Centerfield

I just saw Rev. Wright clips on the Daily Show and he went so far as to offer mocking impressions of various people. The guy is obviously looking to attain a unique place in history.

Another Sharpton wannabe. That's an awfully low ambition.

I don't think Wright has taking Obama down as a goal. I think it's merely collateral damage that he is entirely willing to accept as the price of getting fame/attention for himself. Obviously he has a very different view of Jesus message than some of the rest of us - especially the "do unto others" part.

Yeah, no kidding... shut up already.

I saw a suggestion somewhere that Wright's doing his thing just to make sure that it really IS true that no black President can be elected, just as he always warned....

It's hard to believe that someone could intentionally want to deprive a close friend and supporter of such a golden opportunity, not to mention deal such a blow to his entire race. The other option, that the man is certifiable, has a lot going for it.

I was worried about how McCain could tactfully bring up this issue come this fall without facing a backlash, but I don't think it matters. Wright won't go away anytime soon. He's suddenly a national figure, and he's enjoying his 15 minutes even at the expense of Obama.

Under that interpretation, he'd be politically paranoid. You know, the theory has the merit of also explaining Ferraro's outburst.

I just watched Obama unhappily react appropriately and toss him under the bus.

Which is what he should have done when this first popped up. Bad judgement call.

Obama is taking these new comments by Wright as an opportunity to react as he should have the first time around, hoping nobody will notice that Wright said nothing really new this time. So, in effect, Obama is saying "the critics showed better judgment based on a few pieces of a sermon, that I said were taken out of context, than I showed in 20 years of close personal contact. Oh, and don't forget, my lack of experience matters because I have good judgment."

Allahpundit sums it up nicely here, "The bottom line: After 20 years of friendship, if Obama didn’t know Wright held these beliefs he’s a moron and if he did know he’s a fraud."

McCain can't really bring up the Wright issue without his own checkered past being brought up in this regard. He wants to preserve his aura on independence rather than have his courting of the religious right heavily scrutinized. So he's nice and quiet. He is not without his own Rev. Wright(s)like John Hagee or his 180 degree reversal in getting support from the Jerry Falwell.

Part of the problem for Obama is that these days black preachers scare white people more than white preachers scare black people. Never mind the fact that both sometimes make very insane remarks.

Actually, Marcus, I think the biggest -ism we're seeing in this race isn't racism or sexism, but AGEISM. On all sides. I've read exactly one commenter whose mind was changed by the Wright thing. Every other blogpost and comment I've read grumbling about him was using him an excuse to validate predispositions.

Justin, we all have our good sides AND our bad sides. It's clear that his good side must've predominated most days, or he wouldn't've been able to hold an audience that included many, many centrist blacks and done vast amounts to help those around him. Has everything you've ever said in your life been fair and thoughtful?

So it wasn't just a few "out of context" sound bites. I loved how during the Q+A when he repeatedly asked "who asked that question?" knowing full well the audience was primarily his supporters and how he often dismissed a question by asking "have you read...?"

My beef is with Obama in this context, although I would stand next to Wright for judgement without hesitation. I get that we all have friends and acquaintances that believe crazy things; two of my close friends' wives think the moon landing was a hoax (that was a jaw dropper at the dinner table).

But, I have two problems with writing it off as no big deal in that regard. Nobody I consider a friend has ever said anything in the same ballpark as what Wright has said (publicly, at that). I simply would not associate myself with someone that did. Additionally, even if you're the type of person to overlook such things as harmless rhetoric, I don't think it is unfair to hold Presidential candidates to a higher standard than we hold ourselves.

Don't get me wrong, I am anti-Obama on policy matters to begin with, so this hasn't swayed my vote in any way. I still would not even begin to compare Obama's character to Hillary's. But, unless I'm mistaken, Obama was considering Wright to be a spiritual advisor; he wasn't simply Obama's pastor. If that is the case, then I do find the thought of the President choosing to be advised by Wright, or anyone with views like his, extremely troubling.