Wright’s words hurt Obama’s image
Dante Chinni
Posted: 05.01.2008 / 8:12 AM EDT
When Sen. Barack Obama’s pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright Jr., first appeared in the 2008 campaign – the YouTube clips, the swearing, the shouting – the reaction from many Patchwork Nation communities was a shrug of the shoulders.
Yes, Mr. Wright was loud and bombastic, but he was not Senator Obama and nothing indicated that the pastor’s views represented those of the candidate. Plus, Obama used the situation to deliver a thoughtful, well-received speech on race in America.
But it appears that things may have changed after the latest round of the Wright-Obama show.
This time Wright openly embraced Louis Farrakhan, a man the majority of Americans find distasteful. Wright also showed a penchant for far-out conspiracy theories when he said he believed that the US government spread AIDS to attack African-Americans.
The Obama campaign seemed to sense something was different about Wright’s latest remarks. This time Obama’s reaction was more forceful. He said the pastor’s remarks were “divisive and destructive” and they offended him. On Wednesday, his wife appeared on CNN’s “Anderson Cooper 360” to address the issue.
Judging from the response in at least one Patchwork Nation community, the Obama campaign may be right to worry.
To gauge the fallout from the dust-up of the past week, we talked to people in Los Alamos, N.M. (Monied ’Burbs). Los Alamos, like the community type it represents, is split between the two parties going into the fall campaign. It is full of the wealthy, white swing voters that campaigns must reach in order to win the presidency. It is the kind of place where Wright’s antics could have a real impact – and to a certain extent, it looks as though they already have.
“I have seen the Obama statement and I have also talked to a number of people about his response,” Bill Enloe, chairman of Los Alamos National Bank, wrote in an e-mail. “The general feeling is that Obama appears very political and much of his original popularity as an agent for change is diminished. It is amazing to me that a shift can accrue so quickly, but I have seen a decline in his support over the past two days.”
Sharon Stover, a member of the Los Alamos Juvenile Justice Advisory Board, says she’s also heard people use the word “political” to describe Obama, and believes it started after Wright called Obama a “politician” who “says what he has to say.”
“It’s a distraction for Obama,” Ms. Stover says. “I believe Wright is hurting his chances. I’ve spoken to a few folks who do not understand what Wright’s motive is in getting in the mix again.”
That’s a sentiment the Obama campaign may share. If there is good news for Obama – at least in Los Alamos – it was New Mexico Sen. Jeff Bingaman’s endorsement this week, Stover says. “People have a great deal of respect for Bingaman in Los Alamos – he is a huge supporter [of Los Alamos lab].”
Not all residents are convinced the latest flare-up is significant. “I think a lot of people look at him and say, ‘We all have a lot of friends that say stupid things,’ ” says Jim Hall, Los Alamos’s County Council chairman. But the latest incident, he says, reinforces the doubts of those who have been uncertain of Obama.
Ron Dolin, Los Alamos County Republican chairman, expresses admiration for Obama’s political ability, but says the Wright fiasco has sowed doubts that will resurface in the fall. “The Wright thing is starting to chip away at Obama and will, I believe, hurt him in the fall,” Mr. Dolin says. “I don’t think many people in Los Alamos believe Obama is a radical like his pastor. At the same time, I think many are starting to understand he is not as moderate as his handlers are packaging him either.”
The town’s response, he says, is to learn more about Obama by picking up his books, and clarify their image of the candidate.
None of this means the Wright/Obama die is cast. It is, rather, the temperature of one community at one moment in time. But it does mean that the Wright controversy has more clearly entered voters’ consciousness – and left a mark.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:37 am EDT
Reverend Wright’s eagerness to have his 15 minutes of fame was a grievance to the campaign of Senator Obama and has done ,what i hope is not, irreparable injury to a man who would probably be one of the greatest presidents in history. Shame on Reverend Wright and his ego.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:52 pm EDT
We really know very little about Mr. Obama, and Americans are eager to learn more about him. He has promised since anouncing his candidacy that he would ‘unite’ the country, and bridge the gap between all peoples. But as his links to Mr. Wright and his substantial membership to a black separatist church for over 20 years come to light, it is evident that his words of unity are shallow. He has favored the teachings of his church so much, that he has contributed over $27,000, and has two of his children enrolled there.
