Obama Cracks My TV in Half

It didn't make sense. A politician responding to a TV news scandal during an election and he's not on the attack or the defensive. Instead he's asking us to look at the forces that shape our feelings on race and understand them. My first reaction was to call DirecTV. Clearly my antenna was out of alignment and picking up old broadcasts of the Outer Limits or Playhouse 90 that are bouncing back to earth from Jupiter. Or maybe that California roll I ate was a week old and I'm unconscious on my living room floor and chemicals in my brain are sloshing towards the wish fulfillment part of my frontal lobe.

But it happened. Barack Obama spoke like an enlightened leader from 2008 instead of like the fake cowboy from 1885 that most politicians evoke or like a pharmaceutical salesman talking about change, but "not that much change" at a team building exercise in Tahoe. In other words, he didn't pass the buck to save his own ass. It was a monumental moment in modern American politics. He didn't distract, deflect, or attempt to frighten. He didn't accuse, declare war, or get angry. He didn't game play, scape goat, or blame. Can you imagine? We need to engrave this shit onto a commemorative coin fast.

Corporate tabloid news coverage, the influence of lobbyists and opinion polls have turned our politicians into the biggest group of hacks since the writing staff for Real People disbanded in the eighties. It's been all button pushing and gamesmanship for our representatives over the past twenty years. Anyone who stepped out of line (Howard Dean, Jimmy Carter, Paul Wellstone) was either written off as boring, naive or nuts. All real issues faded to the background and instead "gay marriage" and "tax breaks" and "military photo ops" became the go to bag of hack political tricks. And our newspapers and TV news shows loved it because it took the discussion away from anything constructive and instead veered it towards juicy programming (Governor is Gay! Congressman involved in Three way! Do Gay Flag Burners Want to Pick Up Your Kids on the Internet?! etc.) and the corporate agenda.

But today's speech was different. It felt like a noise I had never heard but someone once tried to describe to me. It was somewhere between a good episode of The Wire and a John Dos Passos novel. It had perspective. Barack Obama was talking about the future of man and whether or not we will continue to fight each other because of random colors (flags, skin, etc) or whether we will solve big problems together like we have done before (medicine, space travel, democracy). Will we evolve or will we skirmish...? Tilt your head the right way when you listen to the speech. I'm pretty sure it's there.

And then as Obama finished I had to laugh. "Man this must have fucked Wolf Blitzer's shit up" I thought. He spends all of his time trying to avoid constructive discourse and discrediting those who do... This must have made him feel like he was on the tilt awhirl with a belly full of funnel cake and Stroh's. I haven't see his response but I'm sure he turned to the speech into a tactical move on Obama's part. If he didn't and was actually thoughtful about it then Hallelujah.

But enough about the fun-dents, as Ice Cube said "today was a good day."

Read more HuffPost coverage and reaction to Obama's speech

Comments

[roneckley16823]

Great post Adam. Did you happen to catch "Morning Joe" this a.m. ? You can't miss that Joe is a republican from Florida. He was raving that Obama, when hearing words from Reverand Wright should have gotten up and walked out on his sermons. I got up, changed channels and walked out on Joe's. He should have stayed as a Florida elective - his mind is still there.

[622440]

Great guy that Joe. As long as that Mika B and her "UM, UGH, BUT, I THINK" stays out of the conversation. She very seldom lets anyone finish their sentence or train of thought before you hear, UM, BUT, I THINK. Get rid of Mika and the show would be worth watching again.

[RButler]

I'm not alone. She is a piece of work. Everyday is like her first day on the job.

[kittyma]

I out on Joe all the time. But I do not walk out on my archbishop, bishop, monsignor or priest. No matter nonsense my church does or says.

And I did not arrive in Chicago with an undergrad degree, a low paying job for a group of churches of which Reverend Wright's was one, no father, and no friends. I did not get "adopted" by rev Wright. If you can only love your own biological family to the extent that you tolerate cringing type statements from them, but you treat your nurtured family like s**t, then what does it say of you? My comment on this whole Obama and Wright business is simple. Let the church which is without sin, cast the first stone!

