by Adrian Walker, of the Boston Globe
For the Rev. Ray Hammond, the race for the Democratic nomination for president has turned personal in a way that he could never have anticipated.
more stories like thisHammond, pastor of Bethel AME Church and one of the city's most prominent clergymen, does not have a declared preference in the contest between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.
He does have close ties to the man whose incendiary rhetoric has dominated the campaign in recent days. The Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright Jr. is Hammond's cousin. As the controversy over snippets of Wright's old sermons has evolved, Hammond has taken more than a passing interest.
For him, the battle over Wright, which has hampered Obama's bid to lock up the nomination, is really not about Wright.
Drawing a parallel between Obama and 2004 presidential candidate John Kerry, Hammond said, "This is Swiftboating for a guy who goes to church."
(See the rest of the column from the Boston Globe:)
Hammond was watching as Wright emerged from weeks of silence to speak for himself. He was impressed by the pastor's PBS interview with Bill Moyers and his speech before the Detroit branch of the NAACP.
Monday's sparring session with the National Press Club struck Hammond as misguided, though he stressed that he has not yet seen the entire session.
In that speech, Wright suggested that one of his motives in speaking up was that the attacks on him had become attacks on the black church as an institution. Hammond only partly agrees with that assessment.
"People are reacting to a part of the black church tradition that most people don't know and don't understand," Hammond said. "In the first couple of days, Jeremiah did a good job of helping people understand that."
However, he added, "I don't think whoever launched this really cared much about the black church. The issue here is the judgment, as they see it, of Barack Obama. This isn't about Jeremiah Wright."
Wright has been used, in Hammond's view, to undermine a key Obama argument against Clinton: that his judgment is more valuable than her experience.
"I really think part of the challenge Obama faces is that a lot of people are inspired by him, but they don't really know him - he hasn't been around long enough. So they're searching for any clue about who he is. . . . So everything takes on heightened meaning."
Hammond said his roles in his church and in the Ten Point Coalition preclude him from supporting specific political candidates. He's been disheartened, though, by the long and increasingly bitter fight.
"It started out very energetic, with lots of new voters, and it's become a slog," he said. "The longer it goes on, the more of a bitter edge you see developing. You get the feeling that it's a portent of what's going to be a pretty tough general election. After 16 years, I'm tired of this."
That said, he has been captivated by a contest that he didn't expect to live to see. "For them to be pitted against each other against the backdrop of the war and the economy, it's been incredible."
This is a campaign that has prompted deep emotional responses, leaving Hammond hesitant to talk about it at all. "I'm treading real lightly on this one, because there is so much hope and fear and disappointment and pain."
There is also, in what has become a full-blown split between Obama and Wright, a reflection of a generational divide that has always been present in this campaign. It is a rift between civil rights warriors and Obama's upbeat message of healing and reconciliation.
Hammond noted that he and his cousin are 20 years apart in age, same family, different generations. Hammond and Wright visit in Chicago, talk occasionally, and have shared the pulpit at Wright's megachurch, Trinity United Church of Christ.
And in the past few days, Hammond has tried unsuccessfully to reach him. "I called Jeremiah," he said, "to tell him we're praying for him."
Adrian Walker is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at walker@globe.com.
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Comments
Hillary and the press have finally succeeded in making Barack a black man and a stud mouse black man at that. It was a long struggle but ended with a vulnerable Obama. Vulnerable in the primarys remaining and vulnerable if nominated.
Posted by: c. perry | May 2, 2008 9:02 AM
I'm still waiting for the complete transcripts of the sermons of Clinton's and McCain's pastors. I need to verify that they are politically correct enough. We simply can't allow any thoughts that we don't agree with anywhere near the leaders of our Democracy. All must conform or be silenced.
Posted by: Kyle | May 2, 2008 9:26 AM
Don't forget that Rev Wright had a high profile with the Clintons long before Obama's presidential campaign. He prayed and prayed and prayed for them during the Monica saga. How else could Bill have survived? Has the media swiftboated Hillary for that? They should have. They haven't shown their photos with Wright, or with Rezko over and over again. They haven't done endless reports and discussions about Bill and Hillary's pardoning of crooks and the Weathermen.
Why hasn't there been an interview with Bill Clinton about his relationship with Rev Wright? Everybody else is "weighing in" why not him?