Comments to party fundraisers in San Fransisco have labled small towners as ‘bitter’ that drives them to ‘cling to their guns’ and ‘religion’ and forces them to be bigotted towards others of a different color.
He has had very close friendships and associations with those that have killed Americans with bombs (Weather Underground).
I am beginning to suspect that he knows very little about the vast greatness of this remarkable country, nor the wonderful patchwork of its people. He may be selling something that he cannot possibly deliver?
May 1st, 2008 at 4:56 pm EDT
The Wright controversy has damaged Sen Obama’s credibility. He claims that he was unaware of Wright’s opinions regarding the persecution of African Americans by the US govt. That seems unlikely, given that Wright’s congregation was not at all surprised. They have come angrily to Wright’s defense. Also the cheering audiences at Wright’s NAACP and Press Club speeches make it seem that Sen Obama is the only member of the African American community who is unaware of their deep paranoia. When Wright’s sermons were originally shown in the middle of March ‘08, Sen Obama said during interviews that Wright was sorry if he had offended anyone. There was certainly no remorse in Wright’s speeches to the NAACP and the Press Club, so Obama’s apology on his behalf seems to have been fabricated. We were also told by Wright’s apologists that the controversial sermons had been taken out of context and therefore judged unfairly. When Wright had the opportunity to explain himself he did not retreat one iota from the “snippets” that the public had already seen. The most generous explanation for Sen Obama’s relationship with Wright is that he doesn’t agree w/ Wright. In that case, his lengthy and deep relationship with him could only be sustained if he is a chameleon, the “go-along-to-get-along” guy, for the whom the truth varies according to his audience. His claim to be “above politics” on a “higher moral plane” is not consistent with the reality of his relationship w/ Wright. Sen Obama will be held to a higher standard because he has invited to the voters to do so.
May 1st, 2008 at 5:54 pm EDT
Over a 20 year period, Barack certainly had to have known the extent of Wright’s belief system. Barack made a decision to associate himself with that pastor and that church. Period. When it became a personal attack on Barack suggesting he did what any other politician would do, that is when the the fight began. Barack is running on change and in fact there is no change at all which is what Wright was actually saying. It was not an endorsement of Barack that is for sure. As much as I loathe what Wright says, he has apparently never hidden his agenda, his lifestyle, his theories, and so really he is not the hypocrite in this argument. He is being himself even if most people think he is a nutty uncle. Barack is just NOW taking issue with the theories Wright has had all these years. Why the indignation now? It can only be for political reasons and mostly because Wright dared to question Barack’s integrity. Put yourself in Wright’s position. Does it seem fair that Barack has permanently brushed him off?
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May 1st, 2008 at 7:51 pm EDT
I grew up around people who became gang-bangers, drug dealers alike, yet I was first in my family to go straight to college. Am I responsible for the things they did, am I just like them because that was my enviroment.Do people really belive all African Americans think and act alike because essentially thats whats being implied when your insisting that perhaps through osmosis or something else, Senator Obama is somehow responsible for the dispicable actions of Rev. Wright. If you truly had open mind, you would look at the individual and the content of his character instead of subscribing to your own stereotypes. From that standpoint alone Obama has conducted himself well.Bill has played the race card where is outrage and the backlash from this? where are the polls from working class whites and seniors claiming his credibilty was somehow damaged. Hillary is the one subscribing to the “kitchen sink strategy” but folks cover for her lack of character and dysfunctionalism by labling her tough and paralleling her ability to lie with ease as a quality we need in a effective leader,. Talk about double standards,If thats the case then we are guilty not Obama of bringing truth to the words of Rev. Wright by being the kind of America that needs to be condemned.
