Obama's Changing Moral Equivalence

Townhall.com ^ | May 2, 2008 | Charles Krauthammer

[Kaslin]

"I can no more disown him (Jeremiah Wright) than I can disown my white grandmother."

-- Barack Obama, Philadelphia, March 18

WASHINGTON -- Guess it's time to disown Granny, if Obama's famous Philadelphia "race" speech is to be believed. Of course, the speech was not just believed. It was hailed, celebrated, canonized as the greatest pronouncement on race in America since Lincoln at Cooper Union. A New York Times columnist said it "should be required reading in classrooms across the country." College seniors and first-graders, suggested the excitable Chris Matthews.

Apparently there's been a curriculum change. On Tuesday, the good senator begged to extend and revise his previous remarks on race. Moral equivalence between Grandma and Wright is now, as the Nixon administration used to say, inoperative. Poor Geraldine Ferraro, thrice lashed by Obama in Philadelphia as the white equivalent of Wright's raving racism, is now off the hook.

These equivalences having been revealed as the cheap rhetorical tricks they always were, Obama has now decided that the man he simply could not banish because he had become part of Obama himself is, mirabile dictu, surgically excised.

[Sacajaweau]

I've disowned people for much less. It has to do with my reputation and/or standards.

His grandmother isn't in the same category.

He "picked" Wright as a friend and mentor.....Just like Hillary picked Alinsky.

[pnh102]

Part of me feels bad for Obama. Obama really stuck his neck out for Pastor Wright when Obama gave his speech in Philadelphia and Pastor Wright repaid his kindness by going on every TV talk show you could think of and screwing Obama even more.

You'd think if Pastor Wright wants Obama to win so bad, the first thing Wright would do is to shut up... maybe book a yearlong vacation in Africa or someplace else. I can't imagine that Wright doesn't believe that each time Wright opens his mouth, it hurts Obama badly.

[Yankee]

You lay down with dogs, you wake up with fleas.

Screw Obama the leftist turd, his pastor, his wife and his bomb-tossing frieds. America Haters all.

The POS should never see the inside of the White House, not even on a tour.

[PJ-Comix]

Obama's turning surprise about Wright into something to be counted against whites -- one of the more clever devices in that shameful, brilliantly executed, 5,000-word intellectual fraud in Philadelphia -- now stands discredited by Obama's own admission of surprise. But Obama's liberal acolytes are not daunted. They were taken in by the first great statement on race: the Annunciation, the Chosen One comes to heal us in Philly. They now are taken in by the second: the Renunciation.

Clever observation about the Obamassiah!

[iopscusa]

Obama’s liberal acolytes are not daunted...great description of Al Gore’s Enviro/Marxist followers also!

[pnh102]

Screw Obama the leftist turd, his pastor, his wife and his bomb-tossing frieds. America Haters all.

Oh, absolutely. Obama knew exactly what kind of trouble Pastor Wright brought to his campaign. If he was smart, he would have distanced himself from them the moment he even thought about running for President.

[Dixie Yooper]

Where is Reverend Wright? Has anyone seen or heard from him since Obama tossed him from the Smooth Talk Express ? Are The Nation of Islam goons keeping him under house arrest until the primaries/election is over? What happened to him?

[maica]

If a black American is elected president, an awful lot of revWright’s resentments will be neutralized. He made his reputation by preaching resentment of “harsh treatment by whites.” Yet America is a majority white country, and any president has to get the majority of white votes in order to win.

Wright does not want Obama to win!

[Amos the Prophet]

I do not believe that Wright understands he is hurting Obama. This is a man who has not listened to another soul offer critical advice in more than 20 years. He has been the voice of God his entire adult life. He has been celebrated, indeed, worshipped by his parishoners. His ivory tower has remained flawlessly in tact. The only voice he has heard is his own and he does not disagree with himself, not openly.
Wright evidences all the symptoms of grandiose pomposity illuminated by his firm belief in the superiority of his intellect. I daresay he believes his offerings helped at the press club pulpit.
A real phoney of the first water.

[ReleaseTheHounds]

Yes, and now the Liberal apologists are all insisting “this is the last word... just move along... this answers everything... if you bring this up again, you’re just being a racist.” That’s the talking point line from the Haughty Senator John Kerry to media critic and college professor Jane Hall... “it should stop now!”

How dare anyone question Senator Obama’s judgment!

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

You'd think if Pastor Wright wants Obama to win so bad...

I think envy trumps all in Wright's game. He sees Obama rise, he wonders "Who does he think he is?"

