Obama to give a MAJOR speech on race on Tuesday

Obama will be giving a MAJOR SPEECH on race on Tuesday at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/...

Well I am looking forward to this speech.

Supposedly Obama will be "addressing concerns stirred by Mr. Wright's controversial statements, which the senator has denounced, as well as other racially charged comments that in recent weeks have changed the tone of the Democratic nominating fight."

This is what Obama does best.

•  link not working!!

  by foreign obesver on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:03:42 AM PDT

  •  Try

    this one.

    by bumblebums on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:05:50 AM PDT

  •  Link now working

    Check it out.

    by Drdemocrat on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:06:15 AM PDT

•  He couldn't have picked a better venue

  This ought to counterbalance The Philadelphia mayor's, Nutter's, support for HRC. I wonder how active the Mayor will actually be in pushing for Hillary in Philadelphia which will be one of the key barometers in the Pa. primary fight.

  This should garner a lot of air time both in PA and the surrounding suburbs.

  by Dartagnan on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:05:22 AM PDT

  •  This will be run majorly....on all networks.

    by icebergslim on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:06:12 AM PDT

    •  will it be?

      by slinkerwink on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:11:23 AM PDT

      •  well they ran Romney's speech on his religion

        they have to do the same for Obama. What time and will it be carried by anyone live.

        by ronnied on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:17:32 AM PDT

      •  It will because it fits with their current

        narrative about race and the pastor. If he spoke on any other topic, they would completely ignore the speech. Since this fits with their current obsession, they will play some portion of it.

        The important issue for the Obama campaign is how the media spins it afteward.

        by smartdemmg on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:48:32 AM PDT

    •  I bet it won't

      CNN is showing Clnton's speech live right now. It's like she's already the president or something. I'd be shocked if they gave Barack's speech the same treatment.

      by casperr on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:32:16 AM PDT

      •  Actually with all this Wright controversy

        I think that the media will REALLY focus on his speech.

        I think the opposite of what you said.

        If this was a month ago, the media would have ignored it but now the media will totally focus on it.

        by Drdemocrat on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:47:34 AM PDT

        •  yup, spotlight will be his

          Let's see what happens.

          by phillyPete on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:59:54 AM PDT

•  that's interesting

  by slinkerwink on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:05:50 AM PDT

  •  lol...slink, are you a bit tired this morning?

    That has to be the least amount of detail I've ever read in one of your comments. Coffee!

    by iconoclastic cat on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:19:19 AM PDT

    •  Hillary's on CNN now with her Iraq speech

      she's wearing a St. PAtrick's Day scarf.

      by slinkerwink on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:20:14 AM PDT

  •  I hope it is his best speech to date

    He can address the racial divide like no-one else.  The events of the last week or so reveal just how deep and wide that divide is.

    by machiado on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:33:26 AM PDT

•  If he can pull it off..

  and I don't doubt he can...this is brilliant.

  by mayan on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:06:16 AM PDT

  •  Yes, He Can....and Will!!!

    A tad early, perhaps, but I'm predicting he hits it out of the park!!!

    by serrano on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:10:46 AM PDT

    •  The King of the Counterpunch

      will score a Knockout!!!

      by serrano on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:11:43 AM PDT

      •  Could be a net positve for the whole country...

        we sure do need some healing around race.

        A wonderful and courageous move, Senator Obama.

        by la urracca on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:05:33 AM PDT

  •  Depends on what he's trying to pull off.

    If it's a modest, unsurprising speech, I'm sure he'll do fine, and will get quite a bit of accolades.  My prediction: it'll be an OTOH speech ('racism exists, but we shouldn't call everything we don't like racism,' and so on.  That'd be the best way to achieve a consensus position, which is what his campaign is about)

    by burrow owl on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:29:06 AM PDT

•  GREAT news!

  I thought we've missed an opportunity here, either that or the media is forcing us to miss the opportunity, to talk about actual ISSUES. Racism, faith, our foreign policy, etc.