May 1st, 2008 at 8:38 pm EDT
I am not sure why we concentrate on things that are irrelevant viz. Wright. Obama will be a good president. He is sincere and was grateful to Wright for his faith in God and Christianity. We are dwindling in numbers and should encourage new christians. This is one good thing Wright did. Don’t blame Obama for Wright’s rantings. Not many people knew of Wright so now Wright is enjoying the media attention. The band and dance that he did at the National Conference makes me think he is a silly old man. Obama is a sincere person and when I watched his denouncement of Wright - you could see the hurt. We need people with compassion and feeling. Do want a President like Hillary who throughout this campaign has been like a camelion and is gaslighting us with ads like Osama Bin Laden and changing her view on NAFTA and Colombia. If elected she will change again!!!! Can you trust people who play politics games… the Clintons were poor prior to become politicians and now they are very wealthy so they why do you think they are so revved up.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:12 pm EDT
It’s so interesting to see the varied points of view regarding this issue. I have learned something from each of the seven comments above, but I do not agree with what Keith and Susan say, perhaps because they sound like they never did see the merits and strengths of Obama, and/or perhaps because I been attracted to his (and Edwards’) “change Washington” and “unite America” themes from the beginning. I hope my trust in Obama’s bigger-than-petty-and-old-style-politics is not misplaced. We need SOMEONE with character and principles, a calm, humble, statesmanlike demeanor, and sound judgment.
May 1st, 2008 at 10:23 pm EDT
Jeremiah Wright is a racist
May 1st, 2008 at 11:07 pm EDT
May 1st, 2008 at 11:10 pm EDT
I would like to respond to Robert. The reason many NOW think that what Rev Wright says speaks for all black people is because he pretty much says so and so do the many pastors interviewed since all this began. The white community has been told by Wright that we are offended by his remarks because we don’t know the black community. So if we did we would not now be talking about it. When all this broke several weeks ago, a poll was taken that specifically asked the black community if they agreed with Wright. 65 percent said they did not. However that same poll was brought up recently and all pastors asked about it denied it represented the black community. So what are we left to think. Barack apparently did not feel offended all these years by his pastor. So for him the good outweighed the bad, maybe. So I am saying he either overlooked the drama or agreed with some of it, or agreed with all of it. As a voter, I can’t read Barack’s mind. I accept that at this time he finds Wright to be somebody he no longer wants to have as a friend/mentor/pastor. The problem with accepting that decision is that why now? Wright has not changed, Barack has and as a voter I need to know why now?
May 1st, 2008 at 11:25 pm EDT
I really don’t understand the severe scrutiny thrust upon Presidential candidates. The near-obssession with labeling and pigeon-holing, branding them one thing one day, (he’s not black enough) and something else the next day, (she’s too cold) based upon superficial measures. It’s ludicrous and stifling the whole process of getting to know who these people are, what they think, and how they would perform as President. How anyone can stand watching and listening to it, is beyond me. The perfect person does not exist, folks, and if they did, we wouldn’t want them as our President, because no one living and breathing, could relate to them. I hope, at some point, reason returns to this process and the pundits and people in the media begin to view and report on the candidates, soberly, compassionately, intelligently and in a balanced way.
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May 1st, 2008 at 11:36 pm EDT
The media didn’t cover Wright’s most recent comments for fear that at least some people would agree with him if they knew what he actually said. I don’t agree with the “damn America” stuff, or his support of Farrakhan, but I think it was correct to point out in his colorful way of “chickens coming home to roost” that the US armed and trained these fanatics in the 1980s and then later on they turned on us. Obama has to tread carefully here because if he makes a comment like Howard Dean did in 2004 that the US should be more even handed in its dealings with Israel and the Arab world, that the news media will come after him the way they did Dean. How many film clips were aired of the “Dean scream”? If the person who took the pictures of Wright busily damning America happened to pan the camera over toward Obama, then Obama had better hope that he and his wife were sitting with their hands folded and, better yet, with a scowl on their faces.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:29 am EDT
I find it odd that we haven’t heard from any of Obama’s friends. Why aren’t they saying anything about Obama? Hillary’s friends have said nice things about her. Maya Angelou and Robert Kennedy Jr. come to mind, but I know there are others.
May 2nd, 2008 at 2:24 am EDT
Wright mocked LBJ, but I honestly think this is the clash of johnsons, meaning the johnsons of Obama and Wright, with their hanging clackers shattering loudly and blinding onlookers. Yall do remember Clackers TM of course.
May 2nd, 2008 at 6:34 am EDT
DEMOCRATS WANT OBAMA TO DROP OUT NOW!
