by Frank James
11:57 am: More random thoughts on The Speech. Obama is definitely cool, considering the pressure he was under today. He appeared fairly serene even though most commentators were saying the stakes were no less than the his campaign's continued viability. Does he have sweat glands?
Wouldn't it be great to hear Wright give a sermon in response to the Obama's speech? Would he accept Obama's criticisms that his views are a way over-the-top reaction to real and perceived racism? Or would Wright call Obama a sell-out, a "negro", one of the pastor's preferred terms for blacks who aren't sufficiently black enough to suit him?
Of course, we probably won't be seeing much of Wright for the foreseeable future.
Despite today's speech, Obama is going to have to continue to answer questions about Wright and his membership at Trinity United Church of Christ. He appeared to try to set himself up at the end of today's speech to be able to say "I want to talk about the Big Issues" like the Iraq War and the economy.
But that's not going to fly. He spoke honestly about the issue of race today in a way that is rare for presidential candidates. If he wants voters to believe that he meant what he said, he's going to have to continue to speak honestly about it.
This presents a problem for the Obama campaign. He has run a campaign to date that has meant to transcend the race issue. He has not wanted to be seen as an African American candidate.
But now he is squarely in the middle of the race issue. It was bound to happen. He can't avoid it at this point. So he's going to have to deal with it from here on forward. But as he showed today, talking about race doesn't mean you can't talk about the other big issues.
11:27 am: Obama ends with a story he has told numerous times on the campaign trail about how a black man at an Obama campaign meeting said that what concerned him was the economic troubles of a young white woman, Ashley Baia, who had spoken earlier at the meeting. It's a great story, that demonstrates what Obama has tried to do during the entire speech, that Americans are linked, regardless of race.
It was a very well-crafted speech, made better by Obama's delivery. It may have done enough to keep some Obama supporters who began to have doubts about their candidate after the Wright videos erupted on the scene, from defecting. But it won't stop both Democratic and Republican opponents from using Wright to skewer Obama every chance they get.
Will it help him pick up supporters? That's a harder question. The answer is, who knows?
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11:23 am: "We have to be our brothers and sister's keeper", Obama says. Then he goes into a passage of speech that is genius. He inoculates himself by implying that small-minded people can continue to play Wright's sermons or pounce on a mistake by a Hillary Clinton supporter. Or we can take the high road and talk about crumbling schools etc. The big issues. It's an attempt to make people who bring up the Wright sermons etc seem like cretins. It could work.
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11:20 am: Obama continues his critique of Wright by saying his pastor's mistake was to make it seem as the nation was "static" on race, "still bound to an irrevocable past." Obama gets perhaps the longest applause of his speech for this public smackdown of his pastor.
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11:16 am: And this is the part of the speech that will resonate with many white Americans and a whole lot of black Americans: In fact, a similar anger exists within segments of the white community. Most working- and middle-class white Americans don’t feel that they have been particularly privileged by their race. Their experience is the immigrant experience – as far as they’re concerned, no one’s handed them anything, they’ve built it from scratch. They’ve worked hard all their lives, many times only to see their jobs shipped overseas or their pension dumped after a lifetime of labor. They are anxious about their futures, and feel their dreams slipping away; in an era of stagnant wages and global competition, opportunity comes to be seen as a zero sum game, in which your dreams come at my expense. So when they are told to bus their children to a school across town; when they hear that an African American is getting an advantage in landing a good job or a spot in a good college because of an injustice that they themselves never committed; when they’re told that their fears about crime in urban neighborhoods are somehow prejudiced, resentment builds over time.
Like the anger within the black community, these resentments aren’t always expressed in polite company. But they have helped shape the political landscape for at least a generation. Anger over welfare and affirmative action helped forge the Reagan Coalition. Politicians routinely exploited fears of crime for their own electoral ends. Talk show hosts and conservative commentators built entire careers unmasking bogus claims of racism while dismissing legitimate discussions of racial injustice and inequality as mere political correctness or reverse racism These may be some of the most honest words about race ever spoken by a presidential candidate.
11:13 am: This is a part of the speech that's going to have a lot of whites looking at their black friends warily: "For the men and women of Reverend Wright’s generation, the memories of humiliation and doubt and fear have not gone away; nor has the anger and the bitterness of those years. That anger may not get expressed in public, in front of white co-workers or white friends. But it does find voice in the barbershop or around the kitchen table. At times, that anger is exploited by politicians, to gin up votes along racial lines, or to make up for a politician’s own failings."
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11:10 am: Now Obama moves into a recitation of the U.S.'s racial history, the disparities between white and black America. Schools and legalized discrimination that had an economic impact on black families. This is his way of pricking white consciences and getting the amen chorus going in black America. He then proceeds to say something he has in recent days, that this "reality" is what made people like Wright so angry.
11:08 am: Obama says he heard Wright disparage an ethnic group and that he can no more disown Wright than he would his white grandmother who used to say some bigoted things, who expressed fear about black men approaching her etc. That's a statement that a lot of white people will be able to appreciate.
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11:04 am: There's more to Wright than just the YouTube videos, says Obama. Wright has done a lot of good with prison and AIDS ministries, daycare and many other positive goods. The implied message. This is what I saw. His inspiration is what I saw. Obama quotes from his book Dreams My Father about the powerful religious emotions he felt and observed as he sat through the Trinity Church services. Again, that's what he saw. That's what bonded him to the church.
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11:00 am: Finally, we're at Rev. Wright. Obama says he heard the reverend say some rough stuff as he sat in the pews, things he disagreed with. And he says that anyone who goes to church can relate, that they hear things they don't agree with from clergy. But this blame-America-first stuff that Wright said were "divisive" says Obama and get in the way of solving the big problems like two wars and global warming. These are the things he'd rather be talking about today, that's for sure.
