criticize America and Jews, regardless of the veracity of the criticisms? You can disagree with Wright's statements (I do with a lot of them, and Obama apparently does as well), but he has every right to make them. And he made them in a setting and context that YouTube just can't capture.

     Obama is in a no-win situation. Deny any contact with Wright, and he is distancing himself from a big part of his base and is called a flip-flopper; support Wright and be called a racist black man.

     Yet again, the politics of scandal and personality takes over for ideas and character. Except this time, the virus is within the Democratic party.

     Posted by Turk33 at 03/19/2008 @ 11:48am

224. He could have said: I made a mistake. I joined congregation which drew its strength from endlessly reopening the wounds of the past. I am not going to offer an excuse. That was wrong.....

     Posted by MARKCANYON 03/19/2008 @ 07:31am

     What I assumed and somewhat `feared', is that Magic would have given a mea culpa speech just like that. I still think, at some point, perhaps when he GETS--now much less probable--the Nomination, he will still make a speech as you outlined.

     Obama knows very well that the Demos are far more forgiving of his 20-year journey in HateLand than the general Electorate. For my money, if he doesn't, he has LITTLE (to no) CHANCE in November....Even if he does, that alone, will not lead to victory....but it is an absolute requirement. Too bad he isn't quite smart enough--and he's very, very smart--to do the necessary now, rather than later when it becomes obvious to all, even Obamanics.

     Posted by Happy at 03/19/2008 @ 12:01pm

225. The far right new con repubs are all a'fearin' to their scared silly end. Poor babies.

     Posted by hsuBfools at 03/19/2008 @ 12:23pm

226. Rev. Wright, in the clips that I saw, spoke the truth. I've heard about some others that may be inaccurate.

     He used very strong language to make his points, divisive language.

     However, Obama is exactly correct. Dwelling on America's past mistakes will not fix our future. It will ensure eternal reruns.

     His great accomplishment with this speech was to take a step past the media-enabled hate.

     Understand, all you who oppose Obama, that our problems are too large to solve while we're divided. We absolutely must have true uniter (not Bush Sheet, the phony) to have any chance of regaining the America we have in our hearts but have lost in the real world.

     The old Clinton politics won't work either. On paper, Obama has already won the Presidency. Unless the Clintons or the Republicans can burn up that paper, he'll do it. However, burning the paper will incinerate the landscape. We should work together to prevent that happening. I actually can hope that McCain won't actively take part in the burning himself. However, the Coulters, Limbaughs, and their ilk will do so gleefully.

     Posted by adr at 03/19/2008 @ 12:38pm

227. In hindsight, I guess I was right (ProudTexasGirl). Mr. Obama IS a liar, a racist, and a hypocrite. And those who follow and/or propel him are the same.

     And for those in deep denial, Reverend Wright did malign Jews and Whites over and over during his tenure and continuiing today. I have pulled up a tremendous amount of his 'sermons' with repulsive themes (GOOGLE and then read). Also, let us not forget his gift of a humanitarian award (awarded by Rev. Wright and Trinity Church 4 months ago) to the biggest Racist and Anti-Semite of them all, Louis Farrakhan . This type of alleged religion, where all you preach is HATRED of others, is the religion of evil. And Mr. Obama and his wife attended this church for 20 years by choice, had this man marry them, baptize their children, and consider this man to be their mentor. The audacity of their lies should choke you all...

     Furthermore, I find it more than ironic that Mr. Obama and his wife have ONLY benefitted from American policies regarding underprivileged racial classes. First, Mr. Obama has never had ANY MEMBER of the black side (remember, he is half white) of his family EVER enslaved (i.e. NOT ONE MEMBER EVER). Second, he was privileged enough to attend, prior to entering college/law school on race-based scholarships, middle school that charged $14,500.00 per year. Please note that his wife Michelle also received race-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate school.

     Finally, women in America have faced the same long road to equality as people of color. We were owned by our fathers, and then our husbands. We could not attend school, vote, and we could legally be beaten with sticks as long as they were of a certain size. We were denied access to schools, colleges, certain professions, and then underpaid, first to be fired, and beaten down with words, fists, and rape. The fight continues today, as the road to equality is hard and long.

     So, for Mr. Obama to pretend that his alleged struggle is the epitomy of all that is good about the American dream, and forget that Mrs. Clinton's struggle is perhaps the REAL DEAL is just more of the same hypocrisy. Mrs. Clinton came up from poverty and has not had to play the "woman" card, but rather is running on the quality of her character (as Martin Luther King would have wanted) rather than her gender/race. She did not have to attend a "man-hating" church to gain power and hope, but rather practices what she preaches--the American Dream.

