Jesse Jackson (With a Little Help From James Dobson) Just Handed the White House to Obama

The Rev. Jesse Jackson and Dr. James Dobson (of "Focus On The Family") must be in a conspiracy to get Senator Obama elected. With enemies like these Obama doesn't need friends. Obama is fortunate. Nothing will calm America's fears about voting for him more than the fact that the national village idiots are lining up to attack him.

There is a strange symmetry between the whispered insults directed at Senator Obama by the Rev. Jesse Jackson -- caught on tape and recycled by FOX--and the public attacks made a few weeks ago by James Dobson. Both attacks on Obama came from dinosaurs, cranky leftovers from the era of mutual disrespect and hatred that has dominated American politics for almost 40 years.

Jackson and Dobson share an identification as "religious leaders" who have developed their careers by endlessly grandstanding on the sidelines of the American debate. These days they are mainly famous for being famous.

If Senator Obama becomes President both Jackson and Dobson (and many like them) will be out of luck for the same reason: post-racial and post-culture wars, America will have little patience with the professional dividers.

Jackson and Dobson have their personal identities so wrapped up in the divisions of the last 40 years that Obama is a threat to them. How do you deal with a candidate who breaks the categories we've all gotten used to? What to do with a black candidate who tells the truth about the deplorable state of far too many African-American families? What to do with a progressive Democrat who not only reaches out to evangelical Christians but is a Christian himself? How do you silence a man who warned us not to go to war in Iraq, and yet who is calling for a stronger military?

Dobson and Jackson have something else in common: they are used to their moralistic posturing passing for leadership of people they "speak for" -- evangelicals and African-Americans. But as Obama's growing popularity with evangelicals proves, and as he rises to leadership nationally and also in the black community, who is really listening to the self-appointed leaders of the past?

The generation that forms the bedrock of Obama's support (white and black) and that includes many older folks like me -- a white middle class and middle aged male and former life-long Republican --realize that we have global problems. That is one reason we are rooting for Obama. Obama is about stopping the loss of American prestige worldwide, ending a war, reversing the threat of global warming and environmental catastrophe, reversing the rising gap between wealth and poverty globally, undoing the damage of 8 horrible Bush years of misdirection and opening a door to a new and better America.

An authentic leader acclaimed by tens of millions of Americans of all colors, politics and religions has emerged. He speaks with true moral authority given by we the voters. He is not building an empire based on anger, rejection and paranoia but rather reaching out to all Americans in a way that has not been seen since Franklin Roosevelt. Those who have made careers based on stirring up factional fear of the "other" are reacting. Their toys are about to be taken away.

Jackson and Dobson have nothing to say to a country (let alone a world) looking to save itself. They are mired in grievance. They are also -- let's be frank --jealous. Obama is lucky to have such critics. He looks bigger and more presidential every time the has-beens attack him.

Frank Schaeffer is a writer and author of "CRAZY FOR GOD-How I Grew Up As One Of The Elect, Helped Found The Religious Right, And Lived To Take All (Or Almost All) Of It Back"

Comments

[Gogetter]

Frank Schaeffer is one of the most thoughtful posters on Huffpost. While I agree with his opinion that Jackson's remarks can only help Obama, Jackson' s frustration isn't completely off the mark. The idiotic choice of how, when, and where he express it nullified what i think is a good point. I must say that I've been struck by the fact that it's fine for Obama to speak to Jews, Latinos/Hispanics, Christian groups, etc about how his presidency will "benefit" them, but the only thing that's acceptable for him to offer black voters is chastisement. Obama's father's day speech is a prime example. The message was true, and for all the good it's done, it has been expressed many times before, including by Obama. But, if there's one occasion where black fathers who are doing the right think should be acknowledged, it's father's day at a black church. Besides, as one blogger points out, the men who really needed to hear the message probably weren't at church that day. And now there's celebration for something that's perceived as distancing Obama from Jackson, and by extension, certain segments of black people who are largely seen as being blind followers of the likes of Jackson. Obama becoming "America"s Favorite Negro because he stands up to the ones America loves to hate" isn't really a cause for celebration, at least not for everyone.
http://www.jackandjillpolitics.com/2008/07/and-another-one/

[MariaHopeful]

Jesse Jackson ought to be ashamed of himself. And trying to wrap his disgusting comments into legitimate disagreement with Obama's Faith-Based Initiative is even more disgusting. His speech was disgusting, his desired intent was even more disgusting.