  But if this happens and he plays it right it will give us the chance to hear the issues.

  by indiemcemopants on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:07:39 AM PDT

•  March 21st is Internatioinal stop racism day

  by kanuk on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:08:32 AM PDT

•  the link works but

  there is nothing at the link which says anything about this.  do you have another source?

  by itsbenj on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:08:42 AM PDT

  •  Check here:

    http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/...

    by Dartagnan on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:09:19 AM PDT

  •  never mind, found it, sorry n/t

    by itsbenj on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:09:28 AM PDT

  •  scroll down, read close.

    by bugscuffle on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:09:42 AM PDT

•  I have every confidence that Obama

  will take this opportunity and others to use the Wright controversy for many teachable moments about race and religion. He truly does have an amazing gift for bringing people together. I can't wait to hear his comments.

  by peraspera on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:12:02 AM PDT

  •  'Wright said dumb things, but the problems

    he points to are very real' and so forth.

    by burrow owl on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:29:52 AM PDT

•  With all

  of the touching themselves over Romney's EPIC FAIL of a religion speech, this one should be broadcast well.

  by Vappid on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:12:27 AM PDT

•  he may need to modify text

  to include how race and the economy are interrelated, otherwise his speech is likely to be ignored in the wake of the news coming out of today, if it turns out as bad as now seems likely

  we do need a conversation on race.   there is a danger that the topic is initiated by one perceived as a black man (although he is as much white as he is black) rather than by someone who is fully white -  perhaps the nation would not be so ready to discount the words of a privileged white man addressing the issue as at least some will with the words from Obama

  still, I look forward to hearing/reading what he has to say

  by teacherken on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:14:47 AM PDT

  •  I suspect a "conversation"

    about race with someone like Wright would get nowhere.  Your goodwill would be answered with a kick in the teeth.

    by bugscuffle on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:17:20 AM PDT

    •  Wright is just

      your standard liberation theologian.

      and yeah, gd America for its prisons and legal system that often amounts to nothing more than legal lynching.

      how's that for a kick in the teeth?

      by Kab ibn al Ashraf on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:45:33 AM PDT

  •  I agree as well

    He should touch on how every American is affected by the economy, and how he would make sure as President that the economy is fair towards everyone.

    by slinkerwink on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:17:51 AM PDT

  •  I think the bad economic news will be

    tonight's story. This speech will be Tuesday night's story.  It will also be interesting to see how the HRC campaign tries to preempt it. Which they will, if they have any savvy at all.

    I think if anyone's going to initiate a conversation, Obama is the guy.   I don't see anyone else in the public eye with enough gravitas to command the attention of the news networks, let alone the rest of the population.

    by Dartagnan on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:20:33 AM PDT

    •  Both Hillary and McCain are focusing on Iraq

      today which is NOT the story.  Today it is all about how bad the economy is.

      It's the Economy, Stupid!!!!

      Tomorrow if Obama could do an amazing speech about Race and Economics, it really could be amazing.

      I hope he uses this opportunity.

      by Drdemocrat on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:23:23 AM PDT

      •  I agree. I was thinking that exact same

        thing.  The economy is the subject right now and the pundits are saying they don't know or have heard where the candidates stand on this issue.  It was be a very smart move on Obama's part to address the economy in his speech and what he is planning to do about it.

        I also read the he is working with Senator Dodd on a banking bill to address the economy.  So he is working on something, but whether he is in the position to talk about it right now if it's still in the planning stage is something else.  I hope he does cause it will look like he's ahead of the game.

        by jalenth on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:59:49 AM PDT

  •  I agree that he can talk about race and economics

    It could be an amazing speech.

