Obama's opponents ought to make a note to themselves: don't make the campaign about race 'cause Obama owns that issue.
Obama made a speech today in response to the recent controversy stirred about about his pastor, Jeremiah Wright. In the speech he not only successfully diffused the uproar but also succeeded in presenting himself as the one to look to, whether black or white, for a unified mission in going forward as a country. He was impressive, showing compassion and understanding for both sides and earning the right to critique both sides as well. Here are two articles that contain selections from his speech, here is the whole thing.
Too bad he is a borderline socialist. He might actually be good for the country if his political philosophy wasn't so crazy.
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I didn't get the benefit of hearing this speech, I only read it, but I don't think he rocked anything, I think he told you exactly what you wanted to hear, "black or white or yellow or purple, I understand you and am one of you".
I found it completely void of any sort of ideas of how to solve these problems unless you count the Micheal Scott approach of 'hug it out, bitch' to be a creditable criteria for my vote.
I think Obama is the slickest thing out there, and because of that he will win. Not because he is capable of doing anything but that he will look good doing nothing (or making things worse by over taxing a struggling economy).
He may be blowing smoke, I don't know. But it ws a great speech and it not only quenches the controversy of the last few days it swings the momentum greatly in his favor (by my estimation). Who else in recent memory has spoken into a racially charged controversy and came away looking as if he genuinely gets the pain, frustration, and resentment on both sides and also successfully critiques the mistakes and misunderstandings born of those frustrations? And that he was the center of the controversy he was addressing makes his success all the more impressive.
Have you been following the news, lately, regarding Obama and his pastor? It may have sounded like nothing out of context, but he was addressing deep concerns about where he stands on race issues. And he came off sounding like the voice of reason.
He may be slick, he may be great at making nothing sound like something, he may not mean a word of this particular speech, but it was a good one.
I have followed the news about his pastor and that is why I think this speech was smoke and mirrors. There is no doubt it was a well crafted speech (and there is no doubt that Obama didn't write it) but what does this speech do to add to his resume to be president?
He wants us to get along. got it. He understand the plight of the blacks and whites. got it. Why had he been going to that church for 20 years and be married and have his kids baptized by that man only to divorce himself of it now when the video surfaced?
I know a lot of slick people that have created a fine mess with good intentions on their side(crazy larry).
He didn't divorce himself from his pastor or church. He condemned the specific sentiments Wright said that have been isolated from the black church context and used as a weapon against his campaign.
What does it add to his resume? let's see, he navigated controversy and turned it into a positive for all involved, he turned something precarious into something stable (a big deal for whites when it comes to black leaders and race issues), he demonstrated an insightful understanding of the racial divide in our country and spoke with a candidness that few others have even dared approach, he clarified his position on these sensitive issues and cast a vision of unity, he showed loyalty to his roots and while also showing concern for those concerned, shall I go on?
Don't misunderstand me and think I am endorsing him for president. I don't really care if he doesn't think it himself, if he didn't write it himself, or if he only did it because he had to. I like what he said and thought it was very well done. Considering the situation I can't imagine much that would be better. That is all.
Also, what do you mean when you suggest he is creating a fine mess with good intentions? What mess is he potentially creating by this speech and what are the good intentions you see that are creating it? Seems rather non sequitarial of you.
He didn't divorce himself of that church or pastor? We'll see. Something tells me you won't find him there on anymore Sunday's in the future.
My point is that his speech was a response to some criticism he received for subjecting himself to the discipline of a church and a pastor who may be preaching hate of the white community. It was not a 'platform' speech where he outline his views on race relations. This was an 'oh, crap, how do we spin this one' speech. There is no doubt it was well written and will provide him a 'get out of jail free' card, but it said nothing that would make me feel he would be a good president. Letterman may very well use this speech in his 'Great Moment in Presidential Punditry', but I still don't see how this was anything other than a 'hey, look over there' type distraction.
As far as his good intentions goes, I don't claim to have insight into the things he will mess up. But I simply point out that his 'slick' speech has probably done more to distract people from asking real questions (questions that a presidential candidate should be answering) that show if he is or is not a good choice.
Well maybe I spoke too soon about how effective his speech was. It seems people are still freaked out by the Black Liberation church - like they've had their heads in the sand for the last 30 years and didn't notice that blacks are still pretty angry about how they've been treated.
I had never heard of the black liberation theology until a few weeks ago, and I must admit I find it a disturbing. I understand why Sunday is the most segregated day. I feel like we are standing in five points waiting for the Dead Rabbits and the Native to begin battle.
Yes, it is disturbing. But it is good to remember that we are interpreting their "hate" from a vantage point very far removed from where it is coming from.
You know how frustrating it is too see guys get crucified as hate-mongering embodiments of evil for saying something stupid in a moment of anger, weakness, or ignorance. They have to make public apologies to all the right people and go into a career purgatory until the pay penance for their terrible crime of "hating." It is ridiculous and fails to understand that person, their context, what is really going on there, and what it really meant for that to happen.
Now, whites are doing the same thing to blacks. Instead of saying, "I want to understand what is going on here in a way that I wish others would do for me if I was in the same place." They are saying, "now is our chance to give them a taste of their own medicine."
And we wonder what everyone is so angry about.
http://tinyurl.com/ypke6d
That is the best modern day speech I have ever heard.
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