Tom Daschle made a really great comment about Obama. He said , here is a guy who has taken chances with his career - and thats what Tom liked about him. When it came down to it, he didn't just play it safe. He took a chance.

Love the man.

Perhaps there is a path out of the ugliness that has dragged down so much of the discussion this primary season.

Three weeks ago:

But just three weeks ago, when asked about his church at a campaign event, Obama replied: "I don't think that my church is actually particularly controversial. It is a member of the United Church of Christ. It's got a choir. We sing hymnals. We talk about scripture. You would feel at home if you were there."

This speech was politically driven, nothing more, nothing less.

To me a white southerner , I saw it differently.

So, the same folks raging about the wingnuts buy into Obama's radical bs.

Amazing.

If you want seperate chruch from State, there is only one candidate that does this.

Hillary Clinton does have a preacher screaming God damn America or one that wants to destroy Islam.

Wake up.

A modern checkers speech. Obama is cuter and hipper than a puppy.

"But I do not know another way Obama could have done it."

In effect saying "Yes, there is racism in America, but you can assuage the guilt by voting for me" won't play on Main Street, U.S.A.

Here I think is the exact place where Obama's speech only dismisses, and does address, the essential problem:

Did I strongly disagree with many of his political views? Absolutely - just as I'm sure many of you have heard remarks from your pastors, priests, or rabbis with which you strongly disagreed.

Yet most Americans will simply reject the notion that they have heard from their own spiritual leaders anything that remotely resembles the outrageous comments of Jeremiah Wright. They will know in their bones that had they heard such things come out of the mouth of their spiritual leader, they would have immediately sought out another church or temple.

This is the simple thought experiment most Americans will conduct, and they will reject Obama's suggestion that they would behave no differently than has Obama.

No amount of speechifying can get around that essential fact, which will be driven home for the full remainder of Obama's campaign.

Obama's speech was a fine speech, but it didn't rise to the level of great historical speeches of the past. I am content of the acknowledgment to the arrogant, calculated falsehood that he issued this past Friday night. Although, I expect the GOP to not be as forgiving, naturally. The question that remains for me personally is... did he respond adequately to the anti-patriotic angle. We shall see...

I didn't see the speech, but I think most Americans will not see it either.  Instead they will see some excerpts in late night news-casts, like:

"Obama made a speech about race where he countered claims about Wright and talked about race issues in America."

"He admitted that he heard Wright express his extreme views, which contradicts Obama's previous recollections."

"He mentioned Ferraro in his speech, who resigned from Clinton's campaign because of statements she made about race."

It is probably unfortunate too, but speeches don't have as much affect on US populace no matter how great they are. Instead partisans on each side - will say "It was the best/worst speeach evar" and then it is up to MSM to frame it in any way they want.

It is all about controversies and slip-ups. That's what get the ratings.  

for writing a reasoned, sane entry on this site about Obama's speech.

This speech will be forever known as the "Philadelphia Speech".

Obama basically let Revernend Wright off the hook for his racially divisive comments and threw Geraldine Ferraro under the bus. Folks, that is Obama Unity!

You know the commentators will say how great the speech was but would have to start asking questions when the euphoria settles.

Obama basically lied to the American people in his interviews last week , he admitted in his speeches he had heard some of these hate filled speeches but all of last week he said he didn't know about them and if he knew he would have quit.

So when the dust settles , we would see how he handles these blatant contradictions

"But I do not know another way Obama could have done it."

How about this?

Obama could have simply and humbly apologized for his longterm association with Wright. Obama could have said that he was attracted to Wright as a young man, but that, on reflection, he would have done better to have exited his church when it became clear that the pastor had very different ideas about race relations, and the US in general, than Obama had. And Obama could have not spent so much time praising Wright.

He could have left the Clinton campaign completely out of it. Or, alternatively, he could have included the Clintons in his apology, considering the JJ Jr and Michelle statements.