10:57 am: Obama says he has many different, comospolitan influences in his makeup, black and white. "So how can I be a racist or embrace racism?" is the implied message.
10:55 am: Obama starts with the famous words "We the people in order to create a more perfect union" from the Constitution. He talks about how the ideas of the Founders weren't met by the nations actions. There was slavery, after all. It's a lead in to say we're still not perfect as a people. It sets up the notion that he's not perfect, Pastor Wright's not perfect and America's not perfect.
10:45 am: Harris Wofford, former Democratic senator from Pennsylvania is now introducing Obama. He worked in the Kennedy Administration. He actually was the one who suggested in the 1960 campaign that then presidential candidate JFK call Rev. Martin Luther King when the civil rights leader was he was in jail. some say that helped win the election for JFK.
Wofford refers to the speech taking this place "this evening" and "tonight." The delay was long but not that long.
Wofford praises Obama as being a unique individual and likens him to other leaders of that kind, like Lincoln.
Then he tells a story about JFK and King when JFK had to tell King he as president was going to go slow on civil rights legislation for political purposes. It was a meeting Wofford witnessed.
He uses the story to say that Obama has the intelligence, political savvy and passion to lead, something King wondered if Kennedy had.
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We do have an embargoed copy of the speech which we cannot publish until the speech starts. I can say that Obama starts out by borrowing words. This time, they're not his friend, Gov. Deval Patrick's. Instead they are from the preamble of the Constitution, the speech being given at the National Constitutional Center, and all.
Just read the speech quickly. Obama talks about his biracial background. Obama does rebuke Rev. Wright's words sternly. But he doesn't throw him under the bus. He says he won't disown him, anymore than he would disown black America.
He does his best to explain why racism and the nation's sad history still makes blacks so angry. And he says that the nation's racial problems are as much for whites and blacks to resolve.
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10:34 It appears there may be some technical problem. Over the live feed I heard one of the people in a group standing looking at the microphones, "What are the options here?" Another person said "The only option is to have the gooseneck mikes come together." Then they started working on the microphones, causing us to lose audio. Isn't the kind of preparation that should have been squared away by, say, 6 am this morning?
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10:25 am Sen. Barack Obama has us waiting still. It's about 10:25 am, 10 minutes after the speech he was supposed to start. Wonder why the delay? Maybe it's the Secret Service screening on attendees?
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In just a few minutes, about 10:15 am EDT, Sen. Barack Obama will be making perhaps the most important speech of his presidential campaign as he tries to stem the controversy caused by the remarks of his long-time pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright of Chicago.
I'll be live-blogging the speech and we have Mike Dorning in the room with Obama in Philadelphia. So stick with The Swamp for coverage of this historic event.
Comments
This will be a defining moment in his political career. I never thought I would see someone that is so close to JFK!! Go Barack! This guy is too smart!!
Posted by: bryan gougis | March 18, 2008 10:19 AM
I wonder who wrote this speech for him...
Posted by: Rob | March 18, 2008 10:25 AM
This speach is going to be a classic. Whites have lost jobs for years for being associated with people who have said less than Wright. I cannot wait to see what the new double standard will be as defined by Obama.
Posted by: Not A Lemming | March 18, 2008 10:32 AM
Full prepared text of the speech. Pretty amazing.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/18/obama-race-speech-read-t_n_92077.html
Posted by: JT | March 18, 2008 10:34 AM
"I never thought I would see someone that is so close to JFK!"
In what way? The philandering? The botched foreign policies that almost led us to nuclear war?
Why not wait to at least hear the speech before you declare how brilliant it was.
Posted by: prescott | March 18, 2008 10:36 AM
If he can't successfully coordinate a press conference how is he going to run a country? 15 minute delay so far for technical difficulties? Failure.
Posted by: Paul | March 18, 2008 10:39 AM
Let the Frank James pro-Obama spinning begin...
Any bets that the New Messiah, or Frank James, will mention that Rev. Wright believes the U.S. government created the AIDS virus to kill Blacks?
Just the sort of person I'd want to donate $20,000 a year to. Just the person I'd want to marry me, and to baptize my children. Just the person I'd want to give the invocation when I announced I was running for president. Just the person I'd praise as my spiritual mentor.
Posted by: Arthur Henning | March 18, 2008 10:45 AM
Yes, it is important he address these issues some of the young think are unimportant. I was once young..and had stars in my eyes. I risked my life and marched along side my black friends and went with MLK. I wore a arm band in support of Cuba and Fidel. I've changed my mind in view of history. My belief in Martin Luther King has been changed by the blacks who support Louis Farakhan and hate Jews and scream at them. It is further disintegrated by Trinity Church. I, who went to ever Gospel choir presentation will no longer go. My return visit to Cuba made me cry. The country is a shables, never have I seen such poverty. I brought American dollars both times. I brought bibles to the Jews who can't celebrate their holidays. I live next door to a Kosher bakery and watch as the young children walking to school are harrassed by blacks. I see the blacks protecting the Muslims. I know Israel has given safety to Ethiopians, Kenyans and those from Darfur. Yes, I want to hear from Obama. And, I want to hear from other Black leaders. I will not vote for someone who casually listens to a growing hate. I hate when I hear religion taking a bigger part of politics than humanity. Our country is FREE...religion should allow freedom of all choices except teaching hate, allowing gangs and thievery No religion should allow lies to others to achieve their own goals.
This is not religion of the 21st Century ... and Obama like all leaders of the free world has to answer to all ages.
Posted by: reza santorini | March 18, 2008 10:49 AM
Barack is doing the right thing. To hold him accountable for his pastor's words is a new standard in politics but he has passed it again!
