Republicans, I call ye, explain something to me
So I read this new Obama speech on, at all places, The Drudge Report. Apparently it is a “big deal?” I also found the full text on local right wing site Right Side News.
Is this some kind of pwn on Obama? Am I supposed to read this speech and be like “OMG OBAMA IS TEH SUX?”
I guess I just don’t get it. Perhaps you can explain it to me.
right wingers have been calling obama out repeatedly for his relationship with his pastor and that he has attended his church for 20 years (his pastor has made a number of questionable, to put it nicely statements. many people consider his pastor racist or at least a supporter of racists). so, finally, the pastor left his campaign, and obama was ‘forced’ to make this speech to clarify his position. this would be considered a victory by right-wing media so of course they are going to cover it heavily.
still, many right wingers are taking the speech to say, “i denounce the pastor, but it’s sort of ok that he said anti-american and racist things, because black people are angry and yata yata yata.” sort of justifying it or explaining it away.
people are also claiming that obama previously outright lied about not having actually heard the pastor make the crazy statements, but in his speech, admitted he had. i don’t know what truth there is to this.
i personally have not had time to read the speech in its entirety, i’m just saying what i’ve heard/read about things. i may add some personal thoughts later.
— Wolf | @
oh yeah, people also call obama a hypocrite because he called for Imus’ firing (nappy head hos!) but befriended and attended church with wright. or maybe just that he had a double-standard.
— Wolf | @
It’s a great speech that defies muckraking, unites instead of divides, and it teaches a complex lesson. The media hysteria and the right wing don’t know how to soundbite it. I would suggest that you don’t read it. Instead, listen to the speech, and see if you don’t recognize a more humane approach to a politcally polarizing issue than we’ve heard in years from any presidential candidate. I think this speech will be remembered.
— RVA Foodie | @
I don’t get why Obama gets smeared for his pastor, but McCain gets a free pass for associating with a reverend who blames Katrina’s destruction of New Orleans on “a level of sin that was offensive to God” (Rev. John Hagee, who McCain was “very honored” to receive the support of).
Personally, I would be happier if it didn’t come up on either side. Who cares. But it all seems very unfair to me.
— Justin | @
Justin - There’s a difference between attending a sermon once and being a member of a church for twenty years.
I think a lot on the Right are pointing to the speech and saying that it does nothing to answer the questions or resolve the issues. It speaks a lot about how racism still stands, but does little to reach across the divide and provide a prescription for the diagnosis he makes.
Really, it’s a damned if you do/damned if you don’t situation. Whether or not he addressed it he’d be hit on it. I don’t think it was a bad speech, but I don’t think it’s going to change any minds either. You either already like or don’t like him or Clinton or McCain and if you haven’t made up your mind I don’t think the Wright situation is really going to make a difference.
The whole thing really smacks of a ploy to appeal to the Super Delegates. Clinton’s turning to them and saying that the GOP is going to have a field day with this if he’s the nominee (which they already are). Expect more bomb to follow, not to appeal to the public one way or another, but to appeal to the Super Delegates.
— Jason | @