Obama could have not mentioned Geraldine Ferraro, or his grandmother, or any other putative white racist, and not have implied that the existence of such people somehow makes what Wright said OK.

And, finally, for once, Obama could have refrained from lecturing the rest of us about race, or anything else. He is the one who screwed up. He is the one who has allowed his loudly and oft-proclaimed "message" of racial "unity" to be undermined by the statements of a man that he has referred to as his spirtual advisor. Can't this man ever stop telling us what we have to do to live up to his supposed high standards?

Great speech, but didn't ease working class white fears in my opinion.

Why i recommend everyone donate what they can to Hillary.

Here is the link.  Let's get Hillary back on the air with more 3am wake up calls.  This time in PA.  =)

https://contribute.hillaryclinton.com/fo rm.html?sc=1699&utm_source=1699& utm_medium=e

I'm really glad he gave this speech and didn't just sweep the Wright issue under the rug. Of course, he probably had to if he wants the nomination, but he did take a step forward in this important dialogue and I'm glad he did.

I'm a Hillary supporter who feels a bit saddened that the issue women have faced and continue to face takes a backseat in this election, but I also don't want to diminish the issue of racism because it does need to be discussed.

You can tell Obama basically said "I'm writing this speech" and not taking guidance from anyone else.

It did nothing for me...

One thing this speech told me is that Obama thinks he can use nuance and intellectual speech and hope Americans will follow his thought pattern because it is logical and smart.

But he doesn't get the past mistakes of Kerry and the audience he seeks to keep/save/gain.

And now we may be going to go into the general election with a barely defined candidate who has this explosive relationship and watch it get wrapped around Obama over and over and over by the right. And he has no history with the American people for cover or to look back on.

Mimi Katz has a good post on the speech at Open Left. Some of her excerpts of the speech have impressed me.

It was a good speech, but not a great speech; and it leaves me wondering once again why every one find Sen. Obama so charismatic.

Also it was a low blow to put Wright in the same league with Ferraro. Just continuing the Obama campaign's under-the-belt distortions.  Wright and Obama are beyond apples and oranges, they are apples and cabbages.

Also Obama made another confession in this speech.  Didn't I hear him say he has heard some of that inflammatory type language (like we've seen in the clips) in Wright's sermons? A couple days ago, wasn't he saying if he had ever heard that kind of language from Wright, he would have found another church?

Speaking of confessions, he just confessed a couple days ago that he had lied before about the amount of money received from Rezko.  That got buried in all the Wright uproar.

And it did nothing to my few Ohio neighbors who voted Obama and are now doubting his chances, with the horrid implications of his twenty-year relationship with a minister wanting to punish White America.  

They all found Obama's speech rather ridiculous.

Again, some verbatim comments:

"And he believes this ends this?  I feel sorry for the guy.  He's in the clouds, and so was I until those minister videos showed up."

"You can;t make a twenty-year story go away in a speech.  Not any speech."

"Obama looked desperate.  And using Ferraro?  Sorry, Barack, no dice.  Twenty years in a friendship means a lot more to voters than some remarks by Ferraro."

I think that Jonathan wants to believe again in Obama.

But the videos are out there.  Nothing can make them go away.

If Obama is the nominee, its suicide for the Democrats.

Obama speeches no longer work.  Not with this Wright enemy ammunition.

This is a story with big legs.  A White Army of legs.  All leaving the Democrats in droves soon enough.

Chuck Todd is being pro-Obama silly if he thinks that any speeches can make a difference any longer.

Take it from this once also delusional Dukakis supporter, it's either dumping Obama now or a bloodbath for the Democrats come fall.

Just as RFK's speech after the assassination of MLK was a leap of faith - that he didn't need to "talk down" to America, that he could quote Thucydides, talk of his own brother's assassination, connect with the American people - Obama does the same thing here.