[Question Liberal Authority]

Obama really stuck his neck out for Pastor Wright when Obama gave his speech in Philadelphia and Pastor Wright repaid his kindness by going on every TV talk show you could think of and screwing Obama even more.

No. Obama lied through his teeth by saying that the Right Wing was looping Wright's comments and taking them out of context. Then Wright repeated the comments quite clearly and articulately. Then Obama lied through his teeth again and said he never heard such a thing.

[Question Liberal Authority]

“it should stop now!”

It could stop in a second. All Obama has to do is drop out of the race, resign his Senate seat, and go back to "community organizing".

[OldYank1]

Very nice article but it is missing a couple of changes that I feel reflect even greater reason for the change.
Wright made two claims that show with great clarity the reasons for the sudden change.

First, he introduced the idea this was purely a race issue. “This is an attack on the Black Church”. To this point in time there has been no mention of Black Theology. A difference between black churches and white churches yes but not the extreme views lying in the foundations of Black Theology. If Wright pushes this agenda, Obama will have a very hard time convincing white America that he isn’t on the same path as Louis “man-of-the-year”.

Second, and probably the bigger slap by Wright, was the revelation that Obama “gave the answers he had to give”. “I am a preacher, he is a politician and says what he needs to say to get elected.” The smug look at the time was also very revealing. You could almost see the “wink” signaling Obama “didn’t really mean it”. If this were coupled with the Canadian NAFTA “wink”, it could leave a massive gap in the Obama sincerity cloak.

[Rightwing Conspiratr1]

Yeah but when will Obama disown the author of his autobiography, The Audacity of Hope, for his racist remarks?

[Question Liberal Authority]

This is a man who has not listened to another soul offer critical advice in more than 20 years. He has been the voice of God his entire adult life. He has been celebrated, indeed, worshipped by his parishoners. His ivory tower has remained flawlessly in tact. The only voice he has heard is his own and he does not disagree with himself, not openly.

Wright evidences all the symptoms of grandiose pomposity illuminated by his firm belief in the superiority of his intellect. I daresay he believes his offerings helped at the press club pulpit.

A real phoney of the first water.

Everything you just said about Wright applies even more to Obama.

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

"But these comments are not new. These were precisely the outrages that prompted the initial furor when the Wright tapes emerged seven weeks ago. Obama decided to cut off Wright not because Wright's words or character or views had suddenly changed. The only thing that changed was the venue in which Wright chose to display them -- live on national TV at the National Press Club."

This is the Moral Equivalence Gap, between the elitist "bitter" remarks in San Francisco, the Philadelphia Speech, and the meltdown at the National Press Club, which may prove decisive for the 2008 Democratic presidential race, winning a place in future history books. What happened to the messiah of hope and change?

[Nailbiter]

.......... The smug look at the time was also very revealing. You could almost see the “wink” signaling Obama “didn’t really mean it”

Last Apr/May out of one of NY rags was story about Obama telling Wright that he was going to have to disown him and not to take personally.
This is just extension of that action.

I have been looking and cannoy locate link at this time.

[668 - Neighbor of the Beast]

The jealous Wright is peeved because Obama is “acting white.” If getting a good education is acting white, imagine what Columbia and Harvard Law mean! And then factor in a possibility of becoming POTUS. Now that’s acting white beyond the pale.

[aruanan]

Here is what happened: Everything was fine as long as Wright's comments were plausibly deniable or could be sufficiently spun into irrelevancy either by referring to the motivation of those playing the clips or by referring to them as out-of-context sound bytes or by referring to Wright as a product of his time and place like Obama's typical white person grandmother.

The content of what was said didn't bother Obama at all. But when there was sufficient publicity and Wright directly said on news shows many of the same things he said in his church and doing nothing (according to the poll numbers hastily gathered that weekend) would hurt Obama, then Obama denounced what he had before denied and then diluted. When it was convenient for Obama to use Wright's church on the local scene to enhance his political life, he did so. When it became inconvenient on the national scene, he dismissed him (this is like certain politicians being pro-life on the local political scene and then "growing" to embrace pro-abortion when moving to a national scene).

It isn't about whether there was anything objectionable about what Wright said, it was all about the possible effect of Obama's perceived political fortunes. He followed the typical leftist Democrat M.O. of doing and saying whatever he needed whenever he needed to advance his own cause. It's all about Barack.

[Question Liberal Authority]

He followed the typical leftist Democrat M.O. of doing and saying whatever he needed whenever he needed to advance his own cause. It's all about Barack.

I agree. Also, this is one of the very few times that Barry ever got specific about anything. The "Greatest Speech Ever" in Philadelphia was all "what offends you offends me, and I hope we can change that for my children".

