Obama's Pivot

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

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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.

Comments

[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

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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.

[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.

[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!

[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...".

[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?

[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.

[AdobePhsyko]

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

[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???

[NewMexicoForObama]

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

[fanoftruthiness]

You were awesome on the Daily Show!

[HamboneandFlippy]

Well done on The Daily Show, Robert!

[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.

[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.

[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...

[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.

[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.

[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.