Obama's Pivot

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Posted April 29, 2008 | 05:57 PM (EST)

Read More: Barack Obama, Daily Show, Hillary Clinton, Jeremiah Wright, John McCain, Jon Stewart, Obama Sister Souljah, Sister Souljah, White House Ghosts, Breaking Politics News

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Watching the bloviators discuss Obama's denunciation of Jeremy Wright today I was struck by how much discussion was devoted to whether this would make the Wright issue go away.

It will not, of course -- neither the Republicans nor the reverend figure to let it go -- but Obama turned a corner.

At this point it would almost be a plus for Wright to strike back. Today was Obama's Sister Souljah moment with Wright -- he separated himself distinctly and publicly. If Wright continues to make a spectacle of himself, so much the better. Obama can roll his eyes, sympathize that the crazy uncle was loonier than anyone realized and continue to condemn him.


The Republicans are trickier to handle -- witness the ad the North Carolina GOP has produced -- but free and clear of Wright Obama can condemn and pivot: "I've said before that Wright is offensive, but is also offensive is ..." take your pick: Iraq, the economy, the press's obsession with non-issues like flag pins -- and Jeremy Wright.

Read more Huffington Post bloggers weigh in on Barack Obama and Rev. Wright


***


In other news, heaven help me I'm going to be on the Daily Show on Wednesday night, April 30, discussing my book, White House Ghosts: Presidents and Their Speechwriters. I'm certainly keeping interesting company these days. Wish me luck and then tune in to see if I can keep from drooling on myself.

 
 

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- ssg13565 See Profile I'm a Fan of ssg13565

It is regrettable that you have conceded the Pastor Wright story to the lying MSM.

Pastor Wright has not made a fool of himself. If you watch the entire videos, you will see that the MSM is making fools of themselves. The moderator at the National Press shindig chose to battle with Pastor Wright over bible quotes. One should not go into battle unarmed. He made her look like an idiot.

See these posts for collections of videos of all three of Wright's recent appearances. I am not religious, but seeing these videos makes me want to attend his Sunday sermons for education and inspiration.

http://ssgreenberg.name/PoliticsBlog/?p=70
http://ssgreenberg.name/PoliticsBlog/?p=73
http://ssgreenberg.name/PoliticsBlog/?p=74

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:19 PM on 05/03/2008
- poeticjustice4all See Profile I'm a Fan of poeticjustice4all

Sister Souljah wasn't Bill Clinton's spiritual adviser for 2 decades. While in college, Clinton did not order tapes of her sermons to study. Clinton didn't join her church. Clinton didn't have Sister Souljah officiate at his wedding, nor did he have her baptize his child.

It's more like Obama's "brother sold ya" moment -- as in brother sold ya out.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:50 PM on 05/03/2008
- jakie See Profile I'm a Fan of jakie

HILLARY SAID WE CAN PICK OUR PASTORS . BUT NOT OUR RELATIVES I AM HERE TO TELL HER IF MY HISBAND STRAYED AS MUCH AS HER OLD MAN. I WOULD PICK MY REALATIVES AND HE WOULD BE MY EXHUSBAND.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:45 PM on 05/03/2008
- Dan1967 See Profile I'm a Fan of Dan1967

CHECK OUT THESE POLL NUMBERS! BARACK OBAMA IS BY FAR THE STRONGEST CANDIDATE AGAINST MCCAIN.

Don't listen to the media spin. Barack does much better then Hillary in states like Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon, Iowa, Minnesota, and Colorado. Barack is leading McCain in all of those states. Hillary is losing to McCain in all of those states except for Minnesota, where she is tied. Compare and contrast the general election polls at WWW.POLLSTER.COM (type it in if the Link does not work).

VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA AND LETS GET A DEMOCRAT WIN IN NOVEMBER!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:23 PM on 05/02/2008
- StephenDedalus82 See Profile I'm a Fan of StephenDedalus82

Why does everyone in the media attribute magical powers to Obama? He can magically unite Republican lions with Democratic lambs. He can magically win the election despite not having the right demographic base. And now he can magically erase a two-decade long relationship with an outspoken liberal kook by making one speech.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:52 AM on 05/02/2008
- thismachinekillsfascists See Profile I'm a Fan of thismachinekillsfascists

I see nothing wrong with that. Why stick Obama with something that he did not say? Problem is you people are trying to tar and feather him with SOMEONE ELSE'S WORDS

There are more than plenty of examples of McCain's associations that are being completely ignored by the mainstream press. THAT'S the problem.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:18 PM on 05/02/2008
- StephenKMack See Profile I'm a Fan of StephenKMack

The level of political commentary in America is,now, safely ensconsed in the new intersection between ShowBiz and Journalism: and Mr. Schlesinger is right there,in its nasty crotch!. An innovator,a new voice for breezy but very readable, drivel?Lots of words that almost register as something,but what? And it was great to be let in on a brainstorming session, of Obama's inner circle, of thinkers!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:55 PM on 05/01/2008
- ibsteve2u See Profile I'm a Fan of ibsteve2u

I love comment sections such as HuffPo has; every time I think that America's MSM can sink no lower, I just read a dozen blog entry reader comments at random and realize "Oh, yes they could - if they hired the person who wrote this, or that, or that...".