Posted by: GW | May 2, 2008 9:34 AM
I've tried to keep an open mind but oh the mental gymnastics that are required to think like a Republican. First I'm told I shouldn't vote for Obama because he's a secret Muslim bent on taking over the United States to establish an Islamic Caliphate here in America. Then last week I'm told not to vote for Obama because he's the wrong kind of Christian. It kind of got me thinking, maybe I should look at what HIS policy positions are instead. You know what, he says a lot of things that make sense. Bombing Iran doesn't make sense to me, John McCain. Thanks news media! I'm using my brain instead of you to get information that is useful for this election.
Posted by: charles seterline | May 2, 2008 9:40 AM
I'm a 58-year-old white man, so I'm not going to comment on the African American church, except that I think we all need to respect and include all points of view. This is exactly why I'm fully supporting Barack Obama. There are three reasons why some people don't know him: 1. They haven't been paying attention (ignorance), 2. They don't want to know him (prejudice). 3. It's been so long since we've been confronted by a true leader with brutal honesty, fierce intelligence and outstanding courage, that we can't identify these qualities (depravity)..
Posted by: joe | May 2, 2008 9:46 AM
Obama judged a change in intent between Wright's first excerpts looped endlessly and his talk at the National Press Club.
Though Wright repeated the same words, there is a big difference in preaching to his flock in the context of transformation versus to a national audience in trying to justify. Obama recognized this difference, unlike many who categorically condemn all inflamatory language regardless of intent.
Do we really think Hillary could tell the difference or care to bring it out?
It is exactly this type of judgement that a president needs to deal with some of the most outrageous and dangerous world leaders. Saddam Husein ued inflamattory words "the mother of all wars" to goad the US in to war. Even then, Obama was one of the very few who recognized this as nothing but show-boating that would have grave consequences for the US.
Posted by: Young Atheart | May 2, 2008 9:54 AM
The Election is rigged against Obama , we should have seen Media coverage all over this ;
FEC Complaint: http://www.paulvclinton.com/FEC_complaint_123107.pdf
D. Colette Wilson
Attorney at Law
1880 S. Redwood St.
Escondido, California 92025
(760) 580-0561
December 29, 2007
By Federal Express
Office of the General Counsel
Federal Election Commission
999 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20463
Complaint: Calling Upon the Commission to:
(1) Void the conciliation agreement granting immunity to
Respondents for any possible violations of law arising out of
fundraising events between 9/16/99 and 11/7/00;
(2) Re-open the Commission’s investigation into MUR 5225, including
clear evidence of Senator Clinton’s and her agents’ illegal solicitation
and coordination of excessive federal campaign contributions,
pursuant to 2 U.S.C. sections 437g(d)(1)(A)(i) and 441a, subsections
(a)(7)(B)(i) and (f); and
(3) Investigate Respondents’ continuing violations of 2 U.S.C. section
434(b) and 18 U.S.C. sections 1001 and 2, based on New York Senate
2000’s fourth amended FEC report filed January 30, 2006.
Complainant: Peter F. Paul
Respondents: Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton; Hillary Rodham Clinton for U.S. Senate Committee, Inc.; Harold Ickes, Treasurer; New York Senate 2000 Committee; Andrew Grossman, Treasurer; William Jefferson Clinton, Edward Rendell, Howard Wolfson, Kelly Craighead, David
Rosen, and James Levin,
The Lawsuit http://www.paulvclinton.com/060817_second_amended_complaint.swf
In an astonishing ruling by the Judge [on Friday, April 25,2008], Hillary Clinton may NOT be deposed about her role in the illegal solicitation and cover up of the largest contribution made to her Senate campaign until after the presidential election.
This is the same contribution Hillary denied knowing about or receiving when Lloyd Grove of the Washington Post asked her specifically about it and her relationship with the donor, Peter Paul, in August 2000.
Posted by: AJ Mesa , AZ | May 2, 2008 10:12 AM
There is nothing genuine about the Obamas.
Clintons helped a lot of people out when they were president.
The Obamas are helping themselves.
I think Jeremiah Wright wanted to expose this Manchurian Couple for what they are--spoilers.
And you can't blame that on the Clintons.
Posted by: Hoosiers Don't be Fooled! | May 2, 2008 10:33 AM
What I really don't like about this Pastor association with the candidate is that double standards are put forth. Hillary and Bill's pastor was convicted of sexual abuse in January of 2008 and the victim was 7 years old at the time. What in the world is really going on. Rev. William Procanick swore on a bible and denied the charges. So what now Hillary why didn't you leave your church?