Posted by: John James | March 18, 2008 10:54 AM
I wonder who wrote this speech for him...
Posted by: Rob | March 18, 2008 10:25 AM
Oooh...Rob's on to something. He's suggesting that Obama may get help writing speeches instead of doing it all himself. This is indeed news, as no one in history has ever even conceived of something so outrageous.
Go back to Rush, idiot.
Posted by: a blinkin | March 18, 2008 10:54 AM
Just an observation, but a biracial person that ended up going to Harvard is going to tell us about "why racism and the nation's sad history still makes blacks so angry", and this is supposed to be an "historic event"?!?! Please Tribune...tone down some of the favoritism and TRY to be a JOURNALIST and thus, IMPARTIAL.
Posted by: Forgotten Middle Class | March 18, 2008 10:58 AM
It would seem his speech was written for him by Gouverneur Morris in 1787.
Posted by: Craig | March 18, 2008 10:59 AM
Rev Wright? Hates America. Michelle Obama? Hates America.
Barack Obama-Hates America. Enough said.
The truth has finally come out about mr. barack. I hope people's eyes are open now!
Bill Clinton was right- this was a fairy tale!
Posted by: brian | March 18, 2008 11:05 AM
It's sad that the media pulled this religious stunt. The Black double standard is resonating loud and clear. Let's question Clinton and McCain about their pastors. Why has this never been an issue for white America in past elections? It's OK for whites to proclaim their Christianity but Obama must prove his? Media has never connected another persons words to a candidate in this manner in history. God is frowning down on these make believe 1 hour on Sunday Christians.
Posted by: Jessica | March 18, 2008 11:06 AM
Of course he'd rather be talking about those things...it's MUCH easier to postulate and pontificate about those types of things, and EXTREMELY hard to justify on why, if he knew that Rev. Wright had such divisive things to say and feel, that he would NOT ONLY make the man his official advisor, but would elevate him to such important roles...hmmm...almost sounds...hypocritical.
Posted by: Forgotten Middle Class | March 18, 2008 11:09 AM
Good speech. Let us move on to healthcare, bad schools, getting the hell out of Iraq.
Posted by: John James | March 18, 2008 11:13 AM
I just read his speech online. Are we to believe he wrote this entire speech over the weekend? Let's be real here.
Posted by: brian | March 18, 2008 11:14 AM
If my church ever said anything that I considered racist I wouldn't be there next Sunday.
Obama stayed 20 years.
Posted by: Kelly | March 18, 2008 11:15 AM
THANK YOU Frank James for your excellent continuous coverage of this speech! I am for whatever reason unable to view the live streaming video from my laptop (and no longer own a television), so you are my lifeline right now to this speech. THANK YOU, because of your efforts i don't feel totally in the dark.
Posted by: Paola Cabal | March 18, 2008 11:16 AM
Jessica -
The "Black double standard"!?!?! Are you kidding?! Please, wake up and be realistic for a second. Do you remember everything that Romney was put through? Maybe if McCain or Clinton had a "personal spiritual advisor" that proclaimed HATE, talked about 9/11 being our just desserts, and talked about God DAMNING America, they might have these issues to, only THEY aren't in that position. It's only Mr. Obama, who has not only been complacent in such rhetoric, but has PURPOSEFULLY surrounded himself with people that think this way. Sad and I pray that the recent rash of questionable ethics questions on the part of Mr. Obama help to open peoples' eyes. If not, we should start referring to him as Obaaaama...since all of the sheep will be more comfortable with that sound.
Posted by: Forgotten Middle Class | March 18, 2008 11:16 AM
Somehow I doubt that Obama, with his millions upon millions of dollars, understands the plight of the black man in America. Please.
Posted by: Brian | March 18, 2008 11:20 AM
“Obama says he heard Wright disparage an ethnic group and that he can no more disown Wright than he would his white grandmother who used to say some bigoted things, who expressed fear about black men approaching her etc.”
Well, I know that I want MY President to be strong enough in character to stand up, confront the bigot, and educate them on why those words are wrong…It’s called BEING A TRUE LEADER…Something that Mr. Obama has just proved to me that he is not.
Posted by: Forgotten Middle Class | March 18, 2008 11:23 AM
Oooh...Rob's on to something. He's suggesting that Obama may get help writing speeches instead of doing it all himself. This is indeed news, as no one in history has ever even conceived of something so outrageous.
Posted by: a blinkin | March 18, 2008 10:54 AM
Fair enough. Abe Linkin actually made a point, albeit rudely.
Brian, there is no indication that just because Obama's former pastor is anti-America, that Obama is too. I'm sure he loves his country just as much as you do, only with different (i.e. wrong) ideology. When we beat him, I want it to be on the issues, not the petty stuff.
And Paul, you can hardly blame the technical difficulties on Obama.
Come on people...quit grasping at straws... you're making the anti-Obama crowd look weak.
Posted by: Steve Hussein S | March 18, 2008 11:23 AM
I couldn't watch because I'm at work, but read the text. Spin it whatever way you want, repeat opponents' talking points, call a politician who has a speech writer (as all of them do) a plagiarist, discount his accomplishments as "luck" ...but this man is going to be the President whether you like it or not.
Posted by: Annie | March 18, 2008 11:23 AM
Lets all fawn over his powerful speech. JFK was a cheating scum in retrospect and as an earlier poster stated, almost brought the world to nuclear war.
And to think that he just sat there quiet and disapproving when Wright was spewing his hatred towards America...sure. Obama was surely up and clapping (AIDS conspiracy and all).
Glassy-eyed Obama supporters unite!! YAY!
