Obama's campaign, for its own good, has cut Wright loose

[DeepModem Mom]

We are not operating in a perfect world, or a perfect country with voters with perfect motives. And not everyone who agrees with most of us on most issues is perfect.

There is no doubt at this point in my mind that Rev. Wright has, to use an overused phrase, thrown his gifted parishioner under the bus in service of his own ego. Do we want Obama to be President or not? Wright obviously does not care. He cares about himself.

Obama adviser (and, I assume, a spokesperson) Susan Rice appeared on MSNBC after Wright's National Press Club appearance, calling Wright's p.r. campaign "a sideshow and an unfortunate one."

This is not the first time that politics has run up against liberal instincts. My instincts are not as pure as those of some. I want Barack Obama with his hand on the Bible taking the oath of office as President. That's what I want.

And that's what the African-American Obama supporters "blowing up" the Blackberry of the MSNBC anchor want. They are furious at Wright for this ego trip which jeopardizes all that Obama has built and constructed throughout this long campaign. The well-oiled, well-run campaign; the soaring oratory; the raising of millions of dollars, in small amounts; the crushing schedule over so many months; the endless debates; the delegates won -- will it all be lost (and in a situation this close, any negative counts) because of one man?

Susan Rice called Rev. Wright "not relevant" to her life, to her generation. The MSNBC anchor just said Rice appeared "visibly upset." And why not? She herself has given herself to this campaign. How angry is she? Plenty angry.

So am I. Politics counts. It's not pretty, but it elects Presidents. Barack is an extraordinary once-in-a-lifetime participant in it, and, I believe, is giving us a historic, redemptive opportunity to elect a great African-American President. My hope right now is that Pastor Wright gets out of his way.

[MNDemNY]

1. Too late.

:banghead:

[Tellurian]

9. After msnbc played the video of Wright wanting to be Obama's Vice President..

I have my doubts as to Obama's viability as the Dem Nominee.

[Cali_Democrat]

12. Wright said he wants to be Obama's VP?

[Tellurian]

19. The way he said it...it seems to be a done deal with Obama

During the Press Conference, when he said he wanted to make things right. He said; "because I'll be the Vice..<pause> President."

[CatsDogsBabies]

22. This is just ridiculous

[Tellurian]

24. Ridiculous or not...thats what he said at the Press Conference..

They are playing the loop on msnbc, if you need to hear it..

[CatsDogsBabies]

34. And you believe it, I suppose

It is ridiculous. So what if the MSM is playing it in a loop. Why are you listening to it? Do you believe everything the media pipes at you? Do you believe that it is true because Rev. Wright says it? No one believes that Obama is going to have Wright as his VP. It is silliness.

[Tellurian]

36. OBAMA/WRIGHT 08'

Yes They Can!

[SeaLyons]

13. I agree...

He's unelectable. Had my doubts about his electability before this latest Wright outburst. Now, it's over!!! Obama cannot erase this man from his life - 20 years is too long.

[Bake]

20. CAn you give me a link to that?

I saw your post in another thread, and looked for it on msnbc.com, but didn't find it. I'd appreciate a link, as I may have missed part of Wright's speech this morning and would like to see that.

Thanks,

Bake

[sunnystarr]

38. Wright was joking (nt)

[indimuse]

39. Power of Perception...

...

[LakeSamish706]

2. I also want that... But not at the expense of trashing someone like Rev. Wright...

"This is not the first time that politics has run up against liberal instincts. My instincts are not as pure as those of some. I want Barack Obama with his hand on the Bible taking the oath of office as President. That's what I want."

If the American people see fit to chose a McCain (with many more faults than Obama) then they deserve what they get.

[rainy]

3. Really. Wright needed to speak out. Why be bullied? Why let them win and

silence you? He did the Wright thing.

[Tyler Durden]

4. GREAT! Now if he could do the same with McClurkin, Caldwell, and Meeks....

AND go back to supporting Single Payer Health care...
AND go back to supporting IMMEDIATE WITHDRAWAL from Iraq...

THEN I could support him with a clear conscience if he gets the nomination.

[keep_it_real]

5. LIke Obama says, let's have faith in the American people

Maybe, just maybe we have outgrown the Rev. Wrights in the political world of America.

[rusty_parts2001]

6. Susan Rice threw Bill Clinton under the bus, so

why not Rev. Wright as well.

[DeepModem Mom]

7. Since I seldom voice my own opinion here, I'm giving this post a little kick...

before leaving for some "real world" responsibilities. I usually post news articles (both positive and negative about both candidates), as FYIs, without comment -- and stay out of the civil (or not so civil) candidate war here.

I appreciate all who read and/or respond to my hastily written thoughts after the National Press Club event. A good day to all!

[rucky]

8. The Obama supporters seem to be split over this issue

much to the delight of his opposition.

[CatsDogsBabies]

10. Good

I haven't watched the MSM coverage of Wright. Wright is not relevant to my support for Obama. I am sick of hearing about Wright here on DU. Given what a distraction Wright has become, I think the Obama campaign is right to cut Wright loose.

[jesus_of_suburbia]

11. As a Hillary supporter who thinks Obama will win the nomination, I agree.

Senator Obama will have a hard enough time in the GE if he should win.

He doesn't need this weight around his neck.

Cut him loose.