Posted by: Ron | May 2, 2008 10:58 AM
Obama went to Tony Rezko’s mansion for a party.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko
/927692,CST-NWS-rezko02.article
Any questions?
Don’t vote for the Manchurian couple.
There is nothing REAL about the Obamas.
Posted by: Obama = Daley = Blago = Rezko | May 2, 2008 11:01 AM
Obama keeps thumpimg his superior judgement over Hillary and McCain.
Obama's judgement so far....
1) Listening to an America hating Rev. for 25 years every Sunday.
2) Hanging out will terrorist Bill Ayers.
3) Connections to friend Tony Rezko who's is now on trial.
4) Saying middle class people [cling] to their guns and religion.
Good judgement....?
Paulo
Posted by: Paulo | May 2, 2008 11:40 AM
I never thought I'd live in a time when American churches were being bombed by thugs who don't agree with the pastor. This high tech bombing of Rev. Wright's church is absolutely horrible.
Posted by: jackson | May 2, 2008 12:01 PM
Obama went to Tony Rezko’s mansion for a party.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/metro/rezko
/927692,CST-NWS-rezko02.article
Any questions?
Don’t vote for the Manchurian couple.
There is nothing REAL about the Obamas.
Posted by: Obama = Daley = Blago = Rezko | May 2, 2008 11:01 AM
My god, they attended a Party? How is it they aren't in prison for such a horrific crime? I'm so glad there's a candidate like Hillary Clinton out there who has never associated with anyonne who isn't a perfect saint. She's never associated with criminals in any way. They associate only with the finest most noble people like the Marc Rich and Eliot Spitzer. Those are her kind of people.
Posted by: HRC=corrupt | May 2, 2008 12:16 PM
Now i'm interested to see why the LIAR didn't leave her church or pastor.
IF A PASTOR IS KNOWN BY THE COMPANY THEY KEEP!
When the Rev. William Procanick put his hand on the Bible during his
sex-abuse trial in Oneida County Court earlier this year, he swore to
tell the whole truth And nothing but the truth. But as the former
Clinton Pastor was sentenced Friday to three years in prison for
Inappropriatel y touching a 7-year-old girl at his Home last March, Judge
Michael L. Dwyer said Procanick S acrificed his honesty the day he
testified.
Okay, so now that Bill and Hillary Clinton's pastor Has been convicted
of child molestation, will we see the Same furor directed at Hillary
that Obama has had to Endure these last few weeks?
Posted by: Keith Lifetime Southsider | May 2, 2008 2:03 PM
This is all too bad too sad for Jeremiah Wright and Barack Obama because I truly believe these two men loved each other as brothers in Christ and nothing Jeremiah Wright said was untrue. I had said that all parents and all teachers and all people should listen to him because they could learn from him. I also said I could see why Senator Obama went to his church because I would have to had I lived in Chicago. But what happened, what happened? It is reported that Clinton aides were the people behind this that their goal was to find some 'guilty by association' against Senator Obama, and it was them who also dug up the Ayres 'non-story' and everything else associated with guilt by association and indeed they succeeded. But I keep wondering why Obama does not do what McCain did when the flap happened about McCain having a mistress for 10 years or something. McCain called a press conference with his wife by his side and he answered questions FOR ONE DAY ONLY, FOR THAT PRESS CONFERENCE ONLY and when that was finished he said, I'm not answering any more questions on this subject. And guess what? He didn't. And boom! Presto! Nothing more ever heard about it, no polls about it like the Wright issue, nothing on the MSNBC every day and night like the Wright issue. Nothing. Obama sure needs to do the same thing. POSTURE!!! After Senator Obama gave his press conference he shouldve done what McCain did and say, "I'm not answering any more questions about this matter." And that's that. The problem is that Obama answers whatever and whenever a question is asked and he should put a stop to it. Too bad neither of them saw it coming. And, where of where all of a sudden is the Dr. Reverend Jeremiah Wright, Jr.?
Won't he come out and apologize to Barack Obama? I do wish these two would 'make up' because I truly saw just how Obama was hurt by his 'former' pastor.
Posted by: RuthieM | May 2, 2008 3:01 PM
Paolo: Do you mean that YOU also went to Rev. Wright's church??? Otherwise, how do YOU...of all people...know that he was there EVERY SUNDAY ??? ARE YOU OBSESSED WITH OBAMA, ARE YOU WRITING ABOOK ABOUT HIM, OR WHAT???
Posted by: MLD | May 2, 2008 8:43 PM