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28 Apr 2008 07:01 pm

Wright vs Obama

A reader gets it:

Jeremiah Wright fucked Obama today and fucked him good. Remember how good everything felt right after Obama historical speech in Pennsylvania -- like we might inch toward an honest discussion on race? Wright seemed to do everything he could this morning to shut that down. There were some interesting comments in his speech, comments that did not trouble me. But then we reached that Q&A and I practically watched it through my fingers. His comments on Zionism made me sick. And his surprisingly un-nuanced answer to his statement about 9/11? That was a gift to Karl Rove and the freak show. Today has chilled me to the bone.

However, you are correct about the silver lining in this: This is the exact opening Obama needed to slam the door on Wright. And if he does not, even this diehard supporter will be forced to take a small step back. But what I will be interested in seeing is how other African-Americans react to Wright's Big Moment. Will they see a man who is greedily and arrogantly using the spotlight of this primary race to potentially spoil Obama's chances and turn against him?

I hope they do. Wright is not Obama and Obama is not Wright. But Obama's decency has prevented him thus far from the kind of thing that the Clintons would do without even thinking about it. Wright has now removed any guilt or conflict Obama might feel about denouncing him and his approach to race and politics.

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