POLL: did Obama do the right thing today?

Of course, everyone here knows about the Obama press conference from today. The back-story is that Obama finally had a chance to see Wright's National Press Conference speech and his other interviews in the past four days, and they made him angry enough to respond, and respond now. I haven't seen the presser yet, but I will later tonight.

My question is simple: did Obama do the right thing today? Why or why not?

•  LOL!

  It's currently at 100% with 37 votes in.

  by jenontheshore on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:30:34 PM PDT

  •  Campbell brown must be fired

    she's a partisan hack, married to a republican strategist

    by indiansfordean on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:33:41 PM PDT

    •  what did she do?

      by votingin08 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:42:46 PM PDT

      •  Exist would be my guess n/t

        by catnap1972 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:53:55 PM PDT

•  Who knows?

  It was an impossible situation. He risked his political career to defend Wright in March, and Wright repaid him by stabbing him in the back with his press conference yesterday. I am not sure what the right thing for Barack to do was...I just feel bad for him. It seems like he can't catch a break lately, and he keeps getting hit with these manufactured controversies. It's not right for the media to judge him by where he goes to church but it's the unfortunate reality of the way the media covers politics.

  by democrattotheend on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:31:22 PM PDT

  •  It's only the unfortunatel reality

    for one candidate, it seems.  I haven't seen any lead stories featuring one of Clinton's or McCain's former pastors.  And look how many more years they have been adults.

    by texasmom on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:49:56 PM PDT

    •  The truth of the matter is,

      Clinton probably doesn't even attend a church.  I don't know anyone who has a strong religious conviction that would state that they would have left their church if they disagreed with their minister's philosophy.

      by nupstateny on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:57:07 PM PDT

      •  Please don't all flame me to death

        I think it may have been completely planned.

        I think Obama would be above such things, but it's what I would have done, if I had been in that meeting eighteen months back or so where Wright told Obama directly that he would have to separate from Wright eventually.

        Gotta catch the bus, or I'd say more.  I think I'll diary it tonight.

        by MooseHB on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:34:48 PM PDT

  •  Press spin

     I think that this may have been an opportunity for Obama...At times, we are forced to confront a situation brought about by someone we trusted- who has betrayed our essence/soul. Shock, sadness, fury, and astonishment are the initial reaction.
    Many are paralized by this for a time. This man, Obama, stood up, faced the World, and told the truth with GREAT personal pain evident and angst. He did not defame Wright but his words and actions.
     This is a leader--this is the President I want for the USA.

    by docb on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:52:30 PM PDT

•  yes, he did

  he did the only thing he could do.

  by rikyrah on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:31:35 PM PDT

•  yes yes YES

  Thank [God] Wright provided Obama the opportunity to do this by speaking out the last two days.  I suspect the old coot is going to provide Obama even more opportunities to completely distance himself over the next few days.

  by rf7777 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:32:08 PM PDT

  •  The irony

    Frankly, a vendetta against Obama by Wright and (as I understand it) maybe Sharpton as well would do nothing but help Obama politically.  His share of the white vote would only go up, while African-Americans aren't going to abandon him.

    by CA Pol Junkie on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:21:40 PM PDT

•  The saddest part...

  that is lost is that nobody respects a former marine's right to abide by the first amendment and his freedom to express his mind.  

  I hope people can see past someone who is NOT EVEN Barack and look at the man himself and judge him on his character.  

  by texasblueproject on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:33:59 PM PDT

  •  Barack does

    He said as much.  But when the Reverend publicly called Obama a (lying) posturing politician, he HAD to say something.

    by Michael Lawrence Gallagher on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:36:49 PM PDT

    •  Wright never called him that

      his point was he was a man of God and Obama a man of the people.
      Or he answered to God and Obama the people would be a better way to phrase it.
      I expect my plumber to fix my pipes.
      My carpenter to fix my steps.
      My priest to fix my soul
      and my politician to fix my country.
      To expect one to act like one of the others is ridiculous.

      by pd1969 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:04:24 PM PDT

    •  I agree with both of you texasblueproject and

      Micheal.  

      Wright has the right to defend himself, but once he interjects himself into a political campaign, he gives us the right to hide behind a religious discrimnation shield against challenge or criticism.

      I'm not saying Wright has done this, merely, proactively saying that he invites criticism by his on interjection.

      Progressives respect all people's right to privacy and freedom of religion.  But our need to insist that all social policy and political discussion be recognized as "assumptions" which all citizens have not only the right, but the responsibility to challenge and try to chance if they find it falls short of our own perceptions of human needs, values, and our choices.

