Mr. Pink: This is bad. This is so f$%^ing bad. Is it bad?
Mr. White: As opposed to good?
Is this bad for Obama's campaign...yes of course it's bad...the only question is how bad. This story has long passed the twenty four cycle and is headed for a week in the front of the headlines. Now, it may still only be a blip on his way to the nomination. It may not cost him the nomination but will damage him enough that he won't be much of a candidate in the general election. It may even be so bad that it would not only cost him the nomination but frankly his entire political future. The future is still unknown and much depends on how Obama handles it, and most importantly, how truthful he was so far.
Not surprisingly, most Conservatives see this as the death knell of his campaign, most Liberals see his apology and repudiation as the bulk of the story and immediately try and draw correlations to other candidates and their preachers, while those in the middle likely don't know what to think. First and foremost, Obama made it unequvicably clear that the fiery rhetoric that everyone is now familiar with is NOT rhetoric that he had ever heard when he was in church. Here is what he said to Major Garrett...
Well, Major, I've got to confess that, you know, as you know, I was voting in the Senate all day yesterday. So I wasn't following this story as carefully as I could have been. And then I flew back to Chicago.
When I saw these statements, many of which I had heard for the first time, then I thought it was important to make a very clear and unequivocal statement.
None of these statements were ones that I had heard myself personally in the pews. One of them I had heard about after I had started running for president, and I put out a statement at that time condemning them.
The other statements were ones that that I just heard about while we were -- when they started being run on FOX and some of the other stations. And so they weren't things that I was familiar with.
That statement leaves little wiggle room for Obama. If it is proven in the future that this is inaccurate, then not only is his Presidential bid over but so is his entire career with it. Now, most people don't think that Obama himself subscribes to this belief, however he has two issues to deal with. First, one of the themes of his campaign is that he has judgement that is superior to his opponents. This whole entire affair puts that judgement into question. How does he wind up being so close to a preacher with such extreme views and not know it? Second, there is the issue of credibility. It is just hard to believe that in twenty years Obama never knew about any of these views. Here is how former Speaker Newt Gingrich put it...
Does he honestly expect the nation to believe that for 20 years, longer than 20 years, according to his own testimony, … he didn't notice the anti-American rhetoric? I mean, does somebody seriously believe that in over 800 potential Sunday visits, it never once came up, no one ever mentioned it to him? I think that strains credibility.”Obama's second problem is that this story is perfect for the media world we live in. The videos have found their way onto You Tube and most of the major sites like Foxnews, CNN, RCP, etc. are also carrying these videos. It is one thing to hear that Barack Obama's pastor has said some inflammatory and anti American things, and it is quite another to hear them and have access to hours of this incendiary language. The twenty hour news cycle only adds fuel to this story. Obama is not going to be able to hide from it.
Finally, this story is combined with several other things to possibly form a perfect storm of trouble for Obama. The trial of Tony Rezko is just getting into full swing. (Rezko is of course Obama's former neighbor, friend, as well as a top fundraiser for him...in fact it was just revealed that Rezko contributed more money to Obama's campaign that was previously reported) Also, there are several curious comments by Obama's wife, Michelle Obama. Her comments show a streak of anti Americanism. It isn't going to be hard for his opponents to make the connection between the comments of his wife and his pastor. Both the comments of his pastor and his wife run counter to a campaign who's theme is about bringing folks together.
So, what does Obama need to do to minimize the damage? He needs to get out front of this as soon as possible. He went on two venues so far: Fox News with Major Garret and with Olbermann. Now, the Olbermann interview doesn't frankly count because he was only preaching to the choir on that one. So far it isn't enough, and if he doesn't get out front soon, he will allow his political enemies to frame the story. If that happens, he won't be elected mayor of Scranton let alone President. If I were advising him, I would insist that he show up on the O'Reilly Factor to explain himself. I would show up on all the Sunday talk shows. I would frankly show up wherever someone welcomes him. This story isn't going to go away and he can frame it or he can allow his opponents to frame it. Whatever he does, the future of his entire political career hangs in the balance.
