Obama's Reverend problem

Obama went to Reverend Wright’s church for a loooooooong time. He was inspired by the preacher. He had the Reverend marry he and his wife, baptize his children. He made him a part of his campaign and took advantage of his spiritual activity in the Reverend’s church to his political advantage. He named his book after one of the Reverend’s sermons. Finally, it was said, the Democrats have a candidate that can credibly bridge the religion gap that Republicans have exploited.

 

Then some video showed up of the Reverend saying some whacky things. Taken out of context, Obama’s campaign said. Then they said Obama wasn’t aware of this kind of rhetoric, even though he was so close to the Reverend for so long.

 

Then Obama gave a pretty good speech about race. I didn’t think it was the be all end all that some Obama fans thought, mostly because it was forced by political circumstances and about half of it undermined the rest of it. But it was solid attempt to put the issue to rest. And it raised some important issues in an interesting and honest way.

 

Then last week, the Reverend went around doing some interviews and appearances to explain and defend himself. Obama fans were nervous. The Reverend’s case for himself and his messages, while intellectually compelling and maybe understandable, just doesn’t sell with voters. We should celebrate his military career, but no matter the context, can you really explain away saying “God damn America”? Maybe he got “swift-boated.” Interesting, anyway, what was supposed to be a strength for Obama (religion) is turning into a subject they’re losing ground on. Just like Kerry’s military career four years ago.

 

I guess the “uncle that says crazy stuff at the holiday dinner table” wasn’t a blood relative. He’s now being treated like someone that was getting the benefit of the doubt because he married in and has lost that privilege now that the aunt has come to her senses and finally divorced him.

 

Back at the start of this, I questioned Obama’s honesty when he said he didn’t know the Reverend was spouting off such stuff. Now I wonder how it is that he went and gave the defense of himself and the Reverend back then and didn’t find out that the Reverend would do what he’s done this week.