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:16 AM on 05/02/2008
- Mia319 See Profile I'm a Fan of Mia319

Robert, why hasn't Hillary"s involvement in The Fellowship aka The Family for the past fifteen years seen the light of day? This is an arch-conservative, right-wing prayer group that has historically beenlinked to Nazi ideology and activity. Mother Jones' article about her relationship with The Fellowship clearly has been under-reported.

It is important to level the playing field between her andObama in this regard. Couldn't you do something about it before the election and her town meeting with George Stephanopoulis?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:43 PM on 05/01/2008
- DWX See Profile I'm a Fan of DWX

I am sick and tired of hearing about Rev. Wright in the media on every cable network, at every 10 minutes, throughout day and night for the last 3 months. Jounalists and cable news media cannot talk about Obama without spicing it up with Rev. Wright. This Rev. Wright topic is getting to be extremely boring.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:12 PM on 05/01/2008
- AdobePhsyko See Profile I'm a Fan of AdobePhsyko

Why isn't anybody talking about the 2 NUTJOB ministers that McCain "courted" for thier endorsements ?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:29 PM on 05/01/2008
- thismachinekillsfascists See Profile I'm a Fan of thismachinekillsfascists

Why isn't everyone talking about the fact that Bush admitted to torture? Why isn't talking about the fact of $4.50 gasoline? Why the HELL isn't everyone talking about the fact that the US economy is about to tank?

WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE???

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:19 PM on 05/02/2008
- NewMexicoForObama See Profile I'm a Fan of NewMexicoForObama

Nice job on the daily show. Even worked in a punchline! Nice.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:35 PM on 05/01/2008
- fanoftruthiness See Profile I'm a Fan of fanoftruthiness

You were awesome on the Daily Show!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:08 PM on 05/01/2008
- HamboneandFlippy See Profile I'm a Fan of HamboneandFlippy

Well done on The Daily Show, Robert!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:17 PM on 05/01/2008
- LeRoyRogers See Profile I'm a Fan of LeRoyRogers

I agree with the principle that this is the pivot point for Obama, a pivot point that will show his consistencies. While I am disappointed with the use of the word "caricature", it is a good frame. It furthers the distinction between Obama and Wright, and between politicians and pastors.

And I will also "take on" Adam Green, and say that Obama should say to the likes of FOX, "bring 'em on". Obama's performance on FOX, should be his "benefit of a doubt" phase as he gave it to Wright. And let us just see how Obama responds to the "shrapnel' that the media will take from it. If we expected more in Obama on FOX, we should see Wright as a performance that the media deserves.

It almost seems prophetic that Obama can position himself between Wright and the Right. Not to mention if you want to compare and contrast the anger and humor to the presumptive Republican nominee, McCain.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:03 PM on 05/01/2008
- Pammy1151 See Profile I'm a Fan of Pammy1151

The hate on this blog just blows my mind. Don't one of you hate mongers deny that it is because he is half black. Being afraid of a black man is silly. I feel sad for all of you.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:02 PM on 05/01/2008
- rlp54 See Profile I'm a Fan of rlp54

I don't care if he is black, pink, white or green.....he's not ready for the job. Not everything is about race, so some of you should stop using it as an excuse.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:32 PM on 05/01/2008
- makingnoise See Profile I'm a Fan of makingnoise

Quite pejorative to those of us, both bitter and clinging. If you think race is this issue, you are simpleminded. Its all about being a radical leftist liberal with ties to the likes of Jeremiah Wright, William Abu Zyed Ayers (the Weather Underground terrorist), and Frank Davis, poet, communist...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:05 PM on 05/01/2008
- Awakenedcitizen See Profile I'm a Fan of Awakenedcitizen

Get over it. Ayers was active when Obama was 8 years old.


The rubber band was stretched as far as it could go, painfully far, taut and tight. Today, that rubber band is poised to sling shot Obama to the nomination and the Presidency. Joe Andrews saw it, this last month has stretched candidate Obama to the limits, and he kept his composure, he stayed true to his integrity. He has been through the fire of the media, the Clinton Campaign, and the Republicans.

Today was a "watershed" day. Joe Andrews switched his allegiance to Barack Obama and encouraged other superdelegates to do the same; John Kerry told MSNBC to get over it regarding Reverend Wright.

