Prediction: Obama & the Wright controversy - He will show what true leadership is all about.

[writes3000]

So here we are. The Wright tapes are being played by more and more sources. The right wing is salivating. The more cynical Hillary supporters are gleefully hoping for the worst. Will this controversy get big enough to bring Obama down?

Who knows? But something in my gut tells me that Barack Obama is tailor made to answer this potential controversy. And strangely, if he speaks out with the right message, this dust-up may actually benefit him much more than it will hurt him.

Here's what I think Obama could be/should be preparing to say:

"In the last few days, there have been a number of questions about my relationship with Jeremiah Wright. For many years, Mr. Wright served as my pastor at the Trinity United Church of Christ. And on a more personal level, Mr. Wright served as one of my spiritual advisers, specifically helping me nuture my strong faith and relationship with God.

Now, as I've stated many times before, there have been many times that I have strongly, strongly disagreed with Mr. Wright's political positions and statements. At those times, I have debated with him personally and spoken out publicly about how my views and positions differ. Let there be no doubt about my convictions on these issues, they are all on public record. But even though I have vehemently disagreed with Mr. Wright on those occasions, I never chose to leave the Trinity United Church of Christ. I would like to take a moment to explain why. My church, the Trinty Unity Church of Christ, is a church that serves the faith of thousands of Christians. It's a church that feeds the needy and helps clothe and provide shelter to the homeless. It's a church of good works and good deeds.

I have not left my church because I believe any true church of God is much, much greater than any one man - be it me or Jeremiah Wright. We are there to serve a higher purpose.

There is another reason why I haven't left the Trinity United Church of Christ. And this may be one of the most important qualities I would bring to the White House. As Americans, we must learn how to work with and win over those that disagree with us. Our country's future depends on this.

We are living in one of the most divisive times in history. Religious and ethnic wars are erupting all over the globe. Our television and radio airwaves are filled bloody images and angry rants. Our children are going to schools where guns and shootings seem more prevalent than ever. And Washington, DC is gridlocked because we have two parties, Democrats and Republicans, who only see eternal, sworn enemies in each other.

Our country's problems will NOT be solved by shutting people out. The only way we will change the direction of our future is by reaching out. As I say all the time, we can disagree without being disagreeable. We can take a position without leaving the room. The fate of our government and our country depends on our ability to say "I strongly disagree with you but I don't hate you." Our politics must work on the promise of "I will listen to you and you will listen to me." If we abandon and hate every person who disagrees with us, we will become a country of isolated, angry strangers. We are moving closer and closer to that everyday. Only through working our disagreements out, standing up for our principals while reaching out our hand, will we fulfill the promise of what this country could and should be.

So yes, even though I fundamentally disagree with Jeremiah Wright on a whole host of issues, even though we've debated and disagreed, I have remained in that church. I have reached out my hand to him. I have swayed him on occasion and on occasion, he's given me new things to consider.

We have had eight years of a President who closes the door to anyone who disagrees with him. We have eight years of divisiveness and rigid posturing in our politics.

As President of the United States, I will stand strong for the founding principals of this country and for the safety and well-being of our citizens. And I will work tirelessly to bring us all together.

We can disagree without being disagreeable. Our country depends on it. Thank you."

Of course, knowing Barack Obama, he will say it much, much better than this. We'll see.

[flor de jasmim]

1. Oh, and by the way, I'm NOT Muslim...

[writes3000]

2. LMAO! Yep, he should add that, too. n/t

[anamandujano]

3. Houston, we have a problem!

"But even though I have vehemently disagreed with Mr. Wright on those occasions, I never chose to leave the Trinity United Church of Christ. I would like to take a moment to explain why. My church, the Trinty Unity Church of Christ, is a church that serves the faith of thousands of Christians. It's a church that feeds the needy and helps clothe and provide shelter to the homeless. It's a church of good works and good deeds."

Obama claims to be a man that peddles inspiration. Leadership through words is his modus operandi. How in holy hell is he going to pretend Wright's words have not affected the parish over the years, sent them (hundreds? thousands?) out into the community with these odious thoughts and feelings? Wright's words are the definition of divisiveness.

He didn't care too much about those senior citizens that Rezko fucked over, so it's going to be hard to sell his good deed angle.

He stayed for the good deeds. :eyes:

[writes3000]

5. It's called active participation in the church.

I'm sure you'd love to negate every good deed that church has ever done but I bet their list of good deeds is long. In fact, I'd bet it's much, much, much longer than the list of hateful things said at that church.

Wright is an inflammatory speaker. He's said controversial things. Obama has gone on record against them. But the church is bigger than Wright. It's legacy is longer than Wright's.

And most church-goers know what it's like to hear their pastor, priest, minister or rabbi say something they really disagree with. Most of those same church-goers don't leave their churches. Why? Because there is far more good there than bad.

[americanstranger]

4. One other must-do:

He absolutely must announce that Wright is no longer in any way connected with his campaign for president.

That's a political reality. Otherwise, nice post.

- as

[writes3000]

6. Yeah, you're probably right about that.

My guess is Wright has already pulled himself away from the campaign. But Obama will have to clarify it anyway. Thanks.

[durrrty libby]

7. Obama has called Wright a 'Spiritual mentor" and he is listed

in his "African American Religious Leadership Committee"
http://www.gwu.edu/~action/2008/obama/obama120407pr.html

He can't exactly pretend he doesn't know the the guy who married him and baptized his kids

[shaniqua6392]

8. Obama had better do something about this today.

It is really spreading in the media. Top story on Morning Joe. I saw it on Inside Edition yesterday. Morning Joe showing front pages of today's newspapers with articles on Rev. Wright and Obama. Audicity of Hope...Not just the title of Obama's book. It was a sermon by his Pastor, who married him and baptized his children. I knew the media would turn on him eventually. They were just waiting for him to rise to the top.

[C_U_L8R]

9. The bigots have spun themselves into a frenzy

and Obama (and us) need to shine a bright light on them.
It's their own actions and their own words that speak volumes about their character
just as they do with Obama (and us)

The differences couldn't be clearer and the voters are not dumb.
The pretty hate machine is falling to pieces.

[JerseygirlCT]

10. I'm not sure you CAN say it much better than that

You're aptly named!