The Wright matter is largely settled, but ...

[Onlooker]

I think by and large guilt by association doesn't work that well, especially since Republicans have routinely associated themselves with religious leaders who have made offensive remarks. Scheuer (who called for the violent overthrow of the US), Falwell, and Robertson, have been courted by Republican Presidents and candidates in the past, and Hagee (who called Catholicism "a godless religion of hate") endorsed McCain. Wright has said many wonderful things over the years, and his worst comments were mild compared to the many gross remarks by right-wing fundies (e.g., ""I want you to just let a wave of intolerance wash over you." Randall Terry; gays are "part of a vile and satanic system will be utterly annihilated," Jerry Falwell; etc.)

But, I saw on a right-wing blog that Obama "threw his grandmother under the bus," and then I did a search for a comment he made about his grandmother being a "typical white person." It is being promoted on every right wing blog in a big way, and a search on Google news shows it is getting considerable play. While most of us understand what Obama meant, he certainly spoke carelessly, and it's easy to see how his comment was insulting to some.

Now, let's not run away from this mistake like we ran away from the Wright issue months ago when Clinton supporters (and some Obama supporters) were expressing concern about Obama's church and minister. Had we confronted the issue then, Wright might not have been an issue in the last two weeks. Do you think Obama's comments about his grandmother pose a serious political problem for him in that they allow the right to play the race card by using Obama's own words? How can Obama put this issue to rest?

[woolldog]

1. The story is done.

He was on larry king and explained it. There was a press release explaining it. It's done.

It certainly was a stupid thing to say though.

[MADem]

2. No, it isn't. It might have quieted down for awhile, but it WILL be back.

And anyone who doesn't think that is dreaming.

[CJCRANE]

3. I took it to mean "ordinary white person".

I.e. she is just a normal person with the same mixture of traits that we all have.

However I think if Obama gets the nom in the end, then picking Edwards as his VP choice would nullify a lot of this race fallout.

[npincus]

4. this Granny debate is way too f*cking stupid.... I'd rather debate

Obama's kindergarten essay "I want to be President".

Jeez, the guys every utterance is being pounced on and shredded now. What about Grandpa bumbling and stumbling around Iraq, imagining that al Qaeda are training in Iran, and that the Jewish holdiay Purim is like Halloween!

[CJCRANE]

5. Yes, McCain wants to

create another false link to al-Qaeda to justify another illegal war, the global economy is collapsing and yet everyone wants to talk about Obama's granny!

Is she a typical white person? Or an ordinary white person? Or a normal person? Or an extraordinary person? What does she think about the economy? Does she know the difference between sunni and shi'ite?

ed: sp

[billbuckhead]

6. THIS CAN'T BE PUT TO REST, Hillary's opponent is 2 faced about race and is a sexist

He says was running a post-racial campaign while going to a race based church for over a decade that had his religious mentor saying many bigoted things and using all sorts of racial jujitsu to try to turn the Clinton's into racists. Furthermore his campaign has used sexism as a weapon, even his grandmother is fair game for him. Tragic, but unelectable.

[CJCRANE]

7. They're both

damaged goods now thanks to the MSM which vetted McCain for about 5 minutes before turning their guns on Obama & Clinton.

Meanwhile McCain wants to stay in Iraq and pursue al-Qaeda into Iran, even though they aren't there (just like the original WMDs).

[crankychatter]

9. It CAN'T be put to rest

IT CAN'T IT CAN'T IT CAN'T IT JUST CAN'T IT CAN'T

NO, NO, NO, NO

It has to STOP OBAMA .... IT JUST HAS TO HAS TO HAS TO

lmmfao

omg thanks

;-P

[npincus]

11. and YOU, perfect human that you are, have NEVER put your foot in your mouth?

I thought Hillary's A-Team wnated to see some signs that Obama has foibles. Well, he had an inarticulate moment (aka "gaffe") and because you guys have set the bar so high, now you're crucifying him?

Obama's my candidate, he's human.

[Life Long Dem]

8. It makes me sick.

[Window]

10. No shit.

This is way beyond anything resembling rational.