      Yes, this create a tension between the "scientific method" of hypothesis testing  of social policy adn opinion that provides the core of "humanism" (whether you call it secular, scientific, or progressive, or "progressive secularist" as O'Reilly does.)

      But we cannot forget that secular humanism is the Rosetta Stone that allows us to have public eductation and other collective social policy at the same time was having a diversity of free religions.

      So while we respect our first amendment rights of freedom of speech and religion, no religion or person can hide behind the shield of claiming discrimination, once they agressive interject their opinions into the public arena for political purposes.

      We respect and critisize those religions that oppose contraception, sex education, and the use of condoms, especially in HIV  and starvation ravaged third world countries.

      We respect and critisize those religions that use religious orthodoxy or fundementalism as the basis for war, or domination against other populations.

      So to be consistant, we can also both respect and critisize Rev. Wright when he seems to be using his connection to Obama to advance his own agenda.

      On CNN, Roland Martin, says he and other Obama supportors remained silent, but were uncomfortable about Wright's remarks on Friday.

      Even more over the weekend, but still admired Obama's gestures and efforts to distinquish the ideas from the man, and allow his Reverence and friend, a face saving and gracious position.

      But, that Wright finally crossed 'the grey line' yesterday, in tone, intensity, and apparrent motivation.

      So, therefore, IMO, Senator Obama had no choice but to finally repudiate these thoughts at a higher level.  And even especially with regard to the allegations that the US developed and spread AIDs in Africa.  

      In my eyes, Senator's Obama's response has been just about as near to perfectly consistent with courageiously and graciously, balancing personal loyalty, and progressive principals, as I can imagine humanly possible.

      And comes out of this challenging and painful episode as an even more admirable person and political leader than I thought before.

      We are probably lucky to have this come out now, because the longer they think about it, the more voters will support Obama's handling of this.  

      And better appreciate his substantial "charactor advantage" over the other candidates in this election.

      by HoundDog on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:28:50 PM PDT

      •  hang on there, dawg

        I think this is unfair:

        once he interjects himself into a political campaign

        The greatest tragedy of this whole affair is not its impact on Obama, it is that Wright very specifically DID NOT "interject himself" into this. He was more of an innocent bystander than Obama.

        If a member of his church hadn't decided to run for president, he would not have been held up as an object of scorn and villified by the media, Obama's opponents, and the rightwing noise machine. He would not have received death threats, his church would not have gotten bomb threats, his church members would not have been dogged by the media even as they lay dying in HOSPICE, for god's sake.

        Wright didn't choose to speak out in support of Obama. Obama asked him to step out of the picture when he announced his candidacy, and Wright did just that. It was Mark Penn's Opposition Research that dragged Dr. Wright into this with no regard for the damage he was doing to an honorable man, just for the CHANCE it would damage Obama.

        Wright did nothing to cause this debacle, but he deserves a lot of credit for publicly giving Obama a way out of it. He has certainly sacrificed a lot for Obama's campaign. But, then, Wright has stepped up and served his country before, so we shouldn't be surprised he had the moral courage to do so again.

        by carolita on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:46:04 PM PDT

  •  He absolutely has the right

    just as others have the right to criticize him.

    by AaronInSanDiego on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:37:46 PM PDT

    •  Nobody is saying he doesn't have the right

      to speak out.  Obama doesn't.  I don't.  Its the content of his speech yesterday with which I disagree.

      by cheforacle on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:12:25 PM PDT

  •  Wright has the right to speak out.

    He does not have the right to force everyone to agree with him, nor to have Obama agree with him.

    And Obama has the right to denounce him.

    No one is stopping Wright from expressing his mind and speaking.  Thus his freedom to speak has not been infringed.

    by Delaware Dem on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:38:46 PM PDT

  •  I respect Wright's service,

    But what does that have to do with anything?

    Wright and Obama both have First Amendment protection. That means Wright can say what he wants, and Obama can choose what he agrees with and what he doesn't.

    by droogie6655321 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:42:53 PM PDT

    •  A cynical thought: tie Wright to McCain?