The CYA press conference was much different. He got specific and condemned things that the Obama apologists said were 100% "Truth To Power".

Barry is dead if he ever has to get specific. He's like John Kerry, but without the humility.

[t1b8zs]

Bet Farrakhan's Body Guards know

[mtbopfuyn]

The most scary thing that no one has mentioned is that Wright has been preaching this same hate to how many tens of thousands and multiple generations of his congregation for all these years. It’s those who have learned at his knee that we should be afraid of.

[Dixie Yooper]

Bet Farrakhan's Body Guards know

An honest media would have been hanging around like a pack of dogs waiting for Reverend Wright's reaction to Obama statements. I haven't heard a thing, not even anyone saying that he's not available for comment. Where is he! Why isn't anyone keeping track of him? I haven't even heard Rush make any kind of question of this...

[HowlinglyMind-BendingAbsurdity]

Krauthammer: "Obama's Philadelphia oration was an exercise in contextualization. In one particularly egregious play on white guilt, Obama had the audacity to suggest that whites should be ashamed they were ever surprised by Wright's remarks: "The fact that so many people are surprised to hear that anger in some of Reverend Wright's sermons simply reminds us of the old truism that the most segregated hour of American life occurs on Sunday morning."That was then. On Tuesday, Obama declared that he himself was surprised at Wright's outrages. But hadn't Obama told us that surprise about Wright is a result of white ignorance of black churches brought on by America's history of segregated services?"

What was the bit about different learning styles? The Aristotelian logical principle of non-contradiction is left-brained. Jive is right-brained, doctor. Come on, man!

[semantic]

A real phony of the first water.

Actually, Wright is the one being honest in this matter, while BHO is acting the hypocrite for all to see.

Wright believes what he believes. He has for 20 years, and has dedicated his life to promoting his message of hate. Rather than back down in the face of withering criticism, he's gone on center stage to reiterate every aspect.

BHO, on the other hand, whether he joined out of political expediency, or is a true believer, is the one who rejected BLT simply because it threatens his political appeal.

[ricks_place]

Remarks at the National Press Club by Reverend Jeremiah Wright were taken out of context. - lol

[uncbob]

Part of me feels bad for Obama. Obama really stuck his neck out for Pastor Wright when Obama gave his speech in Philadelphia and Pastor Wright repaid his kindness by going on every TV talk show you could think of and screwing Obama even more.

I NEVER feel bad about /for a politician (versus a Statesman) they are arrogant and will lie cheat and do ANYTHING to get and or stay in power and their wifes are just as bad

[uncbob]

The most scary thing that no one has mentioned is that Wright has been preaching this same hate to how many tens of thousands and multiple generations of his congregation for all these years. It’s those who have learned at his knee that we should be afraid of.

And that the congregation cheers wildly when he makes these statements

[pnh102]

I NEVER feel bad about /for a politician ...

That's why I said "part of me." ;)

Most of me feels great that Pastor Wright has exposed the truth about Obama. I can only imagine what Wright says in his sermons when the cameras are off.

The bad part of it all though, is that the end result of this will be Mrs. Bill Clinton being elected president.

[Toespi]

“Obama really stuck his neck out for Pastor Wright when Obama gave his speech in Philadelphia”

Hmmmm....one should wonder why. I suspect Wright knows quite a bit about the real heart, mind and secret agenda of Obama. It wasn’t kindness it was “payola.”

[The Brush]

Obama expects us to believe that he listened to Rev Wright for 20 years and had no clue that the man was a racist.
He also expects us to believe that he has the intelligence to understand the truth about our enemies.
Many people have been praising Obama and his Pastor for the last month inferring anyone who questioned his comments was racist. Now that Obama has, on the surface, agreed with Wright's detractors, would Obama be considered racist... or just a bad judge of character?

[albie]

“You lay down with dogs, you wake up with fleas.

Screw Obama the leftist turd, his pastor, his wife and his bomb-tossing frieds. America Haters all.

The POS should never see the inside of the White House, not even on a tour”.

...absolutely! Nothing to feel sorry for here. This is not a guy who is “fighting an uphill battle” against racism. He’s an elitist, leftist, America hating snob who feels he’s better than 99.9% of us. This is a guy that really does deserve to have a can of “whoop ass” opened on him! The closest he should get to the White House is by looking at it on a postcard from a prison cell.

[xzins]

Don’t feel sorry for Obama.

Jeremiah Wright’s recent insanities were scripted by the Obama team and the media.

