The Rev. Jeremiah Wright situation might well have

[Road Scholar]

been one of the best things that happened to the Obama presidential campaign.
Here's why:
A whole lot of people got to see a presidential candidate acting very presidential. In his speech about Rev. Wright, he got to demonstrate how to turn lemons into lemonade, very eloquently, and very presidential.I believe he changed a lot of minds and in the process he got to demonstrate how to deal with the difficult situation of race.Not only did he recover from it, I believe that he actually gained support because of it. IMHO
Do you agree?

[stellanoir]

1. I humbly agree and approve of this message, for what it' worth.

[JeffR]

2. I must agree, since that speech is what finally got me off the fence

after watching my two preferred candidates (Kucinich and Edwards) leave the race. Obama is the real thing, and he proved it to me with that speech.

[EFerrari]

96. Same here. n/t

[DearAbby]

3. Well it also

shot the "Obama Hussein, is a muslim" Boogerman meme.

[Road Scholar]

4. Yes, he got to cover several things in that speech.

[JayFredMuggs]

5. Totally agree

Only Hillary and Romney supporters and viewers of the Fixed Noise Network are people who actually BELIEVE Obama is incapable of independent thought, and that Obama is incapable of rejecting racism in ALL forms.

Why is that? Because THOSE PEOPLE are incapable of thinking independently, they have to listen to Hillary, to Hannity, or to their preacher in order to have a complete thought.

Obama, to them is something unimaginable, someone who can not accept every word of what is said in the heat of passion. Someone who thinks logically, not someone they meet every day.

So the Hillary and Hannity supporters equate Obama with Reverend Wright. Yeah, some people can think, others can echo the thoughtlessness of others.

Why echo other people's thoughtlessness?

[NC_Nurse]

6. I agree. It also shows how well he deals with attacks. He stayed cool and

rose above his attackers by dealing with the real issues behind their overblown rhetoric.
He had the opportunity to show his integrity, his openness, and his hopes for a better
country that deals with the issues openly and honestly. He's awesome! :applause:

[napi21]

7. Another good thing is that it came out NOW. Do you have any idea

what that COULD have done if it had only come out in October? There would have been no time for Barack to explain his positions and how he relates to the Rev.

[dansolo]

8. And it prevents the Muslim rumors from being effective.

With the amount of coverage that this has gotten, I'm convinced that anyone who would still claim that he is a Muslim would never have voted for him anyway.

[democrattotheend]

9. Hard to say

It definitely cost him some votes, but he handled it well and his speech might have gained him some votes. But most importantly, the speech strengthened the resolve of those who were already with him...it made me more determined than ever to fight for him and do everything I can to help him become the next president of the United States.

[ginnyinWI]

32. I'll bet it gained him at least as many votes as he lost.

People who were undecided made the leap, and maybe even some HRC supporters, I'm guessing. Look at what it made Bill Richardson do--he said it was the speech that finally did it for him.

He showed us how he handles a crisis--by staying cool and addressing the problem head on. He's certainly got a lot of confidence--and it's not misplaced either.

Every smear I see him neutralize gives me more confidence that he's going to be able to win in the general.

[anonymous171]

10. I actually kind of agree. This would've been a horribly effective October Surprise.

Thankfully the RW media couldn't keep it's pants on.

[Tarheel_Dem]

20. which is why there may be some truth to the rumor that Obama's own

campaign leaked this. If true, that was one hell of a political calculation, and a very smart one. By the time he actually gets t campaign against his GOP rival, it will have been discussed to death, and will be old news. Kinda like Iraq seems to be these days.

[anonymous171]

22. Man, that would be quite the political gamble. nt

[TheDonkey]

11. Not the "best" thing but certainly a test that Obama passed with flying colors!

He handled the situation with dignity, emotion, class, and civility. A truly remarkable thing really. Especially juxtaposed with how Hillary handled her "snipergate" controversy a few weeks later.

[ClayZ]

12. K and R

I really enjoyed his FULL sermons on YouTube!