More than half the voters will not vote for obama!: 56% who heard speech less likely to vote for Obama, his unfavorable rating among registered voters up 35 percent, Clinton leads McCain 48 to 41 percent among all registered voters, while Obama and McCain are tied. National lead dropped 10pts now tied with Senator Clinton and he is now losing in IN too. Once 25 pts ahead in NC now just 5pts-
Obama’s Chickens Come Home to Roost
Obamas defended speech in Phil of the Rev Wright stated ,Wright is like an uncle you love and respect As imperfect as he may be, he has been family to me for so many years, I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community” “I can no more disown him [Jeremiah Wright] than I can disown my white grandmother.” Rev Wright was right! Obama speech is ONLY for political purposes! Obama is now declaring himself shocked and disappointed at Wright’s unrepentantly racist and anti-American views? Obamas obviously support his feelings of anti-America and white hatred that the church endorses to stay for 20 years also why a parent would continue to raise their young daughters in that atmosphere Obama can no longer plausibly claim innocence in this matter, because he is the one who has encouraged Wright by trying to excuse and explain his views. All of this is why it is no use for Obama to backpedal from his association with Reverend Wright, or to denounce him now, six weeks too late. It was Obama who sought to provide the Reverend Wright with immunity from criticism–and he can’t complain when the reverend tries to take full advantage of that immunity. This is the final collapse of the noble promise of the Obama campaign. The man who had once put himself forward as the candidate who would transcend racial politics once and for all has ended up legitimizing a Christian equivalent of Louis Farrakhan–and injecting him into the American political debate. Wright “Calls for Justice and Repair,” followed a statement in which he declared that “The Biblical principle of true repentance is that the offended party is given compensation to make up for that which has been stolen from them, the losses that have been inflicted upon them and their families.” A reparations plan for blacks could extract several trillion dollars from American taxpayers’ pockets. THERES ABSOLUTLY NO CHANGE WITH OBAMA
http://www.dontvoteobama.net
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:01 am EDT
God handed Dr. Wright a megaphone, and guess what, Dr. Wright is trying to deliver God’s message as he understands it. You can agree with all of it, part of it, none of it.
The United Church of Christ - mostly people of a color(white, by the way) - has JUSTICE as a principal ministry.
It comes as no surprise to me that a young social activist looking for a church would be drawn to the neighborhood UCC, which in Barack Obama’s instance was Trinity UCC.
I was hearing about Jesus and politics in my local UCC before I’d ever heard of Barack Obama. Jesus sitting down with the hated tax collector. Why would Jesus do that? Well, maybe to show we’re all worthy of kindness. The Roman Centurian - a soldier representing the imposition of power from a foreign land - wanted to know if salvation was open to him. Jesus threw the money changers - talk about your predatory lenders - out of the house of God. He was a political guy and he demonstrated a way to speak truth to power.
I also spent years in Detroit, a white guy living a stone’s throw away from the Dodge Main auto assembly plant and Rev. Wright’s behavior is not foreign to me. I thought the Grambling Band dance as very entertaining.
He diminishes himself when he embraces his statement that the government has profferred the AIDS virus on our population. For me it doesn’t match his scholarly attitude on other things.
I heard him speaking different American dialects when he described the Kennedy then Johnson ways of speaking. I chose not to be offended. There IS a choice involved and Jesus taught - by speaking with the Centurian and the tax collector - to choose tolerance. That’s the main message. I would say Barack Obama has learned that well and it is his appeal.
May 2nd, 2008 at 11:03 am EDT
What appeal has Obama given to America??
This is not a speech of tolerance but that of trying to save himself.
It was also a speech with an agenda of saying I am not part of this doggy nutty man but only twenty years too late.
No man is an Island, there are tree growing there. The man chooses his trees. So by choice a man chooses “not caught up” as it is made to be as if Obama don;t know of this Pastor’s character.
Character do not come today or tomorrow but over a couple of years, a reputation is taken on.
So for Obama this fruit is hidden but tomorrow, after been voted in, it will spill out for all to see.
You cannot have twenty years together without been moulded as in “BIRDS of the same feather flock together” You don’t see a robin with a flock of crow - Yes??? The robin get eaten alive-man Yes??
So what Obama speech is nothing new but lies as it is “Birds of the same feather flock together”. The makings of another “Mother of all liars’
So we see this deceit of Obama coming out , a glimpse is more then enough, in this case the truth will kill AMERICA.