Posted by: stepoff | March 18, 2008 11:27 AM
Annie, you said obama is going to be president?
The republicans are just waiting for obama to win!! They are going to eat him alive. They are jumping for joy he will be the dem nominee!
Obama will need the white vote to win. With his relationship with his pastor, he is going to lose that vote pretty badly!!
You think people on the fence will vote for obama over mccain? Let's get real here!
Posted by: brian | March 18, 2008 11:30 AM
Man, I'm so tired of this guy...and I'm an Illinois Democrat.
It's the idiocy of his devoted followers that annoys me. They're on board and they don't even know why. He's the Pied Piper leading the mice. The vague message of "change" is the flute.
Not buying it.
HOWEVER - BRIAN-
this right here...
"Rev Wright? Hates America. Michelle Obama? Hates America.
Barack Obama-Hates America. Enough said."
That's just stupid.
Posted by: lucky77 | March 18, 2008 11:31 AM
I think Frank James may be a bit biased towards obama ya think?? Geez....How bout some objective thought here frank!
Posted by: brian | March 18, 2008 11:31 AM
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Posted by: costel333 | March 18, 2008 11:32 AM
It seems that when the GOP had their "Values" debate last year, they had a choir sing a song before it started.
The name of the song? "Why Should God Bless America?"!!
Read the lyrics to that song, and then tell me how much the GOP loves America, and how hypocritical they are. No one on the stage disputed that song that said that since this country had "forgotten God", it will not be blessed.
Posted by: BobHusseininATL | March 18, 2008 11:32 AM
So basically a class warfare speech masquerading as racial healing. He wants whites and blacks to come together and focus on the real enemy.
Posted by: Susan-Missouri | March 18, 2008 11:32 AM
Obama is worse than the most dishonest used car salesman (with apologies to used car salesman for comparing the Obama to you).
He is trying to pull the old slight of hand trick by focusing on race, slavery and other non-issues rather the key question, which is how can a man who is worthy of the presidency and purports to be a “uniter” and “post racial” have aligned himself with such a hateful, anti-American racist for more than two decades? And he would have continued to be aligned with the hate if the media hadn’t brought the issue forward.
His long-standing relationship is completely contrary to EVERYTHING this guy has attempted to make us believe is all about. Obama is a con man. Nothing more.
Posted by: Jack | March 18, 2008 11:33 AM
Attention Superdelegates: You have found your candidate.
Barack Obama. There's your President.
Posted by: Matt Kuzma | March 18, 2008 11:34 AM
He is the only politician - maybe even public person - who speaks to me and for me. I respect him so much more for speaking out and defining himself and this racial tension, instead of simply denouncing crap and doing the politically expedient "forgive and forget." I just donated another $50. Obama '08 and '12.
Posted by: Marisa | March 18, 2008 11:38 AM
I wonder how Obama can be used as an example by Rev. Wright as the person representing the "poor black man." He was raised by a WHITE mother (Rev. Wright forgot to mention that when he said "single mother"), went to the most exclusive, most expensive, and predominantly white private school in Hawaii (that does not give full scholarships), went on to very "upper crust" Harvard, while his poor black wife went on to Princeton, etc., etc. Go to the street corner and tell the real "poor black men" how they can do the same. If Obama would start portraying himself for what he truly is, a child of privilege who succeeded than I think I would more likely believe in him.
Posted by: Gracie | March 18, 2008 11:38 AM
This speech confirms Obama is the ultimate hypocrite.
Obama has always cleverly used racially tinged language in his speeches such as the words of super Muslim and racist Malcolm X in Spike Lee's movie to incite a mostly African American audience in South Carolina. Coincidence? Of course not – Obama knows exactly what he’s doing.
"They're trying to bamboozle you. It's the same old okie-doke. Y'all know about okie doke, right?... They try to bamboozle you. Hoodwink ya. Try to hoodwink ya.”
--Barack Obama in a speech January 24, 2008 (video available online through Google)
"You've been hoodwinked. You've been had. You've been took. You've been led astray, led amok. You’ve been bamboozled."
- Malcolm X
__________
If any other candidate gave a speech that included phrases from, a white power leader, he/she would be berated by the Obama campaign and the media as a racist, and the world would come to end.
I can’t imagine four years of Obama adminstration’s race games. Nobama. No way.
Posted by: Burke | March 18, 2008 11:40 AM
For all the folks comparing Obama to JFK, you've got the wrong Kennedy. He actually is much more reminiscent of RFK.
Posted by: NSC | March 18, 2008 11:50 AM
This was an inspiring speech from a man who is trying to bring this contry together. There are some who are so closed off from what is really happening out here that they refuse to listen. Their comments say more about themselves than about Obama.
Posted by: Linda | March 18, 2008 11:50 AM
"If he can't successfully coordinate a press conference how is he going to run a country? 15 minute delay so far for technical difficulties? Failure. -paul"
Paul, obama should not be president because some guy botched the AV at one of his few hundred speeches? Please open your mind. That is like saying you would pass on voting for someone because of a stain on their shirt.
Posted by: dr | March 18, 2008 11:51 AM
Wow! Senator Obama is the right person to lead this country.
This was truly a great speech by a real leader.
Posted by: Jim in PA | March 18, 2008 11:51 AM
The Obamabots are solidly behind, always have been, always will be. They were never going to defect.
However, will this win new converts? Will it prevent the drain of disaffected Democrats? No.
Why? Because Obama made a cynically calculated move by injecting religion (and particularly this church) into the campaign. He has even calling Wright his spiritual mentor. So now he is judged by this because he invited us to judge him by this.
This speech will not save his bacon.
