Obama's Lebron Moment

"I'm Lebron Baby...I can play on this level. I got some game." - Sen. Barack Obama

Obama has been great for television. Unlike any other candidate before him, he has made this primary season one for the ratings. His message of hope and change, his youthful energy and inspirational campaign has been a stark contrast to the other presidential candidates.

Neither Senators Clinton nor McCain could have provided this much fodder for the media that now lives off the repetitive nature of sound bites -- the "he said, she said" showdowns driving coverage. The last televised Democratic primary debate on ABC drew the greatest number of viewers yet, over 10 million - a major feat for a political program competing with "American Idol."

Yesterday, the political soap opera continued, with Sen. Obama using his press conference to pivot away from the Reverend Jeremiah Wright issue and return to his core messages of Hope and Change. By contrasting himself and his campaign based on reconciliation and bringing people together to Wright who is clearly now seen as the campaign's antithesis, the Senator tried to put any lingering doubts on his own views to rest. Whether this distancing is too little, too late, or will become a wedge issue in the black community will reveal itself next Tuesday.

While some have condemned Rev. Wright for coming out at this time, Sen. Obama should see this as his Lebron James moment. This is the fourth quarter and his team is down. The ball is in his hands and time is running out. What shot is he going to make? The wrong shot will be to spend the rest of his time before the Indiana and North Carolina primaries condemning Wright who has been adamant about his stance by saying, "I am not running for the Oval Office, I've been running for Jesus for a long time and I'm not tired yet." Spoken like a true Pastor.

If Rev. Wright is the worst the media and Republicans can dig up from Obama's past and present then we should only be as lucky. I find it more an indictment of us as American voters to be so narrowly guided by guilt by association politics, and media sound bites throughout this entire fiasco.

Yet, one thing Senator Barack Hussein Obama has made clear for us is that he is not a Muslim. We can thank the Lord for his Christian pastor for clarifying this seemingly elusive fact for us - one Sen. Hillary Clinton couldn't even get straight.

Unfortunately and fortunately for Senator Obama, the other candidates are rather boring compared to his pop cult status. So it's Showtime for him and this isn't the Apollo, though his critics can be an equally cruel crowd of onlookers as they try to chide and boo him off the political stage.

For the past nearly 15 months since announcing his candidacy every news channel from CNN to MSNBC to the Fox News Channel have seen more viewers tuning in to their programs to find out the latest on Sen. Obama's unlikely ascension to the greatest office in the land.

Everyone wants a piece of the lanky, caramel complexioned, well-spoken, attractive junior Senator hailing from the Southside of Chicago via Kansas, Kenya and Hawaii. They want him on eBay where limited edition Shepard Fairey Obama posters are selling for $1800 and they want him on television, just ask Fox News.

The mouthpiece for the conservatives - kept their Obama Watch ticking for 772 days since Sen. Obama first agreed to appear on the Fox News network. He finally made his much anticipated appearance for an interview with Chris Wallace last Sunday.

It's probably just not as interesting or controversial for Fox news and the media that McCain has been endorsed by Reverend Parsley who condemns a significant segment of Americans. And it's also no longer controversial enough to the media to be a woman who has somehow been negatively biased against by the media.

Where the Clinton Campaign once denied the importance of gender and race before clinging to it as working class Pennsylvanians do their guns and bibles, they now boast openly that her candidacy gives hope to little girls that they can someday be anything they want - a dream worth supporting.

Imagine Senator Obama standing up and saying at the end of a primary victory, "this campaign gives hope to every young black boy that they can be president?" He wouldn't. It's just not part of political posturing as his former pastor Rev. Jeremiah Wright might say as he dances to the beat of the Florida A&M marching band playing in his head.

After the Indiana and North Carolina primaries next Tuesday, Sen. Obama might look back to his former pastor and thank him. Thanks to Rev. Wright, Obama has shown by hosting two Presidential stature-like press conferences that he can stand up as a Leader of the free world - once again dispelling questions on his experience.

Either of the Democratic candidates would be a welcome change to our more experienced President who relies on fear to push his agenda and whose approval ratings have been flushed down the toilet along with a failed War. But only one candidate has built a successful campaign without the aid of a traditional political machine, and only one candidate brings an experience that speaks to broader audiences.

Sen. Obama has again shown that we need a leader who can guide us not only through the economic and political challenges we face, but someone able to discuss America's uncomfortable third rail discussion on race. He can do this because he speaks from both sides of the aisle and tells multiple stories of the American experience -- even the story of Rev. Wright.

And if we are trying to keep it real and honest, who among us -- white, black, Asian, or Latino -- doesn't know a Jeremiah Wright type relative, friend or colleague whose associations with them would raise the eyebrows of others. Then again, we are not running for President of the United States of America on Primetime television.