[Road Scholar]

13. I had to go for seconds and thirds. As they say around here in NC,

he was "shuckin' th' corn".:nuke:

[ClayZ]

Well, that is what I will call it from now on, too! LOL

Dang that was some corn shuckin'! I am afraid I might like it too much. I keep going back, too!

That Rev. Wright may just get me back to church after 30 years of saying ZEN is good enough for me. Have you heard him with the Choir? Wooooo Hoooo!:applause:

[scheming daemons]

14. I said this 2 weeks ago......

If you're Obama, you *KNOW* that the Rev Wright thing will hit at SOME point.


What better time than:

- 5.5 weeks before any further voting takes place.

- 7 months before the convention

- 9 months before the election

- the week leading up to "March Madness" and Easter

- Coincided with Rev. Wright's 2-week cruise


Frankly.... it was the PERFECT time for this to get out, if you accept the notion that it WAS going to get out.

It came too late to really help Hillary, and *WAY* too early to help McCain.

It gave Obama an opportunity to make a historic speech on race and appear Presidential.

It subliminally cleared up rumors of his being a "muslim", even among - especially among - those that are bashing him the most over Wright.... the ones more likely to have used the "muslim" angle.


Notice how you don't hear any right-wing talk show hosts harping on the "Hussein" middle name thing anymore?



I'm convinced the Rev Wright story broke *NOW* because the Obama camp MEANT for it to break now.


If this happened two weeks before the GE, it would have been devastating.


To recap:

- The "Obama is a muslim" email whispering campaign is now dead and buried forever.

- By the time PA rolls around in three weeks, America will be TIRED of talking about it already. By the convention and GE, NOBODY will be talking about it anymore.

- Obama showed wary Democrats that he could "take a hit" and rebound stronger than before.



The Obama campaign is managing the narrative... and they're doing it brilliantly.

[Road Scholar]

15. I totally agree.

[tishaLA]

36. That's really interesting and I have to admit

it's a scenario I never envisioned. If it's true that the campaign had a hand in it, it's very Machiavellian of them and deserves a great big kudos from me.

[DerekJ]

47. Honestly I have always been puzzled by the timing. It makes no sense whatsoever.

The RW knew about Wright a long time ago. How did Obama force them to burn their winning card now?

[Road Scholar]

50. Wasn't it part of her "kitchen sink? campaign for March? nt

[DerekJ]

51. scheming daemons is suggesting that Obama's campaign had a hand in pushing this story early to

diffuse it.

My question here is: How did he manage to get the RW to pick up on it, and play along?

[Road Scholar]

52. First of all, it was dirty to use that against him, plain and simple,

if he knew they would then he outsmarted them all, Hillary AND the r/w. It is refreshing to know our new president will be extremely intelligent (for a change).

[scheming daemons]

71. ABCNews bought the videos from Trinity's web site just 24 hours before the story broke....

...did the Obama campaign give them hints that they were available for purchase?


ABC and Fox both broke it the same night... the other networks came along the next day.

[TheDoorbellRang]

109. I agree now and agreed then

Time of its release was better for Obama than either Clinton OR McCain. Just convinced me he is one smart campaigning dude.

[BeatleBoot]

16. I think he'll totally win over those Reagan Democrats now.

Seriously, I think its all behind him and no one will ever discuss it again.

It's a totally dead issue.


:echo chamber:

[Road Scholar]

19. I think the worst is over. She's thrown everything at him she could..

He's handled it well.

[BeatleBoot]

21. I agree.

I couldn't disagree.

It's a dead issue and there is nothing more of it.

That issue is over and done, next!

[elizm]

17. I know personally of people who changed their mind because of that speech...

He showed the kind of leadership this country needs.

[JayFredMuggs]

23. good to know them, isn't it?

Good to know people who have open minds!

[Lex]

18. It was a great speech.

He handled the situation about Rev. Wright very well.

[Celebration]

24. most of the votes he "lost" due to all this

He would not have gotten anyway.

Obama, as president, would probably surprise all of us. He seems practically unflappable. His values seem conventional and traditional, but his responses to situations could be far from conventional.

The best thing I like about him? No conditions on talking to other world leaders. What a refreshing change.