SO WHAT ‘CHANGE’ IS THERE FOR Americans??? Obama???? SO far all lies and deceit trying to lie your way in - that is how I see of another Democratic Liar, bigger and bigger they come.
Regards
David
May 2nd, 2008 at 12:37 pm EDT
Keith - just to clarify, when Obama made his comments in SF, he was say that people, who feel downtrodden, tend to embrace what comforts them, be it religion, hunting, or whatever. But, simply embracing what comforts one does not solve the underlying problems they face. It seems pretty self-evident me so I don’t know what all the brouhaha is about. The media has done such a job of twisting his words, but still, I can’t believe that people need this explained.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:40 pm EDT
Dave, in all due respect that is not what Mr. Obama said in SF (and no, the media did not twist his words - I have listenned to the entire audio).
From what we have been hearing lately, he is a young immature candidate that is not in touch with middle America. For 20 years he has clearly identified himself with a back separatist church that wants God to damn America, thinks Jesus and his deciples were black, and was here on earth to condemn ‘rich white men’, and that AIDs was invented and deliberately spread by the government to black americans. Not once during these past 20 years has Mr. Obama denounced the belief system of his church. On the contrary, he has donated over $27,000, was married and has his children enrolled there.
Not only is Mr. Obama out of touch with over half the country, but clearly lacks sound judgement with who he has surrounded himself with. There is a pattern here. Since he has little political experience, and he has not given any detail to his future policies, we must draw on his beliefs and character, and past associatations to try to discern what he may do if elected.
As a strong patriotic american who has lived in the city (Cleveland), country/rural, and suburbia, I am deeply in fear that there is a candidate that has a blief system completely intolerant to my own and ignorant of the views of middle America.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:53 pm EDT
PS Also, my faith was inculcated from birth. It has been tried and tested over many decades. It does not waiver in good times or in bad times, in sickness or in health. I do not ‘cling’ to it to make me feel better during bad times. Nor do I use it in conjunction with my guns to be bigotted towards those of other colors. My faith has a sound set of rules, laws and principals that I try very hard to live up to (may God give me strength). These laws of God are combined with the laws of my country through the Constitution, through which all Americans regardless of color should try very hard to live up to.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:03 pm EDT
Why now Susan? I ask you what does that have to do with whether he can do the job or not? Why didn’t Hillary divorce Bill after he cheated on her, lied to Congress and found himself in the middle of an impeachment hearing. Yet folks want to lable Bill as one the greatest presidents in modern history and turn out in droves to see him speak. Why does Hillary lie about her experience? Why did Mc Cain vote against MLK Day being celebrated in Arizona? to me things of that nature speak just as loudly and gives more insight into how this country will be run under their watch. If you a Christian and actively read the bible I think that would give greater clarification as to why Barack has conducted himself in regards to Wright the way he has. I haven’t always agreed with Pastor’s or people in church leadership but you don’t run around the country bad mouthing church leadership and or church hopping as the media, Hillary and so many others suggested Obama do. Futhermore, Wright does not answer to Obama and its not Obama’s place to discipline Wright. God is Wrights employer and it is God who will judge Wright according to his deeds. The relationship between a man and his pastor is a very personal one and I can relate to the pain Obama feels being betrayed by his Pastor, his spiritual father if you will on national television.For secular media and non believers to try to offer and opinion on a relationship between obama and his former pastor is like trying to build something without directions you can’t offer a accurate and or educated opinion based on something you know nothing about. I am a Black man who Pastor is Caucasian and in his sermons he talks about how he disliked blacks because he was attacked by a black man and how he carried that hatred for years. Yet something changed, he came to know the Lord and was able to forgive , got delivered from that anger and got called to ministry. This white man who hated blacks was instrumental in helping turn my life around I trust him with my life. What would of happened if I would have subscribed to some of commentors school of thought here and simply stopped at you hated blacks your a racist and incapable of change, Instead I chose to look at the heart of the man, I talked to him we had dialogue. I did not rely on television previous negative experiences with whites to form my opinion of my pastor. The individual and his actions were the main focus and my sprirtual life is much fuller with Pastor Dave as part of that.