This isn't a "soundbite" speech.  It wasn't a speech to address "Reverend Wright".  It was an omnibus speech about America, it's past and how we get to its future.  It didn't choose to ignore wounds and scars -- it stared them down and challenged the nation to move beyond fast food racial discussion, soundbite crapola, and FoxNews crawler hackery.

I've always agreed with Studs Terkel:

I've always felt, in all my books, that there's a deep decency in the American people and a native intelligence--providing they have the facts, providing they have the information."

This is Obama casting his lot with Studs, with RFK, with other visionaries -- that America as a great nation isn't a cliche, that there is really meaning --- and real work to be done --- beyond simply talking about how wonderful this nation is.

Just like Lincoln in 1863... RFK in 1968... Eisenhower in his memorable farewell... Washington in his.... There are moments when great leaders trust the nation and speak without calculation, they don't couch the speech in what an advisor says will "fix" the problem, what consultant tells them "plays in Peoria", or what a talking head so earnestly claims he "needs to do".

They take the problem head on.  They don't tell us to ignore or overlook it.   They don't lazily pass the buck or break out the tired cliches we've all heard thousands of times before -- the magic amulets so we can all, in great (false) comfort, site back and say "Well, I'm glad that's solved".   This isn't a James Buchanan, Franklin Pierce, or Millard Fillmore speech -- it was an Abraham Lincoln speech.

No doubt... not everyone will hear it.

I'm sure plenty of defense industry contractors thought to Ike, "Screw you - the military-industrial complex is my bread and butter."

I'm sure plenty of Americans - even great Americans like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson -- scoffed at Washington his warnings of a partisan divide and political parties.

I'm sure plenty of Americans scoffed at RFK - the northern liberal elite N*** lover.

I'm sure plenty of Americans very much didn't heed Roosevelt's words about fear -- and very much were afraid for their future.

Ultimately - this speech wasn't about you.  It wasn't about me.  It wasn't about Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, or even Jeremiah Wright.

It was about our nation and all of us collectively.  It was about where we have failed, where we have succeeded -- and most importantly -- how we CAN succeed.

It starts with having the courage to move beyond soundbites and YouTube clips, it continues with rolling up our sleeves and getting to work, and it will never end -- because none of us are perfect, nor will we ever be.

It's the embodiment of patriotism -- the unending movement of the bar higher and higher.  That's what has always made America great - and that's what Obama's speech today reminds us.

from a typical apathetic apolitical dude in my office and he was blown away by the awesome. Hasn't been paying attention the race but tuned in for the speech and watched the whole thing. He didn't mention how offended he was by the fact that Barack Obama totally smeared Geraldine Ferraro so I guess he wasn't listening hard enough.

... is more enlightened than some are here. Just think about that one for a moment...

Strange days indeed...

Have I missed the competition?    [Charles Murray]

I read the various posts here on "The Corner," mostly pretty ho-hum or critical about Obama's speech. Then I figured I'd better read the text (I tried to find a video of it, but couldn't). I've just finished. Has any other major American politician ever made a speech on race that comes even close to this one? As far as I'm concerned, it is just plain flat out brilliant--rhetorically, but also in capturing a lot of nuance about race in America. It is so far above the standard we're used to from our pols.... But you know me. Starry-eyed Obama groupie.

I found the speech unimpressive. How was it different than most of his speeches? "Lots of people say bad things concerning race. Let's move on." How are we going to move on? How would his presidency address past discrimination of blacks?

This is a larger problem I have with Obama. The Republicans have led this country totally off the tracks. What is he going to do about it? "Let's move on past partisanship." How? How is he going to stop Republicans from being hyperpartisan? Obama's attitude seems to be that Bill Clinton's policies were wrong just like George W. Bush's and we need to move beyond both. I dislike him equating Clinton's policies with Dubya's.

I want someone for President who says that the Dems have been right, that the Republicans have been wrong, and that most of the problems in America today are because the Republicans have gotten their way too often. I don't see Obama saying that.