      This is horribly cynical but: Veteran, war hero, commendable, honorable person who's become unhinged in his old age - sound like anyone we know who IS running for prez?

      by sab39 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:55:48 PM PDT

      •  yes, cynical, and I wouldn't stoop to it. n/t

        by Jbeaudill on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:03:36 PM PDT

  •  The man on Bill Moyers this weekend was an

    intelligent, thoughtful, interesting man.  The man at the Press Club yesterday was a clown trying to get his 15 minutes and saying many things that were ridiculous.  And they were the same man.

    by cheforacle on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:10:49 PM PDT

    •  i too enjoyed the bill moyers interviedw

      wright is a most personable guy

      by indiansfordean on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:19:34 PM PDT

•  I voted "yes"

  because he needed to do it to win the Presidency and that is what is most important now. However, personally, I found Rev Wright's speech utterly inspiring and personally Obama's "outrage" sounded weak and hollow.

  by sam2300 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:34:44 PM PDT

  •  I understand how Obama's outrage sounded weak

    But Obama is not exactly a high-strung, loud-mouthed type.  

    Another point is that Wright is retired.  The more "press" he gets, the better chances he has of selling a book down the road.   This is just publicity for him.  And he loves the publicity.   It is all about him -- and he loves it.

    Obama was forced to respond due to Wright's constant yammering for attention.  

    So you were watching Wright do something he loved -- get publicity.

    While you were watching Obama do something he felt sorrow in doing -- reject someone who was close to him at one time, and worse, spend days  and days responding to this non-issue to which there is NO upside.    

    Obama did his best.  That he didn't appear animated and joyful while doing it is an indication of a deeper man who sees all sides of this situation.  

    by ruscle on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:42:26 PM PDT

    •  gee, damned if you do, damned if dont

      by votingin08 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:45:28 PM PDT

    •  Not a book 'down the road' - Alas, the

      book is due out in September!!

      by Jbeaudill on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:29:25 PM PDT

      •  Sept!

        Just in time for the November Election.  

        Great timing.  He can ride Obama's coattails to more book sales.

        by ruscle on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:50:03 PM PDT

        •  Exactly, shows what a real friend

          Wright is - as I've written before, Wright is sort of like a nutty uncle in the attic. But a book by Wright coming out in September is just a horrific thought to me and one that I hope the Obama campaign is already on top of in terms of neutralizing.

          by Jbeaudill on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:07:19 PM PDT

          •  I think today effectively neutralized it.

            Obama certainly won't be writing the forward.  

            by ruscle on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:19:57 PM PDT

            •  I wish a way could be found to

              squelch the book until later in the year, post-election, or maybe just squelch it entirely...but free speech and all that...

              by Jbeaudill on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:40:23 PM PDT

•  It was right, but will it make a difference?

  I mean, will it kill the chattering from the press and other opposition?  But certainly, it gave him breathing room to FINALLY do what most politicians would have done back when the story broke... push the controversial character away.  And he can do it without looking either disloyal or cowardly.

  by Leggy Starlitz on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:35:00 PM PDT

  •  I believe for voters

    this is huge. For the corporate Hillary backing media, not so much. But those snippets of Wright will never have the impact that they had up until earlier today.

    by kitebro on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:03:58 PM PDT

•  Sadly, yes

  Very sad that he had to do this, but Rev. Wright forced the issue. Wright could have quit while he was ahead, after the NAACP speech.

  by AaronInSanDiego on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:36:58 PM PDT

  •  i agree...the interview/NAACP was enough

    he was getting positive reviews from those appearances but when oddly off course during the QA session yesterday.

    by votingin08 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:46:34 PM PDT

    •  No it wasn't

      Wright had to force Obama to distance himself more forcefully. The NAACP speech got everyone's attention, but the press conference was the real target. In the Moyers interview Wright talked about Obama needing to do just that, but the problems it could cause him in the African-American community. Then he talked about his belief that god would turn this evil episode into something good for Obama.

      Wright knows his commuity well. By publicly giving Obama a real reason to distance himself, Wright gave him a pass with his supporters.

      A lot of people seem to think this is all about Wright, but it was never about Wright. In the Moyers interview, Wright said "this is not about Obama." Olbermann talked quite a bit about that because he didn't understand how Wright could say it, since the whole thing was clearly about Obama. If Obama had not been running, none of this would ever have come up. But I believe Wright meant that what Obama was being forced to do in repudiating Wright was not his fault and the situation was certainly not of his choosing -- that he understood Obama was going to be forced to do it to save his candidacy.

      by carolita on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:02:23 PM PDT

•  Obama is correct

  even if Obama's position means that some Obama supporters will have to abandon their prior defense of Wright's comments.

  Now that Obama has denounced Wright's comments, Obama supporters can be united again.

  by science first on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:37:15 PM PDT

•  He gave Wright the benefit of the doubt,

  Even defended him publicly. He stood up for him when lesser politicians wouldn't have.

  And how was he rewarded?

