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SPECIAL: Senator Obama Live from Philadelphia
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Live coverage of Barack Obama's speech on race at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
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I personally don't see what the BFD is. From a "Christian" perspective what Obama's minister said is 100% correct. In regards to the Ten Commandments many US policies fly in the face of Christian morality. Violation of the Ten Commandments results in damnation... No?
I think this current predicament of Barack Obama's is very foretelling of his character. People need to step back and look at the larger picture and ask, who does he surround himself by? And how strong is his character? How influenced is he by others? And swayed by those around him?
Then, let's examine sexism vs. racism and open up the next can of worms.
I’m listening to Sen. Obama’s speech and thinking this was the politically expedient thing to do. He has addressed race and politics because he needed to regain public confidence in his rhetoric of “change.” In this light, the speech seems cynical and politically motivated. We are electing a candidate to be the president of the U.S., and I think Americans, like it or not, want someone that is associated with more moderate views. And if we think of gender and politics, I would also argue that I wouldn’t want Clinton to have Mary Daly (radical feminist and theologian) who coined the term “Gynocide" as her spiritual advisor even though I consider myself a feminist and have enjoyed some of Daly’s lectures. It wouldn’t sqaure with what I look for in politics and politicians: moderate views.
wow he's getting it all out there.
good for him.
great speech
I vacillate between a feeling that Obama is cowardly in not standing up for his pastor, a friend and counselor he's known for 20 years, and understanding that this is the politically expedient thing to do. I agree with erick that Rev. Wright's statements are all true. I also wish to emphasize that our freedoms (as GWB keeps reminding us we have) include freedom of speech and freedom of religion.
Hey imitating "riding Monica" in the pulpit goes way too far for a church. I think you are an empty suit, Barack. I am not buying any of it.
and Barack I am so disappointed in you.
I Won't vote for Obama however he's the best orator in the last 50 years or ever.
He is smooth!
However if he doesn't distance himself from pastor Wright he will lose.
Nader :)
Bravo Mr. Obama. Now let us all tell all. Let the hypocrisy end! Who do YOU know who spews (aside from me), huh? Should YOU be held responsible, liable for it?
Bravissimo Mr. Obama.
Mr. Obama is such a fraud and an opportunist.
It is amazing how every candidate for president must first knell at the alter of Israel. As Obama just said the conflict in the middle east has nothing to do with the occupation of a people by a dominant and powerful European peoples for the last 50 years but instead the middle east conflict arises ONLY from radical Islam, which by the way is another word for Islam. No candidate can ever be critical of Israel if they are serious about wining. You can be critical of every other nation including European allies like the UK or France or Germany but not this one .
The larger context that the reveren was speaking from is the harsh reality that is the urban black experience in Chicago or any U.S. city--which the majority of Americans are not privy to. This reality is that 1/10 Black males are jailed. Over 50% of black male students are being supported enough to graduate from high school. The majority of soliders in Iraq are minorities. These realities are apocaliptic for the black community at large. We (African Americans) pay a high price and get very little in return. And some can view this a failure by the U.S. to reconcile it's past history of slavery. I believe that if the average american experienced this same reality they too perhaps would understand the rev. comments.
I have 4 brothers, none are in jail, all graduated, all present in their children's lives we are seen as an anomily in our community. That is not the U.S. of my dreams.
Might seem like a minor issue, but I commend Brian Lehrer for using the term, in regard to Reverend Wight,
Obama's "long-time Pastor" rather the somewhat misleading "former Pastor" used by Obama in his speech and by Gwen Ifil in her interview last night. Obama did not leave Reverend Wright's church.
Citizen's need accurate reporting, not subtle spinning.
Obama is giving a fine speech that addresses all of the issues raised by his critics and all of the "points" made above. Obama's views throughout his political career have been "moderate." He has never made a public statement or advocated a policy that reflects Rev. Wright's more extreme statements.
As a person whose background included more than one race, culture and religion, Obama has a wider frame of reference than most Americans. His commitment to Wright's church was an intellectual and political choice that recognized as authentic, but did not embrace, all of Wright's rhetoric. Wright is a Christian minister whose objective is to serve the poor, just as the Franciscan brothers in my former parish -- to which I still contribute even after having moved awway -- serves poor families in upper-Manhattan. I have chosen to commit to the values of that Church, even though I do not take its teaching literally and am pro-choice.