     Finally, please note that the only countries where slave trading still occurs, and where it has ALWAYS happened, are AFRICAN countries. While the founding fathers in America may have been racist, most of America's sons and daughters are not. We may not be perfect yet in regards to true equality for all (women and people of color and all underprivileged), perhaps Mr. Obama should focus his attention on countries like Africa where slavery is ever-present.

     Posted by JenniferB at 03/19/2008 @ 12:42pm

228. "The far right new con repubs are all a'fearin' to their scared silly end"

     Hey my friend....were not one damn bit scared.....it is you traitorous LIBZ who should be terrified....Your silly party is CRACKING UP at the seems....and you fools are the ones that are stuck with the bitch "Hillary Rotten Clinton" or Barack "the magic Negro" Osama

     Were not scared you silly Marxist fools....were laughing our asses off as the work of the"Superior Intellect"

     GOD BLESS AMERICA

     Posted by libzsuk at 03/19/2008 @ 12:52pm

229. libsuk-You don't know what a lib is and don't know what a marxist is.Is there something that you do know?

     Posted by i'm nobody at 03/19/2008 @ 1:46pm

230. Yesterday, I read this article by Frank Schaeffer, the son of one of the religious right founders, Francis Schaeffer:

     http://www.huffingtonpost.com/frank-schaeffer/obamas-minister-committe_b _91774.html

     The gist of the article is that rightwing preachers have been spouting anti-American rhetoric for decades, and this has been ignored by the media. Frank Schaeffer broke his ties to the religious right and wrote "Crazy for God - How I Grew Up As One Of the Elect, Helped Found the Religious Right and Lived to Take All (or Almost All) Of It Back." He is in a position to know what the reaction was to his father's and his father's associates' condemnation of America.

     And the reaction was for them to be invited to the White House by a succession of Republican presidents, to be lauded as a great American by the likes of Billy Graham, Jack Kemp, and Everett Koop. When asked which book other than the Bible he would take to a desert island, Huckabee said it would be Francis Schaeffer's "Whatever Happened to the Human Race?" - a book in which he compared America to Germany under Hitler.

     Isn't it interesting that rightwinger preachers like Francis Schaeffer can write inflammatory tracts that compare the US to Nazi Germany (because of abortion) and Communist Russia (because of the prohibition against organized prayer in schools), and they get a pass from the so-called "liberal" media. But when a black minister from what is probably the most liberal mainstream protestant church, aside from Unitarian Universalism, fires some real truths at his congregation - however controversial - the media turns it into a circus. Incidentally, "damn" not only means "to curse," "to condemn to Hell" or "to swear at." It also means "to denounce." If God, whoever or whatever he or she is, does not denounce racism, lynching, slavery, racial profiling, and federal neglect, I'm not sure what would be denounced. Too much tolerance of gays, maybe? Using single cells that would otherwise go to waste to help prevent or cure debilitating diseases, expecting children to pray by themselves instead of as a group when at school, or (gasp) believing that evolution is a viable explanation for certain aspects of life?

     Many people are unfamiliar with the United Church of Christ and sometimes confuse it with the fundamentalist Church of Christ. If you go to their website, it becomes obvious that the United Church of Christ is inclusive and welcoming to anyone with a desire to worship there, including gays. If I were a religious person, it would be my choice. And it is Obama's choice, which I believe says a great deal about him.

     In any case the standard for liberals, blacks, and Democrats is quite different from the one accepted for rightwing radicals (they are NOT NOT NOT conservatives), Republicans, and white evangelicals. I believe it's called a DOUBLE standard.

     Posted by LeeAnnG at 03/19/2008 @ 2:02pm

231. MarkCanyon-Wright served America in the marines and navy.How about you?

     Posted by i'm nobody at 03/19/2008 @ 2:46pm

232. Barack Obama: But the remarks that have caused this recent firestorm weren't simply controversial. They weren't simply a religious leader's efforts to speak out against perceived injustice. Instead, they expressed a profoundly distorted view of this country -- a view that sees white racism as endemic, and that elevates what is wrong with America above all that we know is right with America

     Yeah, he obviously hates America - how silly of me not to be able to read between the lines like you apparently can.

     For the African-American community, that path means embracing the burdens of our past without becoming victims of our past. It means continuing to insist on a full measure of justice in every aspect of American life. But it also means binding our particular grievances -- for better health care and better schools and better jobs -- to the larger aspirations of all Americans: the white woman struggling to break the glass ceiling, the white man who has been laid off, the immigrant trying to feed his family. And it means taking full responsibility for our own lives -- by demanding more from our fathers, and spending more time with our children, and reading to them, and teaching them that while they may face challenges and discrimination in their own lives, they must never succumb to despair or cynicism; they must always believe that they can write their own destiny.

