Sure they do. They just don’t run for the paycheck.
Nice one!
I think she’ll be fine (as much as she can be anyway). I’m inclined to believe that most people will continue to focus on what Rev. Wright is saying, rather than another underhanded thing that Hillary may or may not have done. I think this will reflect worse on Obama, unfortunately.
Well, Obama is running away from Wright as fast as he can now.
You know, I have a genuine like for Rev. Wright. I think he’s a straight-shooter, honest and bright… I also think he’s from a generation where he’s more negative than he needs to be. I can only assume it’s based on his personal experiences from growing up in a racist America… It’s different today… it’s ok for him to let go of some of his rage. I also think he’s hurting Obama in his quest to vindicate himself… and his quest is based solely on his big ego. He really needs to tone it down because he’s seriously hurting a real opportunity for the first Black American President. This makes me see red.
I agree with all of the above. When I only knew him from his “greatest hits” videos I thought he was just a trolling jerk, but watching in context and seeing some of his other speeches, damn- the guy is a dynamite public speaker and extremely intelligent, capable of working esoteric and controversial and “deep thought” info into exciting and thought provoking but hysterically funny speeches. He should have left the clergy and gone into straight-up show business as he’d have made a fortune as a brilliant stand-up comic (though I think he’s made a fortune anyway judging by the house he just bought).
I loved Jon Stewart’s take on him (of course):
and
I think he WAS a straight shooter. I think he WAS honest and bright. Now, he is an albatross. I thought the Moyers thing was good, I thought he had finally come off the kind of ignorance that he’s busy railing against, until yesterday, when he put the gas hose to the fire.
He’s letting his good works, his class and indeed his righteousness, slip away under the weight of his ego.
Yep, I agree. He’ll kill it for Obama yet, and then where we all be? Not just “black America” but all of us who want change and a fresh start in the White House? Wright is so busy being angry and scoring points on matters that are irrelevant to this campaign. Race is very much an issue in America, but it’s not the focus of this campaign. IF Obama wins the nom (and now I’d say his chances are less than even a week ago), don’t think for a minute that the Reps won’t make hay with this. This swift-boat will look like the Titanic.
It’s a damned shame and I cannot believe that someone of prominence and sense in the black power structure hasn’t told RW to shut the fuck up already. I thought as Jon Stewart did last night–hey, we can use some rabble rousing; it’s just this guy’s approach. Most pastors have a bit of the ham in them and play to their “house”. But this ludicrous stuff about AIDS etc–he’s a walking urban legend spouter. I’m glad Obama has smacked him down–I hope it’s not too late.
And the funny thing is that I’m a Hillary supporter, but I like Obama, too. I’d be glad to see either of them in the WH, cleaning up the mess that Bush et al left us. But I don’t think Hillary can win, and now I fear that Obama may not either. So, that leaves Mr WishyWashy McMoron. God help us all.
Y’know, the first half of your post is more or less exactly what Obama said in his celebrated speech from early April (Including how one could understand how someone who grew up when The Man *really WAS * trying to put you down, would find some of the more extreme ideas believable). Of course a lot of people decided to instead focus on what was he saying about his grandmother. But I’m right along with it – that far.
Thing is, that Wright feels it’s not OK to let go some of the rage and tone it down.
Now, one possible reason is that he may be such a true believer in “prophetic tradition”/“liberation theology” principles that he worries that gaining power through soothing the fears of the opposition will only result in folks thinking the problems are solved and letting their guard down on achieving true justice. That appeasement of public opinion is not a real option because you’re not supposed to make deals with the wicked, but to smite them in the Lord’s name. He even has said words to the effect that if BO is elected, then Wright will look upon Obama as the representative of the same Establishment he accuses of so many evils.
Another possible reason, of course, would be that he’s another caught-up-in-himself “leader” whose power would be eroded if people are seen prospering while walking away from him, while he just bites his tongue and takes it; and he has to show the people that he’s not going to just take it from this smart-alec kid. Maybe he already expects BO will NOT win it and he’s setting himself up to show how he who distanced himself fell down, while Wright’s still a major player, and that you brush off the Wrights, Farrakhans and Sharptons at your own risk.