Posted by: MJ | March 18, 2008 11:51 AM
Barack Obama likes to let people think he is something special - a new kind of politician. But after pork barrelling for his wife's hospital (which she received a raise of 300% on), cozying up to corrupt Chicago developers and aligning himself with racists, the chicken's have come home to roost.
He would be the worst president this country has had since.... George Bush!
Posted by: Mike | March 18, 2008 11:51 AM
I couldn't watch because I'm at work, but read the text. Spin it whatever way you want, repeat opponents' talking points, call a politician who has a speech writer (as all of them do) a plagiarist, discount his accomplishments as "luck" ...but this man is going to be the President whether you like it or not.
Posted by: Annie | March 18, 2008 11:23 AM
Heaven help us- That is if Rev Wright allows it....
Posted by: JEN | March 18, 2008 11:52 AM
Obama did a good job of navigating a difficult topic without selling out, giving in, or pouring fuel on the fire. I can relate; I support Israel but not all of its policies; I support America but not the Bush administration. I think he spoke from the heart and stressed his "working together" theme, something missing from Washington on both sides of the isle.
Posted by: Mark G | March 18, 2008 11:52 AM
Obama is either a hypocrite or a dupe.
I hope he is a dupe because he seems to be a nice guy, but if he is that clueless about those around him, is he going to appoint Todd Stroger to the Office of Management and Budget and Blago to be Attorney General and then be surprised that there are some issues with them?
Posted by: Dan C | March 18, 2008 11:53 AM
This speech, and the comments of Obama's cult member, sycophant, Kool-Aid drinking followers make me truly terrified he could become president, which he won't. It's going to be absolutely hilarious when we wake up November 3rd with John McCain as president elect, and mass suicides at the Obama kool-aid tub occur.
Posted by: Florida Bear | March 18, 2008 11:54 AM
Forgotten Middle Class, Brian and other members of your "chapter", the speech is over now....why not go outside and see if your sheets are dry.
Posted by: Latka | March 18, 2008 11:54 AM
Obama smokes. Is that smart? Hard to vote for a guy who is irresponsible enough to continue to harm himself when he knows better.
Posted by: Matt | March 18, 2008 11:54 AM
Forgotten Middle Class, Brian and other members of your "chapter", the speech is over now....why not go outside and see if your sheets are dry.
Posted by: Latka | March 18, 2008 11:54 AM
There hasn't been a better orator in American politics since JFK
Posted by: Carlos | March 18, 2008 11:55 AM
Forgotten Middle Class -
Hasn't every single Republican candidate had a 'spiritual advisor' that has denounced a portion of the population. Are we voting for Obama, Hillary, McCain, or one of their associates? I'd be willing to bet that you have (as do I) some associations (friends, family, co-workers) that have said some things that would make you squirm if they were attributed to you.
Obama in '08/'12! Let's get this country out of its shame spiral!
Posted by: Anonymous | March 18, 2008 11:58 AM
Forgotten Middle Class -
Hasn't every single Republican candidate had a 'spiritual advisor' that has denounced a portion of the population. Are we voting for Obama, Hillary, McCain, or one of their associates? I'd be willing to bet that you have (as do I) some associations (friends, family, co-workers) that have said some things that would make you squirm if they were attributed to you.
Obama in '08/'12! Let's get this country out of its shame spiral!
Posted by: Anonymous | March 18, 2008 11:58 AM
I relly think you all are amazing!! Did anyone get it!! Did any of you really read up watch what he had to say?!?!?!? And you wonder why this country is the way it is....
Posted by: Jai | March 18, 2008 11:59 AM
I love the comments made by conservatives about "drinking the cool-aid". I guess they have tried it before when they elected Bush.
Posted by: Mark G | March 18, 2008 12:00 PM
It was a good speech about the problem of race in this country. Unfortunately as a candidate for president he had to deliver a speech explaining to white america why he has associated himself with a man he describes as his close personal friend and mentor; a man who has bashed the United States and vilified white america. On that account the speech unfortunately fell short.
Posted by: madnet | March 18, 2008 12:01 PM
The comparisons to JFK have to end at their ability to speak well in public. Because to compare them politically would be like comparing apples and oranges. The two could not have had more opposing views on how this country should be governed. Kennedy was tough on Communism, believed in a strong and ready to use military, and believed in low taxes and small government. After all he was the one who asked what we could do for our country instead of the country doing it for you. Todays entire democratic platform is expanding the government interference into our lives and having the government do everything for us. The democartic party died in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963. It was at that point the radical leftist socialists took over the party and are continuing its leadership today which is driving us closer and closer to socialism everyday.
Posted by: Harry | March 18, 2008 12:01 PM
I hope the other candidates will have and equal time on the media to respond to what Obama stated today. I just cannot accept Obama being so close to this minister and this church and not having an ethical dilema with that association.
Posted by: Ben | March 18, 2008 12:01 PM
Barack Obama's speech will go down as one of the classics in American politics. He is an inspiring orator who faces tough topics head-on. Unlike his opponent who delays and provides vague responses. This country needs someone who inspires, leads and faces issues.
Posted by: Kevin | March 18, 2008 12:02 PM
Truthful. Honest. Insightful. I think the only people this speech won't affect positively are those who refuse to listen/read/understand it.
Posted by: Aengil | March 18, 2008 12:02 PM
Division and Hate is much easier than inclusion and love. This speech could not be more appropriate during Holy Week. For those choosing division and hate, you walk alone and we will pray.
Posted by: Dennis | March 18, 2008 12:03 PM
Latka... please be patient when submitting posts. you mindless drivel is bad enough to read once.
Posted by: Steve Hussein S | March 18, 2008 12:03 PM
I relly think you all are amazing!! Did anyone get it!! Did any of you really read up watch what he had to say?!?!?!? And you wonder why this country is the way it is....