To characterize Obama as a "radical" is to misunderstand who he is and the choices that he's made. He is brilliant, thoughtful and thinks deeply about issues such as race.
"Look, Ma. I'm post-racial!"
What a stupid term.
He's no different from other politicians - and may be fabulous some time in the future when he has more under his belt. Look what just happened to Eliot Spitzer, who had a major meltdown after climbing unimpeded to the governorship. He might have found perspective had he met with some public correction. We do need capable politicians.
And Barack, how about our sexual divisions. I just heard taht Shirley Chisolm said she had a harder time being a woman in congress than being a black woman there.
As a child in school, I was required to read the story "The Man Witout A country" in which Philip Nolan, the main character, says - "Damn the United States", words he comes to regret.
I wonder if Barack Obama read this story, but I don't think so.
Hey, Brian, I think that your website has been invaded by Rush Limbaugh supporters.
Barack is asking us to consider complexity--will the populace be up to the challenge? I like what he's saying--things aren't just black or white but varying shades of gray. We all know that, deep inside, but at the same time we also long for the simplicity of black and white.
This is Obama's equivalenty to Lincoln's Cooper Union Speech! THe one that changes everything and opens our eyes at last.
He's a good writer, for sure... but what strikes me is how sad it is that we must still include religion in politics. Obama's credibility (in my eyes) declines as he tries to appeal to the majority through religion--he's starting to sound like a preacher.
I suppose I am living under a naive ideal that religion should have nothing to do with politics and that humanity must progress to transcend the need for organized religion.
I am so glad that Obama is taking the opportunity to have a real discussion about the many complexities regarding perspective and race in America. Having a difficult discussion, and learning from the mistakes of oneself and others, is a sign of intelligence and humility. I would far rather have this quality in a president than someone who would repudiate then completely distance him or herself from someone who also did good.
I was not an Obama supporter and still am not. I believe he is too inexperienced and naive in the diplomatic arena (which is probably a president's greatest influence).
However, as I listen to his speech, I have certainly increased my respect for him. I respect that he denounced Wright's remarks but didn't drop an important person in his life even though that would be the politically expedient move. (Though I may be naive about that-- perhaps he'd lose some black support.) I respect that he speaks in a nuanced and honest manner, and addresses the issues directly.
Though I'm not voting for him and don't agree with all his views, I sure wouldn't mind listening to him speak for the next 4 years!
did we have to hear this whole speech?
when will the others running get equal time ?
That is why he should be our president. Smart, balanced, honest, brave and ultimately about an intellectual, emotional bridging that this country needs to take an incredibly important step forward.
How could anyone not vote for him after listening to this speech?
Let Mr. WRight have his say -- no problem with that. But Obama's continuing association with him cannot be explained away by comparing those comments with his Grandmother's racism. She was not a public leader. The saddest thing about this contretemps is that it allows people to avoid the real issues of race. And this is the first time in the campaign that Obama has confronted the question of race. He has been extremely disingenuous about it, and, yes, very very calculating throughout his political career.
Perfect...can't wait for Hillary's response... I hope this conversation continues.
Wow! Obama's speech today is the first whole one that I have heard. The man is awesome! His profound mind, his gravitas, his ability to communicate are astounding. He puts to shame every president of the last twenty-eight years and every other politician of national import today.
Wow.
I just became a Barack Obama supporter.
Great speech!
Obama has back-tracked. Did he not say just a day or two ago that he was NEVER present in church on any occasion when Rev. Wright made the comments at issue?
He has come across as just another politician doing or saying whatever needs to be said in order to be elected. Political expediency appears to be the order of the day. He won't get my vote. I hate hypocrisy.
This speech is very good. Barak is NOT shying away from addressing those issues that we the people who are concerned and care about the future of nonwhites and whites in the USA are concerned with. Like my last post, Barak addresses and points out the anger, fear and hurt, that fires our rhetoric when we the people reflect on present and past evils commited in our collective name. No matter how "liberal' or conservative those that fein "dissapointment" may feel, They in doing so reveal in themselves an inability to face the new reality of the planet, the nation, the state and this city. Hundreds of years of accumulated pain are the baggage created and it must be accomadated for. Reacting against it and thinking that it should be dismissed as "passe' is ripe to be seen as an attempt to sidestep and avoid the real issues.