Obama's attempt to lump Ferraro's comments with those of Rev. Wright is not only wrong, it reveals a great deal about him.

To anyone who took the time to fully read her comments, her remarks were not based on any racial bias, deep seated or otherwise.

Her remarks reflected the frustration of dealing with a media double standard that heaped unwarranted criticism on Clinton while giving Obama a free ride.

Obama's insistence on negating the frustration millions of women voters feel and, by extension, painting them as having "deep seated" racial bias is offensive and insulting.

His willingness to label women voters who support Clinton as "closet" racists speaks volumes about why this candidate has a poor to non-existent record on women's issues.  We may also assume, if elected, women can expect more of the same "iron my shirt" mentality from this candidate.

Obama and his supporters need to realize that women understand the sexist "code" - the words and phrases that men use to minimize the status, power and influence of women.  We saw it today in his speech and we will remember it.

Ace in the hole. This speech should go in the history books. This candidacy should (and will) go in the history books. This was one of the most "presidential" speeches I have ever heard a candidate give in my life, if not THE most. It challenges every American to be better, from top-down and bottom-up. He didn't dance around issues as most politicians and people in the public light do. If you didn't feel challenged to be a better American after listening to this speech, you were not paying attention.

...himself.  Some poster this morning put their finger in obama's eye (well before the speech) dismissing it as just another Axelrod creation.

Unfortunately for those folks this was and is being accepted as one of the bravest speeches seen or heard in decades, and has framed (reminded) the MSM and hopefully the electorate that Obama is not only a traqnsforamtive candidate, he has the moral strength to be our next president.

We don't need any more poll driven fingers to the wind "leaders."

Now like Obama pointed out there will always be those who seek out to see the worst in all of us, and some of them are right here at mydd.  For you folks, I suggest in the warmest way possible, that before you align yourselves with the FOXs and Rushes of the world in an attempt to find the slightest flaw (or make them up, like in saying he smeared GF)in this speech, you take a momnet to decide how you want the next few weeks to play out.

I applaud your honest feedback about this.  Even if MyDD is pro-Hillary, it's nice to see some honesty.

Thanks.

If he is so honest why didn't he say Oh by the way last Friday I lied about that not hearing Rev.Wright say anything wrong.Just like when confronted with Rezko I lied.As a matter of fact any time I'm confronted with anything unpleasant I will lie.That would have been honest but you get instead this same theme.Blacks are angry and should be,whites are resentful and should get over it.Then he channels Rodney King with can't we all just get along.In the end he really didn't say anything but the obvious just like Chinese food it tastes good but leaves you empty an hour latter.

Wow, I realise it's theoretically not possible to fail a Rorschach test but there are a surprising number of tone-deaf responses here to Obama's remarkable speech.  What gives folks?  Is there more to this than mere partisan loyalty to an opposing candidate?  Hmmm..?

Obama's speech was playing the race card when his religion was the issue. Americans are very gullible.

Clinton does not have a radical spiritual adviser and will seperate church and State.

of sorts.   You wrote:

"And at least to me, a coastal American who grew up and lived for most of his life in a state (Oregon) that will be holding its nominating contest this May, he did connect. "

For anyone who has lived through decades race relations in the East (especially the South), Obama seems like an incredible "Johnny come lately" to the race issue.   In the 1960s, Jewish kids from New York were getting themselves killed in the South for their support of voting rights.  For the next FORTY YEARS white people like the Gore family (Al Jr. and Sr.) and the Clintons have worked arm-in-arm with african americans to fight poverty, injustice, and racism.   Ask Andrew Young or Jesse Jackson or Charles Rangel how well the races have gotten along in the progressive community.

Now Obama comes along and claims to be the first one to  have this idea?   That the races can get along?   Of course they can!  It's only his vituperative minister who has misled him into believing anything different.    

This is an objective reaction to Senator Obama's speech. I would be surprised if any progressive could watch that speech and not be touched by his message.

