Yes. There was true pain on Barack Obama's face today and in his gestures. He'd been burned and we've all been there. Fortunately for most of us it is a private experience. For Barack Obama, it was all too public.
This is learning the hard way. But is there any other way to learn or be reminded how despicable politics can become? Is there any other way to learn that those who appear to be friends - especially in politics -- often are not?
We were reminded, too, by Obama's shock and sadness over his former pastor's recent speeches that competence is part of leadership, but only the entry cost. It is trial by fire that teaches us how to be strong and to endure pain personally and professionally.
How he comes through this will say much about him. And that's where his focus should be now.
If he had it to do over, perhaps he would have inoculated voters -- prepared them for what Rev. Wright might say and do. It's usually better to prepare people with counterarguments if you sense a detractor may attempt to do you harm. Instead, Barack took what he saw as the high road. He ended up taking it alone.
He needs to anticipate if Rev. Wright will speak up again. And prepare those who'll be listening. He didn't do that yet. It remains to be done.
This is where experience is a good thing. I get what he means when he asserts that experience can mean doing things the same way, but some forms of experience are truly critical to becoming a better leader -- to becoming versatile and politically astute.
I felt for him today, which may come as a surprise to those who prefer the choosing of sides on all matters political. I'd advise him to not be a purist in a pathological arena. What happened today is why most of us would never consider running for president. He's chosen to do so. He has to watch his back. He can't afford to be blindsided again. Being shocked once is understandable. Being so twice by someone he thought a friend will cause many to wonder if he is adequately prepared for the Republicans.
Questions remain. But his eyes are more open now. He took a difficult stand today. He was specific about the offenses and, as he said, "unequivocal."
That's to his credit. It must have been extremely difficult. Yet, he did it well.
is simple web searh of "Dr. Robert Strecker". Then just follow the links and then I would love to hear comments about Reverand Wright.
I wish Obama well. He's being humbled - facing his own mistakes. It will be interesting to see how it ALL plays out - it's ALL a positive experience and I'm grateful that things are getting more evenly flushed out.
It's amazing that these same people said nothing when catholic politicians did not walk away from the Catholic Church.
Are Rev. Wright’s comments worse than an institution that protects pedophiles and asserts that the problem is "an American problem," although it is documented that worldwide the Catholic Church has protected priests who are pedophiles?
The children from the polygamist sects who are called lost boys also feel that the abuse they endured is worse than many Americans acknowledge and the child brides suffer rape without any of the outrage that has surrounded Rev. Wright.
Which is worse? The angry ranting of Rev. Wright or the scared lives of children who have been harmed by result of adults who are sheltered by religious institutions?
McCain's main stream media buddies who sold America the lies about the war really want McCain to win the election. They don't care that McCain will continue the Bush/Cheney policies because their sons and daughters are not the ones fighting the war and their 6 and 7 figure salaries are not being effected by the economy.
McCain’s buddies in the MSM would rather see another incompetent “good ole boy†in the White House rather than Clinton or Obama.
ITS WHO WAS LISTENING FOR 20 YEARS TO I HATE AMERICA ---WHITEY AND JEWS -SPEECHES. MR & MRS OBAMA WAS LISTENING AND WENT ALONG WITH AWARDS TO MR FARRAKHAN.
HOPES TO DO FOR THIS NATION. CHANGES ----- PROMISES.
NO EXPERIENCE TO BRAG ABOUT----- AND PEOPLE ARE WILLING TO TAKE A CHANCE ON THAT ?
AS WELL. WHAT IS WRONG IS THAT PEOPLE DON'T THINK FOR THEMSELVES AND LISTEN TO THE MEDIA WHO WANTS OBAMA WHO WILL LOSE TO MCCAIN.
In some ways I find myself agreeing with Wright. This is my point. The pretense that nothing has gone very wrong in our country and swift confutation of anyone that might point that out has established itself as the norm. The fact is that truth is anathema to these people. No one wants to enter into a debate which might lead to the evaporation of the Great Myth.
Rev. Wright who was minding his own business and did not seek out obama as member of his church... quite the opposite obama sought him out as his pastor who presided over his marriage, who baptized his children, and brought obama to Christianity
But for some reason the great obama never found out in 20 years of attending Rev. Wright's church the contents of some of his sermons... he just found out in the last 20 days not the last 20 years...
And now he's finally decided to throw Rev. Wright "under the bus" and in addition ruin the reputation of a man who did not seek him out... so now the media can talk about the deranged Rev. Wright... who before he became involved with obama was considered a scholar...
But as we know obama is always right... even if it takes him 20 YEARS!!!....