[Bozwellian]

...the problem being IF Joe simply gets up and walks out HE'd MISS THE ENTIRE CONTEXT of the words and that seems to be the case that many suffer from. How many can quote beyond those overplayed 15 seconds of Rev. Wright in either of those two predominently played PORTIONS of sermons which were NOT presented in FULL context ?
BETS FEW TO ZIP of those that are the most vociferous in their denounciations !!!
Have heard Joe, and if Mika DOES attempt to interject a variance of opinion, he snidely derides her and "puts her in her place" as mere (lib likely) side kick who does NOT merit full weight of FULL opinion even when just trying to interject balance or opposing perhaps to consider.
Caught The View today where Walters said that Obama HAD been in the church during those words, and that too IS INCORRECT, but she was not corrected by any and of course Lizzie is still in a tizzie and thinks he should have walked away long ago as well and finds in her opinion him just disengenouous at best and not plausible--opinons shared by others who have it so written in stone that they are unable to comprehend just what he was speaking of and about for their minds are already quite clamped and shut down to him and what he proposes as possibles for this nation that they too would inddeed benfit by.

[omaro]

I actually did listen to most of the sermon that contained the "God damn America" line that is getting everyone all hysterical. What I heard was what might be termed a jeremiad--a very heartfelt and thoughtful lament on the terrible September 11, 2001 attacks. He never said that the individual people who were killed deserved any of this as individuals. He was exhorting the congregation to evaluate the destructive (and very Un-Christian, dare I say) role of the United States as a whole in world events, along the lines of "as ye sow, so shall ye reap." The critics who think Obama should just walk away and not listen to hateful or objectionable or difficult-to-parse or just-plain-wrong wrong speech are marching right in line with George W. Bush and others, who think we should not talk with our enemies. Apparently, in making their judgments of Wright, they have done this as well, stomping away in a righteous huff before attempting to understand what was going on or what Wright might mean, in context. It seems that Obama's behavior is congruent with his overall message, that we must listen to others and try to make common cause in spite of all the obstacles to communication and progress, and I for one applaud him for it.

[AC500]

My question is, has Obama once and for all shown the American people how tough he really is without throwing one dirty punch?

[WilloNYC]

He continues to show how tough he is. However, I wonder if he's talking above the heads of many. The point in his speech where he didn't denouce his pastor was approximately 15 minutes in. That's cutting far into the attention span of many. I printed 12 pages to get the full speech.
I read it twice and listened twice and I'm still not done. There was a lot addressed in those 39 plus minutes.

After that point he begins to get really deep and intellectual about the race problem... how it is perpetuated and those responsible for instigating these problems and then ends with offering us choices. (To make a choice you have to think.)

By the posts I've read on endless news sites and blogs, you can just about figure where people got lost or tuned out. I think many would fail if a reading comprehension test was given on that speech.

His speaks his plans for healthcare, the economy, etc. but I wonder if his plans are understood as they relate to the short and long term . I think he may have to state some of his plans on a more basic level. Perhaps practice them on high schoolers. Just speak plain about tomorrow, the next few months and the next few years.

I'm not trying to insult anyone but there are some things about our focus and comprehension-spans that the media and career politicians know and use well.

For instance, tv programs used to begin with long intros and theme songs, now they get immediately into the show.

Also, I think when he uses the word "distraction" we should pay close attention to what he is refers to .

[HernQuin2008YouTube]

Nothing like an Obama opinion to get a huge response. The last time I read curse words mixed in with Hallelujah, it was a Rev. Jeremiah Wright sermon. The problem with the topic of race in this year's political discourse is that if Geraldine Ferraro would have thought of an interesting title like "Obama Cracks My TV in Half," the Obama camp would be up in arms and Chris Matthews would be saying that the use of the word cracks is code for illegal drugs and a nasty reference to Barack's past. It's gotten that bad.

[622440]

Man, finally someone that nails it DEAD ON. THANK YOU!!!!
Much appreciated.

[JohnTalbutt]

How about Bill Clinton saying he got mugged in South Carolina! I know it happened. I saw it. Willie Horton did it.

[mcfried]

Grow a heart or let’s discuss Hill's war vote and so called experience. Geraldine Farraro is hardly a point worth discussing whether or not you think her comment was racist you have to admit it was incredibly stupid and showed her political ignorance.

[QFE]

Wow, I'm 61 and judging from the reactions the country is either more cynical or more racist than I thought. I had my doubts about Obama only on experience. Then I decided no matter what Hillary didn't deserve it. Then that speech solidified it. Sounded new to me and I've been around awhile. But the reaction literally scares me for the future of this country.