  Yes, he did the right thing.

  by droogie6655321 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:41:44 PM PDT

•  hell...wright didnt give him a choice

  and wright certainly didnt help himself out either

  by votingin08 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:42:14 PM PDT

  •  Wright's addiction to the spotlight...

    ... has cost him a friend, looks like.

    by droogie6655321 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:43:48 PM PDT

    •  And a potential comeback, as well.

      Bill Moyers was a step in the right direction. But then Wright went overboard.

      by kitebro on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:05:56 PM PDT

•  I don't know if there is

  a "right" or "wrong" on this one.

  "Necessary evil" is what I would characterize it as.

  by wmtriallawyer on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:42:30 PM PDT

  •  Bingo

    and it is a damned shame that this is what our political discourse has devolved into. It is a wonder that anyone with any character (or sense) at all would even consider running for office.

    by carolita on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:05:23 PM PDT

•  Wright has a right to defend himself; and Obama

  has a right to disagree with Wright's statements.  I don't think it is very complicated - especially since the corporate media chooses to ignore McPain's unusual affiliations.

  by LRT on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:46:32 PM PDT

•  Wright joins Obama's grandma - under the bus.

  by Ritter on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:52:48 PM PDT

  •  Absurd

    by pd1969 on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:04:58 PM PDT

  •  Beyond absurd...

    ...especially considering his grandmother appeared in one of his ads.

    by CA Pol Junkie on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:26:42 PM PDT

    •  thnx for the link

      It's a lovely ad, & I hadn't seen it.
      
      
      ````
      peace
      
      

      by peace voter on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 03:58:15 PM PDT

•  He had a clear choice

  Do I represent the larger community that is America? Or do I follow the directives of the Catholic pope?

  JFK made the right call then and the country can see now who Obama will serve foremost: these United States of us.

  He'll be attacked by political opponents anyway, but he just passed a critical test that had to cause him pain.

  by Cowboy Kahlil on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 12:54:09 PM PDT

  •  yes, a crucial point

    I think what bothered people who might have been leaning toward Obama but were discouraged about his relationship with Wright was, that they could not be sure that Obama was truthful when he said he did not agree with Wright.  But now it must be obvious.

    by louisev on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:23:43 PM PDT

•  Obama's first speech was so brilliant

  And he was gracious with Wright - more than he deserved in some respects.

  But Wright just had to go and make a goddamn spectacle out of it.  Idiot.

  Now Obama's brilliant race speech is just a footnote on an unfortunate campaign side-story.

  by CA Libertarian on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:01:16 PM PDT

•  Obama said, 'The person I saw yesterday

  was not the person I knew  from 20 years ago.'

  This is what a lot of us have been thinking about Bill Clinton.  Maybe, we didn't know him as well as we thought.

  So when Hillary says the issue is Obama's judgement, does she accept the same standard for her continued choice to put Bill on the front lines of her political campaign, and other choices?

  Will she renounce, reject, and repudiate.....

  Whatever.

   
   

  by HoundDog on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:07:43 PM PDT

•  it does make me wonder, too

  Whether Wright told him he wanted to do a press junket and negotiated with the Obama campaign as to the timing and managed to get him to hold off "till after Pennsylvania."  I think that Obama was well aware of the timing and knew Wright was going to go public about now.

  by louisev on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 01:24:53 PM PDT

  •  I doubt it was coordinated with Obama, but

    I do believe that this was calculated on Wright's part to force Obama to distance himself from Wright more forcefully. Go back and look at the Moyer interview again and he does seem to telegraph this as a necessity. He talks about the damage this crap has done to Trinity and its members and its current pastor, as well as to Obama. After saying he had been thinking and praying about it, he talks about his belief that God can take this evil and turn it into good -- and that he believes Obama will emerge from this stronger.

    Whatever else he may be, Wright is a deeply spiritual man. It is amazing to me that so few people seem to be able to recognize real Christian values and actions when they see them. Wright said that almost all of the death threats and bomb threats were accompanied by quoting scripture.

    To me, the real reason for the separation of church and state is to preserve the church. Once the church starts playing politics, it becomes fair game. Preachers like Hagee and Robertson and Falwell have so diminished the stature of the church that everything any church leader does is automatically suspect. And everyone knows that politicians' expressions of religious values are just a game to dupe the gullible idiots who really believe this crap. Church does not make politicians holy, but wallowing in the mud with politicians and the media reduces churches to their level -- pandering for money and power, with no claim to the moral high ground.

    by carolita on Tue Apr 29, 2008 at 02:34:22 PM PDT