WE are all americans.
WE are all democrats..on this site.
WE share a common bond.

WE are america.. with all the warts and imperfections..but we all need to move toward a more perfect union.
Please, everyone think about this ...what brought you to the democratic party in the first place?
Please, let us unite and work toward a more perfect union behind either Senator Obama or Senator Clinton.

I am my brother's keeper. I am my sister's keeper. I am a democrat and an american.

That was one of the greatest political speeches I've ever heard.  Hillary and her supporters can only stand around on the sidelines and wish that she had that sort of courage.  Game, set, match...

I think that this will go down as one of the great speeches in American history.  

Five words I hate:

1) He Nailed it

2) Stick a fork in it

3) It's Over

4) Shes Done/He's Done

5) They're 'Toast'

In this speech, I think it's safe to say he hit a home run of some sorts.

I'll say this again. Simply put - the speech was good, needed to happen, will further race relations, but people will not forget why Obama was forced to give it. Wright's anti-American rhetoric will not be forgotten, nor will Obama's 20 year close association with Wright. When you throw William Ayers (domestic terrorist who declared war on the US) into the mix, Obama will be perceived as someone who surrounds himself with anti-American radicals. You know the RAM will pound this into the American psyche. Obama may very well still win the nomination, if Dems do not throw their support behind Hillary now. But, when it comes to the general, the RAM will revisit Wright and Ayers and make Obama the anti-American Democratic candidate (BTW, not something that can be done to Hillary). Obama will lose against the war hero, McCain. Sorry but it's true; however, at least you will "feel good" about supporting Obama.

Just a brief commentary interlude between the verbal body blows:

Whoever wins - Hillary or Obama - each and every one of you needs to suck it up and vote Democratic this fall.

Okay, back to the boxing match now. Have fun.

singer was an oregonian, no wonder i liked him, makes his badassery that much more awesome

The reason everyone seems to be struggling with how to receive the speech, I believe, is that a speech cannot reverse 20 years of close association with even a minority of anti-American, hate-filled demogoguery.  What I heard today (and I listen to the speech) was Barack Obama not distancing but bringing the Reverend closer, by comparing him now to a father figure, eclipsing the "uncle" reference.  While it is highly commendable that he supports his friend and mentor of 20 years(and I believe he could do no less), the continuance of the association with this Reverend clearly shows that Obama has chosen the road that does not lead to the White House. If your chosen "father" figure holds these beliefs and you do not disown him, disavow him and completely sever your relationship, you are not allaying but heightening the fears that you hold any of these views yourself.  In so doing you forfeit your opportunity to lead this nation.  Had Obama built his campaign on directly confronting the racial divides and unfortunate deep-seated angers and hatreds, rather than trying rise above it or ignore it, then maybe he'd have a chance.  But this whole episode shows him to be a hypocrit vis a vis what he says versus what he believes. I think it is over for Obama - it's just a matter of time...

It is clear that the Obama-ites had their lines all ready for the speech. He could have farted on a ritz cracker and we still would be inundated with coomments referring to "I Have a Dream" Bobby Kennedy, Abe Lincoln, Neil Armstrong, Louie Amrstong, whatever.

The fact is that, after trying to play slick with his Rev issue, he needed to give a speech to save his political neck. And he did. And it is funny how he came across as so self-righteous while still finding time for petty comments about Feraro.

I recall being in the military. Every time the higher-ups would screw up with an issue such as sexual harrassment, everyone wound up getting lectured on it.

I am no need from a lecture from Mr. Obama on race relations. What I needed to know was how come he could possibly have such a close relationship with this pastor, and not admit they they think alike. I need to know how he in the past has explained his relationship with this pastor to his children. I want to know what his children think of America, and White people for that matter.

He did admit that he lied about not knowing about the pastor's screwed up comments.

Just like he lied about how much money Rezko gave to him.