[danceswithyids]

The country is unfortunately just as racist.
Racism, sadly, is as American as Apple Pie.

[622440]

Just like the MSNBC's of the world. If you don't fall in line behind the great Barack Obama, you are racist. "DON'T YOU EVER HOLD A DIFFERENT VIEW OR YOU ARE A RACIST". Make it stop, please!!!!!!!! When does this total nonsense end. If you Obamabots don't stop this kind of nonsense, noone will want to put up with this kind of crap for four years. Everybody on the planet will be a racist before Obama's term is over with. Four years of this stuff is terrifying.

[mcfried]

Don't mind the s-theads they are terrified about becoming irrelevant.

[john85msy]

Uplifting speech to say the least!

[john85msy]

None of Wrights words ever came out of Obamas mouth so until someone shows me that then im on the boat because I am inspired and loving every minute of it. Its funny how the powers to be will do any and everything to discredit Obama because he moves a massof America that no other candidate could have dreamed of. He has raised record numbers of money and support and Republicans and some Democrats will not let it happen under no circumstances. Government will be ran by the American people not SPECIAL INTREST!

[Mysticalsister]

How can you say that the "powers that be will do everything to discredit" him? He's getting so much great press on this right now! I'm freaking amazed at how many so-called "right wing" media people have been praising his speech! What the hell more do you want? The Obama-thugs on the blogs are not helping their candidate one bit. You are willing to wage a scorched earth policy against the only other democrat running just to get your way! What if the worst should happen? What if something does come out that makes it impossible for Obama to win? What the F**K do we do then? 4 years of McCain? I don't understand the logic of that and I do not respect the irrational thought processes of the koolaid drinking true believers who would rather poison the well than elect Clinton. I say ANY democrat rather than "100 years of war" McCain. It's short sighted and frankly infantile. What will you do if Obama blows it? Hold your breath for 4 to 8 years? GROW UP! There is NO guarantee that his speech will work to repair the damage of all that video tape. And if it doesn't? Thank GOD for super deligates. They may be the only thing standing between the country and disaster.

[JohnTalbutt]

I agree any democrat is preferable to McCain but I think you are missing the dynamic playing out before our eyes.
The not very subtle attempt by the Clintons to marginalize Obama as a black candidate has been successful to some extent and has cost him some white votes. They will not be the beneficiary of this tactic because simple arithmetic shows that Obama wins the popular vote, the most pledged delegates and the most states. The super delegates know that overturning the results of the primaries would be disastrous. Obama will be the nominee as 622440 perceptively notes.
What should give us pause is the fact that Hillary's and John McCain's campaign are both managed by the same corporation, Burson Marsteller. Check out tBurson Marsteller and its subsidiary BKSH on Google. They are not above using Hillary to benefit their remaining viable candidate, John McCain.
But take heart. Obama's speech demonstrated his ability to overcome these distractions and bring a winning coalition of progressive Americans together.

[US55588144]

What a phony you are Barack Obama, you won't wear an American Flag pin on your lapel, but the minute you get in hot water with your radical pastor you "Wrap Yourself in the Flag". Eight of them in fact.

[lexilulu]

gee whiz! u hit the nail on the head! Barack is a big fat phony because he won't wear a flag pin, but will have them on a stage. I don't have a flagpost in my fron yard , but i will salute it. I must be a big fat phony too. Ahhhhh man.

[grayforester]

I think Obama needed to clarify that he doesn't hate the flag; he loves it, and is proud to depicted with Old Glory. He just has better fashion sense than to wear a Chinese enamel pin.

[Bekahre7]

Do you wear an American Flag pin in your lapel? Doubt it. You must be unpatriotic then.

[kittyma]

You are speaking about a man who taught more about the US constitution than you will ever hope to know. He knows it more intimately and obviously cares about it more deeply than you can ever hope to.

Shallow thinking people judge patriotism by flag pins.

[Bozwellian]

...LOL, too many slap that flag lapel pin on and CLAIM to be true patriots and too many are NOT in the real world of things and that is KNOWN. So many cheered and bellowed loud and strong but NEVER SIGNED UP THEMSELVES, perfectly willing to let OTHERS due the REAL TIME DUTY and same ones who IGNOR THE ONES WHO DID THEIR DUTY COME HOME IN BOXES OR INJURED AND MANY BEYOND REPAIR....You so high and mightily patriotic ? Then get thy butt down to the local Vet hospital or offices or donate to their families and assist FOR REAL and prove you even deserve to have access to a flag lapel pin to sprout and claim as proof of YOUR patriotismaticals !!!!
TIRED OF PHONY PATRIOTS, those are the ones wearing lapel pins but who have little to NOTHING patriotic from beginning to end other than shoot off their mouths !!!