Comments

[60at]

Very thoughtful article. If we look at the specific objections Obama stressed regarding his former pastor, Rev. Wright; it was about the us 'perpetrating aids and being a Terrorist nation." Rev. Wright has embraced some controversial ideas that not many people agree with. I suspect, not many of his 8000+ parishoners agree. But in going back to Obama's speech in Philadelphia he described Rev. Wright as a mixture of contradictions (as many people are). The community service provided from Trinity United Church of Christ is outstanding and representative of the call of Jesus to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and address the needs of the poor.

The media news shows are not owned by people who are generally liberal enough to accept that most people are made up of all kinds of ideas that we can agree or disagree with. While they state that they are balanced and fair--it's not really within their stance to be so. For that reason, Barack Obama has become the center of attention for everything from scratching his face to the ties he wears. And, unfortunately, where he goes to church has become a major issue .

It is sad that Rev. Wright chose to put on such an outrageous performance over the last few days. He has warped the mission of the Obama campaign to inspire us that we can actually overcome our fears about differences. The "Yes We Can" message somehow must now resurrect from last weeks ashes with a vengence.

[1pappy]

"It's probably just not as interesting or controversial for Fox news and the media that McCain has been endorsed by Reverend Parsley who condemns a significant segment of Americans. "
Yet McCain was not baptized or married by Parsley. Neither did McCain take his family to Parsleys' church for 20 years. Nor was a sermon by Parsley inspiration for the title of a book by McCain.
Sorry, Obama fans, move on to the next specious argument, no equity of relationship here.

[standforpeace]

Where you lose the point is that Obama has disavowed Wright while McCain continues to grovel to get the endorsements (which he gratefully accepts) from hate mongers like Parsley and Hagee.

[1pappy]

No, Obama did not disavow Wright. You cannot "disavow" someone with whom you have shared a lifetime of values with. Obama simply made a politically expedient, last ditch effort to gloss over his history with a close confidant.

[vanessa04]

"And if we are trying to keep it real and honest, who among us -- white, black, Asian, or Latino -- doesn't know a Jeremiah Wright type relative, friend or colleague whose associations with them would raise the eyebrows of others."

Actually, Mr Shabazz, I don't have any close associations with anyone who would raise those kinds of eyebrows. I find racism, no matter from where it emanates, so offensive that I simply remove myself from such people.

Someone who nurses such virulent antipathy towards another human being, based on something as trivial as the color of their skin, is not someone I need, or want, around me. It's not a negotiable point for me.

[dtd]

Aren't you special! Those of us who live in the real world, a complex world with a complex history made up of complex human beings, aren't so fortunate as to only be related to or associated with people who are completely free of biases and bigotry.

[sixletters]

Who's a racist, surely you're not talking about Reverend Wright, because I can't think of anything he's said that I would call racist, but of course my perspective is not shaped by MSNBC, CNN or faux news channel. I tend to develop my opinions independently

[mtuckey]

Excuse me, but, you can call Wright a lot of things, but I don't think its correct to call him racist. He would welcome even you to his church. Of course, you'd have to deal with the legacy of racism in our country and your own role in it.

[S1m0n]

The latest twist in Wrightgate has convinced at least one firm rightist I argue politics with to change his mind about Obama. A week ago, he was swearing that even with Obama's race speech, it would be a cold day in hell before he was going to vote for a president with a hatemonger for a friend. Today, he said:

"It's exactly because he would likely be outwardly restrained (along with his obvious talents) that I toy with the idea of voting for him, despite our divergent politics....But I think Jer. Wright will leave unforgettable scars on Barry, that will temper his future associations and pondered ideology-driven appointments."

Which is an abrupt u-turn in his attitude. I'd be astonished if he really *did* vote for Barack, but my point is that seeing Wright do and say things that were clearly being said with reckless disregard for their effect on Obama's campaign, and seeing Obama's response to it has convinced him that these are two *very* different men, with very different ideas and agendas.

[Mojane]

Obama: This is not a petty or vindictive man. This is a man (finally) with the character of a true statesman in a country that no longer values that quality in a "leader of the free world." We've voted for and been damned for putting in office the most glaring example of an anti-statesman for nearly 8 death-spiraling years, a man-boy pretending, "playing house" with his country and the world, disrespecting the people of this country, thumbing his snotty, elitist nose at us with his actions and attitude.

Now more than ever we need a person in office who transcends the petty shit, but also knows why it's there, and the people willing to throw it at him. He's anything but naive. He's also not out of touch with how we as a country got to where we are today, our history and our soul. He has not ignored the least fortunate of our country, he has a history of actually working with them to help themselves, on the ground, in the trenches . We used to value that in a person, but we're now willing to throw him to a pack of dogs. Where is our sense of dignity and self respect that we would allow that to happen? to accept a boy-man in office for 8 years and yet so easily kill our chance to put someone in his place who could help make us human again, whole again. His opponents "pale" in comparison.

[Cholly]

I agree, Obama seems like a fine young man.

However, I don't think he can beat McCain and that's the bottom line.

[S1m0n]

I don't think he can *not* beat McCain, given the macro-events in this election year.

[munimula]

Really?

Based on what?