Posted by: Jai | March 18, 2008 12:04 PM
Let us all be angry and embarassed that these options (McCain, Clinton, AND Obama) are the BEST that we can do.
Posted by: Forgotten Middle Class | March 18, 2008 12:05 PM
I could care less about this tempest in a teapot (except, of course, as it presents yet another opportunity for Barack to demonstrate his lead and move beyond these partisan tricks.)
Get back to me when all the right-wingers on here express the same OUTRAGE over their boys Pat Robertson and the like for saying that 9/11 was "God's punishment" for America's sins.
sheesh, what a bunch of clowns conservatives are.
Posted by: Rob S. | March 18, 2008 12:06 PM
All this is is your new and improved "Swiftboating" techniques for this upcoming election. Who cares about actual issues like the Iraq War and it's never ending gobbling of billions of dollars? How about the recession getting ready to kick in for the next two or three years? Instead the media fixates on something moronic like this and the redneck racists are gobbling it up. Ridiculous.
Posted by: MASTER of REALITY | March 18, 2008 12:06 PM
Latka, I wish I could respond but I think we have no clue what you are talking about.
You do know we are talking about obama right? You should put down the cool aid and realize how you have been fooled by obama.
Good day!!! Smile!
Posted by: brian | March 18, 2008 12:08 PM
I thought this was mostly a great speech, and it shows to me that Obama understands racial issues in America as well as anyone, and is uniquely able to deal with racial issues possibly better than anyone else. I could have done without the partisan rhetoric about "special interests" and "corporate greed" though. Not only did they distract from his message, but they injected divisive elements in what was otherwise a very unifying speech.
Posted by: Greg | March 18, 2008 12:11 PM
Kevin, you said this will go down as one of the all time great speeches??
Kevin, seriously- put down the beer and medications.
You realize he still said he will not disown the minister who has insulted america???
Kevin, please for all of us- take a deep breath and remember-education is very important!!
Posted by: brian | March 18, 2008 12:13 PM
How many of us when confronted with racial or ethnic discrimination, directly or indirectly, choose to discuss it openly?
At least Senator Barack Obama is facing the issue and not hiding it under the rug.
Posted by: Destiny Hope | March 18, 2008 12:15 PM
Let us all be angry and embarassed that these options (McCain, Clinton, AND Obama) are the BEST that we can do.
Posted by: Forgotten Middle Class | March 18, 2008 12:15 PM
While I like Obama, I am getting tired of him using the "Holier than thou" attitude to gloss over his mistakes and those of his supporters. Some of those racist comments from his pastor have had to sink in over the years.
Posted by: Tom | March 18, 2008 12:16 PM
Barack Obama has zero qualifications to be president. How an obscure state senator from Illinois got the chance to speak at the 2004 Dem. Convention and in a few short years become a "national political figure" is utterly mind-boggling and makes one wonder who is really behind his empty, absurd campaign.
Posted by: Palash R. Ghosh | March 18, 2008 12:17 PM
Dennis, you stated" For those choosing division and hate, you walk alone and we will pray."
Shouldn't that mean obama and his spiritual advisor mr. wright should walk alone since he is preaching hating white people???? Thanks for making my point!!!
Good job Dennis!
Posted by: brian | March 18, 2008 12:17 PM
Somehow I doubt that Obama, with his millions upon millions of dollars, understands the plight of the black man in America. Please.
Posted by: Brian | March 18, 2008 11:20 AM
He was born into poverty to a father that ran out on him when he was a child. I would say Obama can relate very well to the plight of all Americans who are struggling to achieve their own versions of the "American Dream". Not just blacks.
Posted by: David J | March 18, 2008 12:26 PM
"Barack Obama has zero qualifications to be president. How an obscure state senator from Illinois got the chance to speak at the 2004 Dem. Convention and in a few short years become a "national political figure" is utterly mind-boggling and makes one wonder who is really behind his empty, absurd campaign."
How can obscure Illinois State Senator gain national attention from a series of debates in an election he lost and become POTUS two years after that loss, and guide our country through a bloody civil war?
Posted by: DavePM | March 18, 2008 12:27 PM
I was not able to see it live but I read it. IMHO, this was one of the great speeches of our time, perhaps any time.
Obama has unique standing to comment on one of the most profound issues of our time and has done it eloquently, personally, passionately and impassionately - all in elegant and powerful prose that should both calm and inspire.
If he is not ready to lead our nation to be the last great hope of mankind, then no one is.
Remarkable.
Posted by: David Newman | March 18, 2008 12:27 PM
At the end of the day, whether the speech is presidential or not, would we be allowing ourselves to be talked out of questioning another demonstration of Obama's questionable judgment if we give him a pass on this? In my opinion, yes. I can steal your wallet and come up with lots of compelling reasons why I had to, but at the end of the day, I still stole your wallet.
Posted by: Joe | March 18, 2008 12:27 PM
I feel people who don't get it are people who never will.america I feel a mirrior was put before our face. Examine it and learn fron it. we all bleed red
Posted by: P Davis | March 18, 2008 12:27 PM
Latka,
I find your insinuation extremely insulting. If you don’t agree with my comments, then that’s one thing, but to imply that simply because you do not share my point of view, that I must then be a racist is exactly part of the problem in this country. Please, please, please, take a minute to educate yourself.
Anonymous,
Of course, all of the candidates have a Spiritual Advisor and I’m sure that if those advisors spoke from a core of bigotry and hate, then they too would be all over the news, and I would want to hear about them, just as much as I want to hear about Rev. Wright. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I am HOPING for a leader that would be strong enough in his convictions to stand up to those people and work to educate them on why such short-sightedness and “small” ways are wrong and not elevate them to bigger and more influential roles. I certainly would not ask them to marry me, or become the main Spiritual Advisor, as Mr. Obama did.
