Comment from bdr
Time: March 18, 2008, 12:33 pm

Left, I was just going to post something which, to your utter surprise, both agrees and disagrees with your assessment.
Rather than bump you, if you’re interested click over to my place.

Comment from Tom
Time: March 18, 2008, 12:33 pm

I agree. I’ve been reading and watching and listening to speeches since the Eisenhower Administration, and this may–just may–have been the best one I have ever heard.

Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: March 18, 2008, 12:51 pm

As I noted below in the first link to this speech, this was one hell of or heaven of a speech. And my understanding is that he wrote it himself. Maybe some staff editing, but it is HIS and that says something about the full measure of the man.

Comment from Amos N. Handy
Time: March 18, 2008, 1:55 pm

Those are the most moving and sincere words I’ve ever heard in a political speech. If Hillary were to say she was supporting Obama within the next few hours, it would be of no surprise to me.

“I think we’re going to be just fine, with this man as President and from here on in, when I hear the words or envision mustard or relish, an old black gentleman and a girl named Ashley, will certainly come to mind. “

Comment from Leftcoast
Time: March 18, 2008, 2:00 pm

BDR: Read your post and understand your point. You should post your comments here–different POV, likely to generate some interesting comments…Problem is that events dictated that he do this now. You can rightfully ask why didn’t Obama and his crew recognize the problems Wright posed to begin with and deal with it sooner. But he was toast without a strong, timely and specific response. Impossible task that I thought he did brilliantly (and you know I’m an Obama skeptic, at best). Question becomes what he does from here. He started the dialog, now I think he’s committed to continuing it. That’s a tough path given everything else there is to talk about, but it’s the one he’s chosen. The wolf is away from the door for the moment, but that doesn’t mean the pack doesn’t smell blood.

Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: March 18, 2008, 2:59 pm

On closer examination, I disagree on two points. One you reference “imagery that’s been seared into everyone’’s brains”? Searing? Everyone? I don’t think so. JAB covers it best in his post above.

Also, you claim that Obama should have seen this coming and delt with it sooner. My point is that what someone said years ago is not the responsibility of a candidate. The candidate is responsible for what he or she says and what anyone in a campaign capacity says now. While I would like to see Obama respond faster at times, it is clear that in this case he needed to reflect on what needed to be said and how it should be said. If he had addressed Wright a week ago or a month ago or six months ago, he would have made a different case. We are all richer for the statement he made today.

The question to me is not what “he” does about it now, but what Clinton does about it and what “we” do about it.

Comment from Sasha
Time: March 18, 2008, 4:21 pm

I don’t agree that he should have responded sooner. In fact I think it would have been best if he had been able to wait until the much increased swiftboating of the general election to do what he did today. However those who have no concerns about the future of our nation, those who are primarily concerned with their own rise to power, prevented that. He did the best he could. And I’ll bet he has another speech or two in him if need be.

Comment from Leftcoast
Time: March 18, 2008, 5:35 pm

The Wright video is on-air 24/7–it dominates the political media landscape and is top of mind. To ignore the power of images like Wright’s among voters ignores the lessons of the past 20 years. They made hay with Willy Horton and Swiftboated Kerry with much, much less.

Obama had absolutely no choice but to do this now and do it decisively. Otherwise his campaign would have been over within the week. it still might be–we’ll see how this plays after it’s been twisted by the MSM. As far as Wright’s comments being in the past, it wasn’t years ago. Wright made personal references to Hillary and the campaign, so it was fresh. it’s not like it was 10 years ago.

The beauty of Obama’s speech is that it takes the bats out Clinton’s and McCain’s hands when it comes to race. It clears the table. The only way his opponents can use race as an issue is if they’re truly comfortable with being cast as racist. Brilliant.

As for what we do–we’re not a factor; as political junkies, have little or no influence. The only downside I see to his speech is that the people who really need to hear it rarely tune in.

Comment from james
Time: March 18, 2008, 9:50 pm

Guys, it is scary to have Obama particularly in this situation of grave consequences facing our country.