When Obama finally wins the nomination, the differences between him and McCain will be vast. By and large, McCain will be the continuation of Bush - on the economy, the war, our position in the world, health care and on and on and on.

If all the GOP have to throw at Obama during the general election is Rev. Wright, that's pretty thin compared to all of these other issues.

[shelobo]

The Rodham 'boys' Hillarys brothers ,have raised eyebrows for years,some of those eyebrows still are stuck in the 'shock' postion.They really raised the eyebrows when Anthony and Hugh jaunted into the highly politically charged former Soviet Republic of Georgia,$118 million moneymaking scheme involving close associates of Russian mafia boss Grigory Loutchansky,I wonder ,why did Hillary NOT "denounce" them ?

[mgloraine]

Rashid:

I think that's a pretty good insight. Sen. Obama IS a lot more watch-able than any candidate in some time. Most politicians on TV make me want to turn the sound off, because they're usually lying, posturing, feigning outrage, or engaged in some other embarrassing, disingenuous publicity stunt.

I voted for Gore and Kerry without ever watching them "live". Each was clearly the superior candidate in his campaign year, but there was nothing compelling about their personal presences; reading their words in the paper or online was approximately the same experience as watching a speech or debate.

Sen. Obama is the first candidate I've actually watched and listened to without reaching for the "mute" button since...well, maybe the first ever. It's very refreshing to listen to a Presidential contender who doesn't make one feel embarrased or ashamed to be of the same nationality! "Yes, We Can" is definitely a better sentiment to take away from a candidate's appearance than "My God, We're Doomed!"

[CheeseNow]

^5

Now, let's talk about the cult Hillary Clinton belongs to, "The Family".

[coolmama4obama]

Yes, let's talk about "The Family" and all the other associations of Clinton's that are unsavory or "newsworthy".

[shelobo]

VERY good question.Hillary has 'hoodwinked' the catholic voters ,but for those that REMEMBER the group that Bill belonged to when he had Rev. Wright pray for him ,that IS good political question.There's an article ,dated back in 2000 ,concerning her ,her brothers and President Clinton on how President Clinton agreed to a scheduled drop-by with the mayor of Moscow after Tony Rodham arranged for him to come to the White House .....http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=15000 ,where the devil is Sean Hannity when he should be covering such stories ,after all Hannity is so AMERICAN so he should do his duty as a PATRIOT and reveal these articles to the public.More on Hillarys religious ..faith at http://ncregister.com/site/article/6285/

[Barbara914]

Being an older woman, not very connected with the popular culture, I had no idea who Lebron James is--thanks to google, now I know. Obama is the most impressive human being I've ever seen in my 63 years and I looking forward to his presidency. Despite all this silly season stuff, the common sense of the American people will prevail. Yes we can.

[lmgoodwi]

Barbara, your post made my day. Being myself a 22 year old college student, I only hope there are more Americans out there like you who aren't so jaded that they wright (sic) off Obama without actually learning about the man. He could a be a truly phenomenal president.

[coolmama4obama]

Thanks, Barbara. Yes, Obama is the best thing to come along in our political world in a long time. I pray that the common sense of the American people will prevail. It is just that arriving at the nomination through "intelligent" campaigning is upsetting to the media, the entrenched money grubbers and we have to go through the "silly season". I have hope, yes we can.

[ApolloniaCreed]

Nice...

[bentenrai]

Hmm... well spoken.

[MPeter]

Thanks Shabazz. The Senator is smart, honest and empathetic. He is a man of such high calibre, voters so used to mediocrity do not kbnow what tro do with him. It is particularly hard because of the new technology that makes it hard for racebaiters like Bill and Hillary as well as so-called liberals who are happy to announce that they have AA friends or freely date them but havea difficult time voting for someone as qualified as Obama.

[PioneerKing]

RASHID:

Dude, Obama's going down in NC she will defeat Obama by 17% and IN Clinton is going to blow him away by 19%. The super delegates will abandon the great black hope at the end of the game and Sen. Clinton will be hoisted on the shoulders of her good friends in the MSM.
Sen. Clinton will then be bested by the darling of the main stream media McCain. McCain will take Clinton out in Nov. by 18%.

[truthseeker2012]

those numbers PioneerKing don't seem to add up. Clinton has never had this type of a victory even in states where Obama was the clear underdog as in Pennsylvania. I understand you are making predictions as if this was the NCAA March Madness tournament in hopes of a big return, but your numbers just don't make sense. Unless you have a way of seeing into the future, i think you have this one wrong. But that isn't to say Obama will stumble like Lebron did last night against the Wizards. Politics like Basketball is a combination of factors that leads to a win, the lead player is only one of these.

[janeadams]

Guess even neo-con hope springs eternal. Nice try, though.

[shelobo]

The SUPER delegates might abandon which ever political 'ship' seems to be sinking with great caution .That's why this nomination race has to end BEFORE the convention.Politicans are not stupid ,habitual liers maybe ,but not stupid.

[Benton]

Is that why a Super-Delegate just abandoned Clinton in Indiana.