I know that I am not attributing those words to Mr. Obama, as that would be silly. What really worries me is that he so lacks understanding and judgment when he surrounds himself with such people.
Posted by: Forgotten Middle Class | March 18, 2008 12:31 PM
Sorry but I just can not get over the fact that for 20 years he chose to attend an anti white church. How can you talk about healing the country when every SUnday you are teachin gyour daughters to hate white people. Sorry there is a huge double standard here. Obama should be forced to resign, and I am someone who voted for him in IL. He will not get my vote in Nov. He can not win now. He needs to step aside for the good of the Democratic Party.
Posted by: John | March 18, 2008 12:32 PM
Great speech! I only pray that it will be listened to with an open mind by Americans.
Posted by: Linda | March 18, 2008 12:32 PM
Wow. The racial bitterness evident in some of these comments really underscores the exact points Senator Obama was making, even though the people who voiced those comments will probably never see that. Last time I looked, the Rev. Wright wasn't running for President. His overwrought statements would certainly be pertinent if he himself were a candidate, but otherwise it's just more of the same old tired political crap. Senator Obama has made it very clear he doesn't share these views of his pastor. Nuff said.
For those who want to find a reason to dislike the senator, I'm sure this will suffice. If not, they'll surely find another justification. Me, I'm looking forward to having a president who's smart, who can inspire people with his rhetoric, who's had to make his own way in this world without a rich Daddy and friends greasing the way for him.
And by the way, I'm no glassy-eyed college student. I'm a middle-aged white business owner who voted for Ronald Reagan twice and the original George Bush twice (but never for George W.)
To me, it definitely feels like our country has taken a wrong path for the past eight years, and that Senator Obama is just the man to turn things around. If he loses the nomination to Senator Clinton, I may have to vote for McCain, just because I find Hillary lacking in so many aspects of character and temperment. But my first choice is Obama, and I will be bitterly disappointed if he is not the nominee in the fall.
I'm getting old, but I still believe in the audacity of hope.
Posted by: ejp | March 18, 2008 12:35 PM
First Obama was a Muslim. Now he's not the right kind of Christian. Give me a break! This is the desperation of the Clinton/McCain Republicans.
Posted by: Paul | March 18, 2008 12:37 PM
"How can obscure Illinois State Senator gain national attention from a series of debates in an election he lost and become POTUS two years after that loss, and guide our country through a bloody civil war?"
Now, Obama is being compared to Abraham Lincoln???!!! Wow, let's just forget the election and put Obama in the White House now and put his face on a new penny!!!
Posted by: Palash R. Ghosh | March 18, 2008 12:37 PM
So this speech was a "justification" of his spiritual leaders hate towards "white America", "God Damn America", and why he believes that AIDS was created by our government as a means of genocide towards "Black America".
This was another contrived attempt by BHO to control the dialoge and who can participate in the audience for direct approval. This charade seemed strangley similar to a Reverend preaching to the choir.
Posted by: Packwood | March 18, 2008 12:37 PM
Anyone who has attended a church or parish for any length of time is well aware of what their pastor talks about and believes in. A church is no different than any other community, and the pastor's beliefs, is one reason the congregation continues to go. And those that dont agree with the pastor or church, leave and seek out one that is more conducive to their thoughts and beliefs. People only support those people and things that they believe in. And Obama is no different, in fact, I would have had more admiration for the man if he had left that particular church because of the remarks. In particular the remarks regarding 9/11. We were appalled by other countries cheering the events of 9/11, but are supposed to not care about remarks made in our back yard? Amazing!
Posted by: Michael | March 18, 2008 12:37 PM
David Newman-you said this is one of the best speeches of all time???
How old are you- 1?
Are you joking?
Do you have the red or blue cool aid from obama? What a joke!
I hope all you obama fans do realize that because of his pastor, obama will not become prez!!! Let it sink into your heads now... It won't happen!!
No change!
Posted by: brian | March 18, 2008 12:38 PM
I am a white male conservative living in the Chicago suburbs. I heard the speech on the radio- live. This speech made up my mind that Mr Obama is far more qualified to run against John Mcain than Hillary will ever be. He answered the questions about Mr. Wright but didn't answer why he didn't confront the pastor. This will have to be addressed but isn't as important as getting on with the actual issues any longer.
I found a few problems with the "villians" presented in the speech. Corporations were villified for moving offshore instead of the government being taken to task for making it a tax and union issue. If our government had favorable tax and free markets for labor the companies wouldn't leave. If you want jobs and more stability you create a climate here in the country with stable and final tax cuts to keep people and companies from moving their jobs and production away. This creates a positive economic incentive instead of the left wing vision that companies are evil. It would also create the outside investment needed especially now from foreign investors. WE need to make our economy strong not tax it to death- make investment attractive not a question mark of where taxes and penalties will be in 5-10 years. Stabilization is needed.
Our schools are a mess because of govenrment. You educate our kids with good schools and school choice not unions that care more about featherbedding and waste than our children.
Senator Obama did a great job answering the tough race questions and if he moderates his stance on taxes and making villians out of corporations he could have my vote. But likely he will still be a liberal democrat like Hillary and the rest of the DNC that really don't care to positively address the real problems and solutions rather than advocating for more government spending and waste. The DNC used to be a much more centrist party that I actually would vote for from time to time but they have switched to the left. JFK would not advocate where the party is today and it makes it harder for more moderate voters like me to swallow much of their party line.