     Boy, you're right - Barack is a raving lunatic, a racist with alarming, radical views! Thank God you are here to explain what he meant. I read his words and watched his speech and thought he was espousing a discussion that trancends race; I thought he was condemning the words of his Pastor's without condemning him out of hand, based on 20 years of experiences beyond those moments when Wright's anger and bitterness bubbled over; I thought he was expressing his disgust for racism, towards blacks or whites or Latinos or Native Americans or any other group.

     He did make the claim that he is trying to make both sides take responsibility for their parts in the race problems in this country, but that wasn't good enough for you. He wasn't explicit enough for you. I don't know what else he could have said, other than to condemn all blacks, in a blanket statement, for their apparent sole responsibility (in your eyes) for the condition of race in this country.

     But let's be honest - no matter what he said, you would have found fault, you would have marginalized it, you would have dismissed as rhetoric, and you would still vote for John McCain.

     Posted by Turk33 at 03/19/2008 @ 2:57pm

233. I am a white man who yes, sips lattes, and does in fact prefer pino noir. I have discerning tastes and good judgment, which is why I am an avid supporter of Obama. Guess what I am also educated.. people who hate me probably had a hand in propagating the now ubiquitous idea in this country that presidents shouldn't be intelligent, or an academic, or articulate, or cognitively intact for that matter. That worked out brilliantly! Slavery did happen not long ago in this country and has had profound, immeasurable, horrific effects on us, all of us. Bravo to Barack for the courage to acknowledge this in the midst of fending off vehement attacks from every direction. Civil rights still exist on paper, let's keep them that way and allow all citizens to express themselves, even when they ignite fear in the fearful.

     Posted by lattesipper at 03/19/2008 @ 3:42pm

234. Posted by LVLIBERTY1 03/19/2008 @ 2:00pm

     So Fred Phelps means we can accuse you of being somebody who says dead GIs are going to hell at their funerals?

     I mean, fair's fair, right?

     Posted by Mask at 03/19/2008 @ 3:56pm

235. Yep, if African Americans calls America out on slavery, Jim Crow, racist institutionalized laws, secret racist experimentation, xenophobia, etc. Why then-- African Americans must really be the racists!

     Who knew!

     New con repubs are so screwed up it's laughably tragic.

     Posted by hsuBfools at 03/19/2008 @ 4:03pm

236. "America is a MEAN country" said Michelle Osama

     Wonder if she heard that from the good Rev. Wright with her daughters in tow????

     Posted by libzsuk at 03/19/2008 @ 4:11pm

237. Why is it acceptable to some to use racist and bigoted terms while condemning others for being 'racist'? The impulse to hate the 'other' is understandable and unfortunately this administration and many others have capitalized on this human tendency. But it's very barbaric..here's a little insight.. you don't have to be afraid of Muslims and/or African Americans.. they're not out to get you. Relax..breathe... and then read some history. Take a class in spelling while you're at it.

     Posted by lattesipper at 03/19/2008 @ 4:57pm

238. You think the country is too stupid to know when it is being coned.

     Posted by MARKCANYON 03/19/2008 @ 4:41pm

     No, I think people with a rigid sense of things are unable to see that which does not agree with their world view. As someone who has and will vote for people who's views best match mine (regardless of party), I am astounded by people who cannot or will not consider anybody's viewpoint other than their own - a definition of a conservative if I've ever heard one.

     And I know there is a significant segment of the population that has been and continues to be conned - lower and middle class people who consistently vote against their own interests because of fear (of the terrorists they believe will pour into the country id a Democrat is elected),or hatred (gays, blacks, Mexicans, Muslims, etc.) or ignorance (voters who get all their political savvy from FOX News, Rush, Savage, Hannity, and O'Reilly and never really have an independent thought of their own). They voted for Bush twice, despite his absolute disregard for their interests. All he needed to do was claim to be pro-life in 2000, and wave the flag of fear in 2004, and they all came running to him. I don't know if you fall in this category, but your comments lead me to believe that it's a good possibility. If not, I apologize.

     Posted by Turk33 at 03/19/2008 @ 10:14pm

239. I am a young college student who is very interested in politics. I was also an active U.S. Marine until a few years ago. I believe in Sen. Obama because I think he is the most genuine of the candidates running so far. Enough about myself though...