Just like he has lied about never getting money from PACs and special interests.

His speech does not make the following go away:

Rezko.

William Ayers.

Connections to the Chicago machine that involve organized crime.

Auchi and the Oil for Food program.

The fact that the Rev. Wright has already lost him the November election.

In case you cannot tell, no I do not trust Senator Obama.

I agree- it was more than a political campaign speech. He asks us to think, to look within, and then all work together for the common good of ALL Americans. Truly inspiring.

How can the Democratic Party turn away from this historic political figure? Rezko, Wright, etc., be damned. He must be nominated. HRC is the path of cowardice.

We have just had one of the most frank discussions of race by a public figure in our lifetime.  

He has taken the narrative of our country and appealed to ALL of us that we can only move forward.

I am deeply, deeply saddened that some on this thread don't get it.

Who had 8 years of state legislative experience and two years of federal legislative experience as a House Representative before he became president?

Who?

Abraham Lincoln.

Sorry, it fell short.

Sure, it was quite eloquent, highly accurate, (mostly) generous, and it hit all the notes that Obama supporters like and listen for.

It's still Not Enough.  It's Obama once again saying that if we are generous and gloss over things with enough conventional Christian talk and habits, everything will be okay.  

What's wrong is that- as per usual- he doesn't drill to the core.  He doesn't have an actual vision or deep principle of justice in whose spirit he can operate.  He always, and I mean always, shies away from the secular issue of our time- that due process and equal protection are our strongest public life principles and guides to that place we all want to get to.  Instead, there's always this fluffy and unreliable Christian bit- which Wright so clearly demonstrates as being fallible and convoluted and not strong enough of a guide.

I think at some point Obama, despite being an academic in Constitutional law, decided that the Bible somehow completely outweighed Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment's role and implications in how to structure and argue out and arrive at settlements in public life.  Which is the central Constitutional argument of our time.  

I have tried to give him every benefit of the doubt, every chance, every consideration that the guarantees and demands of the 14th spoken of overtly might be politically hazardous.  At this point I've concluded that he really doesn't get it, though.  And not coming to a strong inward stance seems to me, given that he has more than enough experience, a failure of intellect, nerve, and principle.  It's not a great failing, and it is a normal one in all times and all places.  Except that the present moment happens to have a demand for a leader with a strong sense and vision of what is right and just, not merely what is good.

taught in coursework on race in America for generations to come.  The first black candidate's first address on race, and the quality to which he did it, is a historical moment.

Well, I went to go sit in on a course a friend is teaching on Religion and Politics in America...he walked in, a few minutes ago, and passed out the speech.

Thank you for your reasonable take on the speech today. It may not be enough to quell the backlash over Wright, I think the right wing media knows they've finally found something with traction on Obama, but I think Obama did as good as humanly possible.

His speech elevated the debate on race by about 25 years. We'll see if anyone in the media can keep up with him.

It was a good speech without a doubt. I support Obama and will vote for him if he is the nominee. But I grew up in the Midwest, and I can assure you that, inspite of Obama's eloquence, the phrase that will continue to ring in ears of most voters in that part of the country is "God Damn America." Fairly or not, Obama will be judged by the company he has kept for the past 20 years. I'm honestly afraid he won't be able to recover from this.

There was (and still is) alot on the line for Obama with this speech, but I don't see where he took any big risks or made any big statements.  This was a typical Obama speech in that it highlighted himself personally, outlined a problem, and called for no action other than "vote for Obama."  There is plenty for everyone to agree with, everyone is called out and nobody is singled out (except Geraldine Ferraro), and Wright is both praised and chastised.  We can all feel good about ourselves.

After basically confessing that he has sat through hatred and racism in his own church and his own community, what is he telling us he has done about it?  Are there examples given (in the speech, or ever) of Obama sitting down with his pastor and discussing a new way forward or a more racially conciliatory path he could be taking?  Has he even given a speech in his own community or his own church denouncing any of the language that he so vehemently denounces now?  The answer is no.  While his pastor was praising Farrakhan, accusing whites of creating AIDS, and making vile comments about his primary opponent Obama said or did nothing.