Let it be known, that I love Barack Hussein Obama and anyone who attacks him unfairly is in my doghouse. That includes all those whom I have previously respected like Bill Clinton, Tavis Smiley, Joe Wilson and now Jesse Jackson. Attack Obama and you have attacked me and millions like me.

[CitizenInformed]

Great article.

[pamjo]

Outstanding blog. Frank I love reading all your blogs...you have a way of framing issues so they make sense. Thanks!

[longislandlol]

Cranky old cynical men have ruined everything from governments to churches!!!

[dbrog]

Well written - "village idiots". You are excellent at framing the arguement. The direction this campaign is good for America. I had almost lost faith with Bush being re-elected. I don't know how they did it, but the founders of this country came up with a formula that allows us to get it right - eventually.

[Skepticat]

For the ego driven be they Clinton(s), McCain, Dobson, Jesse Jackson or legions of other fading names of yesteryear nothing hurts more than the realization that they're becoming irrelevent has beens. Enough to make anyone BITTER

[Yola]

Excellent blog!

[plantdoc]

Let's just remember here that Senator Obama is interracial, not simply African-American. I have been in an interacial marriage for 32 years and have raised two great children both of whom have served their country; in the Army and in the Air Force. Senator Obama is not just a representative of African-Americans but is someone who has two great heritages to be proud of - and two wonderful grandparents who raised him.

[dawn2dusk]

Let's just remember that the Majority of African Americans are interracial, not "simply" African. Or haven't you noticed the wide range of complexions.

[gaebolgaes]

it is a fact dawntodusk...that 600 years of slavemaster rape has rendered african slaves part white and part black...then why don't the racist swho discriminate against us as a matter of course ...cut us a little slack for the sake of our partial whiteness. the ...one drop rule...is asinine.being a descendant of both vikings and africans it makes no sense for me to even consider race when i deal with others.

[StillIRise]

Thank you dawn. I have reiterated this same explanation more times than I can recall on this blogsite alone. I agree with plantdoc that Senator Obama is representing ALL Americans, but I cannot understand why some white Americans are so willing, if not eager, to recognize Senator Obama as "interracial" or "half white," but are either unable or unwilling to grasp that, not only is Senator Obama black in America, regardless of his background, but that the majority of African Americans are also "interracial" and many are "half white." Yet, the same people who choose to see Senator Obama as anything but black, would not hesitate to see other African Americans as nothing but black! It is apparent, for example, that Reverend Wright has more white lineage in his background than even Senator Obama does, but I doubt if many white Americans would embrace Reverend as "interracial" or "half white." Nonetheless, I agree with the spirit of plantdoc's comments, and with your's as well.

[RumiSouth]

Absolutely spot-on. Best blog I've read all week.

[Sciguy]

Excellent article, as usual. Thanks so much!

I'd like to add Hagee as another one of Obama's useful enemies.

[wutzhappn]

It's getting mighty crowded under the bus.

[dzent1]

When it's my turn, I'd like to be thrown under a scooter, please; they get much better gas mileage and don't hurt as bad.

[Rule Of Law]

The international equivalent would have to be Yasser Arafat. Here was a man who lived for power and the divisiveness that helped him maintain it. Without his perpetual war with Israel, he had no reason to live. For some people death--the death of dreams, the death of hope, the death of the future--are a way of life. Rather than be made inconsequential by change, they resist it, and cost us all.

[lewes17266]

I laughed out loud and sprayed my drink of water when I read "village idiots."

[rickmv]

Why does anyone still refer to this man as a "reverend"?

[dawn2dusk]

Its an honorary title given to old black men.

sorry LOL at my own mean joke.
hey I'm AA--I can make that joke.

forgive me I'm cranky tonite

[colleen2]

Oh, common, both Dobson and Jackson will continue to thrive. Indeed I'm certian that the organizations led by both men will continue to receive 'faith-based' taxpayer money to 'help' the poor