The War,
The Economy,
The Social Security,
The HealthCare,
The Job market,
The Middle Class

Problems so serious needs someone with experience.
Now this guy does not have a long history and he wants to change the world (US to start with).
He is a man of a race. Black man has never been a President (Not to say he is racial) it adds one more issue to above mentioned list.

The Race.

I know the race, religion and caste issues since I have moderated few elections in the East and they are ugly.

A person who becomes a President is not a one man show. If he tries to be that he looks like Bush who is to the right and this guy Obama is to the left.

A government is a big machine made of millions of people who are going to be there even when the Presidents and Govt. change. A senate and a house which change but not totally. The people are still same.

If you have someone so ideological but at the same time having no networking with government ‘machinary’how in the hell can he bring change other than VeTO. WE have seen this more so often these days.

No matter how you look at it this is a dangerous combination of an in-experienced political figure raised to the alter by sheer disappointment for the current administration.

The mob mentality in US politics is the last straw on camels back so to say.

If we get someone with these credentials it would be a disaster I could see the same American people being more angry than they are now when the war is right now outside the US.

This man can bring this war within us. The reason is simple we cannot change things overnight and that is what he is trying to say. He says it is not going to happen overnight but gives a feeling it might.

There is an attribute of socialism in his speech which can further hurt our structure.

Now let me be clear, there is nothing that he says is wrong.
But the fact is it is not that simple. Bush would do it if it was so and get his 4 generations guanranteed Presidents of the USA.

This man Barack may have a good character, notion, and good intentions but what he is promising is to naive and is dangerously day dreaming.

He is taking about change which needs to start but at the grass roots in local govt, senate, and house and than at the center.

He by far needs more time, more experience and more to show us all of us that he can deliver. If he has the stuff he would come back.
But even if he is right and I am wrong right. If we get him the Presidency it would be the last Presidency that would shatter the USA from what it used to be.

God Bless US ALL

Comment from Sasha
Time: March 19, 2008, 3:55 am

Thanks for visiting James. It’s always nice to have a drive-by racist for balance.

Comment from timr
Time: March 19, 2008, 9:47 am

I heard on a couple of cable news programs last nite that Obama is going to give 2 more speeches, one today on I think Iraq and the economy, then one tomorrow on Iraq and national security. It is always good to strike when the iron is hot, and when the MSM will feel obligated to cover what he says, these 2 speeches could also totally change the subject. BTW, I-a WASP over 50-actually took the time to watch/listen to the entire sermons of the rev Wright and have to say that when you hear the entire statements IN CONTEXT-which is to say that the wing nuts on faux spews are heavily editing(along with the rest of our so called MSM) the entire comment-they are neither as harsh nor as (racist) as the talking heads say. In point of fact, I have heard mainstream televangelists(do I really need to name names?) say both the same things-and much worse. Take the comment “god damn america” 3 words that were totally taken out of context, and that totally changed the meaning of what was actually said, thus do the corporations control what we see and hear, and thru that, control how we think. Without the internet, no one would be able to actually see and hear what was actually said.
St john, on the other hand, with his remarks on Iran being the supplier of AlQaeda-showing his ignorance of the middle east(he said the same thing 3 different times)-will only last 1 news cycle-move along, nothing to see here-because the MSM is in fact st john’s base, meanwhile the MSM will play the 3 words of the right rev Wright over and over because Obama is not their favored candidate.

Comment from Josh Hammond
Time: March 19, 2008, 11:00 am

James, I take it that you are for McBush.

This Obama speech on race and religion showed the full measure and depth of this candidate. His grasp of this socio-political issue is beyond the scope and experience of McCain and Clinton, both Clintons.

And to your point that it takes more than one man to run a country, Obama has demonstrated his executive and management ability by the way he has run his campaign. More primary wins, more delegates, and more votes than his so-called experienced opponent, is more than enough evidence to show that he has the knowledge and capacity to govern.

Comment from Quirm Toothleblatt
Time: March 19, 2008, 1:30 pm

James you certainly have a way with words, my friend ….

I seem to detect an accent in your expressions of concern for this country, but it is difficult to decipher because of the beautiful political lilt you display in your coded message. Where you from come James ?

Comment from Quirm Toothleblatt
Time: March 19, 2008, 1:56 pm

I get for you personal James, where you from come ?