And what is he calling on us to do?  Is there any call to action other than voting for Obama?  Is there any advice for us to heal the divide and salve these wounds other than to vote for Obama?  No...that seems to be the only action he wants to see.

And why is it we are supposed to believe that he is the candidate who can address this as president.  Is it purely because of his racial background, which he outlines in his speech?  He gives us no history of successfully (or even unsuccessfully) addressing this in his community, his church, or his legislative background.  He gives us no path forward that he will take to heal this divide other than admitting it exists.  He gives us no "when I am president I will..." to explain how he intends to deal with this.  Are we supposed to be impressed that he is so smart that he saw racism in America where nobody else has before him, or that he is so brave he will mention it while others do not, and accept that as good enough?

This speech may placate his followers and demonstrate that he is not quitting after the embarassing news coverage over the weekend, but it does not address the fundamental questions that he he fails to address:

• As a leader in your community, why didn't you act on this at any time over the last 20 years you have been affiliated with this church?


• If race is one of the biggest problems in America, why is it only a central to your campaign now that you are being questioned on it?


• What will you actually DO as president to deal with this?


• What have you done in the past that shows any leadership on this issue?

The media, pundits, and bloggers are calling this a speech for the generations. Courageous, honest, nuanced, a home run, will be studied by our grandchildren, etc. It was an amazing speech.

Granted Obama delivers a very powerful message, I still see a problem. No matter how great his oratory, it will be the number two news item tonight. The Fed brought out another big interest rate cut. America's economy is heading into a crisis.

While Obama's core constituents (well-off liberals, African Americans, young/college voters) are over the moon, I'm not sure how the speech will resonate with the voters he is trying to win from Clinton or in the GE. Are the middle/lower class whites and Hispanics concerned with keeping their jobs, homes, and heads above water going to be blown away by a speech about racial reconciliation? Are older women going to nod in agreement while Obama describes his own white grandmother as occasionally racist?

Let's be realistic here. Wonderful words America needs to hear, but will they really listen? How many people are going to come home after a long day to catch up on a 40-minute primary stump they TiVo'ed on CSPAN? To me, a bit of political CYA over a renegade preacher seems kind of secondary to worries over the recession.

Then again, McCain was off in Iraq...

I will agree with you that this is an eloquent statement on the fact that there is a struggle, but Obama, as usual, doesn't tell us how he will engage in that struggle.  And he doesn't give us advice on how we can engage in that struggle.

If he is just a poet or a press gadfly, then this is a great statement on racism.  But there is no leadership here.  We expect more from people that want to be our leaders than just a synopsis of the situation.  There is no path forward, no glimpse of how President Obama might deal with this issue, no glimpse of how US Senator Obama or State Senator Obama dealt with this issue, and no inkling that Citizen Obama or Congregant Obama addressed this issue in any way.  Less than this was an uncomfortable realization of the issues of race in America, this was a "you can be comfortable with me on race" speech that leaves us nowhere new other than with the ability to say "Obama has addressed race and the Wright issues with a speech."

As a speech, this was good.  As an exercise in leadership, it failed.  As an answer to the question of "can you beat McCain with these videos out there?" it was a complete no-show.

I thought that Obama's speech was the most intelligent discussion of race relations I have heard in many years. Obviously other disagree--that is their right.

Can anyone direct me to a speech by Clinton or anyone else about race?  I would appreciate knowing that they have the same depth of understanding and that they have pondered in the same way that Obama has.

I'm not trying to score points here....I just want to know what others think.

Question: Would he be giving us this "Magic Moment in Our Puny Lives" if it were not for the fact that he is tanking politically over the Rev? It was a "save your neck" moment. And one that did not convince enough people to make him electable in swing states come November.