[DearAbby]

14. Well just how in the hell

should Obama do that? When was the last fucking time the Media covered a NAACP Speech? They created this Wright Mess, and they are still doing it. Have they ever covered a HAGEE SPEECH? I am sure he gives them.

They are the ones bringing this attention to Wright, they created the Boogerman presona of Wright, Now they are fleshing it in. Why are you falling for it...and how is it Obama's fault?

[DeepModem Mom]

15. Zipping out now -- but, yes, media is somewhat at fault; Obama is not at fault.

I never said that, and never thought it.

[madfloridian]

18. It sounded that way.

Hillary is getting away with this.

[Bake]

28. Hillary??? Is she putting a gun to Wright's head and making him speak?

Sorry, but you can't blame this on Hillary. As I said in another thread, I thought Rev. Wright did a great job this morning; but I don't know if it will be enough to defuse the "Wright stuff issue." Apparently it won't be, as Obama's supporters ARE split over it, Axelrod and Rice are spinning like tops, etc.

But the one thing you cannot do with any integrity whatsoever is blame this on Hillary.

Bake

[kerry-is-my-prez]

31. Hillary is repsonsible for this??

Get a grip....

[Doityourself]

23. Agreed. when was the last time the MSM covered a NAACP speech?

[madfloridian]

16. I think Hillary's plan worked very well. She has split all of us.

Those of us who supported her husband when he had Monica under his desk in the oval office....those of us who stood by them.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/2039

She has used this.

I am to the point where I see no difference between her and McCain. I won't vote for McCain..but I see no difference.

She succeeded.

[madfloridian]

17. Terrible what Rice said....Shameful if Obama agrees.

"Susan Rice called Rev. Wright "not relevant" to her life, to her generation. The MSNBC anchor just said Rice appeared "visibly upset." And why not? She herself has given herself to this campaign. How angry is she? Plenty angry."

Wright is relevant to all of our lives, because Hillary used him to divide the party.

I am white, he is relevant in my life because he tells more truth than my Southern Baptist pastors ever did. They don't tell real truth. They worry about guns, gays and abortions.

I feel sick.

[CatsDogsBabies]

21. I think it is possible that Wright may say some relevant things

but that doesn't mean that what he says needs to be relevant to Obama's campaign. I support Obama. I believe that racism is a problem in the U.S., but I don't think that Rev. Wright should be the focal point of Obama's campaign. Obama's campaign is about electing Obama as the next POTUS. I want this to happen. Wright is not a surrogate for the Obama campaign, the Obama campaign has to cut him loose. Let's keep the focus on the CANDIDATE.

[madfloridian]

25. Caving in solves nothing at all. Hillary wins by using a wedge.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/2039

[CatsDogsBabies]

26. It is not caving in

[madfloridian]

32. Yes, it is.

[madfloridian]

35. Wright has a long honorable history he is having to protect...

and it is his every right to do so how ever he wishes.

[sandnsea]

37. Reconciliation

So we can stop having these divisive arguments about this group and that, and start moving forward together. I don't know why people think that's possible without full acknowledgement of all that is wrong. It's like trying to fix a marriage with one of the partners never admitting they're the one doing the harm.

[anonymous171]

27. Sadly, I agree.

[stillcool]

29. Bomb threats to a Church..

with a membership of over 1,000 people should be tolerated because one of it's membership is a candidate? A pastor should lay down and let the media kick him like a dog, because one member of his Church is a candidate? Senator Obama is not responsible for Reverend Wright, and Reverend Wright is not responsible of Senator Obama. Why can't the man speak up and defend himself?

[joeybee12]

30. You cannot have a serious, meaningful discussion about race in the MSM...

...for that matter, a serious, meaningful discussion about any serious, meaningful issue. Just cannot be done...the MSM sucks, but to try to change those rules in the middle of a campaign is insane. Wright should have laid low until after November. It doesn't matter if he made sense or gave great speeches...he has become a controversial figure, and when he says something or even farts, the MSM will be all over it, and it only hurts BO. He should know that and should be helping not hurting BO.

[Adelante]

33. I've Recommended this OP

I believe Rev. Wright has the right and obligation to defend himself and his church. I respect him for it. I am glad it's happening in April and not October.

But let me be very clear. And I have said this before.

If this campaign is about race, Obama loses. He wins when it is a campaign for all Americans. We can drag race relations a few stumbling feet and lose the race or we can bring it soaring miles and miles and miles into the White House with Barack.

Those of us who are helping him must keep our eyes on the prize. We cannot be distracted by bright shiny objects flashed and flashed and flashed again by the media.

This week Obama's campaign is about the economy, not about Rev. Wright, who seems perfectly capable of looking after himself.

Speaking for myself, my responsibility is to Barack Obama and his presidency.

[Raine]

40. Sadly after seeing this latest I have to agree

I was really really impressed with Wright after the Moyers interview and his speech yesterday. I saw the press conference live this morning and got more and more worried about what this is doing to Obama. Now the whole campaign has become about Wright not about Obama. I just afraid it's too late now, I think this is going to sink Obama.

[wowimthere]

41. The News shouldn't be linking the two. Period! No one goes after Clinton or McCain's

associations. They are trying to undermine Obama.

[anonymous171]

42. He needs to play their game and beat them at it if he wants to be elected.

I want him to win too!