Rev. Wright was a terrible distraction, and it will keep coming up. It seems odd to me that this is an issue, but it did give Obama an opportunity to make a really great speech and prove he is not Muslim.

Yes, better now than later. This was probably a blessing in disguise.

[Cha]

25. I know of a lot of people personally who

really liked Obama's "A More Perfect Union" on March 18, 2008 but they are all Obama supporters..but, I read that one of "the view" women changed her support to Obama after she heard The Speech.

[BuyingThyme]

26. He clearly showed that he can handle touchy situations creatively.

The question is whether or not Americans give a shit.

[Road Scholar]

27. 22,000 in Happy Valley Penn.

gave a shit this evening.:toast:

[stillcool]

28. I like the way he handled it..

but I'm still really pissed at the way it was played over and over and over for three weeks, and the way some people around here were hysterical in their glee to savagely attack a 67 year old man, and his Church.

[Tribetime]

29. I don't think we've seen the real Wright,

I suspect slowly over the next few months he'll make guest appearances at many churches speaking the word of Jesus. People I hope will begin to question their initial judgment on him, and see him as the preacher who spoke the word of the love of God above all else, but I don't think they could of started coming out with this until things blew over a little. But I do think the church as a whole will rebut this portrayal of them shortly......just saying there could still be some bump from this angle also

[Road Scholar]

33. And Obama will reap the benefits of taking the high road by

not throwing him under the bus. I tell ya, when you're right, you're just right.

[Tribetime]

37. this may have been like a perfect chess game with Obama

seeing well into the future. Knowing he would take an initial hard hit, but had a step by step plan months into the future on this. Having calculated plans to each action reaction that would occur. So far so good, and I'll bet he's seeing well into the future on his next moves to continue to debunk and reverse it's intended reaction. Like you said knowing not to throw him under the bus

[Road Scholar]

39. His foresight and intelligence is going to be a welcome relief. nt

[noel711]

30. Sadly, this could have worked well for Hillary too...

When this first hit, she could have stood up, with dignity,
stated she knew Wright also, that he'd visited the White House
back in the day when the Clinton's needed healing.
She could have said these videos were simply snippets taken
out of context, and besides, this has nothing to do with the
campaign, and she will tolerate none of this issue.
She could have demanded this stop now.

She also could have appeared presidential, standing up for
her 'worthy opponant.' Sadly, for her, it diminished her.

[Tribetime]

31. well said

[Catherina]

41. Well said. n/t

[EmilyAnne]

45. That's such a great point. She could have handled the sniper story with grace and probably been

immediately forgiven. But, no, instead she dissed Sinbad. That should be the first sign of a dying campaign: dissing Sinbad. Pathetic. The woman doesn't exhibit an ounce of humility.

[uponit7771]

68. Word!!!!

[redqueen]

83. Exactly! She squandered the opportunity...

he made the most of it.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

34. Since he is 52% in the polls right now he must have

[Middle finga]

35. Clinton, the republicans along with their friends i the media

thought they had him down for he count but Obama shook it off and now he is stronger than ever.

[Road Scholar]

38. My point exactly! Well said. nt

[Catherina]

40. I agree. I can't print enough copies to distribute.

The word of mouth from people who were on the fence to other people on the fence has been the strongest recommendation. A friend put it in a nice little pamphets with an entreaty to donate. My copy's tucked away in A Testament of Hope.

[bhikkhu]

42. Complete agreement.

I have followed politics and had "a horse in every race" since McGovern. Largely, I have watched them fail. How many time can a person build up an edifice of hope, then see it fall to ruin?

In this case, I have to say that same feeling was coming on for a bit, then Obama did what I have never seen another man do in my life...in what had to be the worst day of his political career, he spoke the truth, and lifted up the whole country.

[d.amber]

43. what it did to was give the GOP a reason to hate Obama

The 527 will go crazy in the general. This will not effect Obama's dem support, but Repubs did not love McCain. They hated Hillary and they tried to pain Obama as a Muslim to get some fear going against him. They they hit the jackpot with the Obama/Wright story. Now they have hate/fear going against Obama that they didn't have before.