And he did try to slick his way through the issue, with his "Crazy Uncle" routine and initial unavailability on the topic. (Oh, and he said he was never there for any nasty sermons.)

Judging by the fact that he did attend this church for 20 years, and has called Wright his spiritual compass and sounding board -- not to mention his wife's comments in Wisconsin -- perhaps it is the Obamas that need a bit of race relations counseling.

Only not in the Oval Office.

Im a obama guy with that said

God damn my bed post I stubbed my toe..

Now ask do I really want god to damn my bed post. You need to take it into context. I see the up roar over god damn america. The USA is the shining becon of light to/for the world. We prop up other countrys and make them better. Well we did, its been awhile. WW2 anyone, A great just cause. America stepped up heeded the call, saved europe's ass. We are a better country, Ill say that till im blue in the face.

America when it screwed up
Katrina
Invasion of iraq
Dufar
somilia

anyone want to add to the list go for it

Now ask a person that lived on there roof for 3-4 days waiting for the flood waters to go down. If they said god damn bush, god damn the govt or god damn america. We prop up america and rightfully so. Sometimes she needs a good slap to the face to wake up, and correct course.

So in parting God damn america for not Helping more in Dufar, God damn america for Invading Iraq, God damn the companys that send jobs over seas. God damn Bush for being himself.

Or we agree with rommney "Well golly I dont think there is anything wrong with america."

Harsh words yes. True? Depends on the context.

The only speech I would have been happy with is this:

For months, I have sought to villify my political opponent for any comment made by her supporters, in or out of context, no matter how distant the relation.  Now I'm being given a taste of my own medicine, and seeing the error of this tactic, starting now I will cease.  I apologize for this tasteless campaign I have run.

Instead, he made it about race.  Oh great speech about race relations! his supporters are saying.  Why a speech about race relations now?  To avoid accountability?  To avoid being held to same standard as his opponent?  To avoid making a real apology?

In that case I would love to see this Speech from Hill.

I Said McCain Would be a better president. Because Barack is winning right now. Anything to win right. He would make a great VP Because I need his votes I couldnt do it on my own.

He showed great, great leadership here. He reminds me of my leader - Nelson Mandela. Is he the American Nelson Mandela? http://angryafrican.wordpress.com/2008/0 2/20/is-obama-the-american-mandela/

Although I don't agree with politics mixing in church, I feel compelled to address the flamethrowers who might just be caught up in the whirlwind of emotion that is attached to this issue.

Pastors don't preach in sound bites. i happened to hear an elongated clip with one previous diatribe of Rev. Wright, and frankly, I wish that people would hear the whole thing before being so (un-jesuslike) judgmental. He follows what some have called 'hate speech' with calls to remember that Jesus taught him to love his enemies....love the hate out of people. So, with his fiery rhetoric, he engaged those tempted to nap in the pews to the raucous edge of the precipice of hate...his voice bellowing....and then reeled them in to the path of loving those who may choose to hate you with unvoiced reasons. I think that Obama is intelligent enough to see the seeds of enlightenment in the prowess of the preacher that can link that disparate thought.

Those who stand by as flamethrowers will doubtfully be reached by any commentary, by him...or anyone. Not in this generation, anyway. The hope that I have seen in this election, engaging so many young people (who for the most part couldn't give a rat's rear what color you might be) will lead the way to an enlightened way of thinking about race and gender and sex and religion. I guess I am accepting the reality that the negative naysayers want to keep their judgments. And their closet  bigotry. And their parroted sound bites. Because it keeps them safe, in their minds. Cloaked in their fears, they cannot possibly move forward. My guess is that they will just have to be relegated to dying off, to put it bluntly...if they cannot embrace change. Change doesn't mean scary, although it is brave, and sometimes daunting. For me, I will gladly march onward through the fog, and know that in hope...and great numbers, others will do the same; to greet the sunlight that surely awaits.  Obama '08.