Mr Obama could do it though as many moderate conservatives will not be as strongly influenced by most of the DNC's social positions.
I don't support him yet but a combination of Obama and McCain running for the presidency will bring major change to the way the RNC and DNC look at things and likely will bring changes some in the way we as citizens look at the political process. Because that process is shot now with the negative campaigns that the Clintons want to run. Obama running against McCain will bring change to both parties as McCain has done to the RNC. The old school Clintons and Bushes need to be defeated and all of our votes can do it. One side of the change equation is set with McCain and voting for Obama will fix the other side.
Posted by: charlie | March 18, 2008 12:38 PM
I am sorry but when you attend church and the pastor continues to speak hateful words about whites and other things, when you here this week after week and continue to attend you are condoning it. When you here these awful things said and continue to bring your DAUGHTERS there, you are condoning it. I am sorry but Obama is toast. I like him but you can not have a double standard of it being ok to teach hate against white people. Many people have lost their job over much less. Imgaine if Hillary attented a church for 20 years where the pastor spoke hatefully about black people. She would have been forced to resign months ago. I am sorry Obama supporters but there is no excuse for this type of hatred and you all know it. If any of us heard these types of comments from our pastor repeatedly we would have left the church immediately and found another one. Obama is a hypocrite. The Farrakhan link to him was stupid but this one means Obama chose to attend a anti-white church for 20 years. he should step down.
Posted by: Phil | March 18, 2008 12:40 PM
Sorry Obama! A man is known by the company he keeps. Rezko or Wright. What happened to Obama's Judgement here??? Go Hillary 2008!
Posted by: Dee | March 18, 2008 12:40 PM
Seriously. How self-important is this man? One of his supporters said some very controversial remarks, as supporters often do. Address it and MOVE ON. There is a country to run.
Posted by: Justin | March 18, 2008 12:40 PM
Dear Prescott,
It is imperative to know history before quoting it. Bay of Pigs was Kennedy's foreign policy mistake. During the Cuban Missle Crisis he actually prevented nuclear holocaust. Please refer to history books, or google.
Posted by: ralphie | March 18, 2008 12:40 PM
Sorry Obama! A man is known by the company he keeps. Rezko or Wright. What happened to Obama's Judgement here???Can't trust him, he wants it both ways. Go Hillary 2008!
Posted by: Dee | March 18, 2008 12:41 PM
Well, Obama had the guts to talk about what really is an explosive topic. I have to admit some of his points are correct. A lot of people don't talk to their "opposite color" (sorry for a poor choice of words) friends the same as they would their same color friends. This really is a topic that needs to be dealt with.
That being said, Obama has a lot of work to do to try and repair the damage done by the Rev Wright sound bites.
What I can't stand are the hate filled comments by some of these posters. If you can't back it up with facts then you are only perpetuating the hate. Prove it with facts and then list your analysis/opinion. Posting hate or insults shows how stupid and thoughtless you are and only reiterates some of the points Obama was trying to address.
Posted by: Todd M | March 18, 2008 12:41 PM
Just reading this speech made me more hopeful that America can finally begin an honest dialogue about race and ethnicity.
Then I came here and saw some of the same old hate-filled, dumbass comments spewed by the usual suspects and realized it's gonna be a looooong road. The haters will resist every single step of the way.
Watch out, haters, because the bus of change is coming through whether you stand in its way or not!
Posted by: Elanor | March 18, 2008 12:42 PM
These all seem to be Hillary votes anyway, in which case, he wasn't talking to you. These must also be the same people who think he's Muslim, or feel that black people should just "get over" slavery. Racism and Ignorance are not the same thing. But you can't explain things to some people. I've stopped trying. Bless Obama.
Posted by: bs | March 18, 2008 12:49 PM
Hey, great speech laying out the problems. Right on every point.
But it's the solutions Sen. Obama will come up with that has me worried.
How can he possibly address white middle class resentments over affirmative action while addressing the historic residue of discrimination against blacks?
Posted by: qwerty | March 18, 2008 12:49 PM
Let it go people. McCain, Obama, Clinton, yada, yada, yada, yada. We all know we hear what we want to hear during the campaigns. No one is ever really is the "best one" for the job. We just hope we pick the one that is lying less and will tackle the things that matter most at home (medical, soc. security, schools, etc.) One speach is again just words. We should all sit and wait to see actions.
Posted by: jason | March 18, 2008 12:49 PM
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
"My friends, we live in the greatest nation in the history of the world.
I hope you'll join with me as we try to change it." -- Barack Obama
Posted by: Stevieboy | March 18, 2008 12:53 PM
Elanor, someone who doesn't agree with you is a hater?
I think being the liberal I think you are you should be open minded before opening your mouth.
Your bus of change has 4 flat tires. And is out of gas!! Try again in 2012!!! Obama and his pastor have sunk his candidacy whether you and your bus like it or not!!! ha!
Posted by: brian | March 18, 2008 12:54 PM
I feel that Americans are not being fair to black people, they haven't been since for a very long time, If we have to associate people with people in their past, so all of white America should be held responsible for slavery and segregation in this county which their ancestors has inflicted on this nation. I do feel pastor Wright was outrageous with his comments, but these are his views if the amount people who there at that church every sunday agreeing with him obviously there is something really wrong and black people are really feeling this. I do beleive Obama was aware of his pastors rhetoric but this is the exact point he trying to make which is to change all views on America regarding race, religion etc... This is not fair the way this media is trying to assinate Obama's political career with this you all should be ashamed of yourselves for what you are doing to him, you don't know what pastor Wright has done for his family, so I don't know why you people think that what you are doing can somehow be justified. I think America need to take good look at themselves and judge themselves for a second, this is racist as pastor Wright's views ha