It had to happen. It's been building for weeks. Nobody new what the "final straw" would be but it was only a matter of time. Of course I am talking about the line in the sand Reverend Jeremiah Wright drew when he addressed the press club yesterday. He basically gave Barack Obama a choice; cross the line or continue to hide in the gray. Why he, the Rev., wanted this fight is up for debate. Newt Gingrich says it was the work of a saboteur, others claim he was standing his moral ground, still others believe it was the work of one man's bruised ego finally getting the best of him.
He did however draw the line and for the first time since the controversy began, Obama bravely crossed over it. He said all of the right things (hidden pun). He denounced his friendship/relationship to Wright and he stated that Wrights claims were ludicrous. I thought Obama's response was well played and way over due. Which brings me to my main thought.
Why did it take so long?
Is it because Wright finally made it personal? Is it because Wright finally added context to the many sound bites we had all already heard? Nothing Wright said to the press club differed from the many speeches and sermons he had previously given. Nothing was new. The only thing different this time was that Wright finally put everything together for all to hear.
Many have said that Obama's "religion" should not be an issue. Some of the same pundits have said that where Obama goes to church and his minister should not be a topic for the election. But I think our beliefs are core to who we select as our leaders. And I also believe the fact that Obama chose not to come out stronger before has left him open to some pretty fair criticism.
I do applaud the Senator for getting off the fence and taking a stand but at the same time I have to point out that the new found back bone took a little too long.
1 comment:
It is not about a "backbone" for Obama, it is about political posturing. He went to this man's church for years. He cannot make me believe that he did not believe in the Rev. teachings to some degree. If he did not, he would have left a long time ago. Now that the beliefs are going to damage his campaign, he is going to try to distance himself and denounce this man's teachings. "Hillary for Change". Oh how that hurts to say. In a year that it would appear that the democrats should walk right into the White House.....they are not able to find a solid platform to stand on or a person of integrity to represent their party. I was really wanting to give more money and power to the government. Oh this hurts.
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