Could it be that King David has abdicated the throne and this is the announcement, of King James ?

Comment from Max
Time: March 19, 2008, 2:57 pm

I was relaxing at home last night listening to Rush Limbaugh. No, I am not a political pervert, it was the US military radio in Japan, and it was his two hours. Rush was criticizing Obama for his association with Reverend Wright, and extolling some Black leader. I forget the man’s name, but in Rush’s opinion, he makes a “Bargain” with White people, and doesn’t scare them. And Rush said this is what Barack should learn to do, “Bargain” with White people so he doesn’t scare them.

It was at that point that the radio went off and some old tapes went on, I could not stomach anymore, but a person can still say things like that? I would like to say such feelings must be a recent phenomenon, but I fear not. Perhaps we have really not progressed in race relations since 1865.

Comment from Max
Time: March 19, 2008, 3:46 pm

Oh and by the way Mr. James, the US is already shattering around us. In case you haven’t noticed. True Senator Obama is not all that experienced, but neither is Hillary.

But what he represents to me is hope.

Comment from Silent Visitor
Time: March 21, 2008, 10:36 am

What I would like to hear is Obama’s opinions on white america. If a white preacher had been taped making such inflammatory statements about any group in black America, the naacp and the civil liberties would be calling for a retraction and demanding an apology. If they didn’t get one, there would probably be violence and rioting. He made a beautiful speech, but did not at anytime reveal what HIS opinions on those issues were, and if he wants to be my president, he needs to address those issues. I won’t vote for him unless he can convince me that he doesn’t share his looney preacher’s hateful opinions.

Comment from Sasha
Time: March 21, 2008, 11:00 am

SV, I am certain that he can never meet your requirements. If you prefer 100 more years of war, shredding of the Constitution, and a President who can barely remember where he is over someone who doesn’t echo the exact words you demand, have at it.

Comment from Winston
Time: March 21, 2008, 1:15 pm

I am glad to know about this blog of like-minded reasonable folks. Not being an august contributor to this blog, which I found just now, I call attention to my own reaction to The Speech, which I believe is the most important speech since MLK’s Dream Speech. If any of the regular writers here think my words worthy, please feel free to link or reproduce here. My contribution is at:
http://www.nobodyasked.com/2008/03/20/barack-obama/

Comment from Silent Visitor
Time: March 22, 2008, 6:19 am

Sasha,
As to the constitution, is that the one that reads “all men are created equal?” In todays society there is reverse racism everywhere. I can’t use enough characters to name it all, but you know it’s there and so do I. My inability to use the “N” word, though I wouldn’t choose to, while Wright can get up there and spit it out in a supposed “house of God” is a fine example of shredding the constitution, and that would be the “freedom of speech” part. I don’t believe in quotas. Is that “equality”? Because any time someone is given a a job because of their color, someone else is NOT getting a job because of theirs. So if this black man intends to punish the white population of this country with more of the same “shredding” of our constitution like his preacher apparently wants him to do, then I would like to hear it from him. If not, I’d like for him to be man enough to upset some of the black voters by saying that it’s wrong and stupid to keep blaming the whites in this country for everything you can’t get for theirselves. After all, this is a man that proposes to lead this country and yet can’t answer a simple question for fear of upsetting and losing votes. Well, that’s the price of honesty, he would lose some, but he also might win some. I have no respect for him at this time, and total contempt for Wright. If he don’t like this country, why don’t he just leave, move, get out, and go where he likes it better.

Comment from Silent Visitor
Time: March 22, 2008, 6:28 am

also, I repeat, would anybody like to contradict me, that had a white preacher in a white church made similar remarks as to the black people in America being responsible for lets just say higher crime, higher taxes, whatever you choose, not so different from the “Uncle Tom” picture painted by Wright. That the blacks were all about “protecting the black guy” that there would have been all kinds of angry demands for him to be punished and demands for an apology from people like Jesse Jackson and just about all other high profile black leaders, trickling all the way down to possible violence (for the sake of it I think) in our cities? Seems like that kind of behavior is O.K. for some, and not others. But go ahead, somebody tell me that it would have been okay for Hilliary’s preacher, or even mine, to say those kinds of things.