     First of all, I would like to thank Sen. Obama for not caving into both political and media-driven pressure. It must have been hard for him to digest this whole fiasco. It takes guts to do what he did, and I for one applaud him for standing up for himself, instead of giving in to political peer pressure.

     Secondly, I would like to address issues mentioned earlier:

     1. Lapel pins: I don't believe we need to wear a gaudy looking pin to prove that we are patriotic. I believe actions speak louder than symbolism. Mr. Limbaugh, Ms. Coulter, and Mr. Hannity all believe that a person is only patriotic if he or she wears an American flag lapel pin, but this is not so. Isn't service to one's country patriotic, whether it be military or civil? Sen. Obama may have never been a military man, but I think he has proven his patriotism by trying to genuinely help his fellow, while keeping our government honest with transparency. Please digest and comment if you wish.

     2. Michelle Obama: Another case of comment taken out of context. If Madame Obama were so unhappy with America, would she even be living in this country? I think so. I think people are quick to jump on gaffes. Rev. Wright, Geraldine Ferraro, Bill Clinton; all subject to public scrutiny. I might not agree with what they said, but I'll defend their right to say it. Let's not jump on the bandwagon every time someone makes a gaffe. Please let hear your opinion on the subject...

     3. Experience: I do not think that the quantity of experience speaks for anyone, it is the quality that speaks volumes. Much of Sen. Clinton's time in office has been greater in quantity than Sen. Obama, however, the quality of that time spent is something to be desired. Sen. Obama is correct in stating that Clinton was for the war. She voted for it. I remember that. It is only recently that she claimed that she was never for the war, but claims that she went with the flow because she felt she had no choice, but in reality, she did. Sen. Obama has been against the war all this time. I will not state my opinion on the war, as I have mixed feelings, but I would like to point out this statement. Sen. Obama also spearheaded the transparency initiative to keep our government honest on how their spending our tax dollars, as well as many other initiatives that kept the goal of utilitarianism in mind.

     This is really all I want to talk about tonight. I appreciate your patience and the comments you might give later on. Have a pleasant evening.

     Posted by Rorenado at 03/20/2008 @ 12:16am

240. Posted by MARKCANYON 03/20/2008 @ 02:38am

     Now I can see why you had trouble with Obama's speech - you have trouble interpreting written material.

     I think people with a rigid sense of things are unable to see that which does not agree with their world view. (03/19/2008 @ 10:14pm)

     Why not? Explain yourself. I would think they are particularly well able to recognize a different world view, since they disagree with it so strongly.

     No, I am not talking about people who can see consider both sides and come to a rational conclusion, I'm talking about people who can't even consider any idea or theory that is outside their world view.

     As someone who has and will vote for people who's views best match mine (regardless of party), I am astounded by people who cannot or will not consider anybody's viewpoint other than their own - a definition of a conservative if I've ever heard one.

     Here you describe yourself as inclined to vote for people you agree with. That is actually not all that unreasonable. You however immediately correct that slip and point out that people who oppose viewpoints they disagree with, amaze you. You seem to find that in some way morally reprehensible. Finally, you have the insight that conservatives can be identified by their tendency to reject viewpoints they disagree with.

     Again, you have attempted to twist my words. I didn't say that people who oppose viewpoints they disagree with is what astounds me, since that describes me and most rational people, but that I cannot fathom people who will dismiss any idea out of hand if it comes from a source that is not part of their narrow world view. The knee jerk reaction that whatever Obama says must be lies because he's a Democrat. And I mention conservatives because their tendency is to believe what they believe and hold in contempt everything else. I will say that this also describes some on the far left, but then I have a problem with all extremists.

     The only thing unclear is whether you are leaving or entering childhood. In either case you seem to be holding hands with RORENADO and LATTESIPPER, and all three of you will get gold stars if you put all your crayons back into the box.

     And then you end your faulty interpretation of what I said with this sad attempt at what I can only assume was sarcasm. What makes it funny (unintentionally, I'm sure) is the irony - mocking what you assume to be my immaturity by displaying an equal amount of your own immaturity. Nice. When in doubt, or unable to counter an argument with facts, resort to insults. Good luck with that.

     Posted by Turk33 at 03/20/2008 @ 08:04am

241. MARKCANYON

     Holding hands sounds like a great idea! Maybe more people should try that.

     But seriously, I am totally open to discussion. I am a debater at heart, and at college (ha ha!). However, please refrain from personal attacks as they are tacky and detract from the arguments you make. If you are going to insult, make it clear why you are doing that, so I can direct you back to my argumentation for clarification on the statements and rhetorical questions I made.

     Posted by Rorenado at 03/20/2008 @ 09:13am