I was somewhat undecided between Clinton and Obama, but this speech floored me. To my surprise, while I was listening, I burst out in tears. I am very impressed. With all the ethic and religious conflicts going on around the world, it magnifies the importance of having a leader who can unite us rather than make the divisions even greater.
I'm a 34 year old white man who has been waiting twenty years for a politician to give the speech I just heard Senator Obama give. Such nuance on the topic of race is unheard of in American politic speech.
Although this speech was not exactly something I'd associate with someone running for president...the message is that change requires both government and you, and that for who-knows-how-long, responsibility has been absent from this country: the education of our children (can't just blame the system outright), our weight problem, our massive consumption, the list just goes on.
Much of the media spends too much time trying to find dirt about the candidates, entertaining their audience, when they should also be scolding them.
Obama's honesty has firmly knocked me off of the Clinton / Obama fence.
I was so moved by the speech. Incredibly spot-on analysis of both whites and blacks, and of our current situation with race. I worry, like the caller, that some of these nuances of argument will be lost on big groups of the population. I just hope people can listen to his speech and block out the constant repetitions of Reverend Wright's speeches out of context.
Listening to him speak, I feel like this country has a chance.....great speech!
He had to of won a lot of people over with that. Definitely changed my mind. Good stuff.
The magnificence of this speech is that it reflects a greatness of spirit, an understanding of the humanity we all share. Obama appeals to what another great speaker called "the better angels of our souls."
Look, the man broke down for everyone, and i think that was one of the most thorough, coherent, eloquent speeches ever. Good for him...and frankly i think we have gone too long with a President that can't utter a single intelligent sentence. We NEED a smooth talker.
This man DESERVES to be president!
Let's make this a reality.
Sen. Barack Obama is a brilliant man. If the citizens of this country are too blind to see it, then we don't deserve him as president. We will deserve (and get) the same old rhetoric and BS that politicians have been feeding us for the past 20+ years.
I think he absolutely nailed it. This is my idea of a President... Addressing an issue directly; giving a context; a history; an examination from multiple perspectives; his personal view; its relation to our American experience; and its import for our future. He's got my vote.
this business about the pastor's commentary is only the tip of the ice cube
just wait until obama gets the nomination and is running against the maniac and his black love child
we'll see how post-racial things are then
I am so glad to hear Sen. Obama finally address race and acknowledge the past; I've been waiting for him to talk about racism and the policies which established the wealth gap and the fight over affirmative action in a concrete way. I thought the weakness in his campaign was that he did not talk about why exactly his candidacy was exciting. This was a breath of fresh air and a complete break from his typical "unity and change" ambiguity of the campaign. Well done.
Yay harry! well said. i feel like he is trying to stop blacks and whites from fighting and turn the war towards the religious vs. atheists. And I'm scared...
Anyone who dismisses this speech wasn't listening.
This speech was the most honest and frank discussion of race relations in the U.S. that I have ever seen in the public realm. As opposed to paying lip service to the issues, he admitted the prejudices of Rev. Wright, his grandmother, those which we all have. I can see above, of course, that people only hear what they wish to hear.
The subtlty of loving someone like family, but not agreeing with them is apparently not allowed in the political sphere. I know the cringe-worthy things my family have said at Thanksgiving, but I don't cut them out of my life.
loved hearing barack refer to his white relatives. the country seems to be forgetting -- he's black AND white.
He hit the perfect note, and he addressed the issues directly. The comparison between Rev. Wright and his grandmother was moving. This speech restored my confidence in his abilities.
I applaud Senator Obama for the courage and wisdom he displayed in addressing the complex and painful issue of racism in our nation. He made clear that he understands the frustration of the average Americans of all races and he offers the opportunity for us to face and overcome the most difficult issue of our society.
I think he totally answer the question and in fact he finally opened the dialog no one in America has never dare to do specially during an election which could be considered a suicidal moment.
um...americans want to vote a black man for president but don't want him to address issues of race. seems delightfully naive as usual.
this man is a fantastic orator and frankly the president is more or less the most powerful cheerleader in the world. the president's chief job is to get people on side in order to create legislation and policy. seems obama is more than capable of achieving this goal. but of course something totally incomprehensible like a pastor's comments will throw a spanner in the works and americans will elect yet another muppet to fiddle while rome burns.
sad really.
One thing that stands out for me is that he didn't dumb down the speech, making it into catchy sound bites. He spoke with eloquence, and addressed the complexity of race and class.