    Hope that is his plan.

    by Drdemocrat on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:21:39 AM PDT

•  How about:

  "of course I knew what was in these sermons.  I was there for some of them.  In the pews. "
  That's what a lot of people suspect, any way.

  by bugscuffle on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:15:39 AM PDT

  •  bugscuffle that is total BS

    someone claimed he was there on July 22, when in fact he was addressing a Latino group as the keynote speaker. So prove your accusations or shut up.

    by ronnied on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:21:05 AM PDT

    •  I don't give a shit

      what "someone" claimed.  You can bet your ass that some enterprising and ambitious reportes are busting their asses to place Obama in the church for one of these sermons.  If they do, I will not be in the least bit surprised.

      by bugscuffle on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:24:32 AM PDT

      •  what let something as inconvenient

        as facts get in the way of your opinion?

        by elmo on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:23:48 AM PDT

•  The link says nothing about this upcoming speech.

  by lovingj on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:16:18 AM PDT

  •  Yes it does

    The Times’s Jeff Zeleny tells us that Senator Obama will deliver a speech on race Tuesday in Philadelphia at the National Constitution Center. He is hoping to address concerns stirred by Mr. Wright’s controversial statements, which the senator has denounced, as well as other racially charged comments that in recent weeks have changed the tone of the Democratic nominating fight.

    link

    by bumblebums on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:22:14 AM PDT

•  Off topic, but also found at that link

  This little blurb...

  Also, The Boston Globe reports that Republicans, confident that Mr. McCain has the nomination locked up, have been voting for Mrs. Clinton in extraordinary numbers. "About 100,000 GOP loyalists voted for her in Ohio, 119,000 in Texas, and about 38,000 in Mississippi, exit polls show," writes Scott Helman.

  When is this nonsense going to end?  Three months from now, this race will look the same as it does now.  So why do Superdelegates need 3 more months of this bitterness to make a decision?

  by TheC on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:17:43 AM PDT

  •  From link

    Newsweek has a story

    Trying Times for Trinity: Barack Obama's church is under scrutiny. But what's it really like on the inside?

    Haven't read it yet, but its a good sign that the narrative is changing.  To minimize the "Pastor Problem", Obama just has to make the case as to why he is a member of Trinity UCC.  This requires America to look at African American churches and leadership in a different light - pull them into the mainstream of American consciousness.  This requires dilligent media attention to the historical context of Wright and Trinity UCC.  The Obama speech and Newsweek article (which I haven't read yet) appear to be a good start.

    by ManahManah on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:29:08 AM PDT

•  Analysis of PA race: Philly Burbs vs Philly

  From the Philadelphia Inquirer. I wish I could say the double entendre in my title was intentional, but it was an accident:

  http://www.philly.com/...

  by Dartagnan on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:25:29 AM PDT

•  Hey, my cousin works there!

  I'll have to hook up with said cousin on IM today and see what the buzz is at the NCC.

  If, that is, said cousin isn't too busy.

  by Praxxus on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:32:37 AM PDT

  •  BREAKING: Cousin, NCC Staff shut out of speech!

    Scandal!  What does this say about Obama's ability to lead the free world?  Well okay, nothing.  Just like the rest of these stupid "scandals" we've been subjected to this week.

    Praxxus:  So . . . anything interesting happening at the ol' NCC this week?

    Cousin: Newt Gingrich is speakign on Thursday - about the environment of all things

    Praxxus:  Anyone else?

    Cousin:  Oh - yeah - Obama is making some big speech tomorrow, but none of us get to go to it.

    Praxxus:  Awwww.  That is teh suck!

    Cousin:  Yeah. It's a private facility rental, so we're not invited.

    Bummer.

    The Cuz does get to go the debate on April 16.  So I guess working there does have its perks.  ;-)

    by Praxxus on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:16:04 AM PDT

•  The Economy is REALLY bad today guys

  While McCain and Hillary are addressing Iraq, Obama would really help is candidacy if he talks about race and then talk about how division will not help us solve the economy.  And then pivot to the Economy and what we as a united country can do.

  by Drdemocrat on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:34:09 AM PDT

  •  Obama needs to claim eclonmy is his expertise.

    by drmah on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:40:07 AM PDT

  •  Recommended..I was just going to post this..