In either case he’s coming across too much as that he does not mind at all if the whole thing is made to be about him, and the media are accommodating him just fine.
True that. I want to slap both him and the media for it (if the media had a single face to slap- man, that’d be nice…). That seems to be the tragedy of Wright- he is such an obviously intelligent and well educated man and damn if he’s not charismatic- I can totally understand what Obama saw in him. But he’s also just as obviously a world class drama queen and after several months of retirement he was probably already jonesing to be the center of attention again and damned if he didn’t hit the Mother Lode, and he is absolutely relishing it. I understand, but being something of a “look at me I’m dancin’ crazy!”* I honestly think even I could go to a back burner for a while- you can always raise your media hoar head again once Barack is elected or at least has the nomination- hell, get an agent who can probably get you a book deal/radio show/CNN pundit spot out of this as this is a flame you can always fan back once the initial embers have burned out.
But I have to say this is one hell of an election year all in all, especially considering it’s this late and there are only three people running (and one of them unopposed) for the nominations.
Still don’t get the Dee reference exactly, but any excuse for a Dee reference is fine by me. (“Raj do you take Mama for a fool?! Mama, Raj is over here taking you for a fool!”**)
*Buffy the Vampire “Once More With Feeling” reference
** My all time favorite Dee line for those who are 70s pop culture junkies as much as I am-
Mama: Dee, what’s Millie doing here?
Dee: …uh… makin’ me eat peanut butter!
I don’t know why but that cracked me up for days the first time I saw it and I still think it’s funny.
Yes, because anyone who DARES to proclaim themselves Reee-PUB-leecan is in support of Gee-Dubya “Pubic” Bush.
And so therefore, McCain is an idiot, wishy-washy, and a moron.
Sorry, I just don’t view McCain in that light. Feel free to do whatever, though.
If feeling free to do whatever though means voting my conscience, I certainly will and guess what? You’re free to do the same. You have a funny way of pronouncing the word Republican, btw.
I wasn’t dissing Reps in general or accusing them of goose-stepping to Dubya, if you would read for comprehension. :rolleyes: I was expressing my dismay at the possibility of having yet another man for whom I have contempt in the WH, again. Seems to me the Reps need to field better candidates–is McCain truly the best you can do? I dislike the hypocrisy in the man, his weasely stance on issues such as abortion and his pandering to religious rabble rousers which is NOT getting media play.
Sorry for the hijack–let’s not waste anymore time on this nonsense. I know I won’t.
Question: do you all think that Obama has distanced himself far enough?
I fully intend to send a communication to him, however it is possible and, not so nicely or diplomatically, tell him to shut the fuck up.
I heard he already has a book coming out – around November – and I fear he’s clawing his way back into the spotlight is partially related to his promotion of it.
P.S. I called McCain on his Flip-Floppiness in the early 2000s. This is not to brag on my insight or prescience, just to wonder why others didn’t see it then too.
Not WHILE being President, but it certainly helps when you stop being President. Just ask how much money Bill has made from speeches since then.
My sister’s company hired him for a speech. Presidential Suite at the best hotel available (which he may or may not use). A bunch of related first class perks that likewise costs tens of thousands of dollars. Twenty some-odd front table seats in case he wanted to invite others to the event (on the company’s dime, of course).
And then a mid-six figure fee for a half-hour speech. Oh, and he would NOT be hanging around after the speech.
Just… :eek:
This is market forces at work, plain and simple. Did Ford get as much? Nixon? and some of it is up to the person–I don’t see Carter charging the big bucks, but maybe he does. I would–if not for my own coffers, than to help other causes. The suite thing is most likely a security ruse, no? Or maybe I’ve watched too many assassination movies. Anyway, the choice of saying, “no thanks, your fee is too high” is always there.
I heard a theory that his performance was coordinated with Obama as an inoculation against further damage by allowing Obama to ‘stand up’ against him, blah blah; in fact, one Rep. endorsed Obama BECAUSE of his response to Wright’s recent remarks (which were no different than previous remarks).
Could be a clever move to try to create a strawman so so speak, now. Whatever!
I think all the democrats here can sympthize with this.
Yes, that’s true. But we (blacks), as a group, have a much longer way to go, a possible presidential win by Obama notwithstanding.
A Democrat has been president before. 