I appreciate how he spoke the truth about how we harbor these feelings of hatred and fear within, rather than just speaking platitudes.
I support him.
Fantastic. So much historical context and everything laid on the table - not in soudbyte phrases. You can't help but to see this man as an authentic human being.
Mr. Obama may be able to openly debate the 'race' issue which, in the USA, raises specters of discomfort and inarticulateness. Perhaps the diffusing of the emotional knee-jerk reaction by creating the space to discuss the uncomfortable yet too familiar might create the necessary distance for each of us to listen to the other but most importantly to hear the echoes of our own biases, conscious or unconscious depsite the 'best' intentions and the sincere willingness to bear witness. this externalization is healthy. Extirpating the thorn to cleanse the wounded spirit.
It was a good speech but I don't know if he went far enough in distancing himself from some extremely inflammatory speech.
A beautiful speech that defines his campaign and why I feel hope and (yes) pride in our party politics for the first time in so many, many years.
This is who he is; this is why he is running; and this is why I support him.
Barack gave a beautiful speech, one that may help us to build a dialog between the disparate communities in this country.
The most important point is that we must not reject the good that people do because of the mistakes that they make. Like him, I had a beloved relative who was both a bigot and - in other respects - a wonderful person. I didn't love or value her good qualities less because of her bigotry, even though I disliked and condemned it.
We have to embrace good, whenever we encounter it, and deplore evil. We may see both in the same person, but we must love the sinner while hating the sin. That's not political expedience, that's true morality, and the basis of civil discourse.
This was a great speech. I've never been a very enthusiastic supporter of Obama, but I think this was one of the most frank and hopeful speeches on race in the U.S. that has been made in such a mainstream context. Obama did an excellent job of repudiating Wright's offensive comments without devaluing the justified anger of black America.
I LOVE that he has risen above the rhetoric and is keeping his focus on the bigger issues that affect ALL Americans - poverty, racism, un-equal opportunities, etc.
People need to understand and embrace our culteral differences and experiences and learn to find a middle ground to make a true change in this country - I truly believe Barak Obama can bring us as Americans to that place.
Wonderful job Mr. Obama!
As an African American, I totally agree with every word of the clips of Rev. Wright that I've heard. He spoke the truth. America needs to stop playing games around race and African Americans, especially Christians, need to let go of their, almost obsessive, concern with white peoples' comfort, often at the expense of our own progress.
Some of the worst racism that I ever experienced in my 58 years was suffered, during the Vietnam era, while I wore a U.S. Air Force uniform and had my butt on the line for this hypocritical, evil country. I will NEVER wear an American flag lapel pin or display the flag in any form.
This was brilliant!!!! I was on the fence as an Obama supporter and he has convinced me. I have not heard this kind of honesty from any politician ever.
Oh my God,
Honesty,finally. Everyone is ambivalent-even Barack's grandmother. He told the truth. The honest truth. If we can get past this, we'll really move forward. Blacks have mixed feeling about whites. Whites have mixed feeling about black. We all do. This is truth. It may be fatal to Obama but it is finally the truth.
All I can say is that I want this man for my president. He is one of the few people in public office who is not afraid to have the courage of his convictions. He will make a great statesman.
So this caller thinks that having one black candidate for president means we've progressed past all the centuries and centuries of repression. ONLY 40 years ago MLK Jr was killed for dreaming of progression... Be real. There is a lot of work to be done, its obvious that some people are angry and bitter as the reverend is.
Finally, someone had the courage to put it all out there. I feel blessed to be alive during and involved in this historical period. Anyone who listens to this and finds fault, blame, whatever negative thing they can come up with, is living in denial and in their own bubble. How can we not elect this man who has the sincere desire and ability to unite this nation. Thank you Senator Obama.
wow.
he voiced so many of my own thoughts and feelings. sure, he's a politician, but he's also speaking truth. i don't care if the motivation is "pure" or "political maneuvering." he's speaking truth and urging positive approaches to change.
thank you, mr. obama.
i was undecided.
you just earned my vote.
I'm not sure how anyone could listen to that speech and not think that it is one of the most outstanding that a politician of his caliber has made in recent memory. Cynical? He took the founding fathers to task for accepting slavery in direct contradiction with the founding principles of equality. His central theme, that we are not a perfect nation but one capable of and always striving for perfection, is an inspiring statement in view of the empty rhetoric extolling America for its greatest. He was asking Americans to look at ourselves in the context of our experiences, and everyone listening to that speech should extend that courtesy to Mr. Obama. He is a politician running for president, and he has to walk the finest of lines. That speech employed the balance of ballerina and he pulled it off with humility and force.