They knew they had to cut Obama loose from Wright, so they had Wright intentionally go out and do a craziness act. Moyers, Press Clubs, Evening News, National Exposure.....everything was scripted.

Then, Obama was given a national podium from which to denounce Wright.

Great Idea, actually. Obama has now been innoculated against Wright’s Disease.

[t1b8zs]

Be carefull what you ask for,”Why doesnt he just go away”?
Looks like he did and I could care less if he was alive or dead.

[Tolik]

Wright is, first of all, an ego-maniac. He was pissed at Obama for attempting to distance himself from him, and let it be known. I think he likes himself more than he cares about Obama being President. He is smart enough to understand that he is hurting Obama, its just his own hurt overrides his concerns about Obama. Its gd Obama this time. IMHO, of course.

[Tolik]

I can see every player to go with the plan you described, but Wright. He is too full of himself to submit to anybody will.

[pnh102]

Great Idea, actually. Obama has now been innoculated against Wright’s Disease.

I don't think so. If anything, Obama now has a lot of explaining to do for his pathetic attempt at an explanation... did he sleep in the pews for 20 years prior to this "revelation?" Also keep in mind that Pastor Wright has singlehandedly destroyed the main pillar of Obama's popularity. That is, Obama was a candidate for President who happened to be black, he was not another Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. This "veneer" as some have called it, is now gone.

[Jeff Head]

The bottom line is, despite all his protesting, despite all his whining, this problem is one of Obama's creation. No one else's. Same with Bill Ayers, same with Rezco. Obama chose these associations.

He made his bed and now he can lie in it.

But he is unwilling to do so.

Despite the fact that Wright is just as big an enemy and a virulent anti-American...I have a measure of reluctant respect for him because he stands on what he is...in your face, and rabidly against me and mine and the values I cherish and hold dear...but he is at least upfront about it.

Obama is a charlatan that I have no doubt feels the same way...but wants to hide behind a smile so he can get into a position to stick the knife in all of our collective backs.

Again, he chose these associations and knew full well who they were.

Now his chickens have come homw to roost.

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH - BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY AND OBAMA'S CHURCH

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH - OBAMA'S CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND SUPPORT

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH - BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

[Jeff Head]

I think it is the other way around. Wright, in all his rabid splendor, helped Obama. Obama knew who Wright was...there can be no doubt of this...and accepoted the help and used it to climb into politicas there in Chicago and Illinois.

Now, when what his "Uncle", mentor, advisor, etc, ad-nausium really is comes out...Obama throws him right under the bus (and my guess is that it was done in a very calculating manner).

Wright at least is up front and in your face about it. Obama wants to hide his own beliefs behind a wane, false smile and a rock star image.

Obama is lieing in a bed of his own creation and deserves every bit of it and more.

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH - BLACK LIBERATION THEOLOGY AND OBAMA'S CHURCH

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH - OBAMA'S CIRCLE OF FRIENDS AND SUPPORT

THE AUDACITY OF TRUTH - BARACK HUSSEIN OBAMA

[MrB]

A man called into Mark Levin’s show last night and said

“There isn’t a black person alive that hasn’t heard the same things that Rev Wright was saying, and the only people who complain about it are bigots and racists.”

I think a lot of us have come to realize this attitude.
Time to end affirmative action, welfare, and any other policies that disproportionately affect people by race.

Maybe a generation or two of “he who will not work, nor shall he eat” would be an attitude adjustment.

[bmwcyle]

bttt for Jeff truth

[Dixie Yooper]

Be carefull what you ask for,”Why doesn't he just go away”? Looks like he did and I could care less if he was alive or dead.

Read post #25 again, I never said ,”Why doesn't he just go away”?

[xzins]

That means they didn’t need Wright’s agreement. They simply needed to give him the opportunity. He acted just as predicted and as you would predict.

So, whether he knew or didn’t know, he would still act the same.

[xzins]

He would have had “explaining” to do in any case.

Now, he can also say that he has renounced that man.

[xzins]

Or as Dr Eckleburg has recently reposted:

“In politics nothing happens by accident. If it happens you can bet it was planned.” — FDR.

[Former War Criminal]

God Bless the Marines!

Rev. Wright has done a great service for America.

[AFPhys]

Despite the fact that Wright is just as big an enemy and a virulent anti-American...I have a measure of reluctant respect for him because he stands on what he is...

Obama is a charlatan that I have no doubt feels the same way...but wants to hide behind a smile so he can get into a position to stick the knife in all of our collective backs.

-—<>-—<>-—<>-—<>-—<>-—

Bingo!!!

[popdonnelly]

Wright is a huckster, and it pays well.