5 comments:
I also watched the interview on Fox, and my impression was very different than some. I thought he did OK, I also feel some concern about his 20 years at the church, and not a hint of any comments like this from his pastor he was aware of. I too was shocked when I saw all the video footage of his pastor, and I do not condone or excuse any of it in any way. However, after the shock wore off a bit, and I saw and read Obama's responses, I must say, in spite of everything, it was a more honest response than Hillary Clinton would ever be capable of. And it did make me consider the Christian religion as it is being taught today, in context with what the scriptures say. I went to Parochial school my first 8 years, and have attended church the first 35 years of my life. Nowhere in the bible does it say to celebrate Christmas, it is really a Pagan holiday holdover adopted by Christianity that celebrates the Winter Solstice. Easter , Easter Eggs, Easter Bunny are not mentioned as a celebration in the Bible either, this is the Pagan Holiday for the Spring Equinox adapted by Christianity. Barrack's church seems radical, but so are most of mainstream Christian TV preachers and their churches. Some common and accepted themes we as white, Bible believing folk accept from these mainstream churches include, Rev Fallwells assertion that 911 was a result of Gods wrath on America for all the abortions, as well as other big name see 'em every Sunday morning on TV types who claim God has punished New Orleans for Homosexual behaviour, that God created America for the express purpose of identifying Islam as the work of Satan and his spirits, and America's purpose is to identify and destroy from the Earth this work of the Devil. The supposed Biblical theory that the more money you give to these TV "churches", the more God will bless you with worldly riches, as these accepted mainstream church leaders live in large homes, have the most hypocritical and lavish lifestyles while the widows drop their last mite into the churches money box. My point is that the Bible does not support these perversions of the Gospel and of Gods Holy word. The true Christian faith has been twisted, warped and perverted beyond recognition, and we, right here in America embrace it every day, because if we agree or not with any particular mainstream faith, or teaching, we do not stand against it. We do not feel shock by this, as we have become acclimated to these truley strange and perverse teachings, that are against the true and real and relevant teachings of the Bible. So now, Obama's Pastor comes along, and his cherry picked reel of preaching highlights, in truth, are no more scary or over the line than many, many mainstream Christian leaders that we gloss over, because their targeted message of perverted teachings are targeted to us white folks, and many embrace and accept them and look to these who spout this as our "leaders". The same America has sinned concept, except the ones who have sinned to cause the calamity to our country from God are not us, no, no, it is those unbelievers who have caused this and not us. It is the unrighteous who have provoked God and not us, we are the faithful of his church and led by our dear Pastor who perverts Gods very teachings, and we say to Jesus, Lord, Lord, and He knows us not!! Obama's pastor is only another version of the same theme, tailored to those who are in reality the very same as we are. They really have been oppressed as a people, and this is reality, a result and the price of slavery. America above all in history, deserves honor, respect, and credit She doesn't receive for ending slavery and starting on the road to doing what is right, trying to fulfill the whole promise of Her inception. So, really, Obama's church is NOT shocking, but expected. It is a cultural offshoot of out very own concept and teaching of Christianity, twisted and tailored to fit the need and reflect the feelings of their segment or the population. America has come a long way, and has far to go, Americans can't seem to face the facts that we, as a nation, have wronged many people, and have lifted up many people, all at the same time. Remember the American Indians? Our American Government gave them blankets with Smallpox, yes, our very government, just as any person, has committed both terrible and wonderful things. This causes me to put the whole issue of this whole Obama Pastor issue into perspective, as Jesus said, "By their fruits you shall know them". Barrack Obama has conducted himself thought this campaign with more dignity and respect for his opponents, and taken the high road even when the whole "kitchen sink" has been thrown at him than Hillary Clinton could ever muster. This man has, and continues to spread a message of hope, trying to bring people together rather than tear them down, whatever else he as a Human has done, these are his fruits. We as a Nation need to confront the issues at hand and bring together and try to heal this country, nothing that Barrack Obama has said or done can take away the fruits that he stands for. Even the words of his pastor. He is to be judged by the American people by the "fruits" of his words and deeds. I will continue to support Barrack Obama. The fruits of the two other Presidential contenders, not what they say but what they do, dictate that I must. It is time to stop being phoney Patriots and be real Patriots, and focus on the future of our country, and I believe that Obama is the best choice to be our next President.
Terry, with all due respect, your impression is not altogether that different. Your perspective is like most of Obama's supporters and surrogates. Frankly, I am glad that you commented because I should have included Obama's surrogates among his list of problems. He isn't going to skirt from this by pointing to other pastors and other leaders that are devisive. That is what Bill O'Reilly refers to as excusing bad behavior by pointing to other bad behavior. Other pastors and leaders don't have twenty year relationships with pols running for President. Furthermore, their rhetoric is not nearly as incendiary as this guy's. If his supporters insist on excusing this by pointing to other pastors then his career is through.
The only way that Obama will survive this is if he meets this head on and deals with this issue. He cannot try to change the subject to someone else and get everyone to forget. The sort of misdirection that you are playing will not work. This pastor is Obama's problem and he will only get over it by dealing with the problem, not by deflecting the problem.
Ok, let's keep it real here.
1. Obama must have known Wright felt that way... 20 years of knowing this man and being close to him and you had NO IDEA HE FELT THAT WAY?
2. There's word he has Nation of Islam people in his campaign, both from Illinois AND the National Campaign. These people are very racist and very dangerous if they get the likes of presidential power. DANGEROUS.
3. I just hope either the superdelegates take this into consideration and nominate hillary or the public pays attention and votes accordingly.
Obama's hiding something big. Before I merely supported Hillary over Obama because of policy specifics, but NOW! OMG, McCain is bad, Obama is Bad.
THANK GOD YOU STAYED IN THE RACE HILLARY!
I hope Rush Limbaugh realizes he helped the Clinton's back in the white house where they belong.
Get over the problem? Don't you people realize there's nothing to "get over." Obama has a lot more than the issue of covering up his relation to Wright, he needs to deal with his racial predjudices!
Terry,
Your dissertation on religion, Easter Eggs, Pagan and Chritianity are all notable, and the reference to the Falwells guy and the lack of honesty Hillary has, are all good examples. However, nothing you can say can change this horrible or make reason to the horrible gaff. I really like Obama and was going to vote for him but this serious lack of judgement and his wife and Pastor's comment have put his quest for the WHite House to an end. I believe he was a bi-racial yet black searching for his identity, stumbled upon Chicago and because he appears black found a area where he could blend in and become accepted. That church quelled the words he heard most of his life "was he black enough" his wife quelled that because she is black and radical. He finally found a place that accepted a black man raised by his white mother and white family. He would be President and may have another shot but just like our parents told us while growing up in our pro black days, be careful son or daughter it will probably be your own black people that will do you in. Both of them did,, seeking camera and limelight to force their views down your throat without thinking how will this affect my husband or my mentee who is running for office. They didnt care to think, only for themselves. THe downfall of Obama were his wife and his pastor.
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