I'm now an Obama supporter. His speech was masterful, even brought me to tears in places. I'm of the Hillary demographic -- middle-aged white woman -- but in this speech Obama lived up to his image as a truly different kind of politician.
Its the first time in 7 years that I feel proud to be an American. Our image in the world would change dramatically for the better with this man as our leader, a true leader unafraid to take on the tough issues and make the bold steps to heal this house divided.
I posted this earlier but no-one is addressing his actions, his performance, etc...Does Obama think its proper to have some-one simulate sexual acts in front of children? I dont care If its lively in the church - this is inappropriate behavior!!!
One of the the news clips I saw about this preacher had him simulating "riding" Monica in the White House. Now is that ANY way for ANY clerygyman to act - at any time - especially from the pulpit - in front of children?
America needs competent leadership now more than ever. Being black or a woman is not a qualification. That said, Obama is a fantastic orator.
Obama has done it again, he answered the question of his association with Pastor Wright admirably and satisfactorily.He has demonstrated inteligence, good judgment and capacity to bring peolpe of different groups together.I hope this would shut up the mouth of those who made carrier from playing the race card to go get another job.
ok. the old black man and young white girl story made my eyes well-up.
but, his ability to draw peoples emotions to the surface in his speeches is not just political, but human. His defense of the Rev. i thought was brilliant because rather than turn his back on him, he embraced him in public while complicating the racial issue for americans, something we all need to welcome.
There was also a moment when he was addressing the media, in a way, trying to reverse what reagan normalized with his mastery of sound bites, and encouraging the american appetite for oversimplification.
Everyone can see themselves in this speech. We have heard things amongst our "own" group that make us shudder.
People who are getting hung up on
Rev. Wright are missing the point. I was happy to hear him say that Racial injustice does not end with his election. I think many whites (I myself am black) see his election as the end to all inequality. It is so much more complex than that and I think he Articulated that complexity.
This caller is a joke. The government fueled the entire crack cocaine epidemic.
I don’t think anyone can say they were not stirred by the Obama speech. He is undoubtedly one of the best orators in the elite levels of politics. Other campaigns have criticized Obama for being all words, and short on action. Being able to get a message across with feeling and sincerity is very important to me. If you’re a good leader, the well equipped people you surround yourself with are the instruments of your actions. We’ve suffered through two terms of a president who is a pitiful speaker. Let’s have someone who can talk clearly and effectively to us.
I went into this speech thinking there was no way he could defuse the situation, that he had been successfully transformed by the media storm into a Black candidate unacceptable to the majority, that the only reason for his success was that white America didn't have to deal with race in spite of his blackness. But having listened to the speech, I am in awe of his straightforward and brilliant presentation, his focus on moving away from the distracting minutia in favor of seeing the big picture, and his acknowledgement of the real issues behind the racial divide. If he wins the election, and I now believe this is still possible, this speech will be seen as the turning point in his campaign, if not in American history.
I think he very appropriately addressed his relationship with Rev. Wright. However, this would have been an excellent platform to address Geraldine Ferarro's comments. He could have used this speech to put an objective perspective on her comments. He, and his campaign, escalated the comments to a similar level of furor as Rev. Wright's comments. What I find I find to be a contradiction is the way he softened the comments of Rev. Wright with 'historical perspective' in the country and the way he polarized the comments by Ferarro. It seems to be a double standard.
Ballsy speech.
I am a sociologist and think every teacher interested in provoking discussion about race should play this for her/his students, high school and university alike. I am not a die-hard Obama fan, but am extremely impressed at his ability to weave together broad socioeconomic issues and people's real stories. Bravo!
As an older white independent, I had virtually given up on hearing any substance in this campaign. NO MORE! I was blown away by the truth telling given with such grace. Bravo Obama!
I thought it was a great and powerful speech on so many levels. What will it mean? I am not sure anything! Those who watch Fox and listen to conservative radio will say he did not go far enough and condemn him.
Comparing his grandmother with the minister was very interesting and something we can all relate to.
If it makes us discuss the racial and economic divide in this country (ala Edwards) in serious way, it will be a useful speech.
Hillary should now come out with a speech dealing with gender/sex.
