Jeremiah Wright, the former pastor of Barack Obama's Church, Trinity UCC on the South Side of Chicago recently spoke about Hillary and Barack Obama. The video is now all over the web and Fox news and, well, it's not good coverage, to say the least.
This may be the kind of story that will turn off the swing voters Barack will need to win in November...
UPDATE: I was wrong. Politico is reporting that he is on the African-American Advisory Committee. So that's an affiliation that will come up to cause a stink, no doubt. Fair warning, folks.
My initial reaction was "What on earth is this man thinking? Is he attempting to single-handedly take down the first African-American man poised to win the presidency? What foolishness!"
But I guess now I'm just a bit surprised that Barack goes to this church, as it just doesn't seem to comport with his persona. He's seems to be a very serious person, highly intellectual, and I wouldn't think this emotionalism and historical revisionism (Jesus was a Semitic Jew, not a "black man") appeal to him. I mean, can you honestly see him sitting there, listening, without flinching at the inflammatory nature of the rhetoric? It certainly doesn't reflect his rhetoric about transcending racial division and moving beyond the categories of the past.
I'm also curious how active a member he is in this chuch; some people go to church twice a year, and it would be less damaging if he rarely attended services and maintained a membership for community-based reasons. Though, I'm not sure the media would be interested in noting the distinction.
I'm a bit torn because I agree with the sentiment, to a degree, and I have no problem with Black Liberation Theology, but the conventional wisdom is this will scare off voters quicker than you can say "swift-boat". But this isn't a conventional race, and Barack has shown an amazing ability to deflect racially-based criticism. I guess time will tell.
UPDATE: READER COMMENTED
The good news that's coming is for all people! Not white people—all people. Not black people—all people. Not rich people—all people. Not poor people—all people. I know you'll hate this... not straight people—all people! Not gay people—all people. Not American people—all people. ...God's good news isn't just for Americans, it's for all people. Say "all people"! Jesus came for Iraqis and Afghanis. Jesus was sent for Iranians and Ukrainians. All people! Jesus is God's gift to the brothers in jail and the sisters in jeopardy. All people! The Lord left his royal courts on high to come for all those that you love, yes, but he also came for all those folk that you can't stand. All people!
Rev. Wright's church and message is very inclusive. For example, Rev. Wright and his church supports gay marriage.
It's also important to remember that this church provides valuable social services to the community it resides in--a community that has been neglected by the government (and the Democratic party).