Obama campaign won't ask Wright to step down ... link

[Alhena]

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2008/03/14/770536.aspx

Seems like a mistake to me, even if it is just a meaningless advisory role, why not cut whatever ties do exist between Wright and the campaign?

[saracat]

1. And they say Hillary won't apologize for anything?

This should sink him.

[anonymous171]

3. If ferraro didn't sink Clinton, this won't sink him.

[rodeodance]

12. BO is showing poor Judgment by keeping him on.

[cbayer]

45. Neither should be sunk by either.

There is so little to actually distinguish these candidates from each other that only their associations can be used against them.

It's ridiculous.

[panader0]

10. Was Wright working on BO's campaign?

Were his comments made this week or 20 years ago?

[saracat]

28. All these comments are recent.Wright gave the Jerimiah T wright award

to Farakhan in 2006 in tribute to his "greatness". And Wright is a member of the African American Religious Leaders Committe of Baracks campign and according to Barack he is currently his "spiritual advisor >barack say he does nothing major without consulting with his "piritual advispr , Wright.

[Scairp]

52. Okay, I've been down with some kind of respiratory thing...

..So I'm not sure I've heard everything that this reverend has said about, well, whatever, but I was reading something Obama wrote in response, and this isn't verbatim, but he said that he likened his preacher to an uncle that he doesn't always agree with, and is sometimes embarrassed by, but that he still loves him is loyal to him because he officiated at his wedding and baptized his children. The problem with saying that is, you don't pick your family, you DO pick your preacher and church. He is going to get hung with that analogy.

[scheming daemons]

15. Every single day you have another fake outrage that you think will "sink" him.....

...what will it be next week?

[saracat]

30. I "faked it" The MSM is all over this. I couldn't "fake it" if I wanted to!

Why don't you blame Barack for continuing to espouse a racist preacher? Or the preacher for "selling " videos which will now be embarassing to Barack?

[cbayer]

46. Goes both ways Scheming.

The next bomb thrown will be at the Clinton camp. Then another at the Obama camp. And the outrage over the ridiculous will continue.

[Scurrilous]

35. Uh huh.

He's so screwn.

[Scairp]

51. The Rev. really said...

..."the chickens come home to roost"? After 9/11? Wasn't that what Malcolm X said after JFK was assassinated? Mmm mmm mmm, not too sure he can talk his way out of this one.

[LSparkle]

2. Cutting those ties would go a long way to putting out this fire

I don't understand their reluctance to do this -- before they're FORCED
to do so. Maybe Wright will do as Samantha Power did and resign on his
own (he could even write a Gerry-Ferraro-style, pointed letter on his way
out!).

[Alhena]

8. I suspect it's a personal loyalty/affection thing. Obviously a close relationship

and maybe Obama's personal code of loyalty is dictating this decision. That's the only thing I can figure because there seems to be huge political downside to this decision.

[Petrushka]

43. Or . . . perhaps his loyalty is to "The Black Values System" adopted by Trinity UCC . . .

. . . and, as a member, he would long ago have decided just how advantageous it might be to "Pledge Allegiance to All Black Leadership Who Espouse and Embrace the Black Value System."

http://www.tucc.org/black_value_system.html

[virtualobserver]

17. actually it won't

because he was his friend and Pastor, they will still attack him for it even if he cuts the ties.
He needs to attack this head on, which he is.

[LSparkle]

25. Yes -- cutting ties won't be enough but it would help

I'm surprised Rev. Wright hasn't stepped down already,
frankly, if he thinks this is hurting Obama.

[virtualobserver]

42. I don't actually believe that this ....

is a bad thing.

This is a discussion that we need to have.
Wright may step down, but Obama will still be attacked for those statements.

Obama's candidacy, if it succeeds disproves Wright's assertion that a black man cannot win the Presidency which is another disagreement that Obama has with Wright.

[GoldieAZ49]

4. Obama is his protege, how can he denounce him and cut ties?

It is a double edged sword for Obama

[Ashy Larry]

11. Obama isn't anybodies protege.

[cbayer]

47. I certainly hope that is not true

or we are all screwn.

Everyone in positions of power can benefit from proteges and mentors. There is always someone who knows more about a subject than you do.

[backscatter712]

14. You keep implying a relationship that isn't there.

Wright isn't working for Obama's campaign. He isn't part of his staff.

He's a minister, now on sabbatical, soon to be retired.