I do not know Reverend Wright. I have never been to his church, have never been in attendance at his sermons. I know this: one cannot have their entire life's work judged by the same four snippets one can find on FoxNews and YouTube. Race and politics aside for a second, this very notion speaks to our fast-food, soundbyte culture where Barack Obama is defined by three things an old friend said several years ago. God help me should my entire life be merited on things I have said in moments of passion.
Hooray for Barack, for someone finally speaking to Americans as if we are grownups capable of understanding nuance and complexity, not schoolkids yelling names at each other! This was a great speech, one that will be historic, at least if he does eventually become president.
I have to preface my comments by saying that this is one of the first opportunities I have had to hear Obama speak outside of debate.
My opinion of the speech was positive. I think Obama used the opportunity as an attempt at coalition-building, which is what we as a country need in the post-W era. He talked about the eleven o'clock hour on Sundays being one of the most devisive, and explained/acknowledged "Black anger" to non-
Blacks and compared it to some of the anger that whites and others have felt, but keep under wraps in polite society.
Instead of doing this, he could have gone on the defensive, which is likely what most people would have done, ie Sen. Clinton's knee-jerk reaction in disassociating herself from Ferarro.
Good speech. I'm voting for him.
I think he nailed it. He showed a sincerity that we have been programmed to dismiss as simple political posturing.
One had always hoped that someone who someday stood up and just quietly told the truth - who elaborated on the points that needed elboration, who kept simple the points that are simple, who never oversimplied complex human issues, who admitted imperfections in both himself and in society, who referenced the only fundamental value that the world needs - the so-called golden rule - would be valued by the best parts of the american character, and despite all threats to the
contrary in our sound-bite-driven, money-driven and trumped-up-controversy-driven society, might be valued and given the
trust of the people..
We are at a moment where this has a chance to happen.
Jonathan Kirk did you listen to the entire speech? He did put Ferrarro's comments in context.
Brilliant as usual. He's this country's best chance to shake off the Bush torpor and it just floors me that people think he is naive and inexperienced and think he is nothing but empty words.
I was moved by Obama's speech and response to the controversy over Rev. Wright. I appreciated the depth and breadth of his response.
I would like to add, That in this world of division... between shia and suuni , in the Balkins, in the Punjab, in China, in Africa itself and elsewhere in the world .. Barak's speech is an example that could bring some enlightenment to many on the planet. Those that would try to play gotcha, those that fixate on Rev Wright as opposed to Barak's words infer in their partisan prejudices, or hold in their hypocritical indignations an internal contradiction that needs to be addressed. Their clinging to any sign of negativity is proof of an inability to release themselves from their ultimate fear, and a refusal to see the future Barak represents.
regarding caller James's comment...
The American public would be appalled by Republican affliliation with right-wing religious organizations? Really? Well, the American public wasn't so much appalled when Reagan courted Falwell.
PS: regarding choosing pastors vs. family, please please please PLEASE read this very thoughtful blog from talkingpointsmemo:
http://tpmcafe.talkingpointsmemo.com/talk/2008/03/why-did-barack-obama-stay-at-t.php
The whole speech just underscored the fact that -- as one of your guests on a previous show said, Brian -- Barack Obama is an accommodationist. He has always done what is politically expedient, and thus what pleases the white majority -- that is why he not only repudiates his pastor when it becomes politically convenient, but also gives speeches in which he sympathizes with white resentment and elides over the continuing racism in majority white America, instead of truly and acknowledging the profound and continuing institutionalized and personal prejudices that black people in this country are *still* struggling against.
I suppose I should say (perhaps for credibility purposes in making this statement) that I'm neither white nor black, but I was very disappointed that when Obama finally addressed the race issue for the first time in his campaign, it was in a timid, accommodationist, opportunist way -- he knows that if he admitted that white people in America today are complicit in such profound racism, he would never garner the votes of the majority white electorate. I suppose he just feels that he's gotta do what he's gotta do to win.
I disagree with the caller who was disappointed that Obama did not completely dissociate himself from Reverend Wright. I think that just because you have a close relationship with someone does not mean that you agree with all that they espouse. I actually respect the fact that Obama did NOT reject his family friend completely - it shows that he has the integrity to stand with someone with whom he has had a longstanding relationship despite pressure to do otherwise, even if it means losing a few votes. I was very impressed with Mr. Obama in how he handled this situation - he has earned my vote.
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