We'll See On Wright

I honestly don't know what I think about the Wright situation, or its fallout. I am hesitant even to wade in. I feel that I should not participate in any way in any sort of negative portrayal of Barack Obama. At the same time, it is this kind of insulation and protective treatment that even got the Wright debate any sort of positive light. For hours after Obama's already-famous "Race Speech" news networks were lining up liberal panels and commentators to give it the best spin. So, out of the gate, all it got was praise, and that set the tone. The idea that all it is getting is praise is dead wrong, and I think the blinders that Democrats in general are wearing over the issue is a serious shortcoming.

One thing I am sure I think: I believe that the answer to the question, "Has Obama addressed the Wright situation effectively," is three-fold. Yes, he has explained himself to white liberals. No, he has not explained himself acceptably to anyone else. And, in spite of tacit acceptance of his explanation by and large in the political venue, I don't think anyone really believes he "didn't hear" Rev. Wright's inflammatory beliefs.

Another thing I am sure I think: Obama is in trouble over this, and spin as they might, the Wright thing is not going away. Clinton got slammed for "bringing it up again" when in fact it was Obama who brought it up first, fresh off an R&R trip over the Easter weekend. I find it increasingly hard to ignore the dichotomy of claiming he was unaware of Wright's remarks, then spending twenty minutes excusing them. If this was Clinton, the news networks would have annihilated her over it, not matter what she said.

I think Obama is trying to walk a dangerous tight rope. He needs to address the Wright situation. No doubt, he knows he needs to do this without alienating his black supporters who have been a staple in his wins overall, and who comprise a big chunk of voting Democrats. I don't think he's done a very good job of that. It's a rock and a hard place, and it's not one that I feel I know enough about to comment too deeply on. Again, what I do know is Obama's campaign knew as far back as June that Wright was going to be a problem. This also underscores the flimsiness of his claim that he was "unaware."

I think we will see in Pennsylvania and again in North Carolina how well or poorly Obama has truly handled this issue. Polls are polls, and while the media is currently saying that Obama has recovered from the "Wright flap" I'm not so sure. His approval in the polls took a huge hit, and he has come back from it, but has not regained his footing. I think if it were not for Clinton's "Bosnia problem" which is presenting a sideways contrast, he would not have come back as much as he has. I also believe now that people are saying, "That was a wonderful speech, but I still wouldn't go to church there," Obama is now claiming he would have quit the church if Wright was not retiring. This little bit of rhetoric is going to cost him, as it is a backtrack, and a very quick change of tone. When the basis of his Wright defense is that he "didn't hear" how is going to defend that "would have left unless he did" sentiment?