He's about as close to Wright as you or I are close to our ministers/pastors/priests/etc.

[GoldieAZ49]

31. words have meaning

Obama calls Wright his mentor, that makes him his protege

Mentorship refers to a developmental relationship between a more experienced mentor and a less experienced partner referred to as a protégé—a person guided and protected by a more prominent person.

[saracat]

34. Then why does the campign say he is? He isn't staf but he is part of an

advisory commitrtee.Barack himself says so.

[backscatter712]

5. Probably because Wright isn't working in Obama's campaign.

How do you fire a person who isn't working for you?

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

27. Once again, you're trying to use logic with people who are illogical. Waste of time.

[backscatter712]

29. Just want to make sure it's on the record...

[tishaLA]

6. This is fine. What he needs to do

is to offer something bigger than firing Wright. He needs to address this in a more serious, substantive way. A simple managerial move means nothing.

[redqueen]

13. I suspect that's what's in the works...

we'll see...

[lapfog_1]

7. He has already announced his retirement.

why jump on this "faux news" talking point.

This is a big SO F'ING WHAT... candidates are NOT responsible for the utterances of their friends, various relatives, business associates, distant cousins, pastors, etc. They are responsible for their own words and the words of their campaign workers and staff.

[rodeodance]

18. "candidates are NOT responsible for the utterances of their friends'--so Fererro should have stayed!

[CreekDog]

24. except when they are representing the campaign on talk shows

:eyes:

[rodeodance]

39. ha ha--you lost.

[CreekDog]

40. i did?

well better to lose an argument than to lose my dignity --if i need instructions on that i certainly know whom to ask. :eyes:

[virtualobserver]

9. I disagree

Wright is his friend. Obama does not have to answer for the opinions of his Pastor and friend.
He should stand by him, express his disagreements, and let the chips fall where they may.

[leftynyc]

36. Unfortunately this is bigger than

Senator Obama and his relationship to his pastor. We're talking about electing the next president. Those "chips" could be very detrimental to all of us.

[virtualobserver]

41. I think that Obama can handle the "chips"

n/t

[beachmom]

16. Because this amounts to throwing one's minister under the bus. Not cool.

I am not all that religious, but if you talk to typical Church goers, most of them have complaints about a minister or priest. They complain but they would never "disown" them. Religious people would be very turned off if Obama did that to his own Minister. Basically, this is a minefield. There are disadvantages to this, and maybe he will change his mind on it, but he can't offend religious voters either.

[durrrty libby]

19. WooHoo That's great. His poor judgment will kick him in the ass

[Unsane]

20. He CAN'T be this politically tone deaf

can he?

[The Night Owl]

21. Barack Obama is oblivious to things which can torpedo his campaign.

[The Night Owl]

22. Barack Obama is oblivious to things which can torpedo his campaign.

[sfam]

23. Wait - the "ties" he needs to cut are for a group that never met????

This is ludicrous. Ferraro raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for Hillary - this is a REAL association. This preacher dude has been appointed to a make believe body that never meets. What exactly is the tie that needs to be broken? To take his membership away from a fantasy group? And doing so will placate people?

What a farce...

[leftynyc]

38. This isn't some random person we're talking about

He's been Sen Obama's spiritual advisor for 20 years. He married him, baptized his children. By my book, that's waaaay more personal a relationship than a fundraiser.

[theboss]

26. Why would they punish him for something that they knew all along

It's not like they can be shocked that he is controversial. This is not a "Wow...we didn't know he was going to say that" moment.

[leftofcool]

32. Oh great! There goes the election

[leftynyc]

33. He should do Sen Obama a favor

and resign. This is a real problem.

[rocktivity]

37. Well, Hillary didn't ask Gerry to step down.

No doubt he'll do it on his own in a couple to days for the same reason Gerry did--to "save" from further "controversy."

:headbang:
rocknation

[DearAbby]

44. The Clinton supporters will not be happy until they are avenged

of Ferraro.

[cbayer]

50. I don't think that is true.

I think both attacks (Wright and Ferraro) are really wrong and both camps have used them to try and damage the other candidate.

And it will continue from both sides.

And many members of DU will just revel in it.

[AtomicKitten]

48. He doesn't need to .... the guy retired.

I think you need to change your avatar.

[KaptBunnyPants]

49. Fire your close friend and religious advisor?

Wouldn't that be kind of slimy to do for political advantage?