The party has suffered enough damage in this primary; let"s get on with the business of beating John McCain.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 12:29 AM on 05/02/2008
- Chad53916 See Profile I'm a Fan of Chad53916

People who give this Wright thing any weight in a decision about Obama's judgement would have NOT voted for him in the first place and are only trying to latch on to anything they can. Give it up, you look childish when you make mountains out of mole hills. Whoever you're supporting has far more skeletons in their closets.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:33 AM on 05/01/2008
- MEPosey See Profile I'm a Fan of MEPosey

Who the heck is "Jeremy Wright"? You lose a lot of journalistic integrity when you don't get the names of the players right.

MEP

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:55 AM on 05/01/2008
- HamboneandFlippy See Profile I'm a Fan of HamboneandFlippy

Jeremy is short for Jeremiah. Journalistic Integrity retained.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:15 PM on 05/01/2008
- jlarue69 See Profile I'm a Fan of jlarue69

Obama was willing to defend his long-time friend against an insane barrage the first time...

Don't you understand that he understood he was staking his Nomination on one close friendship?

He let go of Wright now, because Wright publicly disrespected Obama's loyalty to him.

It is a sign of the times when so many Americans equate patience, forbearance and pragmatism with 'weakness'.

It is truly disheartening to see that a scurrilous story of guilt by association has become more important than the deaths of 50 American soldiers in Iraq this month-making it the most deadly since September 2007.

In his speech in Philadelphia Obama implored to the people not to be carried away by such weightless distractions...

Rev. Wright Damned America...but George W. Bush and his circle have damned America in the eyes of the rest of the world. At no point in recent history has America been as despised as it is now...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:25 AM on 05/01/2008
- meanguy See Profile I'm a Fan of meanguy

no, the speech in philadelphia was obama lecturing white people to 'get over it' ...a call for a one-sided 'dialogue on race' in which obama sets the terms and we just listen up...and a desparate attempt to deflect any scrutiny of his judgment and character-the obama definition of 'distraction' is: anything that interrupts 24/7, 100% adoration of the obamessiah

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:23 AM on 05/01/2008
- Pema See Profile I'm a Fan of Pema

boy you clinton supporters are mean...no wonder she cant hold onto her presumed run to the throne...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:01 PM on 05/01/2008
- mjc See Profile I'm a Fan of mjc

Exactly, meanguy. That so-worshipped speech actually was an attempt to BLAME this country and slaveowners and white racists for Wright's attitude and words. Obama was afraid to denounce Wright, at least at that time, because he didn't want to lose the black nationalists and more radical blacks he was appealing to in some of his speeches.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:42 AM on 05/01/2008
- Dan1967 See Profile I'm a Fan of Dan1967

Why are the major news channels trying to tear down Barack Obama? What is their true motivation?

It makes me sad to see Hillary Clinton brown-nosing the Republican hate machine. Barack Obama is the only candidate who can take our country away from the politics of fear and hate, and in to a new era of hope and change.

BARACK OBAMA ONLY NEEDS 295 DELEGATES TO WIN THE NOMINATION!

The voters in North Carolina and Indiana, with a win for Obama in their primary's, can put this marathon Democratic primary to an end by voting for Barack Obama.

Barack has 1,730 delegates as of today. He needs 2,025 to win the nomination. I want every Democrat and Independant in Indiana and North Carolina to get to the polls and vote for Barack Obama. Don't let the media spin and the right wing conservative media conglomorates win this election.

Barack Obama is by far the strongest candidate against McCain. Go to www.pollster.com (type it in if the link does not work) and check out the state by state polls. Barack Obama is leading McCain in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon, Minnesota, and even Colorado. Hillary is losing to McCain in Michigan, Oregon, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Colorado and she is tied with McCain in Minnesota. If Hillary can't win Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Oregon in the general election, then she can't beat McCain.

VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA IN NORTH CAROLINA AND INDIANA, AND LETS GET A DEMOCRAT WIN IN NOVEMBER!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:52 PM on 04/30/2008
- Dan1967 See Profile I'm a Fan of Dan1967

BARACK OBAMA ONLY NEEDS 295 DELEGATES TO WIN THE NOMINATION!

The voters in North Carolina and Indiana, with a win for Obama in their primary's, can put this marathon Democratic primary to an end by voting for Barack Obama.

Barack has 1,730 delegates as of today. He needs 2,025 to win the nomination. I want every Democrat and Independant in Indiana and North Carolina to get to the polls and vote for Barack Obama. Don't let the media spin and the right wing conservative media conglomorates win this election.

Barack Obama is by far the strongest candidate against McCain. Go to www.pollster.com (type it in if the link does not work) and check out the state by state polls. Barack Obama is leading McCain in Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Oregon, Minnesota, and even Colorado. Hillary is losing to McCain in Michigan, Oregon, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Colorado and she is tied with McCain in Minnesota. If Hillary can't win Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Oregon in the general election, then she can't beat McCain.

VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA IN NORTH CAROLINA AND INDIANA, AND LETS GET A DEMOCRAT WIN IN NOVEMBER!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:24 PM on 04/30/2008
- SMAGGIE See Profile I'm a Fan of SMAGGIE

PLEASE PEOPLE, IF YOU DO NOT GO TO ANOTHER PLACE ON HERE, GO TO:
www.dontvoteObama.net. You will see some very interesting facts!!!!!!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:08 PM on 04/30/2008
- Awakenedcitizen See Profile I'm a Fan of Awakenedcitizen

go to www.factcheck.org IF you want facts

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:25 AM on 05/02/2008
- izAriver See Profile I'm a Fan of izAriver

That piece of rancid propaganda is your source? Did you bother checking any of that misrepresentation of did you just swallow that excrement? Whoever runs that site has every right to do so but it doesn't mean they're being honest. They certainly aren't honorable.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:20 PM on 04/30/2008
- AlphaOverdawg See Profile I'm a Fan of AlphaOverdawg

That Obama FINALLY DID SOMETHING without equivocation, evasion, eluding, hedging, downplaying, or deflecting is being hailed as "courageous" and demonstrating integrity?

Even a cornered rat will show this kind of "courage", which it most assuredly is not.

It is what it is--the action of an arrogant man who FINALLY got it through his thick head that he could not finesse his way out of this lack-of-sound-judgment quagmire. So he FINALLY moved to cut his losses, to stanch the hemorrhaging, to do some effective damage control. And maybe he has. But it wasn't courage, and it didn't demonstrate integrity. No, No, No!! It was political necessity for political survival. Wright has that much right--The Obama is a mere politician doing whatever mere politicians have to do to stay in the political arena. And that's fine, just don't try to bamboozle folks with preachy oratory, false hope, and unfulfillable promises.

But do you really want a nominee, much less a President, who is so agonizingly slow on the uptake? That sort of glacial decision-making doesn't qualify for the position of our "decider".

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:59 PM on 04/30/2008
- Dan1967 See Profile I'm a Fan of Dan1967

Hey AlphaOverdawg, You right wing conservative idiots make no sense, and you have no common sense. The last 8 years of the idiot Bush have proved that.

I want a President who is intelligent, who talks like a President, walks like a President, and is as noble as a President should be. Barack Obama has all of those great qualities. Barack Obama has all of the qualities that make for a great President, and he will take the policies of the Democrats and make our country in to the greatest, most noble, and most respected nation on earth again.

VOTE FOR BARACK OBAMA AND LETS GET A DEMOCRAT WIN IN NOVEMBER!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 11:06 PM on 04/30/2008
- mjc See Profile I'm a Fan of mjc

Is that possibly because Obama is a man....., not a woman?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:50 AM on 05/01/2008
- lizr See Profile I'm a Fan of lizr

dont you HIllary types wish it were about that.

It's HER, not a woman. Many women would be wonderful as Prez. Not this one.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:32 AM on 05/03/2008
- seepee See Profile I'm a Fan of seepee



-- it was the poll numbers made him take action
- it was his ego that was being defended not the not America or the American people

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:21 PM on 04/30/2008
- kenyaw See Profile I'm a Fan of kenyaw

Are you a mind reader??
If a man feels betrayed and disrepected he should handle it. He did not need a poll to now his own feelings. Dr. Wright was hurt and acted out. He was dismissive to SBO and somewhat disrespectful and very unprofessional. Senator Obama did not need a poll to see that, he has eyes and ears.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:04 PM on 05/01/2008
- vanessa04 See Profile I'm a Fan of vanessa04

Seepee - You nailed it.

It was OK for Wright to call out America for 20 years. It was OK for him to call out white people for years.

But for him to call out Obama?

Suddenly, it was all too much. Dude, he just had to put aside his waffle and come out swinging.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:02 PM on 04/30/2008
- ceesaw See Profile I'm a Fan of ceesaw

Thank-you.Why isn't the media talking about this case?A fter all we need to be fair now.There is an article today about Geoff Garin,clinton's chief strategist calling for a violent revolution 30 yrs. ago.the media has said nothing.this needs to be given equal amount of coverage as the Obama/wright issue,or we need an explanation.Also Hillary needs to explain her own violent tendencies from associating with Geoff Garin.A fter ALL WE DO GET TO PICK OUR FRIENDS, PASTOR,CHIEF STRATEGIST,AND HUSBANDS.THE MEDIA HAS OPENED PANDORA'S BOX HERE,AND ALL CANDIDATES SHOULD BE PUT UNDER THE same RADAR SCREEN.this isn't about race,its all about fairness.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:05 PM on 04/30/2008
- hoodrat