My parents are your typical Goldwater Repub's...who use to live down the street from McCain. They do not like McCain. They HATE Hillary. I won't repeat some of the things they say about her. My mom tried to tell him how Obama was a Muslim until I set her straight on that. Then the Wright story hit. They only watch Fox news because they claim the other stations are all left wing liberals. My dad was neutral to ready to accept Obama for president until the Wright story broke.

Now I've give up trying to reason with them on the issue. Hate is a mild word for how they feel. This is what the GOP wanted. Something to inspire their base as they don't believe in Hope and change they believe in fear and hate.

For myself I have faith in Obama and I hope in time even Repubs like my parents will listen to the reason of him message and get beyond the Hate inspired Fox news sound clips.

[anonymous171]

44. Well, I think for most it is hard to believe that Barack Obama is some kind of whitehater.

I mean, the man is half-white for chrissakes! The GOP can only stretch things sooo far.

[Road Scholar]

48. Exactly! nt

[NoBorders]

55. It doesn't have to be rational though

Those who hate him b/c of Wright won't care.

[Road Scholar]

46. There a lot of Fox News watchers that have been bombarded

for 15 years to hate Hillary.So far all she has managed to do is unite the Republican party.McCain is gaining because she is staying in. They weren't expecting somebody like Obama, but they will do what they do best against him this Fall.They will stay away from the issues, mock and ridicule or use hate and fear.
Don't feel bad, you can't reason with them.Hopefully there won't be enough Repubs like that to win.She is making it more difficult.

[amandabeech]

110. I think that Rev. Wright will be back in the fall.

The 527 commercials undoubtedly will be ugly, indeed.

[yellowdogintexas]

49. his grace under pressure totally impresses me and is what tipped me over to

him in our primary. I am totally supporting the Ultimate Winner, mind you. Just saying he really handles this stuff eloquently .

[DemVet]

53. Agree? NO.

Pastorgate will still bite Obama in the ass in the GE...if he's the Nominee.

[DerekJ]

54. Sorry "my friend",

You can't swiftboat twice using the same issue in one election season. They will bring it up, but it will have very limited effect now. It has been on the news for 2 weeks straight everybody have seen it.

Edit: typo

[DemVet]

58. You're kidding, right?

This Wright scenario hasn't been played out yet...it hasn't even started in earnest. I think Obama hasn't even seen any "swiftboating" like the way Republicans can do it.

[Road Scholar]

56. That bullet has been shot and was handled with grace and

dignity, to the point it backfired.If through some error of calculation, it is fired again, will be handled the same way.

[DemVet]

59. Grace?

You mean desperation.

Grace? Yeah, that's why he lied about the whole thing. He originally stated he never heard anything offensive in church. Then in "The Speech," he admitted that he had heard some offensive things.

Now he says he'd have left that church in protest if Wright hadn't retired.

You call that grace?

[uponit7771]

69. Don't think McSame can use him nor the 527s, "lets kill Muslims" Palsy and "slave sale" Hagee R wors

[Vinca]

57. I tend to agree. Why else would his poll numbers have risen?

In addition, there are reports of religious people getting together and supporting Wright - no doubt that ends up back at their own churches. And, of course, now Obama can't possibly be hurt by that Muslim terrorist baloney.

[totodeinhere]

60. I tend to agree.

It showed how well Obama can handle adversity, which is a good quality for any president to have. And it also showed again how the Clinton campaign can use exploitive tactics in a desperate attempt to resuscitate her failing campaign.

[Lyric]

61. I'd like to say yes, but it wouldn't be true.

People will forget him looking "Presidential" pretty damned fast, because Obama can't campaign on it. It's not like he can walk around saying, "Did you see?? Did you see how Presidential I looked in that speech??". He also can't repeat the same speech again, which is a bummer, because the best time for a speech like that would have been during the GE--not during a primary. He shot his "big gun" waaaay too soon, and now there isn't anything left for him to do but sit back and let McPain and the conservatives bash him until November. And that is precisely what the right-wing will do. I suppose Obama could try to address it again if it comes to that, but it's not going to have the same impact as the first time. Instead of "Obama Inspires With Speech", we'll see "Obama Defends Campaign...", "Obama Defends Self...", and "Conservatives Lash Out At Obama Over Wright...". You know the media will eat it up. *sigh*

[Willo]

92. I agree with you but to bring up Wright will bring up his speech

He doesn't have to say a word.