    We're in near economic meltdown and we're 5 years with no end in sight in Iraq and we wants to talk about race???

    by akr nyc on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:48:28 AM PDT

    •  OF COURSE the economy is about race!

      When unemployment goes up, What Hits The Fan is NOT
      evenly distributed!  When the economy is good,
      everybody, EVEN BLACK MEN, gets to work.
      But when it goes bad, it goes bad for 4% of
      white men and 14% of black ones.  So race
      is MORE salient, NOT less, when the economy
      is bad.

      by ge0rge on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:59:39 AM PDT

•  What he does *best*???

  Addressing race is what Obama HAS NOT
  done AT ALL throughout this entire campaign!
  Maybe if you are from Illinois then you know
  he is good at it.  But if you didn't start
  looking until Iowa then this has simply NEVER
  BEEN SEEN before.

  As a black person, all I can say is,
  IT'S ABOUT #ing TIME!
  I was for Edwards because he grew up in the
  South while it was getting integrated and
  had to pick a side.  Obama UNTIL Wright
  was ONLY talking about getting "past" the
  "old" politics of "divisiveness".  Yes, demanding
  fairness, justice, and equality for people of
  darker races is very divisive because most
  white people ain't givin' it up without
  a fight !  This is a fight that a lot
  of us have been fighting longer than Barack Obama
  has.  If, as it turns out, he is actually on our
  side after all, well, that's good news, but my
  point is, it's news.

  by ge0rge on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 06:57:39 AM PDT

  •  Ummm, I think Barack has been on our side

    have you read his books? He found his "home" in the African American community, I seriously doubt that as a man with a Black wife and two Black daughters isn't going to FIGHT for African Americans. I'm sorry, but your comment really bothered me. He chose to identify himself as a Black man, and he's probably done more for the African American community in Illinois and more specifically the South Side of Chicago than so called "real" Black people.

    by Muzikal203 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:41:43 AM PDT

•  I actually posted a blog on his site

  calling for him to do this. It's really the obvious thing to do. Some people were suggesting he let it blow over so I'm glad he's taking this course of action. I hope it's substantial. His comments on wright and the fallout so far have been very general. I think people want to hear him go into detail about what he really thinks and feels about this issue.

  I also agree he should touch on the economy.

  by Last Years Man on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:01:18 AM PDT

•  Why didn't he give this speech years ago

  Why didn't he give this speech 20 years ago before he decided to spend 1/4 of his life under this pastor.

  by markcaldicott on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:06:32 AM PDT

  •  Because

    he found him to be an inspiring and genuine man, despite his faults? Just a guess.

    by Clipper on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:09:57 AM PDT

  •  he wrote a book in part about race

    Have you read it?

    by jakester on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:14:07 AM PDT

  •  he kind of already has, right here..

    by soros on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:18:10 AM PDT

•  Great news.

  Obama set to rock it on Tuesday. He has the ability to stay ahead of these narratives. Just when you think he's caught, he turns an issue to his advantage. That's what his campaign has been all about. Great decision by his campaign.

  by Clipper on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:07:59 AM PDT

•  I was actually hoping for a big speech

  on true patriotism, but this'll do for now, I suppose.

  by pragprogress on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:09:48 AM PDT

  •  Maybe that will be a part of tomorrow's speech

    I'm really looking forward to this, and I will have my tape ready to go :-)

    by Muzikal203 on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 07:42:42 AM PDT

•  could be an important day in American history

  big news.

  having seen Obama's response so far - not negating but recognizing the reasons for Wright's anger while seeking to move beyond - i think this could be a very important day in our nation's battle with this foundational problem.

  keep hope alive!

  by catchaz on Mon Mar 17, 2008 at 08:31:00 AM PDT