[MissClarity]

Dear Author: You are another reason why I switch to independent voter from republican. Thank you Huffington Report for your honor to the truth. Actually, I'm kinda speechless 'cause you said it all. Thank you, thank you.

[darker]

Obama didn't get angry, blame or declare war, etc.?

Well, according to "most Americans" he is NOT A REAL GUY.
A real guy is like Bush-Cheney! Declare war and blame at the drop of a cowboy hat.

Because THAT'S WHAT AMERICANS ARE TOLD they want. Hahahaha. Silly dumb-bugger Americans.

[beebop]

I think he might have left Gerry Ferraro out of this. Barack was claiming that his race was an advantage long before Ms. Ferraro said ANYTHING. You might want to check out his .gov website ... http://obama.senate.gov/news/050626-when_it_comes_to_race_obama_ma/ ab.

Is it racism only when Gerry says it or is he just angry that she plagerized? ;)

The man is all show and no go.

[rosal]

To understand his speech, you need to be an intellectual , or have a big heart. You have none of the above.

[kittyma]

He was not attacking Geraldine Ferraro. He was defending her. English Comprehension 101!

[Marlyn]

"I'm sure he turned to the speech into a tactical move on Obama's part."

Oh yes, Obama is using tactics, the TACTICS of honesty, fairness, humility, courtesy, and compassion.

[circles]

that last paragraph cracked me up...

[Scipio]

While I felt quite proud watching the excerpts of Obama's Wright-race speech, I don't think he went far enough. He might have said that Rev. Wright is correct in much of what he said in his fiery sermon. But to do that, Obama would be lending even greater support, and supplying ammunition, for the GOP noise machine. The right wingnuts are already vilifying Obama in hopes they can play on white mens' fears of African-Americans right up to the general election. The Limbaugh lynchmob will be doing all they can to make the race issue outlast the 24/7 news cycle, especially now that it appears Hillary is going to go down to defeat.

Of course, the GOP candidate is showing signs of senility and can't even get jihadists straight, meaning that he's weak in the one area he claims experience and expertise: foreign policy. McCain isn't half so intelligent as Obama, and he certainly isn't half so charismatic. The independents and youth will put Obama in the White House in '09 -- unless Hillary and Company manipulate the super delegate process to get the edge on her opponent, which is not altogether unlikely. Although I think either one of them would make a good president, I am leaning toward Obama, because of his spontaneity, openness, and courage of convictions.

[Hufffan]

I absolutely LOVE America.
All of the kindness, respect, hatred, love, outrage, color, debate, anger, protest, love, and freedom to express it all. I mention "love" twice purposely!
We are so fortunate and blessed to live here.

A place where people risk their lives to get into and a place where others spend their whole lives just wishing they could visit.
I love America ....including Americans that seem to hate it, question it, protest it, and/or respect it
We can feel and express all of these things simultaneously and must stop punishing ourselves for it with guilt and accusation.
I love and hate America sometimes. I refuse to feel guilty for either.

[magicmary]

What Huffan said! It makes me crazy but I love it too! I love my neo pagan liberal friends and my old racist auntie and deep fried cheese curd eating cousins and our incredible music industry. The purple mountains, the amber waves, Lake Michigan der hey!

[firefx9]

He actually has spoken to him about getting "a bit rough". What do some of you think was going to happen? That reverend was brought up during a time when things were very FOUL for African Americans. Obama did exactly what he should have. He doesn't share that mindset...his past and actions prove it. He has a rainbow of supporters that he is close to. People are really looking for a reason to keep this alive. So to me, this proves MUCH of the race issues being true.

[katheyquilts]

Why do people have to defend the views of everyone that likes them?
I love my brother and he doesn't agree with me on very much. Good thing he's not running for anything. Does anybody remember Jimmie Carter's Little Brother?
Nowdays Jimmie would have to change his DNA in order to keep the pundits happy.
Note to News Reporters: GET A LIFE!

[magicmary]

I too am very weary of the whole guilt by association argument. This is a false argument. Those who make it should, indeed, get a life.