Comment from Sasha
Time: March 22, 2008, 7:43 am

SV, the Constitution says nothing about what Dr. Wright or anyone may say in the pulpit. And, in my view, there is no such thing as ‘reverse’ racism. Racism is racism.

I don’t believe you have even heard what Dr. Wright said. I believe you have only heard a heavily edited set of outtakes from a viral video. The entire sermon is available if you choose to hear it. I have heard what he had to say and I am quite sure that many white ministers have said something similar. Here is just a bit that will lead you to the bigger picture.

But I also don’t think anything this one-half African-American man says or does will be good enough for you. If you want to take all of your resentment out on him and his brothers by not voting for him, I am sure you won’t be alone. You appear to be making a semi-rational argument but all I hear from you is hatred of black folks and a demand that they create a country where folks like you are in charge without being challenged. That world is gone forever. You can spend the rest of your life being resentful and filled with anger or you can learn to live in the world as it is. None of us can help you with that decision. It is yours alone.

Comment from Silent Visitor
Time: March 22, 2008, 9:06 pm

Well thanks for the half vote on the semi-rational argument. You assume I’m a racist, and in this discussion I am assuming the posture of one. But in fact, I usually take people one by one unlike Mr. Wright does. I believe that he sells his message of bitterness and hate for personal gain and for fame. My sympathies lie with the young generation of black kids that would not grow up with such discomfort and fear about who and what they are and may someday be, if it were not for their dutiful elders reminding them constantly that “once upon a time” and you know the rest of the story. It was a long time ago, and lets face it, most of the people involved it in are dead now. So instead of him badgering them with legacy that it’s still that way, and no matter what you do it will always be that way, I wish he could concentrate on God, and on the positives in life now for everybody. But people like him, as I said, get money and fame for carrying the tattered old battle flag of race. So these kids have the fear of discrimination instilled in them by a respected teacher who is never suppose to lie to them. The innocent child that walked into the church walks out doubting his country, the people around him, and himself because children you see aren’t as hardened as we eventually in time become. Wirghts message to them is “your black and the white man hates you.” So if you think I’m a heartless racist, then it’s okay because you don’t know me. I think you’ve got the wrong. Wright is the racist and he’s making fools out of his own people. The judgements that I’m putting on Wright are due to his own words and his “track record” if you will. I feel the same way about Jesse Jackson, he sold his own people out for personal gain, and there is nothing holy whatsoever about the man. There are those that need the hostility, the misinformation to keep them in power. A voting block, these people need to keep the hate alive, the war going so that they can pretend to be champions to the downtrodded black people and they’ve convinced a generation now that black people are indeed “victims” and then retreat to their big mansions behind security and live the good life. They poison our children, yours and mine by constantly drudging up the past so that there can never be any healing of any kind. And I believe that Mr. Obama is exactly the same needing the votes of those same black people, and in the meantime being oh so eloquent and careful to appear as some foward, new age uniter to the hopeful whites. But he got caught. And so now he makes this flowery speech trying to keep the black vote and soothe the white voters at the same time. He never came out and just said what his views are. He only made non-committal remarks hoping to keep the votes and As I said, I would like him to answer directly and without a flowery speech. You know, like a man that stands up for his beliefs. Does he believe America is responsible for 9-11? Does he feel the government is geared to protecting the white interest no matter what against the black? Does he agree that deep in our little white hearts we all harbor this determination to enslave blacks?
Good god, taken in context, how long ago and how different was the world back then?
The ones who owned slaves wouldn’t understand the mechanics of a light bulb, and would throw themselves on the ground in fear of a car or a light switch. To keep on about it is as stupid as bearing a grudge agains the Mongols, or the vikings for their years of conquest. Or Britain, Or Egypt, Or Spain, Or India Or Germany, Russia…just about every race on earth…it was a different world. Can’t we give these kids a chance to live without the fear and the racism and get rid of the Jerimiah Wrights once and for all? Think about it.

Comment from Colleen
Time: April 17, 2008, 12:17 pm

Keep in mind that Rev. Wright said the comments, not OBAMA. Hillary is the real monster.