[dogday]

62. I don't support either candidate and I think this hurt him

Just like I think Bosnia hurt Clinton... I see both candidates with all the faults and all their glory..

[cd3dem]

63. Bo lovers loved BO's BS, those who have not drank his kool-aid found the speech evasive

of the fact his pastor/mentor is a racist!

[Road Scholar]

64. Have you ever wondered why he's leading her by 10 points?

Bosnia, and Wright. I think they're worth about 5 points each.Better check your own drinking supply.

[cd3dem]

73. kool-aid

Obama's pastor is a racist and that is +5???? WOW that is some powerful kool-aid!

[Road Scholar]

78. See # 67

[The Backlash Cometh]

65. Most of all, he didn't throw blacks under the bus like every other candidate

has.

[Kber]

66. I think it did something else too

Liberal Democrats eventually get accused of being "liberal elitists".

Well, in this country, you can be a liberal elitist, or you can be an angry black man. You can be both. And when they try to accuse Obama of one, the blunt the argument for the other, leaving people with the impression that he's more middle of the road - how most people see themselves.

And ultimately, most Americans want to elect a president who is, in some way, a version of themself.

KB

[uponit7771]

67. I predicted that Wright would be a net positive for Obama cause 1.) he's no longer a Muslim, 2.) The

...more people see him the more they like him...he's years ahead on ideas etc vs McSame and Hillary, 3.) It gets the issue out now instead of later

[surfermaw]

70. Wait until Hillary is out if she goes out, then see if it is a gone thing

[cooolandrew]

72. Looks to be the case. God bless Rev Wright.

[cd3dem]

76. Wright is a racist! You should say, "God help Wright"

[Road Scholar]

79. "But Grasshopper, is Rev. Wright running for an office? " LOL nt

[cd3dem]

81. If Hillary's pastor/spiritual mentor of 20 years was a racist would it matter?

Wright is a racist and Obama sat there and was a member of the church and philosophy!

[Road Scholar]

84. Not if Obama could think for himself. Remember, Obama is half

white himself. His mother was white.Don't get drunk on that kool aid....

.. Grasshopper.

IT

[cd3dem]

85. if you sit in a racist church what does that say about judgment and leadership!

you believe in a double standard... no doubt if this were Hillary sitting and listening to a white preacher scream nasty comments about American and blacks, you and others would be outraged as should everyone be... this is an outrage and you as well have your head out of touch! you are blinded by your love of Obama and it is sad that racism is dismissed!

[Road Scholar]

86. I didn't realize the whole church was racist. Whites, Blacks,

American Indian and some Orientals are parishioners there. I never was convinced that Rev. Wright was racist either, Grasshopper.:shrug:

[cd3dem]

107. perhaps you have your head in the sand with all this grasshopper talk

and thinking what Wright said was somehow reasonable for a man of "God"

[cooolandrew]

90. What did he say racist he said HRC hadn't experienced racism. True...

As men have not experienced sexism. To flip it you could say feminist saying a man ahs never been called a b word before true. Not sexist.

[knixphan]

74. agreed.

Americans love watching lemonade-makers.

Barack's kung-fu is unstoppable.

[Bensthename]

75. It showed his strength and confidence. People see he won't be swift boated.

And the fact that he did not comment on Hillary's sniper gate also showed leadership.

[cd3dem]

80. He goes to a racist church for 20 years and that shows leadership?

there is a big double standard in this country where you can be a black racist and have a presidential candidate support you... if Wright were white and saying these types of things against blacks this would be a different story... it matters to me! racism is racism and that is NOT the change we need!

[Bensthename]

82. Those were not his words. And a few clips over multiple years is nothing to run from.

[Road Scholar]

88. See # 86

[Arugula Latte]

77. My ONLY Republican friend (who I've known since 8th grade)

and who was defending Bush as recently as a year ago, recently called Obama "brilliant." (She doesn't like Michelle, but, oh, well.)

