Obama Speaks Out on Wright Affair

Yesterday I wrote in support of Jeremiah Wright. I did so as one pastor in support of another. I stand by what I said, but the more I have thought about what was said and how it was said, I must say it was not a good show. The Moyer's interview was great. The NAACP speech was fine. Yesterday, a pastor went into a place a pastor should not go -- a gathering of press. He handled the questions poorly and it has hit Barack Obama.
Obama, who did not throw his pastor under the bus, when asked to do so, now finds himself having to distance himself further from his pastor and really from his church. It is unfortunate that this has happend, and if Obama's campaign implodes because of this, America will be the loser.
I feel that Obama is a candidate for this time in history. He offers us an opportunity to get beyond partisanship and embrace the future. He's not wrapped up in the fights of yesteryear -- whether Vietnam or even the 1990s.
With his back against the wall, he has spoken out today. He has declared himself appalled at what has been said, repeated that these comments don't reflect his views, and is saddened that his pastor has ended up in this situation. He has stated that criticism of Wright isn't an attack on the Black Church, but criticism of Wright's views. I think Obama is correct, but much of the vitriol is rooted in misunderstandings of the Black church.
The key here is to make clear that Jeremiah Wright isn't part of the Obama campaign. He has no role and whatever role he once had has long been severed. But with all the issues in front of us, let us not get sidetracked.
If you look at what he has said, and how he comports himself, Barack Obama isn't a radical. He's not a communist. He's not a terrorist. He has demonstrated himself able to reach across divides and work with those who are different from him.
Let us now move on -- please -- for the sake of the country.

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