I'm glad the Wright thing got out early in the campaign; it will be very old news by November.

[The Night Owl]

87. You gotta love the intellectual honesty of some Obama supporters...

When anyone criticizes Pastor Wright, the Obamatons start chanting in unison about how Wright is not running for president. When anyone praises Pastor Wright, the Obamatons cheer as though Wright were their candidate.

[Road Scholar]

89. See # 86

[The Night Owl]

93. Post #86 has nothing to do with what I wrote. {EOM}

[EFerrari]

95. You're off topic. I'll join you.

I supported Jeremiah Wright BEFORE I supported Barack Obama because I have the common sense to recognize a smear when Fox airs one.

So apparently does the Christian religious community that has overwhelmingly come out to support him.

It is possible to support both Wright AND Obama, and after seeing how Obama handled this smear, that was what I chose to do.

[The Night Owl]

99. Yes... One can support Obama and Wright, but one can also support Obama and oppose Wright. {EOM}

[EFerrari]

100. Precisely. So, there is no essential connection between a position

on Wright and on Obama, is there?

[The Night Owl]

105. An essential connection? No... but a connection nonetheless.

I think the fact that Barack Obama didn't do anything to head off problems which he knew his association with Pastor Wright would cause serves to demonstrate that Obama is a bit green as far as national politics go.

I will gladly vote for Obama if he is the nominee, but I think he needs more experience on the national stage to be a better candidate than Hillary Clinton.

[EFerrari]

106. If he's so green, why is he ahead?

Apparently, there are a lot of people who don't believe Clinton is the better candidate.

Maybe he's hiding his inexperience for when it can come in handy.

I came into this two person contest not liking either of them. But I found I did like the way Obama didn't resort to crass personal attacks. It can't hurt to have a candidate that can refrain from those.

They're both just politicians to me. He just seems like a more skilled one, even being so much younger and fresher than she is.

[The Night Owl]

111. What I wrote is that Barack Obama is a bit green. {EOM}

[cd3dem]

108. Nothing wrong with Wright

[Willo]

91. I agree and Wright has pretty good legs to stand on of his own

The point of his sermons are not bad if listened to.

The work for the community by the people in the ministries.

His service and commendations as a Marine.

A few LBJ commendations never hurt

[Willo]

94. Al Sharpton handled a discussion of whether Wright is racist pretty well

Al Sharpton vs greta Van Susteren part 1
http://youtube.com/watch?v=7mlZeb2k8NA

Al Sharpton vs greta Van Susteren part 2
http://youtube.com/watch?v=85S0PIPv5Co

[Road Scholar]

101. Thank you very much for sharing those, Very Telling when the

context is clear.

[Willo]

102. My pleasure. It helped me as well.

[goletian]

97. THE ONLY VICTIM in the whole smear campaign has been wright.

obama was simply given an opportunity to show his quality, wright has been demonized. hes the only victim.

[Road Scholar]

103. Don't come to a conclusion until it's all over. It might appear so

for now, but I believe it's not over. He might be a benefactor, as well as his parishioners in the final analysis.

[goletian]

104. people will try to cling, they always do. but there is going to be no lasting negative effect

im pretty certain of that. for one, its guilt by association - weak. for two, its guilt by distortion - very weak. for three, once hillarys out mccain can have the same thing thrown in his face, if not worse. hes actually said racially charged stuff himself, no association even needed.

[knixphan]

98. oh yeah...

"Notice how you don't hear any right-wing talk show hosts harping on the "Hussein" middle name thing anymore?"

-that's true-

[BklynChick]

112. I believed he showed intelligence, courage, and fight coming back w/that speech in the face of swift

boating.

[Road Scholar]

113. It was truely remarkable. It takes a leader to do that. Sometimes

you have to take the bull by the horns, and do the right thing, and he did.
Remarkable.

[devilindisguise]

114. I disagree that he gained support

He made a good speech, but he didn't distance himself from the man who cursed Ameria, and in church, and by a person who isn't supposed to curse. If that gains him support, I'm afraid I wouldn't wish to be friends with anyone who didn't see the speech for what it was. A piece of fluff.